Comic Book Review - Far, Far Away (A Star Wars Fanzine)

Attack of the fanzine…

When it comes to extended universes, nothing comes close to Star Wars. Across its multitude of television series, films, video games, and other multimedia content, we’ve barely scratched the surface to what that galaxy far, far away can offer. While Disney continues to adhere to its own “canon” universe, the Star Wars fandom have taken these established characters and added their own spin to them. Of course fanzines are nothing new, and any popular franchise will have its own spin-off’s crated by its fans. 

One such fanzine is the aptly named Far, Far Away (A Star Wars fanzine). Produced by a talented bunch of Star Wars fans, this anthology takes a different look at the characters that we’ve come to love - with plenty of surprises along the way. Released to coincide with Star Wars Day, this FREE comic is available now and can be downloaded by clicking here. 

So without further ado, shall we? 

Kicking things off is a beautiful introduction to Far, Far Away by Adrián Bonilla. Here we get insight into Bonilla’s love of Star Wars, and how he essentially grew up alongside Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the darkside. It’s a touching piece that not only gives his own personal account of what being a Star Wars fan means, but also shows his passion into making this project a reality.

A Bigger Fish (Simon Jenner, Roman Stevens, Adrián Bonilla)

From the get go Far, Far Away gives us an origin story about a character who I’d never guess really needed one. Taking place before the Battle of Yavin, we follow this creature (yes, I’m being particularly vague!) as it’s captured for study by the Empire. Ripped away from its brood, its then taken to places unknown to be poked and prodded by Imperial scientists at the behest of Admiral Thawn. However, a chance break out then sees it escape from Thawn’s clutches and into something more “compact”. 

Throughout this strip writer, Simon Jenner makes us feel sorry for the predicament that his “subject” finds itself in. While plenty of us grew up with seeing this creature during a single scene, no one really knew what it was and more importantly how it found its way onto the Death Star. Yet, it’s in this somewhat origin story that we see the creature is just as much a prisoner of the Empire than the rest of the galaxy. 

Bringing this sad story together is artist Roman Stevens. The art here does a great job in highlighting the sadness in Jenner’s script while remaining inherently Star Wars. There’s a great use of colours here that takes us from the destruction of Alderaan, to the swamps of Vodran, to the pristine halls of the Death Star. Again, while it’s a journey I never thought I’d take, it does kick this comic book to a good start. 

High-Stakes For The Idiot’s Array (Christoff RDGZ, Luis Armand Villalba)

Lando Calrissian finds himself on the lawless planet of Nar Shaddaa as he investigates a threat to Cloud City. What then folles is a tangle with a few familiar bounty hunters, and a gang boss with a grudge. But it’s the ending that’s really surprising. 

So, upon reading High-Stakes For The Idiot’s Array, I didn’t expect it to lead into Lando’s involvement in the video game Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast What Christoff RDGZ does here is give us the backstory as to how Lando finds himself at the mercy of Reelo Baruk before he’s rescued by wayward Jedi Kyle Katarn that’s seen in the video game. Across this strip, Christoff shows a great understanding of the character as this version of Lando oozes that on screen charisma displayed effortlessly by Billy Dee Williams. 

Elsewhere and Villalba captures the seedy, dank atmosphere of Nar Shaddaa well with plenty of bright neon colours, and brooding shadow work. When the action kicks in, Villalba gives us a great choreographed scene that shows a side to Lando that wasn’t explored in the films. 

Now where’s my copy of Jedi Outcast? 

The Midi-Chlorian (Carlos Cardo)

Things then start to settle down as Carlos Cardo gives us a satirical look into those Star Wars moments that have caused an internet ruckus in some shape or form. Everything from the Padmé/Anakin age gap, Stormtroopers underestimating the Ewok’s, and the backlash over the Disney trilogy, nothing escapes Cardo’s gaze. And who should be our host across these proceedings? Yes, one of those Midi-Chlorian’s who’ve never been properly explained. 

Considering that the previous strips have had a serious tone, this strip has been a welcomed break. Not only does Carlos Cardo have a wicked sense of humour with highlighting these inconsistencies, he’s given them a comical feeling too! 

A Normal Life (Pablo Lloret Estrada) 

While this one isn’t a comic strip in the traditional sense, we do get a poignant piece that further develops the relationship between the young Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

Taking place during Anakin’s third year of Jedi training, he finds himself locked in a cell with Obi-Wan. With nothing left to do the youngster approaches the older a Jedi with a question: What would Obi-Wan’s life be if he wasn’t a Jedi? It’s certainly a question that Obi-Wan has never really had to answer, and while he doesn’t specifically give Anakin an answer, we do get to see Anakin’s interpretation of just how different his own life could of been if the Jedi didn’t come to Tatooine. 

The Stranger (Genis Benavent, Daniel Tomâs)

The severed head of a protocol droid, a badass Ewok, and a squad of Storm Troopers…what could go wrong? 

Well the answer is a lot as Benavent and Tomâs give us a strip that sees a squad of the Empires finest against a single Ewok. It’s an incredible, high-tempo strip that sees an Ewok turn the tables on a squad of Jedi hunting Stormtroopers. The Stranger stands out as it goes in the opposite direction to what Star Wars is. Throw in a lead character who’s both instantly likeable, yet remains mysterious and Benavent has something they could certainly spin into a series all on its own. I have so many questions coming out of The Stranger - it’s that good.

Gensi Benavent and Daniel Tomâs take a bow! 

The Midi-Chlorian (Carlos Cardo) 

The last strip that Far, Far Away has to offer is another trip into the unexplained with Carlos Cardo and his Midi-Chlorian. This time the duo takes a look at the technology that drives the Star Wars universe. If you’ve ever wondered about Bacta tanks, the workings of an AT-AT, or even what Cloud City does when it’s not freezing gas? The Midi-Chlorian has the answers. 

Much like before, this one’s full of lightheartedness as Cardo takes a prod at the often overlooked parts of the Star Wars universe. It’s both silly and satirical and is a great way in ending what’s been a great fanzine. 

Where Adrián Bonilla started, it’s over to Juanma Mallén to end. The final page to Far, Far Away sees Mallén give his own perspective on what being a Star Wars fan means. Much like Bonilla’s intro it’s a heartfelt tribute to how Star Wars has shaped his own life, and his experiences in growing up with the saga. 

Special mention also goes out to the artists who’s work appeared in between the featured strips. There’s a lot of familiar names that appear here from my own social media such as Flops, Heather Antos, and Laura Helsby. However there’s also been a few new name’s introduced too. Each artist brings a different style to their own pin-up, and it’s certainly great to see these different interpretations to the characters, technology, and places that we’ve come to appreciate over the years. 

Rating: 10/10

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev, and TikTok @Geekculturereviews.