Republic #66 Show of Force Part 2 (of 2) Story: John Ostrander Art: Jan Duursema Inks: Dan Parsons Coloring: Brad Anderson Lettering: Michael David Thomas Cover: Jan Duursema, Brad Anderson Released: 06/30/2004 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (03/03/2005) SUMMARY: In the headquarters of the Crimson Nova guild of bounty hunters, Mace Windu and a trio of Jedi Masters oblige when the hunters decide to fight to the death. Mika's friend betrays her by revealing the source of the bounties to the Jedi. When they get to Ryloth, they find out the Dark Jedi Quinlan Vos was there before them, leaving a grim recording behind...

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

This issue has a lot of death, healing, hope, depair, and Jedi skiff cleaning! (sorry, that's a little inside joke.) Along with the first part, this story shows Jedi kickin' it old school just like before the Clone Wars. It also shows more of Quinlan's fall towards the Dark Side. It does offer a very satisfying conclusion to the events set up last issue (who put out the bounty? Will T'ra Saa survive?) and also has a scene of exposition. in fact, it's the same scene as previous issue! I was surprised to read Mika once again yell to stroth "did the Jedi take your nerve along with your arm?" I mean, one can only take so many one-arm jokes. But seriously, this is uncharacteristic of Ostrander's tight pacing and storytelling.

I also really loved the conclusion, as we finally see what happened to Depa Billaba since the novel Shatterpoint, the story of which Mace tells T'ra Saa (also for the sake of readers who didn't read the book yet.) Once again very good work from Mr. Ostrander.

THE ART

Mrs. Duursema is keeping the high standard begun with the last issue (and a lot of issues before that). I think I should talk about Mr. Dan Parsons at this point, who seems to be inking a lot of Duursema's work. I think he works very well with her art, as he enhances the lines but keeps her own personal style showing. Same is true with Mr. Brad Anderson's coloring work, which he also lends to the various covers done by Duursema. Overall, some panels may be a bit too dark, but most of the time the complete package is very satisfying.

CONCLUSIONS

Mace Windu Unleashed! And he's written and drawn by the best people for the job. Go back and read the previous issue as well. It's worth it.

Rating: 8.5 / 10 Highly Recommended