Darth Vader and Son

I thought that Vader's Little Princess was hilarious, but this book is even more so! Maybe it's because the child in question is younger (4 years old instead of a teen), and younger children are more prone to highjinx, but I didn't stop laughing the whole way through this book. Brown's comedic timing is perfect and there are some absolutely endearing illustrations. I especially liked the one where Vader forbids Luke to play with Han Solo (the bad influence friend - we all have one), since little Han is so adorable! Can't wait to read Jedi Academy!

Darth Vader and Son is a delightful and clever children’s comic book that is well conceived and worthwhile entertainment for children and adults alike.

Set up as a series of illustrated tableaus from the life of a Darth Vader who, instead of learning only mid-way through Empire Strikes Back that Luke Skywalker is his son, is the single father of a four-year old Luke (featuring a cameo from the other Skywalker twin, Leia–oops! Spoiler alert! Luke and Leia are siblings!), the book opens with a title page that spoofs the flowing titles and prologue that we’ve come to know as the standard opening of George Lucas’ blockbuster Star Wars films.

Each page is a colorfully drawn picture, scenes that every Star Wars fan will recognize. show more Brown’s art is simple, focusing on depicting the setting with only minor changes from the original. Rather, his wry drawings are just enough to both satirize and shed a humorous light on otherwise serious and pivotal scenes. The conversation between Darth Vader and the Emperor by holographic transmission is interrupted by a nattering Luke. In another, Luke trick or treats in the costume of a Storm Trooper while Mon Mothma asks “Aren’t you a little short for a storm trooper?”

The Prequel Trilogy doesn’t escape Brown’s jabs either, especially Jar Jar Binks. “That’s not the toy you’re looking for,” says a hand waving Vader. “Yes, it is,” replies young Luke, proving he is not among the weak-minded. It’s a sly commentary on the generational split in opinions about the first and second Star Wars trilogies.

While each scene pokes fun at Star Wars, it is without malice or mockery. Rather, it is tongue-in-cheek and by the hand of someone who clearly loves Star Wars. Brown knows that Han shot first, that children keep adults grounded and from taking ourselves too seriously, and recognizes that all the things we older Star Wars fans hate are the same things that kids love, from Ewoks to JarJar Binks.

As I flipped the pages, I chuckled, smiled, and laughed. Then my five-year old saw the book sitting on my bed stand, and she laughed, too. She wouldn’t put the book down after I finished it, and it isn’t for lack of other books to read. After she fell asleep, I found the book under her arm, and this afternoon she informed me that it would be accompanying her to school for ‘show and tell’ tomorrow.

If it can make my daughter laugh as much as it does me, it will be a great addition to our shelves.

Article first published as Graphic Novel Review: ‘Darth Vader and Son’ by Jeffrey Brown on Blogcritics.org. show less

Oh this is a hysterical little book. Imagine Darth Vader as a dad. That’s almost enough of a description but if you need more here it is. The author clearly knows Star Wars very well and is a parent, because almost every page combines an amusing Star Wars phrase and a moment that parents will totally recognize, from Luke using the force to reach the cookie jar to Vader trying to use a mind trick to convince Luke he doesn’t want the Jar Jar Binks toy. Almost every page had me laughing. Definitely worth getting your hands on.

Uma ideia interessante, com uma execução gráfica muito boa que perde apenas pela ausência de narrativa. Ou seja, o livro é constituído por vários quadros cómicos que satirizam a figura malvada de Darth Vader em poses de bom paizinho de Luke Skywalker, mas fica-se por aí.

Se tivermos em conta o público que parece estar no centro da ideia, a idade do filho de Jeffrey Brown de 4 anos, o livro é interessante e até estimulante, para lançar o diálogo à volta do filme. Contudo a partir dos 6 anos perde a graça já que as páginas se sucedem sem estrutura, procurando apenas a piada no contraste entre a malvadez do personagem e o altruísmo do papel de comum pai.

Teria sido muito mais interessante apresentar uma ideia composta do show more todo, capaz de criar um verdadeiro universo alternativo, assim ficamo-nos pela graça que se consegue a partir de alguns bons quadros do livro. show less

Is Dad a mega Star Wars fan? This book is the perfect gift to share with him? Brown, best known to Star Wars fans for his Jedi Academy graphic novels, asks the question, "What if Vader was just a typical father trying to raise his kids?". His wonderful illustrations bring everyday dad situations, like soccer, ice cream, and 'Bring your son to work day', to our favorite Sith Lord. Full of fun memories and snappy one-liners. This isn't canon, it is what if and it is beyond hilarious. For dads and daughters, there is a companion book " Vader's Little Princess." Probably the best ten minutes I have spent with a book all year!

This thing is absolutely lovely. I really like the way it "connect" the movies and Luke's fictional childhood. Nobody else can be a funnier dad than Vader or say that "Siths are the good guys"even when "They look like the bads."

The format is very nice, neat and practical. The pictures are quite cute.

My favorite page: The one that Daver prohibits Luke be friend of Han Solo.

Fun fact: I read the book at Office Depot until I waited for be attendent

A collection of single-panel cartoons of Star Wars' conflicted villain Darth Vader, presuming he's aware that he's the father of Luke Skywalker, and raising 4-year-old Luke as a single father. Brown manages to put a sometimes hilarious, sometimes low-key spin on both established Star Wars iconography and on the perils and pitfalls of life with a small child. Luke in these cartoons is a sweetheart, even if occasionally a pest. The best of the cartoons make use of well-known lines of Star Wars dialog in a new and humorous setting. Lots of fun -- especially for fans of the original film trilogy! Although not every example is successful. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the Star Wars cookbooks and origami books, which also have show more a lot of fun with established Star Wars mythology.]

Originally reviewed for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec13-02.htm show less