Still, I am taken by the subtle criticism of the Jedi in the graphic novels and the later set of movies. The order’s attachment to the light side of the force—actually its zealous rejection and denial of the dark side—reflects an idealism that is ill-suited to the harsher realities of life.
Yoda and Obi Wan warn Luke against returning to his father. Obi Wan warns Anakin against giving into his emotions. Everyone warns Cade against everything. The play on Eastern notions of detachment are clear. But at some point we move over to the realm of repression. Building a hidden temple just in case? They're hiding under their sheets with a flashlight.
As Krishna told Arjuna, detachment is essential. But a key to detachment is disciplined action. People must act in the world with all of its uncertainty. The Jedi (both Lucas’s and Dark Horse comics’) would not have stopped long enough to listen to Krishna's admonishment in their rush for higher, safer, detached moral ground.
The Jedi are sterile, ineffective, blinded by the light. (I know. I know)
Anakin does balance the force; he brings it back from the goodie-goodie, ineffective, unable to spot the poser Sith side. Luke dresses like his father only after he has kinda sorta compelted his training; he obviously has some Bogan bouncing around in him. And Legacy's Cade? He dares to ask "How dark is a murder that ends a genocide?" The inglorious bastard.
Good things come from the dark—besides romantically inclined vampires. Lovecraft, Batman, Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman's Nobody, the backseat of any family sedan.
The Skywalker clan embodies a revitalization and relevance the other Jedi seem unwilling to face. Interesting. But not worth another 15 bucks.Recommendation? I agree with Robert. The series is just an extension. More of the same. Watch the movies again, and save your money for The Unwritten.
Bayard
(It just struck me. Is the title an oblique play on Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, the basis of the original Star Wars?)
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