In the Empire's Service (Star Wars) - Softcover

Stackpole, Michael A.; Nadeau, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1840230088 ISBN 13: 9781840230086

Publisher: Titan Books Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

Set shortly after the events in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the X-Wing Rogue series follows the further adventures of Captain Wedge Antilles and his crack team of X-Wing pilots. Darth Vader has been defeated by the rebel alliance, but the evil of the Empire lives on. Dark forces are gathering once more and only the New Republic's top guns stand in their way. Rogue Squadron is without doubt the greatest fighter squadron the Rebel Alliance has ever seen. But heroes can only be judged by the strength of the opposition, and the Rogues move in on an Empire stronghold on the planet Brentaal, unaware that Baron Fel is waiting...

About this title

Review

Very much subservient to the antics of Luke Skywalker and co. in the Star Wars movies, the brave pilots of the Rebellion are akin to the dreaded "red-shirts" in Star Trek--the noble sacrifice element. However, the "expanded universe" of novels and comics has vastly elevated their status, chronicling the space-bound adventures of Rogue Squadron, an elite band of X-Wing pilots led by Wedge Antilles (finally given a role of substance)--perfect material for those fans who revelled in the laser-blastin' dog-fights of the films. In The Empire's Service sees the battle-hardened Rogues having to face their greatest challenge yet: the much-feared and merciless Imperial 181st Squadron. Led by the Empire's greatest ace, Baron Soontir Fel, the 181st are ordered to square accounts with the Rogues. Yet the Rogues are not Fel's only problem: he suspects his pilots are pawns in a nefarious Imperial plan, and then there is his connection to Rebel ace Wedge Antilles. This series has all the hallmark Star Wars action, with the laser blasts flying thick and fast. Crucially, John Nadeau's art brilliantly translates the frenetic movement of the space battles from the screen to the page, while Stackpole gives the Rogues fully rounded characteristics--so they are no longer nameless cannon-fodder. His creation of Baron Fel is engagingly complex--much like Mara Jade--a perfect enemy for Rogue Squadron and one with much potential, given his now divided loyalties. The conclusion to the story, Blood and Honour, should consolidate this excellent foundation. --Danny Graydon

Edition details

• Publisher: Titan Books Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1840230088
• ISBN 13: 9781840230086
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 96