Star Wars Ewoks (2024) 2
THE RED GHOST STRIKES
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….
After the fall of the Empire, it is a time of peace and rebuilding on the forest moon of Endor. But following the invasion of their home by what the Ewoks call “cruel ones,” the native villagers of Bright Tree Village are at odds–are all outsiders bad? Or, as young Wicket proposes, is it a balance of openness and cautiousness that is the true way forward?
All the while, a team of Imperials and bounty hunters, including 4-LOM and Zuckuss, have traveled back to Endor looking to reclaim weapons of the Empire, and they’ve come face to face with the native forest dwellers….
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artists: Laura Braga, Álvaro López
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Cover artist: Pete Woods
Editor: Michael Basso
Publication date: November 13 2024
Our previous visit to the Forest Moon of Endor saw an Imperial shuttle crash land in the woods and a quintet of characters including Zuckuss and 4-LOM head towards Bright Tree Village, and we kick off issue 2 with just that as high in the trees of Happy Grove Forest the red-furred Ewok we saw in issue 1 looks down at Chief Chirpa convening with the two bounty hunters. 4-LOM explains they are pilgrims, seeking a holy site and only ask for refuge and safe passage. We know where they’re heading; a hidden Imperial weapons depot, but to avoid any complications they avoid mentioning this to their native hosts.
Wicket and Meedro are nearby, close enough to understand that the weapons they carry are those of the cruel ones, the Imperials who fell in battle when the false moon exploded high above. Chirpa is reluctant to acquiesce, but 4-LOM explains that while they are emissaries of the dark one, they only wish to rest and be guided to their goal, then away they shall go. To Wicket’s disbelief, Chirpa allows them to stay, and he and Meedro decide to remain hidden.
Some of the Ewoks see the wisdom of Chirpa’s play, including his daughter Kneesaa, but others are more fearful of having these emissaries amongst them. Chirpa listens to Logray’s wisdom and once again makes clear – the visitors are welcome to stay, but it’s then that Asha – aka the Red Ghost – leaps down from above, her battle cry ringing out amongst the trees as she smashes into Zuckuss and dislodges his breathing apparatus. There’s a stand-off as she crouches between the village and the interlopers, but the Imperial Scout Khu Fornot remembers the ferocity of the Ewoks in battle and opens fire, which kicks off an almighty scrap that sees the Ewoks scatter and Fornot corner Kneesaa and Chirpa, just as Meedro and Wicket come swinging in.
Here we get somewhat of a history lesson as we learn that Asha is the sister of Kneesaa and the daughter of Chirpa, something long-time Ewoks fans will have known since the 13th episode of the animated Ewoks series back in 1986. Saving Asha from the attacking droid, the Ewoks pile on until 4-LOM headbutts Meedro, but the melee is stopped as Koll swings his axe and breaks it up. Suddenly, General Koyatta is on his back, Wicket standing above him with his spear, but Kolls droid XX-77 explains that while they fight honorably, their weapons would make short work of the wooden village.
As Koll watches the twitchy Scout Khu Fornot prepare to kill the villagers we see Koyatta get the better of Wicket, knocking him off and grabbing his spear, about to strike if Koll doesn’t do what he’s ordered to be paid, but instead, the huge Dowutin holds Koyatta back, telling the General it’s time to move on. He grudgingly agrees but as they prepare to leave Bright Tree he decides to take a hostage. The Red Ghost is first put forward until Meedro offers himself instead, but eventually, it’s Wicket – speaking basic to the General – who is stunned by the general into unconsciousness as the issue ends.
A far more contained issue than the first, the stakes rise tremendously here as the travellers’ ploy works until the suspicions of the Ewoks overwhelm everyone’s plans and a face-off begins. It’s well drawn, very well written, balancing that classic Ewoks cuteness with their inherent wisdom and faith to deliver a convincing middle ground between movie, comic and cartoon, and leaves us itching for more as Wicket is taken away by the Imperial group. Wrapped in that superb cover by Pete Woods and you have yet another winning issue.
