REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories,’ Issue #1

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 is written by Amanda Deibert and illustrated by Lucas Marangon, while Michael Atiyah provides colors, and Tyler Smith and Jimmy Bentancourt round out the team as letters. Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories brings Star Wars back to Dark Horse Comics with all-ages anthology series. Over its twelve-issue run, Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories will feature tales from all across the Star Wars timeline told by various writers, similar to series like Tales From Wildspace and Star Wars Adventures. Where this series will differ is that through every issue, there will be a secret storyline that will make itself known as the series progresses.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 takes some time around the events of the Clone Wars. While on a diplomatic mission in the Outer Rim, Senator Padmé Amidala and Wookie senator Yarua are drawn into a trap by the insidious General Grevious. Before they are both captured, Senator Amidala makes a distress call to the Jedi Council. Senator Yarua slips a valuable item into his daughter’s doll and sends Viveenn into the woods. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker are tasked with rescuing the Separatist hostages before it is too late.

Whatever this special item that was stashed in Viveenn’s doll may very well be the connection between various points on the Star Wars timeline. In anthology stories, it can be hard for some people to feel like the stories are necessary as we already know the events of things like the overarching conflict with Separatists. However, by providing a throughline through all twelve issues, there are certainly stakes that will bring readers back for more. Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 proves that we will see all of our favorite heroes and villains along the way.

While Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 is marketed as an all-age series, I would say it certainly leans more heavily to a younger audience, at least for this issue. And that’s totally okay! Marangon’s art is more stylized than the current Marvel Comics runs, but it works to the benefit of the issue. The emotions portrayed by the characters are clear and animated from panel to panel, which is perfect. Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 gives readers the core three characters of the Prequel Trilogy, who all have widely different personalities. Our heroes having distinct facial expressions and actions really highlights the differences in characters with similar goals.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 shines in the little moments between characters. Coupling Marangon’s art and writer Deibert’s fast-paced story, readers get a clear picture of who Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker are as people, which is great for a younger audience. Obi-Wan is calm and calculated, ready to take his time to accomplish the mission. Anakin is determined and impulsive, ready to go in lightsaber blazing to cut down anything in his way. Padmé is capable and empathetic, prepared to use her skills to save those around her. With that established early on in the issue, readers can enjoy the fun dynamics fans have come to love from the films and animated shows.

Overall, Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 has the series off to a great start. I am most intrigued by the secret storyline that will follow throughout the series. Other Star Wars anthologies comics typically give a double feature story like in Star Wars Adventures or give secondary stories while the main stories progress like in Halycon Legacy. Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 sets the stage for something new and exciting in the world of Star Wars comics.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.