Star Wars: The Mandalorian
#2
CHAPTER 2: THE CHILD
The Mandalorian has taken a job from a mysterious client to collect a secret asset.
Upon landing on Arvala-7, Mando formed an uneasy alliance with the assassin droid IG-11 to complete the mission.
But this is no ordinary bounty. It is a child….
Writer: Rodney Barnes
Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Karl Story
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover artist: Kaare Andrews
Editor:Â Mark Paniccia
Publication date: August 17 2022
Following on from the vibrant and steady first issue of Marvels adaptation of the debut episode of The Mandalorian comes the second, picking up the story where we left off as we adapt Chapter 2: The Child, opening with Mando and the child, floating in his crib while they travel through a canyon on Arvala-7. Devotees of the show will know the scene, as they are accosted by Trandoshans, only for Mando to protect the child, firming up an already substantial bond as they make camp to rest and repair before happening upon a lumbering sandcrawler, stripping the plates and raiding the loot from the Razor Crest (closing the ramp and securing the ship every now and then might help with that). A thrilling chase ensues as Mando unsuccessfully tries to get his gear back from the offworld Jawas before taking a long walk with the child back to Kuiil, and the first spoken words of the issue as the Ugnaught talks Mando into meeting with the Jawas to find a solution to the problem of his ship being stripped for parts.
After refusing to hand over his beskar armour or the child, Mando agrees to hunt the egg of a Mudhorn, and makes his way to its cave where the huge beast slumbers. Woken by the bounty hunter it attacks, battering Mando until he is all but defeated and as it makes what could very likely be its final attack, the child closes its eyes and the Mudhorn levitates, clearly confused and immobile and allowing the Mandalorian to kill it and steal its shaggy-haired egg, which it brings back to the Jawas.
We end with Kuiil helping Mando put the ship back into serviceable shape, offering him a portion of the reward and a job, and the stoic former slave refusing as the Razor Crest takes to the skies. It’s a faithful adaptation of the story from the 2019 Disney Plus episode, one short on words and high on action, and in the capable hands of writer Rodney Barnes, penciller Georges Jeanty, inker Karl Story and colourist Rachelle Rosenberg it’s a very readable issue, vividly interpreting the action from screen to the 2D page.
As usual, an attractive cover this time by Kaare Andrews makes it a desirable target for Mandalorian fans and readers, but it still has to be asked; what is the allure in 2022, with the third season only half a year away, of another adaptation of the first season, especially in the aftermath of the stunning Season 1 graphic novel by Allesandro Ferrari, Matteo Piana and Igor Chimisso, released in the UK by Panini Comics. An identical project, split over 8 issues by Marvel would seem to be milking the Mudhorn, and unless these adaptations can be sped up to at least overlap with the ongoing season it seem to have little use, other than displaying the undoubted talents of its creative team. Enjoyable, but far from essential.
Star Wars: Star Wars: The Mandalorian #3 (Jeanty Variant) from Star Wars: The Mandalorian by Rodney Barnes published by Marvel Comics @ ForbiddenPlanet.com – UK and Worldwide Cult Entertainment Megastore
