The Best Blades is a graphic novel published by Dark Horse Comics that collects Star Wars: Republic issues 60-62, 64, and Star Wars - Jedi: Yoda. It takes place after the events of the graphic novel Last Stand on Jabiim. (See my review at http://blogs.starwars.com/jedivans-viewpoint/62.)

The first story in the collection, "Dead Ends" has Senator Bail Organa being ambushed by pirates as his ship returns to Coruscant. He survives the ambush, thanks to timely intervention by a small squadron of Jedi starfighters lead by Plo Koon. Then, he learns some surprising information from former Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum. And, the attack on his ship is used by some in the Senate to push through a security measure, over Senator Organa's objections.

The second story, "Bloodlines" (not to be confused with the novel of the same name - see my review of the novel at http://blogs.starwars.com/jedivans-viewpoint/26)is told mainly in flashback. It opens with Jedi Master Rohnar Kim and his padawan being killed on Merson, along with their entire ground force. We then, through flashbacks, learn how Rohnar Kim became friends with Palpatine. We also learn how Palpatine became Senator of Naboo.

The third story, "Hate and Fear", and the fourth story, "No Man's Land" chronicle how POWs Obi-Wan and Alpha escape from Asajj Ventress on Rattatak and are reunited with the Republic.

The final story, which shares its name with the graphic novel, has Yoda attempting to negotiate with a friend he has known for 200 years. His friend, Alaric, is the king of Thustra, a planet which is considering seceeding from the Republic. In the story, Yoda quotes an ancient swordmaster, "The best blades are kept sheathed." He and Obi-Wan then have a short discussion about that proverb.

Like the previous collections, Dark Horse Comics continues to do a wonderful job of chronicling the Clone Wars. All stories in this collection deal with a person losing something. For Bail Organa, it's both political and personal. For Yoda, it's personal. And, even Asajj Ventress has a personal loss. We also learn in these comics that Dooku uses the outer rim planet Bakura as a headquarters. And, we learn that Gillead Pellaeon held the rank of Captain during the Clone Wars. (The planet Bakura was introduced by Kathy Tyers in the book The Truce at Bakura and showed up again in the New Jedi Order series. Gillead Pellaeon was first introduced by Timothy Zahn in Heir to the Empire. This means that he held the rank of Captain for over 20 years! )

Unfortunately, The Best Blades seems to belabor the point introduced in previous graphic novels that war is hell for almost everyone involved. Unlike Last Stand on Jabiim, in this graphic novel there is no clear-cut victory for the Republic to counter the sense of loss. Final rating: *** 1/2 stars (on a scale of 0-4 stars.)