Comic Review // Star Wars Kanan - The Last Padawan
I saw this title at the library and knew I had to read it. Who didn't love Kanan in Rebels? Such a broken character, trying to relearn how to trust. This title will give us some real insight into the character.
Title: Star Wars: Kanan #1 - The Last Padawan
Author: Greg Weisman
Art: Pepe Larraz & Mark Brooks
Blurb: In Star Wars: Rebels, Kanan Jarrus is a cocky, sarcastic renegade fighting the Galactic Empire alongside the ragtag crew of the Ghost. But years before, during the Clone Wars, he was known as Caleb Dume, a Jedi Padawan training under Master Depa Billaba. Neither master nor apprentice ever suspected that their “loyal” Clone Troopers would turn on them upon the issuing of Order 66 — the Emperor's directive to execute all Jedi. How did Caleb Dume escape the Jedi purge? How did he learn to survive on his own after his master fell? And how did he become the man we know as Kanan Jarrus? What can a Padawan do when being a Jedi makes him a target? Join young Caleb for a tale that bridges the years between the Clone Wars and Rebels!
COLLECTING: KANAN 1-6
Format: Comic Book - 144 pages, Paperback
Review
I'm a big Rebels fan, so I went into this comic with baggage and high hopes. This affects my opinion of the title, and I am only human, so you can't blame me.
We travel back to a younger Kanan when he was Caleb and a Padawan of the Republic. We finally get to witness firsthand what happened when Order 66 hit (a different version of events compared to Bad Batch). After this, we get to experience the early life of Padawan on the run and how he changes into the man he becomes.
This is a skin-of-your-teeth adventure, as our young hero attempts to stay out of trouble and avoid detection by the Empire. We meet a Kanan who is willing to do anything to stay alive one more day, and this character is selfish, mean, and hard to like, but in the context of what is happening, I fully understand. Parts of the story were excellent, especially how he falls in with Rogue alien characters, while others seemed to need to be thought out more. Two ranking clone troopers hunting the Padawan feels more like a job for a Sergent and a squad of soldiers. It does seem like a waste of resources. I may be overthinking it.
This was, for sure, an enjoyable adventure/coming-of-age read. As a Rebel fan, I enjoyed it; as a Kanan fan, I enjoyed it. You should know the character before reading. Otherwise, you may find the kid blunt and uninteresting in an exciting setting. But if you know Kanan, do yourself a favour and read the comic!
