Star Wars: Crimson Empire, Volume 1 [Paperback]

Mike Richardson (Author), Randy Stradley (Author), Paul Gulacy (Author), P. Craig Russell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Wars: Crimson Empire | Publication Date: December 2, 1998

Kir Kanos is the last surviving member of the elite Crimson Guard. He's on the run -- and the Empire will stop at nothing to destroy him! The story details an amazing encounter with Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine and reveals at last what happened to the Crimson Guard after the death of the Emperor in Empire's End! The final battle of the last of the Royal Guards is about to begin -- and you have a ringside seat! Combining the dynamic artistic talents of Paul Gulacy and P. Craig Russell (winner of the 1998 Harvey Award for best artist), and featuring a cover painting by renowned Star Wars illustrator Dave Dorman, this is a Star Wars collection no fan will want to miss!

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In Dark Victory, the mirror universe is a dim shadow of the Federation, ruled by a cruel tyrant, Emperor Tiberius. Much to the dismay of James T. Kirk, Tiberius is also Kirk's double and is determined to destroy him, whom he considers to be a weak and embarrassing twin. The action can be a bit confusing for listeners unfamiliar with Spectre, the first title in this series, but it doesn't take long to get one's bearings. Unfortunately, those looking for a satisfying conclusion must wait for the third installment. Shatner is in top form and, along with great sound effects, does an admirable job of resurrecting his signature character. Trekkies of all stripes will clamor for this one, but be prepared to purchase the entire series, as individual titles do not stand alone. Recommended for all sf collections. A few galaxies over, the Star Wars contingent is having its own set of problems. Although Emperor Palpatine is dead, a powerful Ruling Council continues with the empire's plans. Dark Lord Carnor Jax is determined to claim the throne, but he must first eliminate Kir Kanos, the only member of the emperor's elite bodyguard to survive after Jax's treachery toward his emperor and fellow guardsmen. Seeking refuge from Jax, Kanos finds himself allied with rebel forces. But Kanos owes allegiance to no one, and rebel leader Mirith Sinn cannot trust the enigmatic warrior whose loyalty lies with a dead emperor. This dramatized production uses multiple voices and searing sound effects to keep imagination flowing, but the ending is rather abrupt, eliciting vague disappointment rather than anticipation for the next title in the Crimson Empire series. Recommended only for libraries with an extensive Star Wars collection.ASusan Dunman, Murray State Univ., KY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

In Dark Victory, the mirror universe is a dim shadow of the Federation, ruled by a cruel tyrant, Emperor Tiberius. Much to the dismay of James T. Kirk, Tiberius is also Kirk's double and is determined to destroy him, whom he considers to be a weak and embarrassing twin. The action can be a bit confusing for listeners unfamiliar with Spectre, the first title in this series, but it doesn't take long to get one's bearings. Unfortunately, those looking for a satisfying conclusion must wait for the third installment. Shatner is in top form and, along with great sound effects, does an admirable job of resurrecting his signature character. Trekkies of all stripes will clamor for this one, but be prepared to purchase the entire series, as individual titles do not stand alone. Recommended for all sf collections. A few galaxies over, the Star Wars contingent is having its own set of problems. Although Emperor Palpatine is dead, a powerful Ruling Council continues with the empire's plans. Dark Lord Carnor Jax is determined to claim the throne, but he must first eliminate Kir Kanos, the only member of the emperor's elite bodyguard to survive after Jax's treachery toward his emperor and fellow guardsmen. Seeking refuge from Jax, Kanos finds himself allied with rebel forces. But Kanos owes allegiance to no one, and rebel leader Mirith Sinn cannot trust the enigmatic warrior whose loyalty lies with a dead emperor. This dramatized production uses multiple voices and searing sound effects to keep imagination flowing, but the ending is rather abrupt, eliciting vague disappointment rather than anticipation for the next title in the Crimson Empire series. Recommended only for libraries with an extensive Star Wars collection.ASusan Dunman, Murray State Univ., KY
(Library Journal ) --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (December 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569713553
• ISBN-13: 978-1569713556
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best, October 2, 2005

By 

Madelyn Pryor "Goblyn Queen" (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Star Wars: Crimson Empire, Volume 1 (Paperback)

Years before Star Wars: Empire, Dark Horse gave us Crimson Empire- a dark story about the elite Imperial guard. Carnor Jax and and Kir Kanos are former members of Palpaltine's Eltite Guard, feared and respected throughout the galaxy. Now, two years after their master's death, they find themselves in very different circumstances. One, Jax, is poised to take over his master's throne, and the other, Kanos is a hunted, hungry fugitive that has sworn revenge on all those who betrayed his beloved emperor.

Flashing between now and the past, this book shows us slices of the past, including how the Imperial Guards were trained. Wow! That's all I can say without offering too many spoilers. :> And this book has more twists and turns in this plot than a Kessel Run.

Though it's a few years old now, this remains one of the best Star Wars stories of all time, and represents Dark Horse Star Wars at it's best. If what you love about the Star Wars Universe is the characterization then stop reading this review and buy yourself this. You won't be disappointed.

This can be enjoyed by newcomers and long term fans as it a clearly defined story not relying heavily on intricate continuity.

Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best, April 13, 2004

By 

SigmaEcho "sigmaecho" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars: Crimson Empire, Volume 1 (Paperback)

Having read a lot of Star Wars Graphic Novels, I can safely say this is one of the best if not the best. Crimson Empire delivers the goods. Period. There's a reason almost all the reviews here are 5 stars: this story is unique, captures the essence of SW and takes you on a ride that is as enjoyable as the original films. BOLD. NEW. EXCITING. Read Crimson Empire.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOLID SOTRY WITHOUT THE CORE CHARACTERS, January 28, 2008

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Star Wars: Crimson Empire, Volume 1 (Paperback)

I've long considered Dark Horse to be the smartest and most resourceful comic book publisher. When they started out over twenty years ago, they made the conscious decision to not try to take on Marvel and DC at their own game. Instead, they published truly unique titles such as Concrete and Hellboy and were aggressive in obtaining the licenses to popular movie franchise like Aliens, Predator, and, their biggest coup, Star Wars. Let's not forget that Marvel had the Star Wars license in the 1970's and while they concentrated on the central characters from the first trilogy, Dark Horse has delved into the expanded universe, telling stories that were set thousands of years before the events in the first Star Wars film, as well as tales set well after Return of the Jedi, not to mention filling in gaps between the films.

This tale takes place about ten years after the destruction of the first Death Star and after Luke Skywalker has defeated the last of the Emperor's clones. The empire is fractured and looking for new leadership, and still looking to crush the rebellion. Stepping forward, and nominating himself as the new ruler is Carnor Jax, a member of the Emperor's Royal Guard.

The book sheds some deserving light on the members of the Royal Guard. These Crimson cloaked warriors were always shrouded in secrecy. A back story takes readers to the distant planet of Yinchorr, a desolate planet with no strategic value. It was here were potential Royal Guardsman received their harsh training. Often having to fight to the death to prove themselves worthy to the Emperor as well as Darth Vader. The Guardsman's training was perhaps even more strenuous than that of the Jedi.

On the planet of Phaeda, a mysterious man has just entered a local watering hole and is confronted by several soldiers and Stormtroopers, killing all of them single-handedly. This man turns out to be Kir Kanos, a former Royal Guardsman marked for death by Carnor Jax. Kanos uncovered a plot by Jax to have inferior clones of the Emperor, thereby sealing his fate. Still loyal to the Emperor, Kanos and other loyal Guardsmen battled Jax's forces but were overwhelmed by superior numbers until only Jax remained. Now, on this insignificant planet, Kanos finds himself in a strange alliance with local Rebel forces when Jax tracks him down and is willing to destroy the entire city to kill his enemy.

Here is a great example of an outstanding Star Wars story with little reliance on the core characters. Luke Skywalker and Vader make brief cameos in flashback sequences only. The book holds it own on the strong plot and the powerful enmity between Carnor Jax and Kir Kanos, two mortal enemies. You just know that one of them is not going to survive; it can be no other way. The art is by two veteran artists, and two of my favorites: penciller Paul Gulacy and inker P. Craig Russell. I've been a huge Gulacy fan ever since he worked on The Master of Kung-Fu in the 70's and his pencils are perfectly rendered by the poetic inks of Russell.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON