Obi-Wan #5 - Comic Review

Master Kenobi has spent each issue of Marvel Comics’ mini series reflecting on the past as a sand storm rages outside. This has allowed readers glimpses into Kenobi’s past that we’ve never seen before: memories of times filled with light and dark; memories filled with friends, enemies and everything in between. In Obi-Wan #5, simply titled Ben, the storm has passed but the aging Jedi knows life still must carry on. A squadron of stormtroopers are investigating how a group of Tusken Raiders used the sand storm as a way to raid ration supplies from an Imperial base. Rations aren’t the only thing in short supply, as a power hungry commanding Imperial officer orders the squadron to execute the offending Tuskens. Things don’t quite go to plan as only one trooper survives a battle with the Raiders, and Kenobi takes it upon himself to do a little scavenging of his own in the aftermath of their battle. Kenobi can’t help but be reminded of how seeing dead stormtroopers is similar to seeing his fallen clone trooper brothers, and this is the impetus for him coming to the aid of a trooper who has survived. Ben’s time with the trooper is a sobering reminder of how darkness usually follows the light.

Christopher Cantwell wraps up this mini series in a way that’s both introspective and grounded in reality. Kenobi has spent the previous four issues holed up, dwelling on the past, and in this final issue he’s outside interacting with the world, taking his past with him. Cantwell utilizes Ben’s interaction with the stormtrooper as a way to manifest this relationship with past and present. Kenobi can’t help but be reminded of his clone trooper brothers as he gazes into the helmeted eyes of the stormtrooper, and he can’t turn from his Jedi training in deciding to help someone in need. This juxtaposition of past and present both sums up Obi-Wan the man and Obi-Wan the comic book mini series. With so much Kenobi content in 2022, this is a beautiful way to close the book on this character (for now at least).

The artists for Obi-Wan #5, penciler Adriana Melo, inker Wayne Faucher, colorist Dono Sánchez-Almara, and letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna, are in fine form. I was particularly excited to see that the traditional pencil and ink strategy was utilized, the handmade quality just helps this story feel more grounded in reality. Penciler Adriana Melo’s work goes a long way showing the emotional weight of the story, especially in numerous panels dedicated solely to the stormtroopers. Her combination of composition and closeups really provide a peek into the humans that are behind the helmets. Additionally, Sánchez-Almara’s colors are a standout for their desert starkness and utilization of shadows to convey the darkness that can dwell inside all of us at any given time.

Phil Noto is 5 for 5 in his cover work for Obi-Wan, his portrayal of Obi-Wan facing a trooper riding a Dewback truly lends itself to the themes of this final issue. Leinil Francis Yu has Kenobi with lightsaber in hand for their variant cover, while Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, and Rachelle Rosenberg feature The High Republic’s Master Sskeer in their Choose Your Destiny variant cover.

Obi-Wan #5 wraps up a miniseries that has provided deeper insights into one of the most famous characters in the Star Wars universe, and is in comic book stores everywhere today!