I really was pretty ambivalent to the first Pirates of the Caribbean and absolutely hated the next two. Two of my biggest problems were Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. Since they’re not in this new film, I might be more easily persuaded to be dragged to see this by the kids. But not much more.

Johnny Depp looks pretty entertaining, so I guess there’s that. But we’ve seen him play this character at least a dozen times before… So… There’s that.

What do you guys think of the trailer? I was kind of bored and didn’t actually finish watching it.

Should I bother?

When I write up Secret Origins columns, most of the time, I showcase a character I have some sort of already established affinity for. This week, in an attempt to diversify, I decided to tackle a character who, while I knew their origin, I kind of wrote off as “just ok”. But then I read an issue I got in the quarter bin that was not only a great introduction tot he character, but showed how cool he could be! I’m just going to get into it. Enjoy the Secret Origin of the Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange!

As our story opens, A video crew has arrived at Dr. Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum. It seems Strange has agreed to give a television interview as a favor to his friend Morgana Blessing. They’re greeted by Wong, Dr. Strange’s manservant, and Sara Wolfe, his business manager and secretary. Quick introductions abound, and we’re told the interview will start as soon as the good Doctor makes his presence known. Let’s just say Mrs. Strange’s son Stephen knows how to make an entrance.

Strange... Dr. Strange.

More pleasantries are exchanged, as Stephen explains he dressed in his Sunday best, as he felt it’d play better for a TV audience than a more casual outfit. We’re introduced to the crew from Independent Video, the cameraman, sound man, and Sylvia who doesn’t say what her job is. Dr. Strange is trying his best to make everyone feel at home, seeing as how odd he might look to an outsider. He has Wong fetch some tea, Strange sits down and removes his cloak and:

"That's (Cloak of) Levitation, Holmes!"

Indeed, let’s begin. First off, Morgana asks Strange if he’s always been into the occult. With a bit of a knowing smile on his face, Stephen starts to explain how, in his younger days, he was only interested in his own bottom line. Back in Flashback land, we see a younger Stephen Strange, as one of the foremost surgeons in the world. He got to be a cocky and arrogant s.o.b. only offering his superior skills to the people who could pay him the most. One fateful night, Strange is driving home when the unthinkable happens!

That's what he gets for going to the Tony Stark School of Driving.

After the accident, Strange is relatively unscathed, aside from slight nerve damage in his hands, which prevents him from holding a scalpel as steady as a surgeon would need to. At first you’d think he might be ok with that. His great renown could still rake him in the beacoup bucks as a consultant. Ah, but “Stephen Strange assists nobody!”. Not too appealing of a character yet, is he? Just wait. After exhausting his fortune trying to find a cure, Stephen is at the end of his rope, when he overhears a couple of sailors talking about a Mystic in Tibet than is said to be able to cure anything. Grasping at straws, Strange sells the last of his possessions, and treks across the Himalayas for months until he finds the mountain retreat of the Ancient One!

Within moments of arriving, the Ancient One probes Strange’s mind and it seems it’s a bit of a two-way street. The Ancient One learns all about Strange, and Stephen finds that not even the Ancient One can cure his nerve damage. Still, Strange is invited to stay at the retreat, it being winter and all, finding his way back would be near impossible anyway. Then Strange meets he who will become one of his most persistent enemies, Baron Mordo. Mordo was the Ancient One’s disciple in the mystic arts. Things progress, as things are wont to do, until one day where Strange discovers Mordo trying to murder the Ancient One with magic! Mordo discovers Strange and puts a verbal whammy on him to prevent him from warning the wizened old man. Strange was still allowed to talk about other things, so as to avoid suspicion. The result of this is the moment that will change Strange’s life forever.

"Yes my son, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!"

Once these fateful words are spoken, we’re threaten to a mystic montage, which seems to be the standard for origins of this type. Strange gets training in the mystic arts, as well as the physical. Years pass, and in addition to getting his distinguished gray temples look, he is finally challenged to a battle by Mordo. Strange proves himself Mordo’s better, and the Baron is banished. Both combatants know they’ll face each other again (and they do). Strange trains for seven more years, and the Ancient One has news for him. It’s time to leave…

"Plus, well, I can't afford my own place!"

The Ancient One explains that everyone must find their own path when it comes to combating evil. He presents the Doctor with the all-seeing Eye of Agamotto and a look into a crystal ball-like device. It shows him a rather dilapidated brownstone, showing Dr. Strange the next phase of his new life. Cut to said brownstone, located in New York’s Greenwich Village. It seems this particular property has a history of weird occurrences, which is advantageous for the doc in two ways. It’s now a mystical hotbed of activity, and it is priced to sell! After a few modifications, including the iconic round rooftop window, Dr. Strange is ready to hang up his mystic shingle. Before he can start though, there is quite the persistent knocking at the door. Yes, that’s right, this week you get two Secret Origins in one! Behold the Secret Origin of Wong!

Short, sweet and to the point, Wong in a nutshell.

And so, Dr. Strange became a practicing sorcerer. We cut back to the present, where Wong and Sara are surprised that Strange would be so absolutely forthcoming. Morgana goes on to ask Dr. Strange what exactly can he do. As he motions for his cloak to float over and drape itself on his shoulder, Strange explains that magic is really a study of different forces and how to direct them. His brand of magic cannot create something from nothing, you see. Morgana practically plotzes, gushing that Strange’s adventures must be impressive indeed. Strange gives a quick recap of his many campaigns, the people he encounters, both friend and foe. He pauses, talking about his one time love, Clea. He says he mourned for quite a while when she went back to her home dimension. Going as far to say if the so-called video people had chosen to attack him then, they may well have prevailed. Everyone does a double-take at that remark, but Dr. Strange is nobody’s fool.

No sir, I do not.

Strange easily dissolves the video crew’s mystic disguises, revealing Demonicus, Adria, and Kaecilius, all former disciples of Baron Mordo. The pro and antagonists have a bit of a back and forth about when Strange knew they weren’t who they seem, but eventually, the tumultuous trio prepare to attack! All three villains attack at once and they are met with this:

Dr. Strange, with a PhD in badassery

Met with such ease, the bad guys decide to split up, so they can regroup later. Strange lets them run, as he comforts Morgana, knowing that it wasn’t her fault. She is concerned for him, because what if they escape? Strange, his jaw stern assume her “There is no escape.” The mystic marauders make their way through the sanctum, finding it more stymieing than even the most elaborate hedge maze. Strange is obviously toying with his prey here, and he leads them all into the same area, and if you thought the last image was badass, hold onto your pants for this one:

I think I just peed my pants a little.

Yes, they now face Dr. Strange in his astral form, no longer a physical being, but still able to dish out with the zappy zaps. The battle rages, with each side relating past stories with handy footnotes (I miss those in modern comics). During the course of the battle, it’s mention that the astral form is more vulnerable to attack, so the battle may still be won by evil! Strange thinks to himself that he needs to cut out the frivolity and end this before he indeed becomes overconfident. Before he can cast the crimson bands of cyttorak or whatever, Adria finds a mystic bauble that may yet turn the tide of battle. Unfortunately for her, it does, in Dr. Strange’s favor. She incants a turn of phrase and she and her companions find themselves trapped inside said bauble. As they dissipate, they beg Strange to save them, but alas, he cannot, as he describes exactly what this marble looking this is…

At least in the Rainbow Dimension, it's a never-ending party.

The day is won, so Stephen rejoins the mind to the body, and rejoins his compatriots. He assures everyone that he is fine, while Morgana continues to apologize profusely. Stephen assures her there is no need, and we learn that when Clea did leave, she said Strange’s place was with Morgana, and while he cannot find it within himself to love, he does want to start over as friends with her. The two stand, uncertain of what the future holds, but hopeful. That’s a story for another day, though.

So, what’d you think? Since I’ve read this, whenever they try to revive the character, I give it a shot, because of this story. I hope now you will too! See you next week!

Big Shiny Robot! was given the extreme pleasure of doing an interview with Joe Simon in honor of the release of his book “The Kirby and Simon Superheroes” and his illustrated autobiography that comes out in April 2011. It’s called “Joe Simon: The The Man Behind the Comics” and is available for pre-order.

The Superheroes book is a pretty tremendous read and a fun look at less-remembered comics from two of the masters of the form.  The autobiography looks at this point as though it will be a must read.  I would suggest checking them both out.

Jerk-bot did the honors with the interview, so without further ado:

Another name you should … you had better … know for comic book “credibility” is that of Joseph H. “Joe” Simon.

The 97-year-old has contributed to the industry as a writer, artist, editor, and publisher, over a career that spans more than 70 years. Simon is definitely best-known for his collaborations with legendary writer/artist Jacob Kurtzberg, better known by his pen name Jack “The King” Kirby, many of which were done during the so-called “Golden Age” of the comics industry (between the 1930s and 1940s).

Among their most famous creations are Timely/Marvel Comics’ Captain America. From there, the duo went on to work for that company’s chief rival, DC Comics, working on such characters as the Golden Age Sandman and Sandy, the Golden Boy. They also co-created the Newsboy Legion, the Boy Commandos, and Manhunter. Simon and Kirby are also credited with creating the romance comics genre, and their contributions to the earliest Western and horror comics genres cannot be overstated.

Simon has been doing limited press interviews for a series of volumes from Titan Books that reproduce some of his most-beloved works with Kirby. He graciously agreed to do an email interview exchange with Big Shiny Robot!, which is repeated in full here:

Joe Simon is seen here signing at NYCC (left) with Jerry Robinson. Photo courtesy Titan Books.

Big Shiny Robot!: Obviously, you’re best known for your working relationship with Jack Kirby. How did this come about in the first place? And any really funny anecdotes/stories about Jack you’d like to share?

Joe Simon: I met Jack when he was working in the bullpen at Fox Comics, erasing lines and doing art corrections, l and I was working for Victor Fox as his editor. The minute I saw his work I knew I was seeing something exceptional. We were both the sons of tailors–what we called schneiders–and my father had made me a suit before I came from Syracuse to New York City. Kirby said I was the only comic book artist he had ever seen in a suit.

BSR!: Titan Books has released volumes compiling some of your works with the King. How involved have you been in these projects? And what are your feelings about having these works see the light of day again?

JS: I’m totally involved in the books, and we have a great team here with our editor, Steve Saffel, and Harry Mendryk, who is doing an incredible job restoring the artwork so it looks better than it ever has before. Steve and Harry have collected decades of Simon and Kirby stories for an entire new audience to discover them, and we have a lot more to come–our next volume will feature the detective stories. What we appreciate most is the enthusiasm put forward by Nick and Vivian and the rest of the team at Titan.

BSR!: You and Jack have both been praised for your contributions to the superhero genre. But less known are your contributions and/or semi-creations of the romance comics, horror comics, Western comics and crime comics genre. How proud are you of these works, and how do you feel about where these genres have gone since then?

JS: I’m especially proud of having created the romance comics, the most successful line of comics ever produced–each issue of Young Romance and Young Love sold a million copies and up. Those titles took a smaller publisher, Prize Comics, and gave them a huge hit. We were sitting on top with the big boys inside of a year, and they were stealing our ideas in an attempt to copy our success. Jack and I were on the way to see my wife in the hospital, where she had just given birth to our first child. We stopped in a candy store to pick up a card and saw a cluster of girls crowding around the comic book rack for the very first issue of Young Romance. That was when we knew we had a hit. We loved all of the different genres in which we worked, but the romance books hold a special place for me. It’s a shame that so much of the diversity we once had in comics has practically disappeared.

BSR!: Your most famous creation remains Captain America. How closely have you followed the character over the years? You criticized the “death-of” story line … what do you think the character represents, and why do you feel he is important?

JS: I haven’t followed the character too closely over all of the years, but I’m very happy that they kept the patriotic aspects of the character according to what I would have done, and that Captain America emerged as an icon for the readers. For the sake of the sales and trends of the times I did participate in the horrific death of Captain America. I was told about it in advance, and one of the top quotes in the New York Daily News was the statement “Captain America, gone just when we really need him.” Given the way the world is today, that’s probably truer than ever before. Strangely enough, when Jack and I created those first ten issues, with the exception of Hitler on the first cover, there wasn’t much politics in the stories–they were mostly horror and detective adventures.

BSR!: If given the chance, would you return to a Captain America project?

JS: I did a short piece for Captain America issue #600, and other than that, I’m just happy to draw sketches of him for friends and family.

BSR!: What are your feelings about the Captain America movie?

JS: I’m very excited about it. I don’t know the details of the story in the movie, though I have a great deal of confidence in the Marvel movie makers, and have been contacted by Stephen Broussard, the co-producer, several times. It’s apparent that they’re putting a great deal of energy and creativity into all of their projects.

BSR!: Do you have any projects or works that you would consider pitching for films?

JS: Our files are full of them, including the character Stuntman who actually was a movie stuntman. Fighting American, for sure–he’s the best one of all. It has so many natural ingredients, especially the villains. He started out as a 1950s Captain America, but immediately became his own character with a unique mixture of adventure and humor. He would look great on the big screen.

BSR!: What is your relationship, if any, with the “Big Two” comics companies today? Would you be open to doing work with either or both of them, if approached?

JS: Both Marvel and DC have been very good to me lately, and I have friends at both companies, even with all of the changes. But I don’t think I’m likely to be doing any work for them in the near future.

BSR!: As someone who’s worked with the major companies, and formed his own companies, what are your feelings about creators and artists rights? Are a lot of the problems finally being sorted out?

JS: I was very involved with creators’ rights from the very beginning, and even had a royalty arrangement with Martin Goodman at Timely Comics back in 1940, for Captain America. Jack and I didn’t even show the first romance comic to anyone until we had completed the first issue, and we had a profit sharing agreement with Prize Comics. I would like to think that we led the way for the creators of today, who have a much better opportunity to own their own creations and reap the rewards.

BSR!: What are your feelings about the future of comics? Are you involved in any way with digital distribution, and where do you think comics future lies?

JS: Back in the 1940s I was always pushing to start new companies and try new things. I spoke to an investor who had the opportunity to put real money into the business, and was told that comic books were a flash in the pan. I didn’t agree, and fortunately I was right. Over the years I’ve been told more than once that comics are dying, which led me to say that comics have been “dying” for fifty years. As long as there are people pushing to try new things with the medium, there will be comics.

BSR!: Coming from an art background, what are your feelings about being known (mostly) for your writing contributions to comics?

JS: I was working as a newspaper writer long before I worked as an artist, and one of my idols was Damon Runyon, who I met at one of the boxing training camps in upstate New York. The fact that comic books are a great vehicle for both was to my advantage. There’s a lot of back and forth about who wrote this and who wrote that, but the fact that my work blends in so well with Kirby’s work is what made the team work so well.

BSR!: You’ve begun painting again … is this fulfilling, and is there anything you’re working on as an artist?

JS: I’ve been painting for years, but in recent years I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with my daughter, Gail Reynolds, who is a wonderful painter, and that’s been especially fulfilling.

BSR!: How do you think your work and contributions will be perceived years down the road?

JS: Better? [laughs] I hope people continue to enjoy the stories for as long as they can, and for as long as Titan Books puts up with us.

Jeff Michael Vice (Jerkbot) is a contributing writer to MSN Entertainment and its Parallel Universe Web site. He reviews movies for X-96’s Radio From Hell morning program, the Mediocre Show and the Comcast television program Big Movie Mouth-Off. He is also a panelist for the Geek Show Podcast, and is mad for comics.

Welcome back to Convention Sketches!

We feature a convention sketch here every week.  We’ve got a whole pile of our own, but we want to see yours, too. Email us convention sketches you want to show off and let us know what website you’d like credited for it.  (bigshinyrobot(at)gmail.com)

This week, we’re actually featuring a sketch from Derek Hunter (Budgetron) that he did in his book “Derek Hunter is a F**K”.  (You can buy it in the Big Shiny Store!)

It’s time once again for another installment of The Big Movie Mouth Off, starring Jeff Vice from MSN and Jimmy Martin from SLUG Magazine (and both are regular panelists on The Geek Show Podcast)

You can friend the show on Facebook here.

These are available exclusively on Comcast On Demand in Utah.  They are produced and directed by Bryan Young (myself) and Elias Pate both from Big Shiny Robot! and ShineBox Media Productions.

Starting next week, we’ll also be launching a joint Big Shiny Robot! and Big Movie Mouth-Off mini-podcast that will appear weekly featuring the boys, myself and Elias Pate.

Without further delay, let’s get to the reviews:

First we have the Naomi Watts/Sean Penn film ‘Fair Game’:

Then we have the Danny Boyle directed film ‘127 Hours’, starring James Franco:

Then we have Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1:

Inside Job:

Love and Other Drugs:

Monsters:

Morning Glory:

Skyline:

Tamara Drewe:

Disney’s Tangled!

And finally: Unstoppable:

Um…. Wow. There’s not much I can say about this (other than my desire to NOT see this in 3D).

This is the Thor trailer I’ve been waiting for. For as much as I’m excited about Captain America and the Avengers and more Iron Man, my God’s name is Thor. He’s my favorite of the big three and always has been. Add to that the fact that Kenneth Branagh has always had my respect and admiration (seriously, you all need to see Dead Again), and you have my excitement circuits on overload.

Throw Natalie Portman into the mix and I might just lose my mind waiting for this movie.

This is Star Wars level excitement here if you can believe it.

Come on Branagh, old buddy, don’t let me down.

Where do you guys come in on this one?

The Force runs strong in the Lucas family.  George Lucas has it, as does his daughter Katie.  She is the scribe for the Savage Opress story arc for Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well as earlier episodes of the show, and her contributions to the galaxy far far away are incredible.

Last night, I attended the Atlanta screening of the Savage Opress storyline, and the three episodes shown amazed me.  Joined together to create a seamless mini-movie, the episodes are scheduled to air on Cartoon Network in January.  Seeing the animation on the big screen truly brought every digital detail to life, from the expressiveness of Asajj Ventress’ eyes to the all-too-familiar sounds of lightsabers engaged in battle.

The basic story:  Darth Sidious commands Count Dooku to kill Ventress to prove his loyalty.  His plan fails, and a wounded Ventress returns to her home planet of Dathomir to lick her wounds and plot revenge.

From the moment Ventress lands on Dathomir, we are immersed in a world very different from anything seen before on the Clone Wars series.  The air is thick with a blood-red haze, but it cannot obscure the Nightsisters with their movements lithe and fluid like dancers.  Their chanting and the accompanying musical score call to mind the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when Mola Ram removes the victim’s heart and holds it above his head.  I’ve always loved that scene, by the way, so it’s no surprise I was riveted.

We are then introduced to Mother Talzin, leader of the coven, and she is a sight to behold.  Her soulless eyes are set into a tattooed face, and her strong, angular features are in sharp contrast her calm and grandmotherly voice.  Her scarlet attire is dramatic, with portions of her cloak undulating behind her like fiery serpents.  She is almost beautiful in a dark and twisted way.

The story continues and includes an intense lightsaber battle with a pajama-clad Count Dooku and later the selection of his new apprentice, Savage Opress.  Yoda fans (myself included) can rejoice that the diminutive hero makes a brief appearance, but don’t look for Ahsoka.  The voice talent is incredible, as always, and Clancy Brown (the Kurgan, Highlander) is perfectly suited to voice Savage Opress.

Suffice to say that anyone bored with the endless politics of Season 3 thus far will be pleasantly surprised.  These three episodes are very dark in nature, and Savage Opress is a villain who possesses the perfect name.  The humanity has been ripped from him, and only a killiing machine remains.

Attendees of the screening were asked to bring toys for charity, and everyone received a T-shirt and poster at the conclusion of the film.  But prior to that, director Dave Filoni introduced a sneak preview of the remainder of Season 3, and I’ve heard varying opinions about what we were shown.  Has a character from the past returned?  Is there a surprise twist to the story?

There is no way to know until January.  Star Wars: The Clone Wars returns to the Cartoon Network on January 7 at its new time 8:30 PM EST.  Season 2 has recently been released on DVD, so there is plenty to watch from now until the new year.

And I think fans of the show will be just as thrilled as I was with what they see.

Our good friend Jerk-Bot passed this along this morning.

He’s seen the Thor trailer and there’s some things in there that have me salivating in a way I can’t even begin to describe.

Without further ado:

Hey guys, I just happened to wander into a theater that was showing both the new Transformers and Thor trailers. I wasn’t nearly as hot as some have been on the Transformers teaser. Maybe I’ve just seen too many Robots-in-Disguise already. But the Thor trailer (which is showing up with the new drama The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale) should get everyone’s tongues wagging. It re-uses some of the same footage we saw earlier in the Comic-Con teaser. The include the war of words between the “vain, greedy, cruel boy” title character (Chris Hemsworth) and his seemingly all-powerful father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), shortly before the latter strips Thor of his powers and his hammer, Mjolnir, a longer version of a scene in which Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg’s character from the Iron Man movies) tells Thor that “You made my men — some of the most highly trained professionals in the world — look like a bunch of minimum-wage mall cops,” and a moment of vulnerability between Thor and human love interest Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman. (Yep, there’s even a smooch between the two.)

But this first, real trailer also shows teases of things that should really have fans of the comics … and fantasy-action fans … excited. Things that many of us were hoping would be in the movie. That includes more, clearer footage of the menacing Destroyer armor, going all “Gort” on his Earthly surroundings, the all-seeing Heimdall (Idris Elba, with glowy eyes), and what appears to be part of the climactic battle between Thor and his evil half-brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). And best of all is a brief sequence in which Thor strikes down a pack of dark elves by throwing Mjolnir at them. And then his mystical Uru hammer returns to his hand (a power also seen when Odin reclaims the weapon).

If anyone had any doubts about whether director Kenneth Branagh had any flair for big-scale action, this should allay them. As always, it’s hard to say whether a trailer can fully reflect a film’s overall quality. This one, however, makes a strong case that the Marvel Comics/Norse mythology action film deserves its early Summer 2011 slot. I’m even more amped about the movie now, which is really saying something.

Also … The Fighter opens Dec. 10 in New York and Los Angeles. And everywhere Dec. 17.

And I just would like to make a quick plug. For all of your movie news, be sure to check out The Big Movie Mouth-Off. And be sure to check out the Big Shiny Robot!/Big Movie Mouth-Off movie industry podcast starting in the next couple of weeks.

UPDATE: Marvel Studios released a new image of Thor on a Poster:

Pretty badass.

In our effort to expand the horizons of our Star Wars coverage a bit, Scarlett and I have decided to tag-team some of the older Star Wars EU books, revisit them, and see how well they work in today’s day and age. For our first book, we chose Kevin J. Anderson’s “Jedi Search” which was a favorite of Scarlett’s and a least favorite of mine. It’s the first book of the “Jedi Academy” trilogy and follows three storylines. The first is Luke’s quest to find Jedi students to rebuild the Jedi Order, the second is Han and Chewie, fighting to escape imprisonment in the spice mines of Kessel and Princess Leia and her work to keep the new fledgling Republic growing at a steady rate.

As I said, before, even as young teenager this was one of my least favorite books, but I wanted to read it again with a fresh set of eyes.

Now, I won’t comment on any of the problems in this story that have to do with continuity involving the prequels. It was written years before Phantom Menace came out and that can’t be faulted to the author.

But to give you a taste of how I felt about this book, here’s my string of tweets during my reading of the book:

What kind of dumbass describes a cloth as having vigor?#KJAsJediSearch

Wedge is such a great character and military leader we need to tone him down & make him a construction worker.#KJAsJediSearchSucks

Wow: “As Luke kept probing deeper, Leia became better at fending him off.” #KJAsJediSearch (@starwars)

Because Admiral Ackbar was so unimportant at the Battle of Endor, we’ll make him a shuttle driver. #KJAsJediSearch

If Mystery Science Theatre 3000 did books, KJAs Jedi Search would have been their first. #KJAsJediSearch

Because the thing @StarWars was really missing was a scarecrow named Skynxnex. #KJAsJediSearch

I don’t want to read #KJAsJediSearch on the plane, because I don’t want people to think I have a mental disability.

Phantom Menace gave us the exciting sport of podracing. Jedi Search gave us the boring flea circus “blob racing.”#KJAsJediSearch

I think you get the idea that I was fairly unimpressed. And it’s not so much with the basic story. I’m convinced that anyone could take the idea and make it better (hell, the Kevin J. Anderson of today probably could, too.) The characters were lifeless and it felt as though the movies were never referenced in determining what their characters would be like. And it seems like there were plot devices that were invented and then major characters from the films were asked to fill those roles, whether it made sense or not. The biggest two instances of that I referenced above with Wedge and Admiral Ackbar being relegated to service roles that helped the story…but not really. The only reason Wedge was present as a construction worker was so that he could uncover an old Imperial interrogation room that contained a scientific device that determined Jedi ability. And Ackbar was a shuttle driver, serving the purpose solely to drive the main characters to the old interrogation room. They are pretty much non-existent beyond that. And it really doesn’t make sense in any way shape or form.

The next part of the story that made no sense were the actions of the books main antagonist, Moruth Doole, who was the administrator of the Kesel spice mines. He acted erratically and with no realistic motivation. He puts himself in situations where he understands what the consequences will be, but proceeds anyway and, predictably, all of the consequences come true. For a man who was supposedly so savvy at smuggling spice into the hands of the Hutts during the era of the Empire, the guy is a complete moron during the time of the New Republic. At the beginning of the book, Han says to him, “Sure, you captured me, but I represent the Republic and they’ll send everything against you if I don’t report in. I’m the ambassador here, I’ll chalk this all up to a misunderstanding, let’s just start dealing and we’ll bring you lots of business.”

And Doole says, “Nope. You’re going to work in the mines, I’ll pretend you were never here, even though I have the Millenium Falcon to dispose of and sweating the constant threat of the Republic.”

It made no sense for a business man and all of the characters acted in that completely unnatural fashion.

And the dialogue wasn’t much better than I just paraphrased.

After they finally escape (with the help of a force sensitive slave boy named Kyp Durron (who ends up turning evil and then good, this is basically the story of Phantom Menace but not good)) they run right into the Empire no one knew still existed. And they’ve developed a starfighter sized super-weapon called the Sun Crusher. For some reason. Apparently Tarkin wasn’t one to put all of his eggs in one basket and sent his mistress to the Maw cluster to hide this weapon “With the power to turn a whole star system to slag.” That’s a direct quote from Tarkin. Can you see him saying that? Me neither.

Then there’s Luke’s story. At the beginning of the book, Luke “probes” Leia and discovers a way of touching latent force ability with his mind (because apparently he can’t feel the presence of the force in any other way). And he spends the rest of the book researching people whom have published stories about them and their intense luck or seeming force ability. He picks a couple of these guys up (in incredibly boring scenes, one on a fire planet like Mustafar, the other on Bespin for some reason). There is no action here and Luke is as boring as Kenth Hamner, more boring, even.

There’s not even anything to say about it, it’s so boring.

Same with Leia’s story. The twins were around and all I could think about was how they’d try killing one another years later and how one of them would succeed. And I was glad for it.

Though Lando did get a story that ties in with Luke’s. You see, he just gambled away his fortune and comes to Leia begging for a job and she assigns him to help Artoo and Threepio find Jedi for Luke’s academy. They discover a gambler with incredible odds of winning bets at the “blob races” and so Lando, with his intense knowledge of cheating is sent with the droids to determine whether or not this gambler has force ability (with the convenient device Wedge found just in the nick of time in his construction work duties) or if he’s cheating.

Blob races are the most boring thing I’ve ever cared to read about in the history of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. It’s not even worth going into, unless it’s to tell you to skip those portions of the book. (Or better yet, the whole book.) Lando made no sense and this subplot was as boring and lifeless as Lukes. Which made it doubly boring when Luke and Lando hooked up to rescue Han. It’s great that Leia, with no force training, can sense that Luke is alive at the end of the Return of the Jedi and Obi-Wan could hear Alderaan exploding in the force, and Luke could feel Han and Leia in trouble before it happened in Empire, but when Han is in trouble in this book, Luke is completely oblivious even when standing on the spot Han was tortured.

If you really hate Phantom Menace, though I really can’t understand why, read this book. It will restore your love for Star Wars movies because they’re about 8,000x better than “Jedi Search.” Which is why it’s doubly frustrating looking back on my article about Kevin J. Anderson bashing the stories in the prequels. He essentially told the same story he complained about, only incredibly worse.

Arghh…. This is just frustrating me. Scarlett, why don’t you take over and tell me why I shouldn’t burn my copy of “Jedi Search”?

Scarlett O’Robotica: “Jedi Search” has always held a special place in my heart. While it was very different in tone from the Timothy Zahn trilogy that preceded it, it was an extension of the saga that began a long
time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

As Swankmotron already mentioned, there are three storylines. The one I found most interesting was Han’s, and I felt it best matched the spirit of the Star Wars films. In an effort to assist the New Republic, Han and Chewie set off on a mission to Kessel to try to make friends with the people there. Han is his usual confident self as he pilots the Millennium Falcon, but the trip is cut disastrously short when an enemy named Moruth Doole decides to get vengeance for the loss of his eye. He blames Han and sends human and Wookiee down into the spice mines to be lost to oblivion.

I think “seeing” the spice mines makes Threepios’s line in “A New Hope” that much more interesting: “We’ll be sent to the spice mines of Kessel, smashed into who knows what!” I don’t know about smashing, but the mines do hide some scary spider-like inhabitants that seem to be picking off the miners one by one. While in the dark and ominous tunnels, Han and Chewie  meet a young man named Kyp Durron. The “Jedi Academy” trilogy is largely Kyp’s story, but it’s the story of someone with Force abilities forced into captivity, separated from his family, and not under the guidance of an aunt and uncle in an igloo in the desert. I doubt little Kyp Durron ever got blue milk with his supper. Poor kid. Explains a lot.

Speaking of Luke, his decision to create a Jedi Academy is a reasonably intelligent one. He convinces the government to allow it, though they (not surprisingly) raise the concern that the academy will graduate more Darth Vaders than anything else. (The image of Darth Vader in a graduation cap just popped into my head . . . I’m liking it!). However, they all trust and like Luke and ultimately support him. It doesn’t hurt that his sister is also on the Council. I’m not saying she’s playing favorites, but she does have a lot of influence.

I really have nothing to say about the use of Wedge and Ackbar in this book, other than they play much more prominent roles in books 2 and 3 of this trilogy. In fact, it was this series that really made me view Wedge as a more complete character instead of merely a pilot in an X-wing. I do realize he made appearances in the Zahn trilogy, but honestly, all I can recall from that is that he sat at tapcafes and drank hot chocolate.

I also don’t have much to say about Leia. Her role is very minor in this book other than greeting Jaina and Jacen upon their return home. They have been sheltered for years on a hidden planet, and they barely know their mother. I did enjoy reading some of the antics of the Solo twins and their interaction with Threepio as he played nanny, however. The twins begin to emerge as characters (though not yet with distinct personalities), embarking upon the journey that will lead them to take very different paths. I just found it very interesting to go back to a more innocent time in their lives. Before the dark times . . .

While Leia deals with the complications of working for the government and finally being a mother, Han continues his adventures in the spice mines. There is a mine tunnel sequence that naturally evokes memories of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” and Han’s story arc is very action- packed in this book. I thought it was great, though I desperately wanted him back home with his wife and kids. It added a different dimension to the character—no longer is Han the carefree adventurer with a furry sidekick. He has a family and responsibilities. There is indeed a world outside the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.

Through a series of unfortunate incidents, Han, accompanied by Chewie and their new friend Kyp, stumbles into a hidden Imperial research facility called the Maw Installation. There he meets the “delicate” and “ethereal” scientist Qwi Xux and the ice-cold Admiral Daala. I always liked Qwi. I just thought that the name looked very cool (how often do you see THOSE letters used in a word?), and she’s an intellectual rather than a Jedi Knight or a fighter. Sure, she’s a bit naïve when it comes to how her weapons are being used, but the Empire has been feeding her lies, and she has been sheltered all the years the Maw Installation has been hidden away. Her sole purpose is to invent, and she is quite good at it.

World Devastators? Check.
Suncrusher? Check.

Qwi has convinced herself that they aren’t being used for evil, but Han brings her crashing back to reality. This one prisoner has changed Qwi’s entire world, but instead of wasting time wondering how many people her creations have killed and realizing that she has only been deluding herself, she takes prompt action. Though naïve, she is intelligent and decisive. She uses her brain instead of her blaster, and I just felt that she was a different kind of character in the “Star Wars” universe. A heroine in her own quiet way.

A lot of what happens in “Jedi Search” merely leads up to its sequel “Dark Apprentice,” which has always been my favorite in the trilogy. However, the story does have a resolution though dark clouds are on the horizon. I know Anderson has always gotten a lot of grief for this series, but I think a lot of it has to do with the Zahn trilogy that preceded it. Fans had been so eager for anything with the “Star Wars” name on it that they eagerly consumed Zahn’s trilogy. Anderson’s was very different in style and tone, and they rejected him for it. It simply wasn’t the same.

You can’t please everyone all the time. Even George Lucas himself disappointed a lot of fans with the prequels. But, for those of you who continue to bash Anderson, I can say two things about him that I don’t think you can disagree with:

1. He didn’t write “The Crystal Star” (shudder)
2. He didn’t kill Chewbacca

There. I’ve just redeemed him in your eyes with those two items. Aside from that? I think he writes a damn good story.

Swank-mo-tron: In closing, I’m going to ask if we read the same book. You’ve filled in so much subtext with your imagination it’s startling.

What do you guys think? Does Jedi Search deserve the bad rep that it has?

It’s the November Big Shiny Vidcast recorded live on Wednesday, December 8! Kill-Tacular-Tron, Arse-bot, Zombietron, Mexicus Prime, Proletariatron, and Kiley talk all sorts of geek news that happened in the month of November. We break down “The Walking Dead” finale and first season, tackle another round of Spider-Man casting as well as other geek movie and TV news. Zombietron contemplates exactly how much he likes his Windows 7 phone, Arse-bot gushes about the Roku box and tells you why you shouldn’t by Apple TV, and Kill-tacular-tron breaks down a little video game news. We wrap things up with some figures for you to rush out and buy, and Kiley brings some comics to the table – including one with a cover featuring the Virgin Mary and Joseph eating baby Jesus. Yes, you read that right.

You can also check out past Big Shiny Vidcasts over at our Ustream Page, and all of our Vidcasts are also recorded as regular podcast and are available over at our iTunes page – along with every podcast we’ve ever recorded!

Enjoy, and thanks for watching!