Star Wars: The Force Awakens Hardcover – December 13, 2016

The story is faithful as is the art...I loved the art; many panels showing emotions with the only the eyes... Somewhat rare in graphic novels.

The action was predictable. Could have used a better story line. I liked the art and the fairness to the movie. Good job

My kids and I loved the movie and were very excited that they were making a comic of it. It will help us get over not getting a sequel until next year! It is a faithful and colorful retelling of an awesome story.

Five stars because I love star wars, I liked the artwork and would recommend this book to anyone who loves star wars as much as I do.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...""Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is a hardcover compilation of Marvel Comics' 6 issue sequential art version of writer/director J.J. Abrams' epic cinematic continuation of the classic "Star Wars" Saga created by filmmaker George Lucas. Published in 2016, this adaptation was written by Chuck Wendig and illustrated by Luke Ross.As this story begins it is "another galaxy, another time." Adventures of the recent past have become legends, their participants, mythical figures. Such is the mysterious fate of Luke Skywalker, the last of the fabled Jedi Knights. The once "New Hope" of the galaxy has vanished, leaving behind friends, family and foes as their stellar home is threatened by the rise of a militaristic organization called the First Order. This evil reincarnation of Imperial Empire seeks galactic domination and like its predecessor, endangers the cosmos with a devastation weapon of immense destruction power called the Starkiller. But like in decades past, brave beings from across the stars unite to defend the galaxy, once again led by a courageous woman, Leia Organa Solo, sister of Luke Skywalker. The opposing forces of good and evil are both searching for the Jedi Knight: one side hoping for his help in this new struggle; the other side hunting to destroy him...and once again the fate of the galaxy rest with the precious cargo carried by a humble droid."The Force Awakens" carries on the tradition of grand space fantasy adventure showcased in the previous films in the cherished "Star Wars" Saga, featured in the "Prequel Trilogy" and the "Original Trilogy;" and introduces a new generation of characters who become part of the Saga, now years after the fall of the evil Emperor Palpatine, his Empire, and the redemption of Darth Vader. In this tale the reader meets: Poe Dameron, an expert starfighter pilot, a member of the Republic Resistance movement against the First Order, and the owner of a rotund little droid named BB-8, which plays a vital role in the story: FN-2187 nicknamed "Finn" by Poe, a First Order stormtrooper who rebels against the murderous tactics of his superiors and soon takes part in a galaxy spanning adventure as a free man: Rey, a young scavenger from the planet Jakku, who upon meeting Finn, takes her "first steps into a larger world" she could barely imagine; and Kylo Ren, a dark clad agent of the First Order, who has a grim connection to the Dark Side of the Force and ties to the legendary past of the "Star Wars" Saga. These characters all share in an action packed tale that also includes the return of the classic duo, Han Solo and Chewbacca, as well as cameo appearances of the comedic droid companions C-3PO and R2-D2."The Force Awakens" brings back that special magic that is unique to "Star Wars," with such ingredients as otherworldly landscapes, thrilling space battles, strange alien beings but more importantly, appealing characters fighting on the side of the Light and the Dark, and an engaging, larger than life tale. The film story is faithfully translated to comic form by scripter Chuck Wendig and artist Luke Ross, based on the screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and the movie's director, J.J. Abrams. But a slightly disappointing aspect of this adaptation is the fact it seems too faithful to the cinematic version of the film's mythic story. The comic tale adds little expansion to the story, no deleted scenes or revised takes on segments of the original theatrical film, something that was sometimes done in previous comic interpretations of the earlier movies in the Saga.Another flaw this reviewer found in this sequential art retelling of "Star Wars: Episode VII" is the art of Luke Ross. Mr. Ross is an accomplished comic illustrator, and he does a good job in producing the dramatic exploits of the events in this tale of the "galaxy far, far away," while also re-creating recognizable likenesses of the film's cast of actors. However, this critic found his choice of artistic technique on this adaptation to be a mistake. Mr. Ross chose to render his artwork mostly with a pen and brush style rather than a more clean line approach, which this reviewer feels would have worked better for this space fantasy adventure. Admittedly this is a personal preference, but this "Star Wars' fan recalls that Mr. Ross had worked on a "Star Wars" comic before with more successful results. In 2005, the artist illustrated an issue of Dark Horse Comics' "Star Wars Republic" comic, issue #78, which featured a post "Star Wars: Episode III" tale called "Loyalties," about the early days of Darth Vader. Mr. Ross' artistic contribution to this comic edition appeared to be reproduced from his pencil renderings, giving the art a distinctive look. This reviewer regrets that he didn't utilize this technique for this special adaptation. This story has been reprinted in the  Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire, Vol. 1 .This critic should also point out that while Mr. Ross provided the majority of the art for this comic version of the film, the 3rd chapter of the adaptation was drawn by Marc Lamming. While it can be disconcerting when a multi-issue comic story with a planned team of creators has to introduce a new comic professional to help complete the project, Mr. Lamming proved to be a good compliment to the work of the mini-series' major artist. His illustrations were rendered in a fine line technique, well suited to "Star Wars" comic storytelling and wasn't a drastically different style from the art of Mr. Ross.Unfortunately, the disappointments of this hardcover volume continue with its extras. In the previous books in this series collecting the past movie adaptations, Marvel included sections devoted to additional art or other product created for the respective comic translations. For example, the original covers to the 6 issue mini-series of "The Force Awakens" are reprinted herein as chapter heralds, displayed without text and logos for better enjoyment of the individual illustrations. However, the variant covers of this adaptation, reproduced as single paged works of art in past hardcover compilations, are sadly reprinted as 6 spot illustrations taking up 2/3rds of the very last page of this tome.As a comic companion to the film beginning the new era of the "Star Wars" Saga, Marvel Comics's "The Force Awakens Adaptation" hardcover falters on multiple levels. This lover of comic versions of the Saga sincerely hopes future contributors to these projects strive to produce works of better quality, worthy of the legend that is "Star Wars."

Art is beautiful. Storytelling is great. Wonderful way to experience Star Wars in a different format.

Chuck Wendig's adaptation of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" faithfully adapts the plot of the film to the comic book medium. Wendig successfully navigates the line between narration/dialogue and letting the visual medium tell the story when necessary. His trust in the artists pays off as the art by Like Ross and Marc Laming not only conveys the visuals of the film, but creates a sense of action and drama to suit Wendig's script. Ross's splash of Han Solo remembering his past is pure poetry in picture form. Those who enjoyed the film will find plenty to love in this Marvel Comics adaptation while those seeking clues to the future of the saga might notice that Luke Skywalker is referred to as "The Last Jedi" twice, once with Supreme Leader Snoke saying, "The droid will soon be delivered to the Resistance...leading them to the Last Jedi. If Skywalker returns, the New Jedi will rise" (issue 3). This may simply be Wendig's scripting, but it could also be a reference to the forthcoming "The Last Jedi". Marvel's hardcover book will look good on the shelf with both graphic novels and other star wars novels.

This is a very well stylized adaptation. Brings back memories of my first time seeing the movie.:-) I really enjoyed it.

If you liked the movie, you will like this book. Mary Sue Palpatine in comic format. Lol.. Nothing new to add to the Star Wars lore.

Excelente compilación de cómics de Rogue One. Recomiendo mucho esta historia de Star Wars, una gran aventura dentro de este universo.

Excellent quick read through Star Wars The Force Awakens in less than 15 minutes.

A very good adaptation of the film. Completes my Star Wars film adaptation collection up until Rogue One.

Fantastic artwork