Star Wars Omnibus: Menace Revealed - Graphic Novel Review

Watching the perspective of the “Star Wars” canon ever expanding, this time, in more visual acuity, because of both the graphic novel output and the current Cartoon Network show, the layering of this universe is seemingly becoming more rich because the narratives placed in structure between all of the films. This allows for a lot of interspersed stories with characters not even shown or barely seen in those movies. This gives undeniable credence to the planned live action series because the groundwork is purely coming into play. “Menace Revealed” in Omnibus form shows the different perceptions of what “villain” can mean from a certain point of view.Star Wars Omnibus: Menace Revealed The aspect of this collection is to permeate that which we can see which borders “A New Hope” and “Empire” and the breathe of the second two prequels. The first story “Starcrash” involves a Padewan who is not quite up to snuff yet. He ends up on a “Hitchhiker” drudge-ridden world where a princess is about to have a really bad marriage of convenience. He helps her get out of it but he is not big enough to fill his shoes. “Hearts Of Fire” follows a young Jedi who passes in a remembrance of her former master. “The Hunt For Aurra Sing” follows a character seen in “Clone Wars” who has a mean streak. Here we get to see her teacher and a primarily conflicted Padewan deal with a property deal gone bad. The Padewan loses control and almost kills her. He realizes his folly but almost relinquishes control of his emotions. “Jedi Quest” follows a younger Obi Wan and Anakin before we see them in “Clones”. Anakin, on a outlying planet with Obi Wan, sees a vision of Darth Maul who foretells his fall to the Dark Side. After this unnerving perception and the creation of his first lightsaber, the Padewan and his master are sent on a mission to take down a murdering smuggler Kradyn who ultimately works for the Hutts. Anakin is captured by a mercenary (who is also a undercover Jedi). Obi Wan is able to traverse back into the hold with disguise as the young Anakin leads a rebellion. After Obi Wan rescues some of the pslaves, Anakin faces off with Kradyn and kills him in cold blood boding well for his later betrayal. The image of rage in the rain perfectly balances Anakin's defeat on the volcano planet some time later.“Jango Fett” shows some of the background of the infamous bounty hunter. He is recruited for a signficant artifact retrieval to an employer he doesn't know but for which he is paid double. The object turns out to be guarded by a Force Creature. The female bounty hunter (Zam Wessell) that helped him in “Clones” pulls a Belloq. It turns out that the anonymous buyer is a Dark Lord. Jango returns home and spends some quality time with Boba who always wonders why his father has to leave. “Zam Wessell” seems to have a thing for Jango Fettt even if she is a shape shifter (which we saw when she died in "Attack Of The Clones"). That much is certain. But she also seems to have a conscience against her better judgment. She gets Jango in the hay which is also one of her intents. Zam wants to get back the piece Jango stole. A lanky Jedi with mind control powers is on the case as well down in the bowels of Coruscant City, like something out of “The 5th Element” The final battle shows Fett helping with the aspect of good unlike later in “Clones” when Zam dies.“Bounty Hunter: Aurra Sing” has the evil woman tracking down a Jedi turned bad. The angle of self reflexiveness works here showing both the craft of the writing but also the ability to come back to the good side of the Force. “Poison Moon” follows Anakin and Obi Wan where the young Padewan gets caught in the grips of a dark side element and is again spared. Maybe they see something in him. Briefing and the print is a bit smaller here which dictates something else. “Starfighter – Crossroads” is the most comprehensive of the stories in this volume in the progression of a stand alone because the lead Rym, like a buff version of the captain of the ghost boat in “Pirates Of The Carribean”, has a great essence to him like an “Indiana Jones Of The Sea” without morals. He seems to have more dexterity than the Jedi but does not do more damage than he needs to. In that way, he is like an amphibian version of Han Solo. “Full Of Surprises” takes a similar approach to “Clones” in terms of an asteroid altercation with Jango Fett but this time it is before an aspect with Boba. Jango narrowly escapes because this time Obi Wan has the upper hand. “Most Deadly Weapon” takes place right between the end of the Dooku/Yoda battle on Genonosis. The Count believes that Skywalker is a power to be reckoned with and will mention it to Lord Sidious when he returns. It is like a little easter egg that is added to the proceedings.“Practice Makes Perfect” shows the element of Anakin taking part in the trials to become a full Jedi. He masters his tests easily but Master Windu is wary of his overconfidence. “Machines Of War” examines the Clones confidence compared to the Jedi way. Yoda admits that they are powerful and wonders if it might cause them problems down the road which is self fulfilling.“Star Wars Omnibus: Menace Revealed” helps clarify a lot of the relationships we have grown to criticize over the prequel trilogy. It works especially in the element of Jango Fett and Zam Wessell whom we see in “Attack Of The Clones” in allowing them to have a full arc which could not be seen on screen. By comparison, the volume also offers a greater psychological view into Anakin's psyche in showing that his mind was unraveling from the beginning if these elements are to be taken as canon. As a result, this collection is riveting at times in its use of essential story points.