Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999))

As a massive Star Wars fan I've watched the complete saga multiple times; and since I have started making my way through the new Disney canon, this has given me a fresh alternative to watching the film. Would recommend, retells the most important plot points of the movie, and the art stile and colouring is amazing.

A direct representation of the film. Almost following the original script word for word. The artwork is great and the story is told effectively.

very well drawn. its perfect for everyon who like star wars easy to read. i very like it good book

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."...sixteen long years after the theatrical release of the film "Return of the Jedi," the concluding chapter in the classic "Star Wars Original Trilogy" in 1983, filmmaker George Lucas finally returned his epic movie saga to the big screen in 1999 with the premiere of "Star War: Episode I: The Phantom Menace;" the first film in what would come to be called the "Prequel Trilogy." In what has become a tradition in the "Star Wars" merchandising universe, the highly anticipated release of "Episode I" was accompanied by the publication of a comic book adaptation of the film, in this case a four issue comic mini-series originally published by Dark Horse Comics. This cosmic comic tale has been re-released in a hardcover collection by Marvel Comics for a new generation of "Star Wars" fans to enjoy.As envisioned by George Lucas, "The Phantom Menace" is a galaxy-spanning tale of action, mystery and corruption that takes its cast of characters to different worlds and different adventures. In comic form, "Episode I," is a fast paced story beginning above the beautiful planet of Naboo, home of the young Queen Amidala, threatened by the greedy machinations of the Trade Federation; continuing on the dessert world of Tatooine, in which a child slave named Anakin Skywalker enters the tale and provides hope for the Queen and her protectors, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi; then on to the city-planet Coruscant, governing world of the Old Republic, where Queen Amidala hopes to plead the case of her troubled planet; then finally climaxing back on Naboo, where the cast confronts not just the Trade Federation and its droid army but the deeper mystery of "The Phantom Menace."This comic version of "Episode I" is a page turner of a graphic novel and the reader is placed immediately into this new perspective of the "Star Wars" galaxy. Writer Henry Gilroy quickly establishes a dramatic pace while also introducing a story that from the start has a deeper intrigue. Pencil artist Rudolpho Damaggio illustrates the adaptation in a clean-lined technique, well suited for a space fantasy tale. Unfortunately, perhaps due to a limited number of pages available for this adaptation's format, he creates a relatively small number of large panels of artwork, lessening the epic scale of the story. Still, Mr. Damaggio's page and panel construction is well done, showcasing the tale's various settings. He is very ably inked by comic art master Al Williamson, a classic contributor to past "Star Wars" comic adventures, who embellishes Mr. Damaggio's work with a deft degree of subtlety. The coloring by Harold MacKinnon is also noteworthy, highlighting the varied locales of the wide-ranging tale with a vision that compliments the story-telling of Mr. Damaggio and Mr. Williamson. The consistent lettering of Steve Dutro completes the high quality work produced for this comic return to the beloved "galaxy far, far away."This hardcover volume also includes a section devoted to cover art and illustrations created for earlier editions of this comic adaptation and more. For example, the 1999 Dark Horse Comics four issue adaptation was originally published with painted covers by Hugh Fleming, along with alternate "variant" photo covers, which were images from the theatrical film or publicity photos. Mr. Fleming's beautiful illustrations are reprinted with the corresponding issue of the comics while the "variant" photo covers are reprinted in this section. Also featured are: the cover to the trade paperback edition of "The Phantom Menace" comic adaptation by Ravenwood, published by Dark Horse Comics in 1999 and the limited edition hardcover, released in 2000; a nice surprise (!): the covers to the two volume "The Phantom Menace Manga" adaptation by writer/artist Kia Asamiya, published by Dark Horse Comics in 1999. Regretfully, no manga versions of "Episodes II and III" were ever produced; a two paged reproduction of the illustration from the cover to the "Star Wars Omnibus: The Complete Saga: Episodes I -VI" by Tsuneo Sanda, released by Dark Horse Comics in 2008. Of special note is the fact that all these cover art reproductions are reprinted without the logos and other texts found on the original comics or trade paperback covers, giving the reader the opportunity to see these illustrations more fully. Finally, this volume includes reprints of sketch versions to the cover of this hardcover collection along with the final textless version by Mike Mayhew, and an ad page for the upcoming releases to the succeeding volumes in this comic collection of the Prequel Trilogy, as well as the collections devoted to the Original Trilogy.To conclude this review, Marvel Comics' hardcover reprint of "Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace" is a very enjoyable collection of a comic series that is part of what was the rebirth of the cherished "Star Wars" Saga. It comes well recommended.May the Force be with you, always!

Two decades after it was first released, “The Phantom Menace” seems to be getting a second look. Whatever you think of it--and it frankly underwhelmed--George Lucas made the movie he wanted to and offered an original story, something you can’t say about some recent “Star Wars” outings. Marvel offered a comic of the movie which is entertaining enough if not outstanding. Henry Gilroy did the best he could of taking the movie and transferring the story into comics. The art team does a fine if not particularly memorable job. This isn’t a great collection of comics by any means--but then again neither is the source material. If you can get Marvel’s “Phantom Menace” at a decent price, you should roll the dice on it but this not a must-have by any means. I would offer 3.5 stars if possible which does round my rating up.