A long time ago, a girl’s parents took her to see a science fiction film called Star Wars. On that day, she fell in love with all things Star Wars, even the extended universe that began with Timothy Zahn’s 1991 book, Heir to the Empire. But in 2012, Disney purchased Star Wars and proceeded to erase the majority of the extended universe she had come to know. With much of her Star Wars knowledge no longer applicable, she begins a journey through the new canon. Her goal – to travel the path of the new canon, experiencing as much of the new material in story order as best as she possibly can.
Warning: Spoilers
Star Wars: Kanan Vol. 2: First Blood is a trade paperback collecting issues 7 – 12 of Marvel’s comic book series, Star Wars: Kanan. First Blood was written by Greg Weisman with art by Pepe Larraz and Andrea Broccardo and colors by David Curiel.
A young man is eager to learn more about the Force and advance his training, so he searches for ways to rush his progress.
Sound familiar?
This story isn’t about Anakin Skywalker. First Blood is a flashback story of Kanan Jarrus’s time during the Clone Wars, when he was known as Caleb Dume and training to be a Jedi.
The Separatists have gotten bold. A Captain of the Confederacy, Rackham Sear, attacks the Jedi Temple because he, like many in the galaxy, despises the Jedi for fighting in the war while claiming to be peacekeepers. He tells Caleb, “You’re on the wrong side here. The Jedi are the bad guys, fighting against freedom and self-determination.”
Star Wars: Kanan Vol. 2: First Blood is a trade paperback collecting issues 7 – 12 of Marvel’s comic book series, Star Wars: Kanan
Caleb helps Master Depa Billaba stop the bombing. Because of his actions, Billaba makes him her Padawan, even though he is considered too young to be one. During his missions with Billaba, we see more of the horrors of the Clone Wars and meet more clones who know they are bred to die. Caleb forms a bond with 1157, who finally earns the name Stance after he protects Caleb. The intense battles and losses Caleb endures shatters his romantic view of war. Caleb is tempted to give in to the sense of revenge loss can bring, but he brings himself back and realizes there is no triumph in killing.
First Blood is an interesting look at another Master-Padawan relationship and how devastating the war is across the galaxy. One of the story’s strengths is that you don’t have to have seen The Clone Wars to understand what is going on. I enjoyed the story and the art, but I would have appreciated it more if the story wasn’t about another young Jedi complaining about being called a “kid” and willing to bend the rules.
I like Caleb, and I’m interested in reading the first volume to learn about how he went from young Jedi Caleb Dume to Kanan Jarrus.
Up next: Revenge of the Sith (film)
