Review: Kanan Vol. 1- The Last Padawan
Quick Summary
Pros: The main story is interesting and centers around a unique moment in Star Wars history. This story also adds some depth to Kanan as a character.
Cons: The transition from the flashback story to the modern day story isn’t handled too well.
Overall: The first volume in this series is good but not great. The main storyline details an entertaining adventure that also gives readers a chance to see the plight of a Padawan during Order 66. However, some aspects of the storytelling aren’t handled too well and damage pieces of the read. In the end, this is a book for readers who want to learn more about Kanan or who want to know what a Jedi Padawan would have gone through at this time in Star Wars history.
Story
Star Wars: Kanan Vol. 1- The Last Padawan, by Greg Weisman, is a decent first entry in this series. The majority of the book is an extended flashback that allows readers to learn more about Kanan. This is entertaining on its own while also further developing Kanan as a character. However, the way this flashback story ends and the modern story begins isn’t handled too well and slightly damages both. Overall, this is an ok first installment but the success of the next volume will decide whether the entire series is worthwhile or not.
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The biggest draw in The Last Padawan is the glimpse it provides into Kanan’s youth. This offers readers a chance to see what a Padawan would have gone through during the execution of Order 66. This includes some intense emotion, as his Master sacrifices herself in order to save him, while also including some great tension, as Kanan is forced to go undercover to simply survive. Even readers who aren’t big fans of Kanan or the Rebels show will be able to appreciate this unique moment in the history of Star Wars. However, fans of Kanan and Rebels get even more of a treat, since Kanan’s personal story is compelling and adds to his overall characterization.
The unfortunate part is that the transition from this flashback story to the modern-day story isn’t that great. The flashback story ends pretty suddenly, in a way that is a little disappointing. Then, the narrative jumps right into the modern day story in a way that is initially jarring. The continuation of this storyline in the next volume may improve things but the way it closes here is underwhelming.
(spoilers end here)
Art
For the most part, the artwork in The Last Padawan is just alright. The majority of the book’s chapters, from artist Pepe Larraz, are bold and engaging. They feature visuals with a nice sense of energy to them, which helps make the fight scenes better. However, there are places where the level of detail drops and characters end up looking a little weird and there are pages where the page structure does not help the flow of the story. In addition, the book’s final chapter features a slight drop in quality. In the end, the artwork here is alright but isn’t anything to really write home about.
Continuity
Star Wars: Kanan Vol. 1- The Last Padawan is a tie-in that helps expand the general story told across the Star Wars: Rebels TV series.
The story here is continued in Star Wars: Kanan Vol. 2- First Blood (Review).