Star Wars: A New Hope, Vol. 1 (Manga) (v. 1) [Paperback]

Hisao Tamaki (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Now here is the complete screenplay of the film that launched a science fiction phenomenon. Experience the capture of Princess Leia by Lord Darth Vader and the evil minions of the Empire...Farmboy Luke Skywalker's discovery of her desperate message hidden in the droid R2-D2...Luke's fateful meetings with legendary Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and intergalactic smuggler Han Solo...And the climactic battle to destroy the sinister Death Star.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; 1st edition (July 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569713626
• ISBN-13: 978-1569713624
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Star Wars Comics Money Can Buy, November 6, 2003

By 

Spencer (Vancouver BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars: A New Hope, Vol. 1 (Manga) (v. 1) (Paperback)

I wasn't sure what to expect with the Star Wars: Manga series. I wasn't sure if it would just be a tired retread of familiar material done with big eyes, or if it would be the first really quality adaptation of the Star Wars films. Because lets face it, most Star Wars comics suck. The art is lacklustre, with artists often trying to make their character look too much like Harrison Ford or Mark Hamill. The dialogue is flimsy, with characters either spouting catchphrases from the movies or just dropping awkward speech balloons all over the place. No, Dark Horse has not done much with the coveted Star Wars franchise to crow about. Until now.
I'm not one of those fans that preaches the unfailing superiority of Japanese manga. Nor do I decry the often exaggerated facial expressions and unfamiliar art style. I simply appreciate good comics, and this is good comics. This is the best graphic novel adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope that anyone could ever ask for. The well-known script is adapted directly from George Lucas' original script, and so it includes the new scenes of the Special Edition releases from a few years back (Though Han does seem the shoot first in a highly satisfyingly violent scene). This is not merely a storyboard adaptation, but a true utilisation of what comics do best. Hisao Tamaki, who adapts and draws this story, uses plenty of panels just to establish mood and setting, most noticeable in the Mos Eisley Cantina scene. The characters, thankfully, are not modelled on their silver screen counter-parts, but rather have a life of their own. Action scenes are a beauty to behold, and Tamaki's kinetic style is really showcased. The lightsaber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan is infused with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, giving the samurai-esque Kenobi a mobility that the honourable Sir Alec Guiness could simply never achieve. The destruction of Alderaan is handled far more dramatically than in the film, flashing panels of the people of that doomed world with the Death Star as it charges its cannon. The blast is one of those truly impressive sights that make your eyes widen in an attempt to take it all in.
Perhaps the most appealing part of this series is the way Tamaki exploits the lighter moments to brilliant effect. The Jawa's incessant jabbering, the mugging of Luke and Han, and especially the frantic chases through the Death Star in the third volume all illicit great little moments. Once one becomes accustomed to Tamaki's visual language, including little teardrops and pulsing forehead veins, it's easy to follow the laughs.
If there are any drawbacks to this story, they involve the inevitable problems in translating a Japanese work for an English market. Virtually all panels are mirrored to accommodate our left-to-right reading style. It seems that some action scenes devoid of dialogue were left in their original format, making the transition a bit jarring if your eye's sharp enough to spot the gaffes. I've read other reviews that disapproved of the sound effect lettering, arguing that it distracted from the art in certain scenes. I agree that the sound effects are occasionally overwhelming, but they are clearly an important part of the art style, and are used so effectively in certain scenes that I'm willing to forgive this minor sin.
For any fans of the Star Wars films or comics series, this set is a valuable and highly entertaining addition that lets you appreciate the classic tale in a new medium. I look forward to reading the following Star Wars: Manga adaptations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May the Force (Manga Style) be with you..., February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Wars: A New Hope, Vol. 1 (Manga) (v. 1) (Paperback)

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Hisao Tamaki made the best comic adaptation of a movie the US and Japan has ever seen. If you want something original...then your'e outta luck. But if you're a Star Wars fan, or just want something new...then you better get a copy of Star Wars Manga. It's amazing how movies and manga fit so well together(i.e. Neon Genesis Evangelion, Patlabor, Ranma 1/2, Battle Angel Alita, and Sailor Moon). The series throws in some extra goodies like the sandtroopers on dewbacks and a flashback.The text is based off of the script of the movie, so don't expect something out of the ordinary. (Everyone has memorized the script anyways), but what lacks in text that we already know make up in the stuningly visual art. From the menacing Star Destroyers to the scorched remains of Luke's aunt and uncle, it truly is something to read. The character designs are slightly modified, but don't worry, Princess Leia still has two cinnimon buns on her head.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and entertaining., June 11, 2000

By 

"quatrewinner" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Wars: A New Hope, Vol. 1 (Manga) (v. 1) (Paperback)

This is a truly wonderful adaption. I love the style, and the whole thing is just so good you won't care that you've already seen the movie. It's like, you can really look over the good parts, taking in every detail. Thank God they kept it in black and white! The artist does an incredible job with shading and character likeness, and you can almost hear Mark Hamill's voice... This manga also includes a flash back and a cool pic of the sandtroopers on dewbacks. I'd recommend this for Star Wars fans in general, Japanese or American.