Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

From 1991 until 2014, around the time Disney bought the franchise, the comic book stories based around Star Wars were done by Dark Horse Comics. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1 is the first issue of the very first storyline that Dark Horse ever did, itself following up from both Return of the Jedi and the novel Heir to the Empire the same year. This debut issue sees Leia, Han, and Chewbacca aiding Luke as he and other Rebels are flanked by Imperial forces while in Coruscant. While the Rebels manage to win the battle at first, an unknown entity appears through a wormhole, and while Han and the others escape via the Falcon, Luke stays behind as he feels a strong presence in the Force and believes it's after him. Luke is taken by this unknown entity as Han promises Leia that they will rescue him and reunite with the Rebel leaders. The story for this comic is well written by Tom Veitch, capturing the characters from the Original Trilogy perfectly and starting out with a great mystery that elicits the need to read the rest of the story. Both the dialogue and narration are kept very minimum, never having too much of either and giving us just the right amount of exposition, which part of the credit must be given to letterer Todd Klein. Working on all of the aspects of the comic's artwork, Cam Kennedy certainly has a unique look and excels at detailed characters and backgrounds and shadows. The coloring is a bit mixed since there's just a bit too much use of purple and pink, but it does also give a sense of its own identity and certain parts due enhance the awe and mysteriousness. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1 has the task of starting a new story with already established and loved characters under a company that's only five years old, which it manages to pull off perfectly. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

2. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

3. The Yellow Kid

4. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674