Star Wars - Darth Maul : Death Sentence

"Now bother, we move as sith...we move in fear."

Darth Maul was one of the saving graces from Star Wars Episode 1. I think it was because of his Boba Fett kind of presence. Like the great bounty hunter, he instilled fear instantly and invigorated imagination. Also like Boba Fett, Darth Maul is back.

I'm a Star Wars fan, I love most of the movies and have enjoyed a few video games, but this is the first Star Wars comic I've picked up. Not because I didn't think it would translate or because I didn't think the writers could do the universe justice. I just simply passed them over on the shelves, and never thought much more of it. Though I've specifically picked up a copy today to see what it's like and see whether it's worth getting monthly.

Tom Taylor manages to set up Darth Mauls current situation quite quickly. He and his brother Savage Oppress are on a back water planet with a bounty on their heads. Taylor is also quick to remind us why Darth Maul is so bad-ass and why we wanted to see more of him in the films. Though unlike the somewhat family friendly films, the comic medium allows Taylor to step Darth Maul up. He is over the top violent, and he does it all with a air of ostentatious blasé.

Bruno Redondo's art is restricted. He excels when he is creating new characters and vistas, but when drawing cannon characters his art becomes dull and held back. Though his Yoda and Mace Windoo look like their respective movie counterparts there is no life to them. Master Salmara and her young Padawan are a particularly well drawn, as is the inquisitive young Jatenne. Redondo's action beats feel quite stagnant; they have no grace or fluidity to them.

Star Wars - Darth Maul: Death Sentence is a decent read, with no real major drawbacks. I wouldn't say it's converted me to Star Wars comics, but it's definitely peaked my interest enough to go back and read some back issues. Taylor and Redondo have done a well enough job to hold my focus for the entire issue.