World Famous Comics: Star Wars: Underworld - The Yavin Vassilika
Star Wars: Underworld - The Yavin Vassilika
By: Mike Kennedy, Carlos Meglia Publisher: Dark Horse Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Dark Horse Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 120 Publication Date: October 12, 2001 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: When three Hutts place a wager on who can raise the most successful squad of henchmen to procure a highly valuable, mythical treasure, the most conniving rogues of the Star Wars Universe are recruited. Following a lead provided by Jozzel Moffet, a Hutt's slave girl, three teams set out to be the first to find the mysterious Yavin Vassilika. Boba Fett, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando, Dengar, IG-88, and others square off to decide who is the best scoundrel in the galaxy! They're hot on each other's trails, trying to stay alive and get a step ahead of the pack. The competitors dodge lasers and search for clues on the planet Kalkovak, attempt to stay afloat on the high seas of Mon Calamari, and become victims of a primitive culture's ritualistic "Cleansing of the Foul" on a backwater planet beyond the Outer Rim. The seductive Jozzel Moffet, wanting to free herself from a life of dancing and Hutt-washing, is moonlighting for a secret fourth investor and is hoping to get the Vassilika from whichever team is left standing. There are grudges galore in this hectic and humorous mad-dash, brought to you by fan-favorite Carlos Meglia (SpyBoy, Crimson, W.I.L.D.Cats) and writer Mike Kennedy (Ghost/Batgirl).
don't waste your time This graphic novel was without a doubt the worst I've ever read. The storyline was just plain stupid. The art would be more fitting for a cartoon. And the dialogue was horrible.
Exaggerated artwork, good story. The artwork is so annoying that I had trouble getting past that to a fairly interesting story. To bad the cover art is absolutely not like what is on the inside. The story includes Han and Chewy, along with their old buddy Lando. They met up with Boba Fett, Ig-88 and Dengar. This story takes place before new hope, so I give it a -1 on the timeline. Pencil get 2 stars, story 3 and inking get a 4 for a 3 star rating.. you'll want to read this one.
One Of The Best I passed by this Dark Horse offering several times as I generally get little enjoyment when characters that are so familiar are drawn almost to caricature. This visual treatment is very pronounced in, "The Yavin Vassilika", however together with a great story, the result is excellent. The visuals are not the only aspect that is changed. Virtually all of the players have been with fans since day one, and their personalities have become ingrained with readers. The usual lines that divide or consolidate groups get blurred and erased, for some very unusual outcomes.
Three Hutts make a wager and then hire a variety of familiar players to win the bet on their behalf. Jabba is in the middle of the action as are Fett, Solo, Chewie, Lando, and a host of others. Forget what you have seen in the past, this time the relationships differ. Lando is still hugging the Falcon he recently lost and still nursing a bruised ego. When he meets up with the man who took it at the Sabacc table, things get interesting.
The Vassilika is largely believed to be a myth. When the myth suddenly becomes as valuable as it is real, everyone involved forms alliances, breaks original groups, and generally the level of trust resides at zero. Add to this that Fett is present and is drawn as a hulking version of himself, which is in opposition to the others, and things get amusing as well as entertaining. His legs don't quite fit, but for that you will have to read the book.
On the surface this is not an installment that will seem familiar, and the cover art is like no other I have seen, with blank white space dominating all else. The book is well worth the risk, and I certainly hope the team that produced this compilation has more on the way.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
