Star Wars #27 Review

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Yoda explores a mysterious planet of warrior children in Star Wars #27.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars #27.

Star Wars #27

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Salvador Larroca | Colorist: Edgar Delgado | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: Stuart Immonen | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

In the previous issue, while awaiting repairs, Luke read from Obi-Wan’s journal. The journal entry Luke read concerned a Jedi Master that rescued a Force-sensitive child from gangsters. That Jedi Master was none other than Yoda. Once he rescued the child, Yoda answered a call through the Force. His investigation lead him to a planet of children warriors. Star Wars #27 continues the story of his adventure on this planet.

Obi-Wan’s Journal

The opening pages of this issue remind the reader that Obi-Wan wrote this story. Obi-Wan is careful in revealing details. For instance, he only refers to Yoda as “the Jedi Master.” A particularly cool detail is that Obi-Wan wrote this journal using the Force. While perched atop a cliff, he used the Force to scrawl this story within the journal. The Force supports the journal and the writing implement.

Despite his considerable time on Tatooine, he still finds the conditions harsh. While writing the entry he notes that the Jedi Master found it “so hot, he thought his face might melt from his skull” before correcting himself. Although, he says, “no, wait. Ignore that last part. That’s me, not Yoda” (emphasis in original). This raises a question: Is Obi-Wan talking to himself, the Force, or someone else? Each answer seems plausible. As a hermit, talking to oneself is a conceivable habit. Although Star Wars is not replete with examples of such behavior, Obi-Wan used the Force while writing this entry. Therefore, he could be talking out loud about his actions.

Finally, could it be someone else? Maybe a figment of his imagination to occupy his sanity on that Force forsaken planet? Or, perhaps he speaks out loud to the presence of Qui-Gon. Granted, this is a small detail, but it is ripe for speculation and the theory-crafting for which Star Wars fans are known.

Saviors from the Sky

The children that discover Yoda on this mysterious planet eventually hail Yoda as a savior. They label him the “Deliverer.” This theme resembles a theme from a previous Marvel Star Wars comic. In Charles Soule’s Obi-Wan & Anakin series, the “Open” clan members on Carnelion IV perceive Anakin Skywalker as a “skygift.” After all, he arrived via a starship and he seemingly holds the key to restoring their technology. Anakin is a mythological figure for them.

While Star Wars might be a modern mythology for our world, Aaron creates a little mythology for the galaxy in Star Wars #27. The story is similar to Anakin’s on Carnelion IV. Grasping the viewpoint of the children on this world is easy. Their parents are gone. The clan that finds Yoda desperately needs a savior. Some among them swallow parts of the Force infused stone and then “Sky Scream” for help. Yoda answered the call. After deflecting their attacks, the children realize Yoda’s power. He vows to help them.

The Apocalypse of the Force Infused Stones

The lore around these children also takes on a mythological quality. This world was once peaceful. All its inhabitants lived beneath sparkling blue mountains. From these mountains, the people drew on the energy of life. However, eventually some of the people grew greedy, and they wanted the power to themselves. A war ensued. Because of the war, some of the mountains lost power, and some of the mountains crumbled. The stones of these mountains held some of this power and became a jealously guarded commodity.

Aaron has created a post-apocalyptic world. It is not the dystopian universe humanity envisions. Instead, this dystopia is unique to its environment. Dystopian stories frequently feature a commodity. The people of this unnamed planet rely on the power of the mountains and its stones. Without it, they will eventually succumb to their enemies. Therefore, they wage tribal wars to control this power. So far, the battle on this world claimed the adults. Now, the children are left in their own version of Lord of the Flies.

The stones are indeed unique. Yoda has never seen it’s like before. Given his advanced age, that is remarkable. Also, notable, Yoda is familiar with Kyber crystals and their abilities to channel the Force. Therefore, whatever these stones are, they are truly peculiar.

Extremism in Star Wars

Before Yoda begins his investigation, the child warriors show him a captive. This prisoner is full of bravado. He hurls insults at the children and proclaims he fears no one. To the contrary, Yoda senses his fear. However, before Yoda can question the captive, another of the Mudwhackers (that is what the clan of this prisoner calls these children) proclaims his intention to put this prisoner to death. The child that serves as Yoda’s guide refuses him this and reminds him that it is not their way. It would make them no better than their enemy.

This is a strong echo of the themes from Rogue One and some episodes of Rebels. To what lengths should one go to defeat a mortal enemy? What cost is worth defeating one’s foes? The vindictive child proclaims that their more pacifist ways are why they are losing the war. This sounds exactly like Saw Gerrera. In the “Ghosts of Geonosis” episode of Rebels, Saw accused the restrictive methods of the Jedi for why the war was lost. Saw, is an extremist. So is this child. Jyn accused Cassian of sinking to the level in Rogue One and Ezra called Saw out on this in Rebels. Similarly, Yoda’s guide reminds him they aren’t like their foes. They aren’t murderers.

The two children come to blows over this dispute. Spear heads made of the strange Force stones cap their weapons. When the weapons clash, Yoda senses a disturbance in the Force. Then using the Force, he puts an end to the fight and admonishes the children. He reminds them to be true to themselves. And, of course, he wouldn’t be a Jedi if he didn’t remind them to let go of their anger.

Yoda’s Next Trial

After resolving the issue among the Mudwhackers, Yoda takes their prisoner and sets out for the mountain and the Rockhawkers. He finds them shortly. They possess the ability to throw stones from the mountain with the Force. Surprisingly, they catch him off-guard and overcome his defenses. These children successfully knock Yoda unconscious. When he awakes, he is chained and at the mercy of the Rockhawkers. These children send him into the caves inside the mountain. The issue ends with the remark that Yoda never felt so hopeless or small.

Conclusion

This issue explores classic Star Wars themes. The first of those themes is the arrival of a savior. Much like how Anakin greets Qui-Gon in The Phantom Menace as a savior, Yoda appears the savior to the Mudwhackers. Next, there is the theme of proportionate retaliation and morality in war. Of course, this theme dominated Rogue One and the “Ghosts of Geonosis” episode of Rebels. Finally, there is the theme of fear. Much like how Yoda cautioned Anakin to overcome his fear in the prequels, Yoda cautions the children of this planet in Star Wars #26.

Despite the familiar themes, this issue does explore new territory. Although Yoda has experience in handling children (remember his instructions in Attack of the Clones), dealing with savage warrior children is a first for him. Also, getting answers and clear instructions from these children is a nightmare. Nobody really trusts him.

However, there is one more classic Star Wars theme in this issue. Yoda is sent into the cave in the end by the Rockhawkers. If this seems familiar to Star Wars fans, it is for good reason. Yoda employs this same test when training Luke Skywalker on Dagobah. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising that Luke failed that test in The Empire Strikes Back. After all, he is reading something very similar here. As Yoda might say, “Much to learn, he has.”

Favorite Panel of Star Wars #27

Despite its deep thematic elements, this issue takes a couple of reads to really sink in. It does not contain much in the way of classic Star Wars imagery. Nobody uses a lightsaber. In addition, there are no blasters or stormtroopers. Instead, this issue features a new kind of Star Wars story. It takes some adjustment. With that in mind, the penultimate panel of this issue stands out as the favorite for the issue. Yoda is not just concerned, he feels afraid and helpless. This is new territory for Yoda. His emotions are written all over his face. That is the favorite panel for Star Wars #27.