A civil war rages across the galaxy between The Galactic Empire that rules by fear and force, and the Rebels who want peace and freedom to return to all.

Luke Skywalker is a boy in his late teens living on a sand planet called Tattoine. Keen to get out into the galaxy and away from his uncle’s chores, he is given yet another task. He is to clean up two droids his uncle has just bought. When looking them over he sets off a hologram message of a young woman asking Obi-Wan Kenobi for help.

Could that be old Ben Kenobi? Following the droids across the desert he soon meets Ben who explains the hologram message. He tells Luke of the civil war between Jedi Knights and an evil Empire. Luke learns his own father was also a Jedi, the best star pilot in the galaxy and a cunning warrior. Luke is stunned, but even more so when Ben tells him he too must become a Jedi, and help the rebels fight against the Dark Side.

Luke meets many on his journey to becoming a Jedi, some becoming loyal friends. There is a pilot named Han Solo and his Wookie friend Chewbacca, along with the woman in the hologram – Princess Leia. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. Luke also learns more about his father and his role in the Empire.

As Luke’s Jedi powers develop, they are put to the test again and again as he and his friends help fight the leader of the Dark Side – a powerful, imposing figure in black, called Darth Vader.

Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca are key players in the rebel resistance against the evil Empire’s plan to eradicate whole planets at whim and continue their control over the galaxy.

The three movies that launched this Galactic conflict into our world have been brought to life in three sections of graphic novel format.

Star Wars – A New Hope

Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars – Return of the Jedi

From the distinctive introductions of yellow lettering stretching back across the black void of space, to the anxiety of droids C3PO and R2D2, arrogant charm of Han Solo, and courage of a young man discovering his destiny – this version captures all the action between good and evil – or Jedi Knight vs the Dark Side.

As a fan of the original trilogy, I could hear the voices of the characters and the sounds of light sabers humming and slashing the air as I read. The story flows so well with clear indicators of setting and place, that readers new to this franchise will be quickly caught up in the illustrations, action, and chaos too.

The Star Wars phenomenon began back in 1977 and continues today. This graphic novel is something I had to have in my own collection, even if just for the nostalgia. I know just like watching the movies, I’ll read this again and again.

Original Creator – George Lucas

by Alessandro Ferrari (Text), Matteo Piana (Layout and cleanup, Ink), Igor Chimisso (Layout and cleanup, Ink), Alessandro Pastrovicchio (Ink), Davide Turotti (Paint), Walt Disney Company

Age – 8-88 years or any Star Wars fan

Read a fascinating interview with the recreators here

(2022, Hardie Grant Publishing, Disney, LucasFilm, Graphic Novel, Space, Sci Fi, Trilogy, Series, Action, Family, Reveals, Aliens, Planets, Galaxies, Spaceships, X-wing fighters, Death Star, Good vs Evil, Powers, Battles, Romance, Loyalty, Friendships, Betrayal, Courage, Monsters)