Series: Obi-Wan & Anakin
Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Marco Checchetto
Publisher: Marvel
Summary from Comixology: “Before their military heroism in the Clone Wars, before their tragic battle on Mustafar, and many decades before their final confrontation on the Death Star…they were Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker. It’s been a few years since Obi-Wan pledged to train the young “chosen one,” but even as they have grown closer through training, it has been a difficult road. Now, called to a remote planet for assistance, Master and Padawan may be pushed to the breaking point. Writer Charles Soule (Lando, She-Hulk, Daredevil) and artist Marco Checchetto (Star Wars: Shattered Empire, Avengers World, Punisher) bring us a tale of the Jedi at the height of their power.”
The first thing I thought when I heard that another Star Wars title was going to be rolling off the presses at the start of the year was, “Marvel will not be content until they suck all the money out of my bank account like a Mynock on power cables,” and the second thought was, “Oooooh, Charles Soule and Obi-Wan Kenobi with the artist from Shattered Empire? I’m game.” Some people might look over this book since it takes place during the dreaded prequel era, but if there’s one thing the prequels got right, it’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Another reason for Star Wars fans to be excited for this book is that every single Star Wars book Marvel has put out so far has been fantastic.
Obi-Wan & Anakin takes place in the time period before Attack of the Clones, and finds the pair investigating a mysterious distress call from a supposedly dead planet. Anakin is struggling with finding his place within the Jedi Order, especially after a particular incident where his emotions got the best of him. We also find a Kenobi that seems to be doubting the Senate’s jurisdiction over the Jedi.
When I first read the book I was… I don’t know, maybe a little let down even though I enjoyed it? Don’t get me wrong, Charles Soule is a writer that nails the tone of pretty much everything he writes, and Obi-Wan & Anakin is no different. Checchetto’s art is also relatively strong too – some of the panels were a little disproportionate, like a lightsaber hilt would appear way too small, or a robe way too big. I will say that Checchetto also provided some incredible panels throughout the issue as well. I think the problem I ran into originally was that all of the other #1’s Marvel has put out have been spectacularly good while Obi-Wan & Anakin is just “really good.” After I read it through another time before this review that I felt a lot more satisfied with this book. There was some nuance in the story that I missed the first go around, and it sets up what looks to be a very exciting story.
While there were a few very minor issues, at least for me, Obi-Wan & Anakin was a very strong debut issue that continues Marvel’s streak of strong Star Wars titles. I love the concept. There is a ton of story potential between Episode I and II for both Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am thoroughly excited to see where Soule takes this series, and I highly recommend it to any Star Wars fans whether you are a fan of the prequels or not.