Short book review: Star Wars: a New Hope: Cinestory Comic

Star Wars: a New Hope: A Cinestory Comic. Toronto, ON: Joe Books, Ltd., 2017. ISBN: 9781772755213.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: film adaptation, Star Wars

Format: trade paperback

Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

 

 

This is part of the cinestory series of books where they take a movie or television series and make a comic out of it using photos from the movie or television show. In this case, they take the original Star Wars film and frame by frame turn it into a comic. It's basically like seeing the movie on the page. This is a very easy read that can appeal to long time fans and new readers as well. Note this is not the original theatrical release. This is the revised edition where George Lucas "tweaked" and added small extras. Still, it is a good read and a nice option if the film is not handy. I liked it. 

 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

Book qualifies for this 2021 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Booknote: Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion

Dave Filoni, et.al., Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (cinestory comic). Toronto, ON: Joe Books, 2017.  ISBN: 978-1-77275-340-0.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: science fiction, space opera, Star Wars, adaptations
Format: paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

This book is labeled as a "cinestory comic." It is basically a frame by frame adaptation of the first five episodes of the Disney show. I'll note that I watched the first episode on TV when the series came out, and I did not find it too interesting, so I went on and forgot about it. However, I recently saw this book at my local public library. I got curious and picked it up. I found myself liking it, and I may go back and look for the show on DVD later.

If you've watched the show, then there is nothing new here. You are just reading the first five episodes in pictures. If you've never seen the show, this can be a good introduction to it and help you decide if you want to watch it or not. The art is good overall though some frames are a bit darker, and one or two frames were not as clear in what they depict (I had to really look a bit closer. Not sure if those did not translate as well from the animation). Still, the comic was a good read overall. I liked it in the end, but it was no big deal. I'd probably read a next one if they publish one.

3 out of 5 stars.