Tales from the Rancor Pit - Comic Review

More creepy stories from the galaxy far, far away return with Dark Horse’s Tales from the Rancor Pit—an anthology comic book that collects a trio of terrifying tales, written by Star Wars Horror Master Cavan Scott. In a similar vein as the author’s IDW Vader’s Castle series, this new comic begins with a framing story set in a dark and stormy night on Jabba’s Palace as the Hutt’s victim hangs perilously above the rancor pit with only his collection of scary stories to save him. These three stories—Ghosts of the Machine, Undead or Alive, and In the Lair of the Dragon Sluge—are a horror delight, not just because of the fun and spooky storytelling that Scott always masterfully delivers, but also because of the amazing artists that visually translate it.

The framing story art by Nick Brokenshire sets the mood, with dark tones accented by the greens and pinks of the main characters. Seeing Captain Vaclav, Jabba’s prisoner hanging upside down above the rancor pit without actually seeing what awaits inside the dreadful trap is horror at its finest, where the reader is left wondering until the very last, terrifying splash page.

Ghosts of the Machine is a bright and bold transition from the framing story, featuring a Clone Wars era tale with clanking droid ghosts. Artist Juan Samu brings action packed, dynamic panels where characters come out of each page like a 3D B-Movie—full of jump scares, glowy fumes and all. Undead or Alive with art by Andy Duggan and colors by Roman Stevens takes a more visually subtle approach, featuring Saber-For-Hire Ty Yorrick from The High Republic (Phase I) on a monster hunting job. Compared to the previous tale, this one builds up the tension as Ty is on a collision course with a mysterious monster, which will end in an unexpected turn of events while still using a horror trope with a twist. Finally, In the Lair of the Dragon Sluge takes the readers on an exploration through the chilling Wampa caves of Hoth alongside Leia, Han, and Chewie. The artwork by Rafael Perez and colors by DJ Chavis are fun and often comical, although not to be underestimated because the monsters hiding around the corners are far from friendly! Bringing all these stories together are Comicraft’s Tyler Smith and Jimmy Betancourt’s letters, adding the right amount of scary sound effects throughout the comic book, and the cover by Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen make Tales from the Rancor Pit a must collect for any Star Wars fan.

Although this comic book anthology would’ve been aligned better with a late October release, just in time for Halloween (it seems like November is the month of scary stories for Star Wars comics), Tales from the Rancor Pit is enjoyable nonetheless. Are you ready to read some of the most frightening tales from a galaxy far, far away? Then make sure to pick up this comic book today!