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So, at last we meet for the first time for the last time

by: teh_dude

date posted: Jan 03, 2008 5:59 AM

SW Comic Books - Yea or Nay

Thumbing through some files on my PC last nite I found a folder I forgot I had - Star Wars comics. I'm pretty sure it contains the majority of SW comics released and it got me to thinking...how many other fans out there of the EU enjoy books but not comics?

I've never really been a huge fan of comic books, even when I was younger I rarely read comics...except of course in the newspaper. I know the Star Wars universe contains a ton more storylines that are only available in comic form and because of this I've decided to read through what I have and try to acquire that which I am missing.

The one positive to comics is that they are obviously a much faster read but sometimes this doesn't allow for as much background build-up on characters as a novel would allow for. Of course, instead of painting a picture of a scene with words comics do allow for visuals with some great art work.

Just out of curiosity how many of you EU fans read just novels, just comics, both, or neither? (not sure how an EU fan could read neither but what the heck)

So far I've read through the first 5 comics in the Golden Age of the Sith series...not bad but I'm pretty sure I've read each of those numerous times trying to get myself more interested or entertained but something about them just doesn't excite me all that much.

http://blogs.starwars.com/teh_dude/25

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	rj_peters Memos from the Imperial Finance Department
date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 6:45 AM I am an avid Star Wars book reader and I try to read as much of the comics as I can. But, the comics definitely come in second. I agree with your assessment of the pros and cons. Comics give a visual element which is great, but the depth of the storytelling is necessarily limited.

barron78
Barron's Page

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 7:09 AM

I have the same problem, even to the point of reading some Sith era TPBs to try to get into the comics, I couldn't. Financial and time constraints have limited me to novels only. I did get the Legacy TPB Broken for Christmas. I think I'll be following that series in TPB form, but unless I hit the lottery, I don't see myself collecting the TPBs for the other series.

Smuggler Jedi
Hokey Religions and A Good Blaster at My Side

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 8:04 AM

Back when Heir to the Empire was released, I was only reading novels. Then I took a break from the novels and comics altogether for a few years. When I picked it back up, I was way behind. I first started reading novels and then started picking up some of the comics.

I read all the novels as they come out now, but I tend to wait until the comics are collected in TPBs before reading them. I have read most of the novels by now, but I am only about 35-40% through all the comics. Someday, I will catch up.

	comanderbly That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 8:36 AM I follow the comics by TPB - it's just easier that way. I also read the novels - although I spent a lot of time on the databank and wookiepedia so I have read novels completely out of order. For example I read the Heir to the empire after I started the LotF series.

guiguioh
A journey into the Star Wars universe

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 8:55 AM

I read both, novels and comics. I enjoy them both equally, for different reasons.

The novels go in depth in all aspects, but they lack the visual. So, I always look everywhere I can to find art from a novel to help feed my imagination.

The comics have the visual aspect and often use it effectively. But yes, the character development is obviously more limited.

But I find the recent comics storyline, thanks to very good writing, more and more interesting. Kotor, Dark Times and Legacy are excellent series to follow with good characters. I am less interested in Rebellion, but I not a big fan of the classic era of Star Wars.

If you are not a big comic reader, wait the TPB. It's more pleasant to have the whole arc to read at once.

	Smuggler Jedi Hokey Religions and A Good Blaster at My Side
date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 10:04 AM If you are not a big comic reader, wait the TPB. It's more pleasant to have the whole arc to read at once. That is good advice. I'll second it.

kyle228
Truly Wonderful, the Mind of a Child Is...

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 2:58 PM

I'm a big novel reader, SW and otherwise. I've always wanted to read the comics, but I've always been afraid that I would come in at a bad spot (I seem to have an uncanny ability for failure in choosing when to start watching/reading something). I really should just jump in and start one of these days... perhaps I can stockpile the Legacy series somehow and read all of the ones released so far... I'll have to see!

MTFBWY!

rickgelz

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 3:35 PM

I read everything of both, but I tend to read the comics as soon as they come out, while waiting until I have sufficient time to sit down with the new novels. When Heir to the Empire and Dark Horse's original Dark Empire series first came out, they were the first new Star Wars stories in several years (except RPG adventures and supplements), and it was easier to keep up with both. I was leary of the new Star Wars comics at first, having had mixed feelings about the handful of the Marvel series I had read, but I was quickly won over by the Dark Horse comics. (cont)

rickgelz

date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 3:36 PM

I was most impressed by the care that was taken to have events in the novels and comics complement each other, such as Exar Kun's introduction in the Jedi Academy Trilogy and the story of his rise and fall as a Sith Lord in the Tales of the Jedi comics, with great attention to continuity, a testament to the folks at Lucasfilm Licensing. The current line of comics are perhaps the best Dark Horse has ever had, especially Legacy, Dark Times, and KOTOR.

	FAN4YRS A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Jan 03, 2008 5:59 PM If you're talking about the Marvel Star Wars comics I would take the worst one of those over ANY of the EU books that have been written since 1983.

	DarthBroccoli Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
date Posted: Jan 04, 2008 10:48 PM I read both, and I really like both. Unfortunately, it can be kind of hard to buy a new comic or three every month, especially considering all the older ones that I'm trying to catch up on (like Republic and Empire). Sticking with the TPBs is a very good idea.

jedipoodoo18

date Posted: Jan 06, 2008 9:46 PM

I mostly stick to the novels, because the comics aren't always available. Somehow, I manage to not get the comic in time, or someone gets the last copy before me, or the store stops getting the comic because of space constraints! It's enough to send you over to the dark-side!

Novels are much easier to get, for me at least, and I prefer more character development than possible in comics. But most of the DarkHorse series are pretty good! I have lately started getting into the TPB, and it's been working out better for me. Now, if I could only complete my CloneWars TPB collection.....

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