Review: ‘Hyperspace Stories’ #11 Offers A ‘Clone Wars’ – Styled Adventure
With Hyperspace Stories, what you see is what you get, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This series has produced many great stories featuring a wide variety of characters. And while the stories aren’t exactly consequential, they can be fun. The fun is in the writers who examine what makes these characters great in the first place.
With Hyperspace Stories issue #11, the comic is still a fun time, but the characters don’t get to do much. The comic is saved by colorful and eye-popping art, as well as a few fun moments. But overall, I was hoping for more, especially with the awesome pairing on hand.
Spoilers below …
The marquee characters for Hyperspace Stories #11 are Mace Windu and Yoda. Just one of them is enough for one comic, but having both in one story is an awesome prospect. It’s a duo that interacted a few times in the movies, but to see both in action, in theory, should lead to a lot of awesome interactions. While the two are great warriors, they’re also wise sages.
Unfortunately, the two aren’t put in a situation that challenges them. Mace Windu and Yoda are responsible for taking care of a group of younglings after a group of mercenaries attack an archaeological dig site. This means, for the most part, Master Windu and Master Yoda are mainly relegated to babysitting duty.
There is a threat in the story that appears later: Count Dooku. Having Windu and Yoda face up against Dooku is another great idea on paper, but Dooku is only there for four pages. It’s not a lot of time for Dooku to make an impression. What’s also frustrating is that Yoda and Windu don’t have to make any tough, philosophical decisions. The biggest decision the two have to make is whether to chase after Dooku before he gets away or to protect the younglings and make sure they’re safe. It’s not necessarily a tough choice that tests the morals of the Jedi.
That’s not to say the comic is all bad. I really enjoy the art and its cartoony style, reflecting the more lighthearted nature of the comic, and of The Clone Wars TV series. And Yoda and Mace Windu do have a few good interactions. Take for example this moment where Mace Windu wants to go after the culprits, but Yoda instructs him to do otherwise. Yoda is adamant about staying and waiting for the right opportunity, resulting in the pair having a quiet, reflective moment, reflecting the wise nature of the two.
While the premise sets up for explosive fireworks, the execution and the overall plot behind Hyperspace Stories #11 don’t deliver on that promise. There are a few good moments sprinkled in, but I wish there was just more to talk about.
Score: 6/10
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
