SWNN Review: Marvel’s Kanan – The Last Padawan #7
I got all sorts of fanboy while reading this issue, and I’m sure you will too, whatever your gender. I was hoping they would take us back to Kanan’s glory days as a Jedi before that fateful night on Kaller. Looks like I got my wish.
When we last left Kanan, he was out cold from loss of blood. On the first page we find him soaking in a Bacta tank, surrounded by the rest of the Ghost crew. We all know Jedi dream and it looks like Kanan’s about to go right back down the rabbit memory hole. A very young Caleb Dume, honing his lightsaber skills under an instructor he is just a little bit taller than. Say hello to Yoda in his first canonical comic appearance. Pretty cool.
We see that young Caleb is right in that awkward age between youngling and padawan. Questioning his teachers is just beginning to emerge. Another Jedi, a little grumpier one, raises an eyebrow to young Caleb’s questions. Upon a trip to the infirmary to mend a small lightsaber gash, Caleb stumbles upon Master Depa Billaba, in a Bacta tank of her own. Caleb feels drawn to her and we know it was the Force bringing them together.
There is some great BTS Clone War stuff we never got to see in the Jedi Temple. Master Billaba returned from a mission that put her face to face with General Grievous, and from the sounds of it, the Republic did not come out victorious. It’s whispered that almost no one walked away from the battle with their life. Mace Windu and Yoda are skeptical of Billaba’s mental state, while Obi-Wan is just relieved she made it out alive. Was it just me, or does old Kenobi seem kind of sweet on Depa Billaba? Just checking.
Billaba is no ones fool. She is well aware the Jedi and their underlings view her as damaged.
Other younglings even warn Caleb away from the Jedi Master, but he can’t ignore his feelings. The boy is drawn to her by the will of the Force. As they converse over meditation we see an explosive situation is about to draw them together.
I cannot wait for this series to continue. Not only are we getting some expanded Rebels knowledge, but we are visiting old friends from The Clone Wars. I’m so happy we are getting a peak behind the curtain of the day-to-day in the Jedi Temple. I’ve always wanted to see the process of a Padawan beginning their training. It looks like we will get a first hand account and a little more insight into who Kanan will be as a teacher to Ezra.
This issue is well worth your money and time. The artwork by Pepe Larraz alone is worth the cover price Go get it now!
You can order a digital copy at Marvel.com or at Comixology.com, or visit the nearest comic book store.
Kyle Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. When he's not running trails, he's reading and writing.
that looks amazing im going to pick it up now cant wait for the next one already looks great with that cover
It certainly is. By and large, this series has been the most consistent in hitting the mark. Neither one of the issues in this series is my favorite of any single issue Marvel has put out thus far, but the series as a whole takes the cake. In an OT saturated Star Wars market, this trip back to the clone war era is refreshing.
Did anyone else notice what seems to be Anakin and R2D2 walk by the three padawans in the jedi temple? It’s on page 16 I think.
It’s definitely them.
That’s a little too much leg and midriff for a comic cover. Very offensive. Time to retire Bacta Tanks Disney.
Man, comic book covers have been mostly leg and midriff since the early 1990s.
I think he’s making a joke about this…screenrant.com/star-wars-slave-leia-merchandise-discontinued/
Time for Disney to do some retiring. I’m thinking more long denim skirts going forward.