#warb null

[dswcp]

Way back in the 90s, Tales of the Jedi really did it all first -- every plot point from the prequels and the sequels -- including Rey’s hairdo. Not to pit two queens against each other, but I think Dace Diath wears it better.

“Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising,” issue 2. Dark Horse. September 1, 1994. Writer: Tom Veitch. Penciller: Tony Akins. Inker: Denis Rodier. Letterer: Willie Schubert. Colorist: Suzanne Bourdages.

[scumgriswold]

Finally got my Warb Null saber!

[czarkill]

[dswcp]

It's Knock-Off Vaders Week!

If you thought Sharlee’s six armor-cannons or Valance’s grotesque mechanisms were over-designed and corny, let me introduce you to Warb Null. With a surplus of spikes and a shortage of neck, Mr. Null looks more like the evil robot dog from Wallace and Gromit than Darth Vader. The Squidward nose is a cute touch. I do admire the color coordination with his ship, and I respect the pannier made out of knives.

Warb Null, warbs and all, is the quintessential useless KOV and the inspiration for this week’s theme. He shimmers, resplendent, on the cover, making false promises of a worthy adversary and a killer cape (where’d it go?). Poor Warb is outshone by his more interesting master King Ommin, his ghostly ally Freedon Nadd (whose spikes are way bigger), and even his own ship, which buries in and out of the ground like a big goth mole.

He flits around the edges of the dullest panels for just nine pages before he meets his doom:

But, look: there is only one thing more Star Wars-y than Darth Vader, and that’s underusing every other character. We can’t all be Anakin! Warb Null is valid!

“Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising,” issue 1. Dark Horse. August 2, 1994. Writer: Tom Veitch (an icon!). Penciller: Tony Akins (no capes!). Inker: Denis Rodier. Letterer: Willie Schubert. Colorist: Suzanne Bourdages. Cover artist: Dave Dorman (Tony dropped your cape, Dave!).