Mace Windu #2 Review

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Mace Windu and the Jedi strike team combat the Separatists in the pages of Mace Windu #2.

This article discusses plot elements of Mace Windu: Jedi of the Republic #2.

Mace Windu #2

Writer: Matt Owens | Penciler: Denys Cowan | Inker: Roberto Poggi | Color Artist: Guru-eFX | Cover Artist: Jesus Saiz | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Assistant Editors: Heather Antos & Charles Beacham | Editor: Jordan D. White

Mace Windu continues his mission on Hissrich in Mace Windu #2. In the previous issue, the Jedi arrived on Hissrich and investigated Separatist activity there. Before long, they engaged battle droids. Then the natives discovered them and lead them to their underground city. Once they arrived, the Hissrich showed them a damaged battle droid, which promptly signaled its commander, the mercenary droid AD-W4. Having discovered the Jedi’s location, AD-W4 launches his attack. Mace and his companions then learn the Separatists intent for Hissrich as the issue concludes. While the series still has potential, Mace Windu #2 is an average Star Wars story.

A Repeat Maneuver

When the battle droids first invaded the underground civilization of Hissrich, they mounted STAP reconnaissance vehicles. Droidekas, also known as destroyer droids, followed them in. Mace commanded the other Jedi to protect the people while he dealt with the destroyer droids. His method for doing so was straight out of The Clone Wars. First, he commandeered a STAP, then he flew it into the destroyer droids. This maneuver is eerily similar to one he employed on Ryloth in the “Liberty on Ryloth” episode of The Clone Wars. However, chronologically, this maneuver comes first as it is occurs at the beginning of the wars.

Dialogue

The biggest criticism of this issue is the dialogue. It is overly dramatic. For instance, when Mace Windu battles AD-W4, they engage in a discussion of the morality of the Jedi and the war in general. The question is simply: why? What is the point? What does Mace Windu or AD-W4 have to gain from this conversation. AD-W4 already admitted all he cares about is money. There are no points for this debate.

Furthermore, the dialogue is clunky. Mace Windu heroically claims, “The Jedi believe in a higher power. We fight for a greater cause. The greatest cause there is. Peace throughout the galaxy!” While these statements might have been appropriate in a lecture delivered to Anakin Skywalker, for instance, they are out of place in the middle of a battle with a mercenary droid.

The dialogue issues compound when the Jedi speak to each other. After saving Mace from a fall, Kit Fisto declares, “I will always have your back, Master Windu.” Later, Mace dramatically requests, “Rissa! Again I ask you to come with me.” It sounds like an attempt to mimic dramatic dialogue from Shakespeare. It just doesn’t work in this setting.

The Separatist Plot

The Separatist plan for Hissrich involves harvesting the plants. The vegetation of Hissrich receives scant little daylight. Mace explains the plants only has an hour a month for sunlight collection. Therefore, those plants must make the most of that time. Presumably, these plants evolved for hyper efficient energy collection and storage. As a result, the Separatists targeted these plants as an energy supply.

This bio-fuel is a fascinating idea. The Jedi previously speculated about the Separatists’ interest in the planet. A source of fuel was not among the ideas they considered. Instead, they theorized the potential for a droid factory or other such base.

Something about the plan seems premature. Perhaps the Separatists knew they had an energy issue at the commencement of the war. However, harvesting the plants of a remote world few knew of seems unlikely in the early stages.

Concluding Thoughts on Mace Windu #2

Mace Windu #2 is an average Star Wars story. The previous issue contained a lot of discussion concerning the Jedi’s role in the galactic war. Mace, considered as one the more militant Jedi of the Order, demonstrated reluctance and regret with the Jedi’s role in the new conflict. Many of the panels between Mace, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Yoda and other Jedi included discussions of the Jedi and whether they had any business fighting this war. That discussion nearly disappeared in this issue.

Perhaps the reason for that is as simple as necessity. The battle was upon them. AD-W4 and the battle droids found them and attacked. Therefore, any discussion of pacifist philosophy was out of place. However, AD-W4 arrives and verbally spars with Mace about Jedi arrogance. Indeed, there may be no good time for a mercenary droid and a Jedi to discuss galactic politics, but it seemed out of place during their fight.

There is still opportunity for the Mace Windu series. The bio energy source the Separatists harvest from the planet has plenty of potential. The philosophical discussion needs refinement though.