Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void [Paperback]

Chris Claremont (Author), Carmine Infantino (Author), Walter Simonson (Author), Various (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2003

Dark Horse Comics is proud to present "Classic Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... featuring classic "Star Wars stories not seen in over twenty years! Originally printed by Marvel Comics, these stories have been recolored and are sure to please "Star Wars fans both new and old.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (April 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569717877
• ISBN-13: 978-1569717875
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvel's Star Wars hits its stride, October 23, 2010

By 

Kid Kyoto (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void (Paperback)

I have to admit a bit of a bias since this book reprints some of the first comics I ever bought but I really liked this book.

Reprinting Star Wars 54 to 67 and Star Wars Annual #2 (originally published between 1981 and 1983) Screams in the Void covers the time when Marvel's Star Wars series really hit its stride. The first 3 years were largely hit or miss with artists and writers changing frequently and many of them not putting in their best work. But after Empire Strikes Back we really see more talent and more creativity on the title.

The opening story is a bit weak, it's the second half of an infamous story where Marvel took existing art from their canceled John Carter of Mars book and redrew it as a Star Wars story. But after that stories mainly by David Michelinie and art mainly by Walt Simonson and Ron Frenz. Simonson and Frenz draw heroes who look like their movie counterparts but also bring an incredible amount of creativity to the aliens and worlds in the book.

And the stories, even 30 years down the road are great fun. Leia meets a shockingly cute race of telepathic rodents called the Hoojibs, Lando returns to Cloud City and teams up with an Ugnaught film crew against the Empire, the rebel fleet hides inside a sun, the rebels take on an Imperial Armada in pirated TIE fighters, and on it goes. Even minor characters have strong and memorable roles.

This book is just pure fun for any Star Wars fans and is highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More classic Star Wars. Well-drawn, well-written., April 21, 2003

By 

Jon Folkers (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void (Paperback)

I started picking up the Star Wars comics halfway through its run -- right when this book takes off. Compared to the first issues in the series, the art is quite sophisticated and matches well with the imagery seen in the films. Characterizations are remarkably deep considering the plotters were barred from using situations that would pop up in Return of the Jedi.

My favorite bit deals with a young Rebel woman who looks like she could be Luke's first girlfriend, but is actually much more. I won't spoil the surprise here, but let's just say that Mara Jade wasn't exactly a totally original creation.

Most importantly, these stories are FUN and are a great read for all Star Wars fans young and old. I can't recommend them highly enough.

4.0 out of 5 stars The best Marvel Star Wars so far, January 18, 2011

By 

Chad Lawrence (Lewisville, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void (Paperback)

"Screams in the Void" is the fourth in the series of Dark Horse collections of Marvel comics. It contains issues 54-67 of Marvel's Star Wars run, as well as the second annual. In my opinion, these are the best stories to come out of the Marvel comics so far. The stories generally cover multiple issues, which allows for deeper and more complex stories. New characters are introduced, such as Shira Brie, and other characters are explored with more depth, specifically Lando. It's good to see the addition of new characters that do not appear in the movies, on the rebel and Imperial sides. The Shira Brie story arc was the best so far, and even the recurring hoojibs contribute as well. The stories that span a single issue are generally weaker, but they are becoming more uncommon as the series continues. With this collection it seems that the Marvel stories have turned a corner.