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Star Wars (2015)
Star Wars, Vol. 9: Hope Dies
A New Hope led here! A secret rebel base. A secret rebel fleet. A chance of victory…but now, Darth Vader has found it. There is no escape. The Empire first strikes back here and now! Can the Millennium Falcon stand alone against the entire Imperial Fleet? Not to mention a TIE Advanced Starfighter with a certain Sith Lord as its pilot?! As the rebels' plans crumble, Princess Leia must discover the cause of this disaster — before it's too late! Her mission leads her aboard Darth Vader's personal Dreadnought…but he always seems to know when his enemies are near. If the Rebellion is to live on, sacrifice is needed…but if hope dies, what survives? Plus: Luke Skywalker and smuggler Sana Starros attend a high-stakes podracing event…but why? Place your bets!
Collects Star Wars (2015) #50-55 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #4.
Collects Star Wars (2015) #50-55 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #4.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2018
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,390 books1,834 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
May 24, 2021
"Hmph. It is . . . satisfactory." -- Emperor Palpatine, in conversation with Darth Vader
While the above-quoted villain is referring to the overarching plot development, it would also be a fair assessment for my opinion on this volume. While Vol. 9: Hope Dies certainly doesn't skimp on the fast-moving action scenes - squadrons of X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter dogfights, detachments of Rebel soldier vs. Imperial Stormtrooper shoot-outs, etc. - it is curiously stuck in the rut of being merely good . . . but not great. It doesn't help that 'the Trinity' - Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo - although all working towards a common goal, aren't actually together side-by-side for most of the uncomplicated narrative. Still, our courageous princess has a number of fine moments in which she displays cunning leadership skills (they were my favorite moments in the volume), and there's the rarity of seeing Han Solo suit up to pilot a spacecraft into battle that is other than his beloved Millennium Falcon (which takes quite a thrashing in this story, necessitating the switch).
While the above-quoted villain is referring to the overarching plot development, it would also be a fair assessment for my opinion on this volume. While Vol. 9: Hope Dies certainly doesn't skimp on the fast-moving action scenes - squadrons of X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter dogfights, detachments of Rebel soldier vs. Imperial Stormtrooper shoot-outs, etc. - it is curiously stuck in the rut of being merely good . . . but not great. It doesn't help that 'the Trinity' - Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo - although all working towards a common goal, aren't actually together side-by-side for most of the uncomplicated narrative. Still, our courageous princess has a number of fine moments in which she displays cunning leadership skills (they were my favorite moments in the volume), and there's the rarity of seeing Han Solo suit up to pilot a spacecraft into battle that is other than his beloved Millennium Falcon (which takes quite a thrashing in this story, necessitating the switch).
May 14, 2022
Actual rating is 4.5 stars.
In this one, the Rebel Alliance is feeling good about themselves and their chances against the Empire. But you cannot count out the Empire especially when they have Darth Vader.
I enjoyed this one so much. The only thing that kept this from a full five stars was the artwork. The artist isn't best when it comes to drawing faces for the characters. But he more than makes up for it with his depiction of space battles. These are absolutely brilliant and amazing to look at it. As for the story I loved the continuing arc of it. This shows the Empire are not patsies and at the same time shows how fearful and powerful Vader can be. The continuing arc had everything that a Star Wars fan could ask for. Vader being awe inspiring, the main characters acting selfless, and who doesn't want to know who would win in a flying duel between Han and Vader. I never knew I needed that but I am so glad I finally got to see it. This also answers background information to the movies. There was an annual issue that wasn't the best. It was okay and it did affect my rating. There were parts I liked on that issue and some I did not.
This brought back why I have loved this universe for many, many years. It had the vibe of me seeing A New Hope as a young child and being blown away by it. I felt like a little kid reading this which I have not felt reading other major collections in this universe. One of the better collections from this universe and highly recommended.
In this one, the Rebel Alliance is feeling good about themselves and their chances against the Empire. But you cannot count out the Empire especially when they have Darth Vader.
I enjoyed this one so much. The only thing that kept this from a full five stars was the artwork. The artist isn't best when it comes to drawing faces for the characters. But he more than makes up for it with his depiction of space battles. These are absolutely brilliant and amazing to look at it. As for the story I loved the continuing arc of it. This shows the Empire are not patsies and at the same time shows how fearful and powerful Vader can be. The continuing arc had everything that a Star Wars fan could ask for. Vader being awe inspiring, the main characters acting selfless, and who doesn't want to know who would win in a flying duel between Han and Vader. I never knew I needed that but I am so glad I finally got to see it. This also answers background information to the movies. There was an annual issue that wasn't the best. It was okay and it did affect my rating. There were parts I liked on that issue and some I did not.
This brought back why I have loved this universe for many, many years. It had the vibe of me seeing A New Hope as a young child and being blown away by it. I felt like a little kid reading this which I have not felt reading other major collections in this universe. One of the better collections from this universe and highly recommended.
January 12, 2019
Finally, after so much mediocrity, Marvel's main Star Wars series is getting better. This volume, Hope Dies, is the first book in the series that feels like Star Wars. There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, the main characters are themselves, and the females are truly strong. Too often this series has only allowed Leia and other female characters to be strong because all the males around them are buffoons. In this story, though, Leia, Han, and Luke are mostly separated, and each one gets to do what their character does best. Leia looks so much better when she's playing to her strengths amongst other characters who are also playing to theirs.
Another reason for improvement is the scope of the story. The whole story is the buildup to a major space battle, and then the battle itself. It's not that this is the only thing Star Wars can do well—it's just that, generally, Star Wars (and especially this graphic novel series) hasn't often done any other kinds of stories particularly well. It's nice to see a story that doesn't include characters wandering around other planets, having minor adventures that ultimately don't matter. This story has elements that remind me a lot of Rogue One and The Last Jedi. (I was actually disappointed that there wasn't a closer connection to TLJ. It would have been interesting if this was a memory that helped Leia create a strategy later in life.)
The artwork has been a constant frustration in this series, and it's still not completely fixed, but I can tell that the art team is trying to rely less on photoshopping stills from the movies. (Though almost every panel of Leia, and most of Han, are still very recognizably from the movies, and it's completely distracting.) I hope the art will continue to improve as the series goes on.
This is the first volume of the series that I've rated more than 3 stars. I'm more than a little surprised. The title of this volume thus becomes rather ironic.
First, the main characters are themselves, and the females are truly strong. Too often this series has only allowed Leia and other female characters to be strong because all the males around them are buffoons. In this story, though, Leia, Han, and Luke are mostly separated, and each one gets to do what their character does best. Leia looks so much better when she's playing to her strengths amongst other characters who are also playing to theirs.
Another reason for improvement is the scope of the story. The whole story is the buildup to a major space battle, and then the battle itself. It's not that this is the only thing Star Wars can do well—it's just that, generally, Star Wars (and especially this graphic novel series) hasn't often done any other kinds of stories particularly well. It's nice to see a story that doesn't include characters wandering around other planets, having minor adventures that ultimately don't matter. This story has elements that remind me a lot of Rogue One and The Last Jedi. (I was actually disappointed that there wasn't a closer connection to TLJ. It would have been interesting if this was a memory that helped Leia create a strategy later in life.)
The artwork has been a constant frustration in this series, and it's still not completely fixed, but I can tell that the art team is trying to rely less on photoshopping stills from the movies. (Though almost every panel of Leia, and most of Han, are still very recognizably from the movies, and it's completely distracting.) I hope the art will continue to improve as the series goes on.
This is the first volume of the series that I've rated more than 3 stars. I'm more than a little surprised. The title of this volume thus becomes rather ironic.
February 22, 2020
This is almost all one space battle and it is glorious. Larocca gets a lot of knocks for his art on this series but he's very adept at drawing spaceships and battles. It also looks like he has finally stopped photoshopping stills of the movies in for characters' faces as they look MUCH better. Gillen keeps the tension up as things look very hopeless for the Rebels for most of the arc. I do like how Gillen explained how Red Squadron become Rogue Squadron in the midst of this epic battle.
March 5, 2021
Well, that was certainly an exciting read. This 9th Volume, appropriately labeled "Hope Dies", details some momentous events, their aftermath, betrayal, and grand space combat. All wrapped in a volume beautifully drawn by Salvador Larroca.
The Mon Calamari have decided to join the Alliance. Their powerful cruisers will make a welcome and formidable addition to the Rebel Navy. The Rebels decided to get together, hand out promotions, congratulate one another, watch a X-Wing light show, and, in general, sniff their own farts. But it does show the new authority and status given to Leia, Han, and Luke within the Command structure.
I liked this issue because it had the vibes of "The Empire Strikes Back". As the Rebels glad-hand each other, the Empire strikes back. Heh. See what I did there? Anyways. Betrayed from within, the Rebel's mastubration party is put on hold as Darth Vader in the Super Star Destroyer Executor and two other Imperial Star Destroyers show up to wreak havoc. We are then treated to a fairly epic and long running space battle epic. Not only was it fun and exciting to read about, the splash pages with the full scale battle were truly cool.
A great little addition to my collection. This one is a fun read and it is beautifully illustrated. Vol 9 of Star Wars was awesome and highly recommended.
The Mon Calamari have decided to join the Alliance. Their powerful cruisers will make a welcome and formidable addition to the Rebel Navy. The Rebels decided to get together, hand out promotions, congratulate one another, watch a X-Wing light show, and, in general, sniff their own farts. But it does show the new authority and status given to Leia, Han, and Luke within the Command structure.
I liked this issue because it had the vibes of "The Empire Strikes Back". As the Rebels glad-hand each other, the Empire strikes back. Heh. See what I did there? Anyways. Betrayed from within, the Rebel's mastubration party is put on hold as Darth Vader in the Super Star Destroyer Executor and two other Imperial Star Destroyers show up to wreak havoc. We are then treated to a fairly epic and long running space battle epic. Not only was it fun and exciting to read about, the splash pages with the full scale battle were truly cool.
A great little addition to my collection. This one is a fun read and it is beautifully illustrated. Vol 9 of Star Wars was awesome and highly recommended.
October 5, 2018
Now this is more like it. Tight plotting, humor that’s acutually funny, and – FINALLY – art by Salvador Larroca that isn’t offputtingly photorealistic… all of these add up to make “Hope Burns”the best arc of Marvel’s “Star Wars” series since “Rebel Jail.” If this is what we can expect more of from Gillen and Larroca going forward, then I’m one happy camper.
May 27, 2019
4.5🌟
I dare say this is the best volume yet in this series. It took Gillen to volumes to set up this battle of full scale epic clash. It's the kind of read that is so easily devoured in one sitting. The tension was there the action was great. All the fast thinking on our band of rebels was logical which goes to show Gillen can write one of a show stopper SW book.
Everyone likes to harp on Larocca's art, but I have to say his ships and battle scenes were amazing, and so much detail was poured into these scenes it's actually quite remarkable.
Gillen has two more volumes to serve up before Greg Pak takes the reigns. I hope Gillen can give us a few more meaningful adventures before he departs.
I dare say this is the best volume yet in this series. It took Gillen to volumes to set up this battle of full scale epic clash. It's the kind of read that is so easily devoured in one sitting. The tension was there the action was great. All the fast thinking on our band of rebels was logical which goes to show Gillen can write one of a show stopper SW book.
Everyone likes to harp on Larocca's art, but I have to say his ships and battle scenes were amazing, and so much detail was poured into these scenes it's actually quite remarkable.
Gillen has two more volumes to serve up before Greg Pak takes the reigns. I hope Gillen can give us a few more meaningful adventures before he departs.
May 21, 2021
This series uses a weird art style that is trying to be realistic but doesn't quite get there, so the art isn't that attractive. The story itself is mostly a space battle. If you like action in comics, it's fun. However, it doesn't really allow for characters to interact much except through radio (or whatever they use in the Star Wars universe to communicate). This collection also include the Annual IV story, which I liked much better. The art style is much more attractive. The story features Luke and Vader chasing Sith relics, which was a fun adventure.
January 10, 2021
I swear, these books are getting better and better.
This was such an explosive volume - so much happened! But not in the way of "stuff is happening just for the sake of stuff happening" - I found myself getting genuinely invested in the Rebellion's plight in here and the lives of different characters. It was seriously just... so good.
The art's amazing, but that cover. Look at it!
Now... the plot...
spoilers for volumes 1-8
At the end of the last volume, it was revealed that Queen Trios (I can never call her just Trios) is working with Vader... in here we see the result of that as the Rebellion falls prey to an Imperial attack. There are so, so many amazing scenes in here.
That scene with Queen Trios where Vader talks with her at the beginning... wow. It really shows how far she'll go for Shu-Torun. She is... wow.
That whole firefight between Han and Vader was really good too. I love these dynamics that are worked with in these books.
Also... my fangirl heart jumped at the end of volume 52. I love Rogue One.
Speaking of moments that made me get ridiculously excited - there's a cameo in here from my favorite alien pilot of all time. Not counting Chewbacca.
There are also lots of small moments throughout here that are a play on famous Star Wars lines and oh, I love it.
I really like that this volume handled General Draven. He's a slightly smaller character from Rogue One - one of the people who recruited Jyn Erso for her mission. And he was dealt with so well in here. And, speaking of generals - General Dodonna.
Also, oh, that final panel gives me chills.
I had so much fun with this volume, as intense as it was at times. I literally found myself practically rereading it to make this review. This whole series is doing amazingly. 5/5 stars to this one.
This was such an explosive volume - so much happened! But not in the way of "stuff is happening just for the sake of stuff happening" - I found myself getting genuinely invested in the Rebellion's plight in here and the lives of different characters. It was seriously just... so good.
The art's amazing, but that cover. Look at it!
Now... the plot...
spoilers for volumes 1-8
At the end of the last volume, it was revealed that Queen Trios (I can never call her just Trios) is working with Vader... in here we see the result of that as the Rebellion falls prey to an Imperial attack. There are so, so many amazing scenes in here.
That scene with Queen Trios where Vader talks with her at the beginning... wow. It really shows how far she'll go for Shu-Torun. She is... wow.
That whole firefight between Han and Vader was really good too. I love these dynamics that are worked with in these books.
Also... my fangirl heart jumped at the end of volume 52. I love Rogue One.
Speaking of moments that made me get ridiculously excited - there's a cameo in here from my favorite alien pilot of all time. Not counting Chewbacca.
There are also lots of small moments throughout here that are a play on famous Star Wars lines and oh, I love it.
I really like that this volume handled General Draven. He's a slightly smaller character from Rogue One - one of the people who recruited Jyn Erso for her mission. And he was dealt with so well in here. And, speaking of generals - General Dodonna.
Also, oh, that final panel gives me chills.
I had so much fun with this volume, as intense as it was at times. I literally found myself practically rereading it to make this review. This whole series is doing amazingly. 5/5 stars to this one.
April 29, 2020
Another great Star Wars collection. This is a well written and drawn sci-fi series. The stories are exciting and as readers we are drawn into their world thanks to the classic Star Wars movies. I am catching up on this series from 2015 and had started reading the newer Star War stories that came out in late 2019. Made for us SW fans!
October 6, 2018
This was good! This felt like it could have been a movie. The stakes seemed high, the character portrayals were good and the art seemed to bother me less in this arc. Gillen writes good Star Wars comics!
February 25, 2019
Something about this latest Star wars run annoys me. At times its amazing, the artwork is always good, however the story is like a wave but it never seems to stop being a wave. So many ups and downs. I hope this comes to an end soon and they reboot it because I'm not sure where they will end it.
January 31, 2019
Betrayal at the heart of the Rebel Alliance puts their entire fleet at risk, as Darth Vader and the Empire close in around them. With the Falcon out of commission and no way to communicate between ships, can a last ditch gambit by Princess Leia pull their fat out of the fire, or has the Empire struck back earlier than expected?
Oh, that's more like it. Gillen's Star Wars has been building steam since it started and this arc is absolutely brilliant. All six issues, including the extra-sized issue #50 take place in the space of one battle, and the energy and urgency couldn't be more apparent. There are enough moving parts to make it both believable and exciting, and I love how Gillen has ingratiated yet another new character into the Star Wars mythos without even trying. I'm literally expecting a Queen Trios mini-series to be announced any day now. Even Larroca's artwork seems to have improved, to the point where it's not glaringly obvious photobox tracing - no one draws space battles like him, I've decided.
Also included here to a less enthusiastic response is Annual #4, which is kind of just okay. It tells two parallel stories featuring Luke and Sana Starros, who never actually meet and don't even influence each other's adventure, while Darth Vader turns up for the sake of it, and it's all just kind of eh. The Mcguffin of the story isn't explored enough to be interesting, and the art's kind of all over the place thanks to the shared page count between Ario Anindito, Roland Boschi, and Marc Laming who don't gel very well together.
Hope Dies might be the title of this volume, but my hope for this series does no such thing. If this is the shade of things to come, I'm excited to see what's around the bend.
Oh, that's more like it. Gillen's Star Wars has been building steam since it started and this arc is absolutely brilliant. All six issues, including the extra-sized issue #50 take place in the space of one battle, and the energy and urgency couldn't be more apparent. There are enough moving parts to make it both believable and exciting, and I love how Gillen has ingratiated yet another new character into the Star Wars mythos without even trying. I'm literally expecting a Queen Trios mini-series to be announced any day now. Even Larroca's artwork seems to have improved, to the point where it's not glaringly obvious photobox tracing - no one draws space battles like him, I've decided.
Also included here to a less enthusiastic response is Annual #4, which is kind of just okay. It tells two parallel stories featuring Luke and Sana Starros, who never actually meet and don't even influence each other's adventure, while Darth Vader turns up for the sake of it, and it's all just kind of eh. The Mcguffin of the story isn't explored enough to be interesting, and the art's kind of all over the place thanks to the shared page count between Ario Anindito, Roland Boschi, and Marc Laming who don't gel very well together.
Hope Dies might be the title of this volume, but my hope for this series does no such thing. If this is the shade of things to come, I'm excited to see what's around the bend.
November 22, 2020
If you follow my reviews, you know that I don't care for what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise: relegated a galaxy full of fabulous stories to "Legends" status, and made movies with lackluster plots that betrayed both the original trilogy and fans everywhere. After the travesty that was The Last Jedi, Lucas' space opera is in need of a Superman Returns-style reboot.
Still, the comics are a different story. While the recent films have been garbage, what Marvel has done with the universe lately has been great. I read many of the omnibuses a while ago, and enjoyed them...and I did the same with this one. Even if you didn't care for anything Star Wars after Revenge of the Sith, these are true to the spirit of the old-school flicks. Despite the House of Mouse dropping the ball with the movies, Marvel has done very well with the comics.
Still, the comics are a different story. While the recent films have been garbage, what Marvel has done with the universe lately has been great. I read many of the omnibuses a while ago, and enjoyed them...and I did the same with this one. Even if you didn't care for anything Star Wars after Revenge of the Sith, these are true to the spirit of the old-school flicks. Despite the House of Mouse dropping the ball with the movies, Marvel has done very well with the comics.
January 29, 2019
Like most of the other volumes in the series, the stories themselves are entertaining, and a nice balance of fan-service and new material, but every time that our heroes are thrown into conflict with with Darth Vader, it undermines the memory of his appearances in the films, either through repetitious numbing or the use of abilities never presented on screen that would or should have altered their trajectory.
January 30, 2020
Just outstanding, a desperate stand worthy of Rogue One featuring wild space combat throughout and answers to numerous “Whatever became of...?” questions surrounding the period between Episodes IV and V.
December 15, 2020
Moje milé špagetové monstrum, děkuji ti, že si ke Star Wars přivedlo Kierona Gillena neboť on tu sérii pozvedl hrozně vysoko. Už poslední dva booky byl znát velký příběhový progres ale tahle kniha je ještě na jiném levelu. Vrátili se dobrý hlášky, sympatický a popcornový příběh a co víc, docela jsem byl překvapený jak jsem úplně nebyl schopný tak jasně předvídat co se stane. Příjemné překvapení je i kresba, ačkoliv jí dělal Larroca tak tentokrát se mi z toho nechtělo zvracet ale bylo to fajn, možná pomohla změna coloristy. Annual byl už jen příjemný bombónek na celém tohle skvělém booku.
Jeden z nejlepších, ne-li nejlepší book celé série.
Jeden z nejlepších, ne-li nejlepší book celé série.
March 1, 2021
5 🌟
Leia finds out Trios is a traitor. The Empire destroys the Rebels.
Sana tries to sell a red lightsaber. Darth Vader and Luke find one.
Leia finds out Trios is a traitor. The Empire destroys the Rebels.
Sana tries to sell a red lightsaber. Darth Vader and Luke find one.
March 15, 2019
Hope Dies is clearly the Empire Strikes Back of this Star Wars series. Things go wrong for the rebels almost immediately after their largest victory (claiming Mon Cala's fleet for the rebellion). "Hope dies" is a fairly apt title - Darth Vader even states this at some point in the book. We've got almost 100% battle scenes here, which is a tricky thing to pull off. How do you maintain suspense and momentum through six issues of starfighters dueling? Kieron Gillen does a good job of sprinkling in surprises and forcing our heroes into the thick of things. Everyone is eager to sacrifice themselves - perhaps too eager. The "no, you have to live through this" conversations grow tiresome. In the end, Hope Dies is a grim, yet satisfying reset for the series. Looking forward to what comes next.
January 28, 2023
I love this volume! The betrayal that occurs in this one was building up for many volumes and pays off in a huge way here. While there seemed to be no hope for these characters, the Rebels found a way to fight through. Vader is portrayed so well in these issues and more Vader is never a bad thing in my book! I also really enjoyed the annual for this one!
June 17, 2019
This volume contains Star Wars: Hope Dies Part I-VI, Star Wars Annual 4, and the mini-comic "Shu-Torun Lives." The volume is structured where "Shu-Torun Lives" appears between Hope Dies Parts I and II. The Hope Dies arc follows a secret Rebel base that may no longer be a secret, and for the sake of the Rebellion, Han takes the Millennium Falcon up against the Empire...alone! The base was meant to have a celebration, and a certain ruler of Shu-Torun, Trios, makes friendly with Leia. A mistake. It is Trios, who values her people and planet over all others, that infiltrates the base, gains Leia's trust, and exposes their base to the Empire. "Shu-Torun Lives" is a short background to Trios's choice to betray the Rebellion and save her own people, even if some of her own must be sacrificed for the greater good. Star Wars Annual 4 takes place before Star Wars #8 and features Luke Skywalker and Sana Starros. Vader seeks some old Sith lightsabers. Sana finds one hoping to seek a profit, Luke comes across the other, and Vader brings down all in his path to get what he wants. As Luke grows stronger with the Force, he might just be able to pull off a strong defense.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this volume was the space battle action and the betrayal. Trios giving away the secret Rebel base really hypes of the risk and energy of the volume. The red and orange color scheme makes the reader feel like a part of the heart-pounding action, and the reader is at the edge of their seat waiting to see how the Rebellion will squeeze out of this rather tight situation! This is a very fast-pace, high-stakes volume, which is a nice change of pace.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this volume was the space battle action and the betrayal. Trios giving away the secret Rebel base really hypes of the risk and energy of the volume. The red and orange color scheme makes the reader feel like a part of the heart-pounding action, and the reader is at the edge of their seat waiting to see how the Rebellion will squeeze out of this rather tight situation! This is a very fast-pace, high-stakes volume, which is a nice change of pace.
April 9, 2019
I'm not exactly sure how to feel about this main Star Wars series anymore. They really seem to have milked this period between A New Hope and Empire for all it's worth and there's diminishing returns with each arc. This ninth volume is definitely better than the Mon Cala affair from Volume 8, but it's still a variation of the same story that gets told over and over and over again in this series. "The rebels have found a new leg up on the Empire! Oh wait, treachery! Darth Vader is here, everyone in the Rebellion run away!"
This is a perfectly solid Star Wars story but I feel like it's the fifth time I'm reading it. The writing is good, the art is good, everything is good, but it's pretty stale by this point. I'd really love if they took a time jump with this series and picked a new point in time to explore. This particular period of time is tailor made for these stories, and the editors probably love that there isn't much canon to jeopardize, but it's been beaten to death.
I like Gillen and Larroca on this book, but I wish they had a bit more freedom. Their work on Darth Vader was more intriguing because they were telling some stuff that was new and creating new characters to fill out the story. At least with things like the Screaming Citadel we've gotten a bit away from the formula here, but then it fell right back in to the same thing a few more times.
This volume is titled Hope Dies, which seems apt because my hope that this series is going to return to the great quality from the earlier stages or tell fresh stories is slowly dying too.
This is a perfectly solid Star Wars story but I feel like it's the fifth time I'm reading it. The writing is good, the art is good, everything is good, but it's pretty stale by this point. I'd really love if they took a time jump with this series and picked a new point in time to explore. This particular period of time is tailor made for these stories, and the editors probably love that there isn't much canon to jeopardize, but it's been beaten to death.
I like Gillen and Larroca on this book, but I wish they had a bit more freedom. Their work on Darth Vader was more intriguing because they were telling some stuff that was new and creating new characters to fill out the story. At least with things like the Screaming Citadel we've gotten a bit away from the formula here, but then it fell right back in to the same thing a few more times.
This volume is titled Hope Dies, which seems apt because my hope that this series is going to return to the great quality from the earlier stages or tell fresh stories is slowly dying too.
January 8, 2023
This volume is pure action, back-to-back. Vader is there, the newly minted Rogue Squadron is there, daring plans are there and, of course, the good guys simply can't be killed, though they push their luck like nobody's business.
The new rebel fleet is ready. It's stronger than it's ever been thanks to contributions from queen Trios. Before they can disperse to secret locations across the galaxy, their systems start failing. Then Vader shows up with a fleet to rival the rebels' own. They have been betrayed by Trios.
The new rebel fleet is ready. It's stronger than it's ever been thanks to contributions from queen Trios. Before they can disperse to secret locations across the galaxy, their systems start failing. Then Vader shows up with a fleet to rival the rebels' own. They have been betrayed by Trios.
May 5, 2021
(4 of 5 for a nice space battle story and extra excellent annual story)
Well, there is no significant change, we have a story about a rebel fleet taken by surprise, which has a nice space battle setting with rebel chances are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Again Larroca's ar is quite good but somehow sterile and annoying in depicting human faces. The story isn't much surprising, I can feel how Empire is cutting the Rebel fleet slack just for the author to create a chance for the good guys to make a breakout. It's fun to read, but you can still feel that "deus ex machina" and just enough "no mercy" to be evil Empire but give Rebels the time. This could be OK with some random Empire commander because they are usually flawed by their egos, but not with Lord Vader. And that's a bummer because, in the story, which wants to induce the sense of lost hope, this is quite counterproductive. It's just no working.
Luckily at the end of the book, there is a story from Annual 4, which is awesome, adventurous, lively with great art and vivid colouring. And it made my day, proper great looking SW adventure.
Well, there is no significant change, we have a story about a rebel fleet taken by surprise, which has a nice space battle setting with rebel chances are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Again Larroca's ar is quite good but somehow sterile and annoying in depicting human faces. The story isn't much surprising, I can feel how Empire is cutting the Rebel fleet slack just for the author to create a chance for the good guys to make a breakout. It's fun to read, but you can still feel that "deus ex machina" and just enough "no mercy" to be evil Empire but give Rebels the time. This could be OK with some random Empire commander because they are usually flawed by their egos, but not with Lord Vader. And that's a bummer because, in the story, which wants to induce the sense of lost hope, this is quite counterproductive. It's just no working.
Luckily at the end of the book, there is a story from Annual 4, which is awesome, adventurous, lively with great art and vivid colouring. And it made my day, proper great looking SW adventure.
January 4, 2023
“I will not make your hubristic mistake that puts vain idealism above the lives of those who depend on us” Cool motive. Still murder. It is interesting how Alderaan really scared other leaders into joining the Empire.
This comic had so many amazing moments
* X-wing light show?! Why has no one ever thought of that before
* Love seeing Mon Mothma looking regal as ever
* Vader lives for the drama “I sense their fear. It is insufficient.” ANAKIN COME ON
* The flashback to A New Hope
* “Han this is the hour of need. If there-“ “Hey! Save the speech for someone who falls for that kind of thing. I’m on it”
* Luke thinking about Jyn Erso *cries*
* Leia, Luke, and Han getting promoted! THIS is what I wanted from the sequels. Them all working together, leading the cause
* “You’ve got a bad feeling about this, yes, Luke? You rebels are always saying that. It’s almost a motto”
* ~ Luke and Vader parallels ~
* Vader watching Luke podracing. What a moment. However he did not follow in his father’s footsteps and win, he took the Sebulba route :)
This comic had so many amazing moments
* X-wing light show?! Why has no one ever thought of that before
* Love seeing Mon Mothma looking regal as ever
* Vader lives for the drama “I sense their fear. It is insufficient.” ANAKIN COME ON
* The flashback to A New Hope
* “Han this is the hour of need. If there-“ “Hey! Save the speech for someone who falls for that kind of thing. I’m on it”
* Luke thinking about Jyn Erso *cries*
* Leia, Luke, and Han getting promoted! THIS is what I wanted from the sequels. Them all working together, leading the cause
* “You’ve got a bad feeling about this, yes, Luke? You rebels are always saying that. It’s almost a motto”
* ~ Luke and Vader parallels ~
* Vader watching Luke podracing. What a moment. However he did not follow in his father’s footsteps and win, he took the Sebulba route :)
September 2, 2021
Rating: 4 stars
Wow, this graphic novel was amazing. Well, the Darth Vader parts were amazing. I just love when Vader, like, kills everyone. Yay. I'm not crazy I promise... I hope.
Wow, this graphic novel was amazing. Well, the Darth Vader parts were amazing. I just love when Vader, like, kills everyone. Yay. I'm not crazy I promise... I hope.
February 1, 2020
Fast moving, exciting story that's actually well-drawn for once. About the only thing keeping this from a 5-star rating is the less than stellar annual that's included at the back of this volume..
January 22, 2020
In Volume 11 of the Marvel Comics’ Star Wars series, “Hope Dies”: the Rebel Alliance is gearing up for battle with a brand new fleet, thanks to Queen Trios of Shu-Torun; unfortunately, when the fleet tries to go into hyperdrive, all ships’ functions have failed, Queen Trios has conveniently disappeared, and a bunch of Imperial Star Destroyers have just appeared out of nowhere. To quote Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a trap!”
Thankfully, Han and Chewie arrive in the Millenium Falcon to save the day. They just need to figure out how to reset the fleets’ hyperdrive systems, survive several Tie-fighter squadron attacks, and outrace Darth Vader himself. For Han, this is easy-peasy...
Hands down, the best issue thus far of an already awesome graphic novel series.
Thankfully, Han and Chewie arrive in the Millenium Falcon to save the day. They just need to figure out how to reset the fleets’ hyperdrive systems, survive several Tie-fighter squadron attacks, and outrace Darth Vader himself. For Han, this is easy-peasy...
Hands down, the best issue thus far of an already awesome graphic novel series.
March 31, 2019
I don’t know how I ended up following this comic through 9 trades, but here we are. The art isn’t great, belying a lack of passion all around, and most of the time, the storytelling is pretty bland.
But this 9th installment did better on the story side. A great story of betrayal and Rebel gumption, with everything from space battles to sneak missions and lightsabers.
In fact, the set up to this story arc reads almost like a competent and plot hole-free version of The Last Jedi. How do you trap a whole fleet and keep the pressure on while the rebels try desperately to survive? Look no further than this trade.
But this 9th installment did better on the story side. A great story of betrayal and Rebel gumption, with everything from space battles to sneak missions and lightsabers.
In fact, the set up to this story arc reads almost like a competent and plot hole-free version of The Last Jedi. How do you trap a whole fleet and keep the pressure on while the rebels try desperately to survive? Look no further than this trade.
December 31, 2019
If the last volume was a movie, this would be its Empire Strikes Back. Gillen throws a major twist and totally earns the title of the book; this is a story where the heroes are doing their level best to survive; there's no thought of winning here. It shows Vader's tactical patience and planning in a new light, and it gives all the major characters a chance to shine. It's a rough ride, though, that really shows how vulnerable the Rebellion is. Lots of ship-to-ship combat, some derring do, and a fair bit of pathos (with a measurable decrease in humor from the previous volume), it's a dark chapter, but still a very readable one.
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