SW7N Review: Marvel’s Kanan – The Last Padawan #4

KananThe fourth issue continues the non-stop rollercoaster ride we have been on since Kanan had that flashback in Ghost in the first issue. The cadence of this series has been great. It’s not too fast-paced that it skimps on story and character development, but it’s fast enough to keep you flipping through the pages in anticipation of what comes next. The consensus among the fans here and other things I have read is Marvel knocked it out of the park with this series. In my opinion, they took a barely likable character and gave fans an entirely new perspective on him. Bravo, Marvel! Bravo, LFL Storygroup! Bravo, Greg Weisman/Pepe Larraz! On with the review.

 

 

 

At the end of issue #3, we saw Kanan double-crossed and about to be handed over to some goons who would then hand him over to a group of Clone Troopers. Kasmir, the criminal Kanan put his trust in, seems to be more interested in the large bounty on Kanan’s head then helping the boy. Well, turns out there were larger ambitions in the mind of Kasmir, and he decides to travel the galaxy “selling” Kanan off to different scum. Kanan takes to this new life of scheming, but we do see the wake of death it leaves as the Clone Troopers become more vicious with each thug they track Kanan to.

 

Kleeve

 

Remember General Kleeve? He was that rather unsightly, demonic looking Separatist leader we saw defeated in the first issue. Well, he’s back, and it turns out he is one of the “heroes on both sides” the Revenge of the Sith crawl referred to. Kleeve points out to Kanan that they were both betrayed. Kanan realizes his enemy may now be his ally. The former general has been reduced to spice smuggling, and Kanan arrives just as his new friend Kasmir is arrested by the Clone Troopers. Kleeve is the only one who can help Kanan rescue him. They hatch a plan, but by the end of the issue, we find nothing really ever works out for the last Padawan.

 

 

Kanan

 

This is the penultimate issue, so there is a lot to look forward to in the conclusion. Count on Greg Weisman bringing us a satisfying close. Pepe Larraz’s art continues to shine along the way. I hate to be redundant here, but you are missing out in a big way if you are avoiding this series just because you don’t like or have little interest in Rebels. I’ve heard folks say they have not taken a liking to Rebels or are not interested because it’s a “kids” show. Whatever your feelings are about Rebels, this series is great. You don’t even have to watch the show to get it, and I’m betting Weisman had that in mind when he wrote it. I’m a fan of Rebels so it’s that much more enjoyable for me, but I would not consider an affinity for the show required to appreciate the good storytelling we have. Aside from the depth it lends a very 2-D character in the Rebels series, we get to see how ruthless the hunt for the Jedi was around the galaxy and how proficient the Empire was in hunting down the last of the Jedi. Maybe it will give any of you Rebels-naysayers second thoughts, as well.
 

 

Go get this book now and thank me later. 😉

 

 

Kanan

 

 

You can order a digital copy at Marvel.com or at Comixology.comor visit the nearest comic book store.

 

+ posts

Kyle Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. When he's not running trails, he's reading and writing.

Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. When he's not running trails, he's reading and writing.

14 thoughts on “SW7N Review: Marvel’s Kanan – The Last Padawan #4

  • July 23, 2015 at 5:39 pm
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    Dope!

    • July 24, 2015 at 7:25 am
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      No this looks idiotic

      • July 24, 2015 at 11:30 am
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        You can get it for free through cbr sites if you know where to look. But, the Kanan series or Caleb Dume series is actually very well done so far.

        Darth Vader series is arguably the best released yet. I’d say that Darth Vader, Skywalker Strikes, and Kanan are about equal. Lando only has one issue so far and it was pretty good.
        Leia series didn’t do much for me, I didn’t like the style.

  • July 23, 2015 at 6:48 pm
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    Second!

  • July 23, 2015 at 6:49 pm
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    cool. im gonna check it out. im really looking forward to Star Wars #8

  • July 23, 2015 at 7:18 pm
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    its absolutely fantastic…ive never really bothered with comics but love rebels so decided to give it a go…its fantastic and the latest issue is the best yet…can’t wait for the conclusion….will be buying shattered empire to

  • July 23, 2015 at 7:41 pm
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    I’m not a Kanan fan tho.

    • July 24, 2015 at 11:32 am
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      The Kanan comics gives you a better look at his character, more mature spin, it’s definitely worth a look if you enjoy the Clone Wars, Rise of the Empire era, or just Star Wars in general. I’m assuming you do since you’re on this site.

  • July 23, 2015 at 7:48 pm
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    Great issue in a great series. Kanan is one of my favorites (the series, not the character). If you are a canon completist like me, you have read all the new novels and comics. If you could care less about knowing everything about the new canon and just want the best stories in the new canon, I thought I’d post my list of must reads…

    1. Star Wars: Vader (comic) 7 issues released
    2. Star Wars (comic) 6 issues released
    3. Lords of the Sith (novel)
    4. Kanan: The Last Padawan (comic) 4 issues released
    5. Dark Disciple (novel)

    Dark Disciple is my personal favorite, but Vader, SW, and Kanan are probably most important for the overall story I think – especially if you are an OT fan, Rebels Fan, or both. Lords of the Sith, although flawed in the editing process (big pet peeve of mine), was a great story. You get a really good inside look at the Vader/Palpatine relationship. I enjoyed Tarkin, but I am more a fan of plot driven stories and Tarkin was more of a character study. Good read though. The only ones I’d say skip altogether is Leia (comic), Heir to the Jedi (novel), and A New Dawn (novel). They all have their merits (AND moreso than the others), but are mediocre stories. If you do check these novels out, I recommend the audiobooks. As for Leia, just know that she rescued a bunch of displaced Alderaanians from Imperial tyranny following ANH and relinquished her place in the Alderaanian monarchy to Evaan a former female X-Wing pilot and skip this one. Just my two cents on new canon material. Take it or leave it…may the Force be with you.

    • July 24, 2015 at 1:36 am
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      Only read a New Dawn which I did not enjoy at all. Just finished Tarkin and his backstory was far more interesting than the main story imo. I have a feeling Luceno wanted to do more but the story group wouldn’t let him.

    • July 24, 2015 at 2:59 am
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      I completely agree with you on your order of what’s relevant and what is done well.

  • July 23, 2015 at 11:33 pm
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    I got it yesterday and it is really good! Artwork is awesome on this comic.

  • July 24, 2015 at 6:45 am
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    I swear, for like 5 full minutes, I was staring at a chick’s ass.

  • July 24, 2015 at 9:02 am
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    Until recently when the SW and Vader comics started coming together a bit better, this was leaps and bounds ahead of the SW Marvel runs for me. This latest issue was great.

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