This article was originally published on TatooineTimes.com
When The Phantom Menace was released in 1999 it was nothing short of a global smash. Original trilogy fans clamored at a new Star Wars film and younger audiences got something to call their own. Whether or not the film lived up to all the hype is continually up for debate but one thing is true: in the intervening years since its release, The Phantom Menace has established itself firmly in Star Wars canon as the foundation for everything that has come since. As the latest addition to its Star Wars movie adaptations, IDW’s The Phantom Menace Graphic Novel Adaptation is a fun, gorgeous and succinct book. Highlighting the fun and downplaying the politics, this book aims to please a younger reading audience but can also be enjoyed by more experienced Star Wars fans.
Led by senior designer Enrico Soave, the artistic team on this book is absolutely stellar. This is hyper stylized characterization done at its very best—it isn’t going for realism and it works! Liam Neeson’s nose aside, each character is recognizable but not distracting. The lines are sharp and clean and in this hand-crafted medium, there’s no odd mix of live action and CGI, just seamless storytelling. Additionally, the gorgeously rendered backgrounds add an extra touch of something special to the artistic landscape.
The Phantom Menace’s famous action scenes are all here; the exciting podrace, the finale’s epic lightsaber battle, but what about all those scenes regarding trade federations and politics? They’re here too but in the context of a graphic novel adaptation, they’re handled carefully and not too many panels are dedicated to long expositions. For a book aimed at younger readers this was a smart move as pacing is paramount.
The Phantom Menace Graphic Novel Adaptation is proof that a good story can shine in any medium. Set in the context of a comic book there are necessary cuts and changes to the film but that doesn’t mean that it’s not an enjoyable time spent in a galaxy far far away.
Buy The Phantom Menace Graphic Novel Adaptation
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