This graphic novel was totally top notch both the story and the art. I wasn't even supposed to read it (I have a lot of other books to read that needs to be finished soon) but I was sucked into the story and could just not quit reading it. The art was really good, the kind that I like, crisp and clean, with easy to read font. Every page was a work of art.

Growing up my favorite character in Star Wars was Darth Vader, and he still is my favorite character. So that is one of the reasons I really liked this graphic novel that and that the story was really good. Also, I didn't see the ending coming, I mean it all made sense, but I was a bit: "wtf?"...I like it when books actually surprise me...

So, I recommend this graphic novel warmly to anyone that likes SW or just likes a very good graphic novel! ( )

Star Wars with a compelling politics story (for once). ( )

These are all really depressing but I actually liked this one a lot. ( )

These are all really depressing but I actually liked this one a lot. ( )

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison
Author: Haden Blackman, Agustin Alessio
Publisher: Dark Horse publishing
Published In:
Date: April 23, 2013
Pgs: 128

REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
A rebellion on the heels of the Emperor’s victory. Terror attacks across Coruscant. Emperor Palpatine close to death. An entire crop of cadets from the finest military academies across the empire turned to the ambition of their headmaster. A man who wants to crown himself the next Emperor. Vader must find a bastion, a bolthole from which to retake the Empire and succor his master. A rumor. A wisp. A memory from his time as Anakin Skywalker, Jedi. Where did those prisoners too dangerous to be thrown into the Republic’s prisons go? Where did all those men captured by Anakin end up? The Ghost Prison awaits.

Genre:
Comics and graphic novels
Military
Politics
Science fiction
Space opera
Sword and sorcery
War
Wizards
Zombies

Why this book:
It's Darth Vader and Star Wars how can I not read it

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Favorite Character:
Laurita Thom, the only cadet that they couldn’t be sure of. The only one they didn’t include in their plot. They tried to sideline him, but he escaped and fell right into the middle of their rebellion. And he sided with Vader. His loyalty to the Empire.

Least Favorite Character:
Headmaster Gentis. While he makes for an interesting villain, if you consider Vader, Thom, et al as the heroes of the piece that is, Gentis is a bit of a scenery muncher of a character. Very overblown.

Character I Most Identified With:
This was weird. As you read this, you start to feel like Vader and those on his side are the heroes, even when you know that they are the bad guys. You have to keep reminding yourself that even though Headmaster Gentis is a terrorist in the sense of the story that he is facing down the Emperor, Vader, and the Empire.

The Feel:
Just felt like Star Wars. It was perfect.

Favorite Scene:
The final scene is a mindblower, especially when put in context with the climax.

The scene where the other cadets don't trust Laurita Thom and lock him in the fighter trainer.

When Thom shows himself to be a worthy apprentice to Vader, coldblooded and ruthless.

Pacing:
The pacing of the story is awesome. A real page turner.

Hmm Moments:
Moff Trachta very much seems like a Vader Jr. Though whether he was prototype or Mark II hasn’t been revealed in the text. I’m guessing Mark II, but the differences could be more an expression of what drove them to their current state rather than the state of the tech.

I didn't catch that Caul was Headmaster Gentis son until the climax.

Why isn’t there a screenplay?
With the right special effects, this would make an awesome movie.
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Last Page Sound:
Wow! I did not see that coming in the denouement. Great stuff.

Author Assessment:
Would definitely read more stuff by Haden Blackman.

Editorial Assessment:
Very well put together.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
instant classic

Disposition of Book:
e-Book

Would recommend to:
everyone
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