Star Wars Ewoks (2024) 1
DANGERS FROM THE STARS
Long, long ago, deep in an enchanted forest on the distant moon of Endor, an evil group of outsiders set up their strange machines, bringing a war from the outside galaxy.
Another group of outsiders, seeking only peace for the galaxy, fought them off and restored the natives’ village to its once-serene nature.
But even after the heroes leave and new threats loom, the forest moon will always be protected by….
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artists: Laura Braga, Álvaro López
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Cover artist: Pete Woods
Editor: Michael Basso
Publication date: October 9 2024
Long-time lovers of the saga who were kids when Return of the Jedi came out will remember well how the ‘fandom’ of the time (enormous in number but barely connected in the days before the internet and especially social media) were mostly divided into two camps; those who loved the Ewoks, and those who hated them. With Jedi seen by some as a low point in the original trilogy, a Muppet Show in space with too many rubber creatures and furry cuteness, they represented the commercialisation of the saga more than anything else, a stance they would validate by two Ewok TV movies (theatrical in the UK and Europe) and an animated TV series that ran for 2 seasons. Along with the 14 issues Star Comics run from Marvel, there was no escaping the furry critters from Endor, but as their own star faded so did the saga, with Lucasfilm shifting focus to other projects. Star Wars in the 80’s ended with the parade of the Ewoks, and some never forgave them.
Then there were those of us who loved the Ewoks and all they stood for, so if you chose that camp then you can consider this new series from Marvel (written by Steve Orlando and beautifully drawn by Laura Braga and Álvaro López behind a writing cover by Pete Woods) an early Christmas present.
We open on the Forest Moon in Bright Tree Village as Wicket recounts the story of Episode VI to a gathering of woklings (from his own point of view, of course) and we learn how the Cruel Ones were driven off the moon by our rebel heroes and the Ewoks, how Leia returned to be wed after the felling of the False Moon and how despite having to leave to rebuild the rest of the galaxy, her heart remained in the village. Cue another Ewok celebration as we cut to the fleet of Moff Adelhard and the news that a weapons depot was left behind on Endor, one known by General Koyatta, a survivor of the battle who managed to journey back to the fleet.
We head back to Bright Tree as the elders convene (drawn beautifully, it must be said) to discuss what to do when the next visitors from the stars arrive. We meet Meedro, a warrior who opted to live on the outskirts of the village who warns about future visits, and the dangers they bring despite young Wicket’s words about welcoming visitors. He is chided by Chief Chirpa, but his words land home with the throng as we again cut to the Imperial forces, now on the Forest Moon in Solemn swamp, alive despite having crashed their Lambda Class shuttle. They have outsiders with them, bounty hunters Koll Orvenk and his droid E-X77, Zuckuss and 4-LOM. Their only task is to find the depot and deliver it to Adelhard, but as they prepare to head out we hear a roar as a dozen Duloks leap in and a scrap begins, ending with the Duloks dead after the final survivor warns them of ‘the red ghost’, and we see a red-furred ewok watching from high above.
Meanwhile in Happy Grove Forest we follow Wicket and Meedro, and while they speak of being from the same tribe it’s clear they are very different ewoks. Wicket has travelled out to check traps with Meedro, but in his eagerness, Wicket mistakes a small Verkle for a huge Temptor, a snake-like creature with a tongue disguised as the smaller, fuzzy Verkle. It attacks and while Wickets hold his own for a moment he is about to meet his end before Meedro attacks himself, trapping it until it detaches its own tail to escape. They walk back with the tail to the village, but as Meedro explains his preference for solitude there’s a call from the village – intruders, They race together, only to find the Imperial party have arrived at Bright Tree, warning the elders to co-operate, or else.
What an absolutely charming, welcome treat of a first issue from Marvel and the creative team. It would be very easy to deliver a child-focused Ewok adventure, something casual viewers might expect from these characters, so for Lucasfilm to steer the Ewoks towards Marvel rather than the younger-skewing Dark Horse is wise. The tone is pitch-perfect for the Ewoks, the descriptions honour names we’ve known for decades, the inclusion of two of our Episode V bounty hunters unexpected and the reason they’re there more than valid. Great work all round, and perfectly timed following on from the end of the very enjoyable Inquisitors 4-parter. Bring on issue 2.
