Dark Legends - Book Review

Dark Legends is not for the faint of heart. Written by George Mann and masterfully illustrated by Grant Griffin, this collection of seven original chilling tales—expanding upon Star Wars Myths & Fables—unveils legends of damnation by lust for power, corruption, deception, revenge, and betrayal.

Just like Myths & Fables—created by the same duo—Dark Legends is essentially structured in the exact format, beginning with a mysterious title led by a stunning illustration, depicting the essence of the tale awaiting on the next page. Mann’s ability to tell the tales without having to dwell too much on character and environment details enhances the mystery within each story. This is where Griffin’s artwork comes into play—filling in any missing visual links. But his art goes beyond just complementing the tales. Each illustration is full of emotion—leaving a visual impression before and after reading the legends, forever imprinting them into the reader’s mind.

Dark Legends comes in a near pocket sized edition—much smaller in size compared to Myths & Fables. However, this change in dimensions did not make it feel like a shorter book. Inside, each story is preceded by a red outlined logo representing the presumed timeline, something that was not included in Myths & Fables: the Imperial crest, the Sith Eternal emblem, and the Batuuan Spira.

Each tale is unique to itself, showcasing new and iconic characters—including Darth Vader, Dok-Ondar, and a dark terror resembling the Grand Inquisitor. Each tale has a good balance of Star Wars elements, but their legendary nature allows Mann to explore a different approach to storytelling from a galaxy far, far away. Although Myths & Fables and Dark Legends are two standalone reads, you will find some deep connections between the two books—where one of the stories reintroduces (and continues) the tale of a cunning Sith Lord.

Dark Legends feels like a collection of bedtime stories from a different era—all with a lesson to be learned. The journeys that lead each protagonist to ultimate damnation are captivating and sometimes unexpected—and Mann’s clever utilization of repetition and mirroring of one’s mistakes keep the readers engaged until the end, ultimately leading them to jaw-dropping plot twists.

Brave readers, prepare yourselves for spine-chilling tales infused with dark side energy. Star Wars Dark Legends will soon be released to a galaxy near you, so make sure you pre-order a copy today! When you finally read it, unleash its power by sharing your favorite secrets of the dark side below or on our social media platforms.