Read, You Must: Star Wars: Ewoks - Shadows of Endor

What were the Ewoks up to shortly before they tied up Han & Luke and worshiped C-3PO? How did the Ewoks know about a secret entrance into the Death Star's deflector shield generator? Star Wars: Ewoks - Shadows of Endor tries to answer these questions in a fun adventure that works for kids and adults. It also sets up the Ewoks' encounter with the Rebellion in Return of the Jedi.

Written and illustrated by Zack Giallongo, with gorgeous colours by Braden Lamb, this digest-sized (like many Clone Wars titles, or Archie!) graphic novel from Dark Horse Books tells the story of how a group of Ewoks must trust an old enemy to get through many troubles and even face Imperials!

If all you know of the Ewoks is Return of the Jedi, then you're in for a treat as Giallongo shows us a much more diverse and dangerous "Sanctuary Moon" of Endor. The Empire is sometimes only a MINOR threat compared to some creatures there.

However, if you have ever read the Marvel Star Comics Ewoks series or remember the Saturday morning cartoon shows from back in the mid-1980's, you'll see plenty from those. Visually and story-wise, Shadows of Endor works as a clever and modern continuation of both of those Ewoks stories, but has it's own style and ties into the two 1980's Ewoks live action made-for-TV movies and even some stories from The Clone Wars TV show!

Don't be fooled into thinking this is just soft-and-cuddly cuteness though - these Ewoks have teeth...and spears! There's violence and bloodshed here, darkness and creepiness too. Endor is not as safe and sweet as it seemed on TV! However, there's no more graphic or violent content than The Clone Wars, it just jumps out a little more here.

I don't want to spoil anything by going into the storyline much. Let's just say I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to more Star Wars: Ewoks tales if this is what they're going to be like!

For the Star Wars Kidscast interview with creator Zack Giallongo click here.

More info:
The entire original Ewoks (and Droids) Marvel Star Comics series have been recently reprinted in one book. Unfortunately the Ewoks cartoon TV show has never been released on DVD or Blu-Ray...yet.