The Last Jedi #6 Review

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In the final issue of The Last Jedi adaptation, Luke confronts Kylo as the Resistance makes their escape from Crait.

This review discusses plot points form The Last Jedi #6.

The Last Jedi #6

Writer: Gary Whitta | Artist: Michael Walsh with Josh Nixon | Colorist: Mike Spicer | Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham | Cover Artist: Mahmud Asrar & Frankie D’armata | Assistant Editor: Tom Groneman | Editor: Mark Paniccia

The Last Jedi #6 concludes the comic adaptation of the film. The story resumes with the Millennium Falcon, with Chewbacca, Rey, and Artoo aboard, drawing away the First Order TIE Fighters from the Resistance speeders. This issue concludes at the same place as the movie when the Resistance escapes from Crait and children tell stories of Luke Skywalker’s heroics at the conclusion of the battle. The Last Jedi #6 features the best art of series, omits a few minor scenes, and adds a few details to wrap up the adaptation.

Additions and Omissions

The Last Jedi #6 largely tells the same story as the final act of the movie. However, there are a few additions and omissions worth mentioning. First, the adaptation truncates the scenes featuring the Falcon’s rescue of the Resistance speeders. Just as in the film, the Falcon arrives just in time to shoot down First Order TIE fighters closing in on Rose Tico’s speeder. Rey shoots down a trio of fighters and the Falcon draws the rest of them away. The adaptation omits the following pursuit where Chewbacca leads the TIEs into the caverns of Crait and then bursts through to the surface. While it isn’t a major omission, it is still missed. Star Wars is famous for its pursuit scenes, and it was disappointing to lose this escape.

Among the alterations in The Last Jedi #6 is Luke’s reunion with Leia. Their dialogue includes many of the same lines. A notable change though is the absence of Leia’s line, “I know what you are going to say. I changed my hair.” Instead, Luke responds directly to Leia’s prior line about hope dying in the galaxy with the admonition that she doesn’t really believe it. Then he brings up her hair on his own. It seems a little odd. The levity from their exchange in the movie is absent in this adaptation. Regardless, there are other lines added to their meeting that work very well, and Luke encourages and inspires his sister. Overall, it is a positive net change.

A Larger World

The Last Jedi #6 also includes several moments of Luke’s inner dialogue. These are the finest additions to the film in the adaptation. As Luke emerges onto the battlefield of Crait, he notes he has “been waiting for this for a long time.” It is “one final chance to set things right.” This speaks volumes about Luke. He had regrets, and he now he has an opportunity to rectify abandoning the Republic and the Resistance. Later in the issue, once it is revealed Luke was just projecting an image to Crait from Ahch-To, a little swagger and confidence emerges. Luke confides in the reader that “any great master will tell you always save your best trick for last” as Kylo learns Luke was never really there. Then, as Luke fades into the Force, he demonstrates the peace and serenity that Rey senses moments later. He notes that his journey ends as it began on a world with two suns and he is stepping into a larger world.

This is the best addition to the entire adaptation. Luke redeemed himself after fleeing from Kylo and the First Order. He brought hope to the Resistance and reborn Rebellion. Finally, he is disappearing into the sunset and taking the first step into a larger world. As Rey notes later, he left at peace and with purpose.

The Art of The Last Jedi #6

Michael Walsh had the art duties for this adaptation. He ended with the series on a real high note with some assistance from Josh Nixon. The portrayal of the duel between Kylo and Luke was perfect. The art added a pacing that matched what as on screen. Walsh also did a great job with Luke’s reveal upon arriving on Crait. However, his best piece was Luke emerging onto the battlefield for the confrontation with Kylo. Mike Spicer added some amazing color to the two page panel and the result is simply an epic image.

Final Thoughts on The Last Jedi #6

Gary Whitta’s adaptation of The Last Jedi is a success. The conclusion of the series with The Last Jedi #6 did a superb job matching the tone and pacing of the film. Luke’s inner dialogue effectively enhanced his scenes on Crait and made his death even more heroic than it was on screen. Just as in the movie, the adaptation ends with a note of hope that the Resistance will recover, rebuild, and overcome the First Order.