Mandatory Retirement (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 9) [Paperback]

Michael A. Stackpole (Author), Steve Crespo (Author), John Nadeau (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron | Publication Date: February 6, 2001

When Imperial Intelligence chief Ysanne Isard discovers that acting-Emperor Pestage has cut a secret deal with the Rebel Alliance to sell out the Empire, it appears that the Rebels` ticket to Imperial Center has been punched. But when Pestage is captured in his sanctuary on a far world, Rogue Squadron is assigned to go after him. If the New Republic wants to claim Imperial Center and turn the tide of war, it is imperative that they rescue Pestage, now wanted by the Empire for high treason. Unfortunately, Isard is also going after Pestage - with a brace of Star Destroyers and her own designs on the Imperial throne! Mandatory Retirement is the thrilling conclusion to the epic Rise of Isard story arc and a key link in the Star Wars mythos!

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (February 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569714924
• ISBN-13: 978-1569714928
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,154,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael A. Stackpole is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 novels, including I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron. He's won awards in the realms of podcasting, game designer, computer game design, screenwriting, editing, graphic novel writing and novel writing. He lives in Arizona and frequently travels the United States attending conventions and teaching writing workshops. His website is www.stormwolf.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerhouse ending to an awesome series, February 10, 2001

By 

Nathan (Wilmington, DE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandatory Retirement (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 9) (Paperback)

Mandatory Retirement is the powerful conclusion to the "Rise to Isard" story arc as well as to the Rogue Squadron comic series of which that was part. This is a strong series, and unique within the Rogue Squadron mythos. While most RS stories are four issues, with the first setting up a conflict and the next three having the Rogues resolve it, in this story the whole first quarter is devoted to showing us the Rogues during some R&R time. They get to have fun, go swimming, relax, dance, and develop their relationships. The whole story is then told in the next three comics. The art in this series is very good, much better and much more in style than the previous two Rogue Squadron stories, and the dialogue is really good too, although there isn't as much humorous banter as we're used to. There's also just as much action as you'd expect from an X-wing story, as well as plenty of Isard's manipulations and a healthy reminder of why we came to hate the Empire in the first place.

The plot is that Sate Pestage has been caught in the act of selling out to the Rebels, and so three of the most powerful Generals in the cabal of Imperial leaders have formed a tribunal which assumes control of the Empire, and they decide they want Pestage. Pestage, however, has paid off Leonia Tavira to get him to a world loyal to him, where the Rebels will attempt to rescue him for political reasons. Tavira, however, then sells out Pestage's location to Isard and the Imperials, and when an Imperial fleet shows up, things start to get ugly for the Rogues.

This is a good story for several reasons. Besides the good art, which I have already mentioned, there are a good number of characters here. Besides the Rogues, both General Salm's wing of Y-wings and Kapp Dendo's commandos return, as does Mirax Terrik and the Pulsar Skate. In addition, we have Isard, Tavira, and Admiral Krennel on the Imperial side. We also get to see, for the first time, the New Republic's Provisional Council, and all the attendant bickering and politicking. Tension in the ranks because of Fel's recent loyalty re-emerges here, an issue about which I complained in my review of "Masquerade." The relationships between various Rogues continue to develop, though there are sacrifices here as well. It's fun to see Isard removing her competition and securing her place at the head of the Empire, and we also get to see how Krennel, who later appears in the novel Isard's Revenge, gets so wealthy and powerful. Moreover, we get to hear Wedge give a sentimental speech. Plus, with John Travolta on the cover, what can go wrong?

This is an exceptionally good Rogue Squadron story and a fitting end to the series. Highly Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Ending to a Superb Series, August 12, 2001

By 

Handofthrawn (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandatory Retirement (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 9) (Paperback)

Stackpole ends his series with a bang. 'Mandatory Retirement' is indeed second only to 'In the Empire's Service' in the series in my opinion (as I prefer the larger-scale arcs) and is indeed uniquely Star Wars.
The story begin with light scenes of the various Rogues intermixing, socializing, and so forth, building the characters enhanced over the course of the series. Intermixed with these, however, are grim scenes of the events on Coruscant and Cituric. Pestage, intermin Emperor, goes into hiding, and the hunt for him begins. Dinner, dancing, and enjoyment ends for the Rogues and they are suddenly thrown into the mix of things.
One of the high points in this story are the many philosophical conversations about the Empire and the Repulbic and the differences between them. The conversations between Fel and Pestage and the clash between Nrin, Fel, Pestage, and Wedge after one of the Rogues is lost are both some of the best SW I've ever read. One must also take note of the dire contrast between the first and second halves. The Rogues begin by relaxing and enjoying themselves (except for to lonely, rejected Fel) and events transpire that put these same people in a dire, morbid situation where their hope for survival looks bleak. superb writing by Stackpole.
Onto the art. The Nadeau-Crespo team is a success, with and very good mix of people and technology. X-wings, Y-wing, Bantha-class shuttles, and Star Destroyers all look superb, in particular a jaw-dropping two-page battle shot towards the end. Crespo does very good faces and their expressions. One of my favorite parts of the whole arc is the full-page shot of the Rogues and Kapp Dendo's commandoes standing over the cloth-covered body of a fallen Rogue. (Who will remain nameless, of course.) The expressions on each and every face is a virtual window into what each one must be thinking. And once again the coloring by Dave Nestelle is superb, perfectly conveying the feelings of bleakness and hopelessness in some scenes while conveying one of tranquility and enjoyment in others.
In a series like Rogue Squadron, when you have dozen of characters, its hard to balance it out. But Stackpole does it just as well as he has throughout the series. Fel once again is a superb character, while others like Nrin show both their good points and their flaws very well. Pestage starts out as an almost sympathetic character, but as time goes on he becomes more and more loatheful.
Not perfect, but still highly reccomended. It's also one of the few examples in Star Wars where an actualy deep, philosphical reason against the Empire is established. Bravo to Stackpole and crew for a great ending to a great series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting end to a great series., February 15, 2001

By 

Jyotsna Ranade (East Lyme, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandatory Retirement (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 9) (Paperback)

Michael Stackpole has done it again. He has written the best book in this series since "In The Empire's Service". The book is filled with everything you've grown to know and love about this series:awesome space battles, the best art in any Star Wars comic book, backstabbing, betrayal, love, and funny subplots. The story, which covers an attempt by the Alliance to rescue former villain Sate Pestage, is very well written. There are many great twists, which we have all come to expect. Ysanne Isard, the vilain, is portayed especially well, with her treacherous path covered in full detail. Isard's attempts at assasination against her enemies is reminiscent of Crimson Empire, another great series. In conclusion, if you are looking for a great Star Wars book, look no further.