Lucasfilm arguably dropped the ball in telling Anakin’s story between Episodes I and II, when he aged from 9 to 19. From 1999 through May 2002, only two adult novels (“Rogue Planet” and “The Approaching Storm”) told of his exploits, along with one junior novel, Jude Watson’s “Jedi Quest: Path to Truth” (2001), which was adapted by Ryder Windham and simultaneously released as a four-part comic series simply titled “Jedi Quest.”
To be fair, Watson spent most of that time period penning the “Jedi Apprentice” junior novels, which featured Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and she would go on to write 10 more “Jedi Quest” novels after “Episode II” came out. Also, 2006’s “Outbound Flight” gave Anakin some page-time, and three issues of “Republic” (“Honor and Duty,” Issues 46-48) also went back and told a pre-“Episode II” Anakin-and-Obi-Wan tale. But from 1999 through May 2002, only Windham’s “Jedi Quest” adaptation told a story of this iconic master-and-apprentice duo in comic form.
“Jedi Quest” – the only junior “Star Wars” novel to be adapted into a comic book – features threshold moments in Anakin’s hero’s journey while also tapping into his past as a slave more effectively than any story this side of “Slaves of the Republic.” It’s a brisk read, if a bit simplistic and shallow. For example, on their mission to stop a slave ring run by the villainous Krayn, Obi-Wan and Anakin run into a Jedi named Siri, who is working undercover to do the same thing. There’s no good reason why the Council shouldn’t have told Obi-Wan about the dual missions. When Obi-Wan questions the Council about this in Issue 3, we get a panel of Yoda giving him a blank stare.
In Issue 1, Obi-Wan takes Anakin to Illum to choose the crystal with which he’ll build his first lightsaber. It’s a more mystical journey than what Zatt, Gungi, Ganodi, Byph, Petro and Katooni go through in Season 5 of “The Clone Wars.” Reminiscent of Luke’s Dagobah cave experience, Anakin — who is 13 or 14 years old here — fights visions of Darth Maul and Krayn and constructs his lightsaber on the spot, although he doesn’t remember doing so. Issue 2 gives us a glimpse into Anakin’s pre-“Episode I” days as Krayn abducts Amee’s mom on a Mos Espa raid but spares Shmi. As if it’s not bad enough being a slave, you also have to worry about being stolen by even worse slavers!
In “Rogue Planet,” Anakin killed a bad guy kinda-sorta by accident, using the force of his will. “Jedi Quest” features another key moment as Anakin kills Krayt with a lightsaber. Because Anakin strikes in anger, Obi-Wan is disappointed in his apprentice, although the killing of the blatantly evil Krayt is a perfect example of a Jedi being a force for justice and liberty.
The art is a bit different for a “Star Wars” title, as Pop Mahn draws in a manga-esque style. The ancient glyphs in the Illum ice caverns are a nice touch and it’s too bad the “Clone Wars” trips to the planet (Luminara and Bariss’ journey in the animated shorts, and the aforementioned Season 5 visit) didn’t follow up on this. Colorist Dave Nestelle delivers a cool glowing red look for Krayt’s eyes.
“Jedi Quest” is Dark Horse Comics’ definitive look at Anakin’s life between “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones,” but it earns that distinction by default. I shouldn’t be too hard on Lucasfilm storytellers, though, as this 10-year period was purposely portrayed as the calm before the storm for both Anakin and the Republic. Things will heat up soon enough.