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Star Wars: The Clone Wars Graphic Novellas #6
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Starcrusher Trap
In The Starcrusher Trap, the Separatists unleash a terrifying new weapon on Republic-held systems - an enormous starship, the Starcrusher, is destroying every ship sent against it! Yoda agrees to a risky plan to stop the Starcrusher, and assembles a Jedi strike force that includes Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Too late, the Jedi realize that the Starcrusher mission has become a trap - one specifically designed to kill Jedi!
Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 8/2/2011 Pages: 80
Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 8/2/2011 Pages: 80
80 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Mike W. Barr
829 books76 followersMike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels. Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 (Dec. 1974-Jan. 1975), for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man. Another Elongated Man story followed in Detective Comics #453 (November 1975). He wrote text articles and editorial replies in letter columns for the next few years. By mid-1980 he was writing regularly for both DC and Marvel, including stories for Marvel Team-Up, Mystery in Space, Green Lantern, and various Batman titles.
Legion of Super-Heroes #277 (July 1981) saw him take on editorial duties at DC, while writing issues of DC's Star Trek comic, for whom he created the native American character Ensign Bearclaw and a pacifist Klingon named Konom. In December 1982, he and artist Brian Bolland began Camelot 3000, a 12 issue limited series that was one of DC Comics' first direct market projects. In August 1983, Barr created what may well be his most enduring work, the monthly title Batman and the Outsiders with art by Jim Aparo. Barr wrote every issue of the original series, and its Baxter paper spinoff, The Outsiders.
His other comics work includes Mantra and Maze Agency as well as the 1987 OGN hardcover book Batman: Son of the Demon (with art by Jerry Bingham), proceeds from which reputedly "restored DC Comics to first place in sales after fifteen years." This title, and Barr's work on Batman with artist Alan Davis have been cited by Grant Morrison as key inspirations for his recent (2006) run on the Batman title.
In 2007, he wrote a two-part story for the pages of DC's JLA: Classified (#47-48, Jan-Feb 2008), returned to the Outsiders with Outsiders: Five of a Kind—Katana/Shazam #1 (Oct 2007), contributed to Tokyopop's Star Trek: The Manga, and relaunched Maze Agency at IDW Publishing. He has also scripted many of Bongo Comics' Simpsons titles, including a Christmas story for 2010.
In May 2010, the Invisible College Press published Barr's science fiction/fantasy novel, Majician/51, about the discoveries of a scientist working at Area 51.
Legion of Super-Heroes #277 (July 1981) saw him take on editorial duties at DC, while writing issues of DC's Star Trek comic, for whom he created the native American character Ensign Bearclaw and a pacifist Klingon named Konom. In December 1982, he and artist Brian Bolland began Camelot 3000, a 12 issue limited series that was one of DC Comics' first direct market projects. In August 1983, Barr created what may well be his most enduring work, the monthly title Batman and the Outsiders with art by Jim Aparo. Barr wrote every issue of the original series, and its Baxter paper spinoff, The Outsiders.
His other comics work includes Mantra and Maze Agency as well as the 1987 OGN hardcover book Batman: Son of the Demon (with art by Jerry Bingham), proceeds from which reputedly "restored DC Comics to first place in sales after fifteen years." This title, and Barr's work on Batman with artist Alan Davis have been cited by Grant Morrison as key inspirations for his recent (2006) run on the Batman title.
In 2007, he wrote a two-part story for the pages of DC's JLA: Classified (#47-48, Jan-Feb 2008), returned to the Outsiders with Outsiders: Five of a Kind—Katana/Shazam #1 (Oct 2007), contributed to Tokyopop's Star Trek: The Manga, and relaunched Maze Agency at IDW Publishing. He has also scripted many of Bongo Comics' Simpsons titles, including a Christmas story for 2010.
In May 2010, the Invisible College Press published Barr's science fiction/fantasy novel, Majician/51, about the discoveries of a scientist working at Area 51.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 15, 2024
Set in 20BBY
A fine adventure in the middle of the Clone Wars, with the usual cast, but mostly an Ahsoka story. Solid story and artwork that goes along with the shows art-style.
Don't think this is a must-read though. You won't miss anything if you skip this.
A fine adventure in the middle of the Clone Wars, with the usual cast, but mostly an Ahsoka story. Solid story and artwork that goes along with the shows art-style.
Don't think this is a must-read though. You won't miss anything if you skip this.
September 18, 2022
*3.5
I'll read practically any TCW content with Ahsoka. But this one was an especially fun one.
I love how these graphic novels read like bonus TCW episodes. This one is focused on a plot by Palpatine to kill a select group of Jedi by trapping them on a ship headed towards a sun. The tension is genuinely felt in here and it's intense. That all being said, the one part of this book that stood out to me beside that is the introduction of a new character, Jyl. She's a Jedi who was childhood friends with Anakin as Padawans. And when Ahsoka first meets her, Ahsoka... doesn't like her.
Despite the obviousness, I really want to see this as something other than girl hate. Because it's not caused by romantic jealousy and Ahsoka and Jyl actually do end up being friends (although I do wish that had a little more build-up). It's actually quite nice; Ahsoka could use more female friends. It's just a bit sudden.
This series is such fun. 3.5/5 stars!
I'll read practically any TCW content with Ahsoka. But this one was an especially fun one.
I love how these graphic novels read like bonus TCW episodes. This one is focused on a plot by Palpatine to kill a select group of Jedi by trapping them on a ship headed towards a sun. The tension is genuinely felt in here and it's intense. That all being said, the one part of this book that stood out to me beside that is the introduction of a new character, Jyl. She's a Jedi who was childhood friends with Anakin as Padawans. And when Ahsoka first meets her, Ahsoka... doesn't like her.
Despite the obviousness, I really want to see this as something other than girl hate. Because it's not caused by romantic jealousy and Ahsoka and Jyl actually do end up being friends (although I do wish that had a little more build-up). It's actually quite nice; Ahsoka could use more female friends. It's just a bit sudden.
This series is such fun. 3.5/5 stars!
August 11, 2016
Just being about star wars automatically gives this book an advantage. For a graphic novel, the dialogue was actually pretty good. However, the illustrations appeared to be hurriedly done, sloppy and not very proportional. But it was something that I could easily forgive given the story line. Short and satisfying.
December 14, 2025
It would have been better as a clone wars episode where they could have built up more suspense. In this format it felt rushed
August 4, 2011
Totally read this while listening to my Star Wars OST. I regret nothing.
February 17, 2020
Possibly the best experience I've had with anything Star Wars related.
Being the dedicated geek that I am, I really have tried to enjoy Star Wars. I've tried books, movies, everything, but....I just don't care. I find it boring. Honestly, my favorite character is probably Darth Vader because he's exciting.
I know the basic plot but not really any details, but I still managed to understand and enjoy this short book. (Emphasis on short - that's always key to enjoying a book I'm not pre-fond of.) I found it intriguing and enjoyable.
I won't be seeking out anymore in this series. I just happened to come across this one at a sale and bought it for my classroom.
Being the dedicated geek that I am, I really have tried to enjoy Star Wars. I've tried books, movies, everything, but....I just don't care. I find it boring. Honestly, my favorite character is probably Darth Vader because he's exciting.
I know the basic plot but not really any details, but I still managed to understand and enjoy this short book. (Emphasis on short - that's always key to enjoying a book I'm not pre-fond of.) I found it intriguing and enjoyable.
I won't be seeking out anymore in this series. I just happened to come across this one at a sale and bought it for my classroom.
July 17, 2017
This is the sixth in a line of graphic novellas that take place during The Clone Wars (coinciding with TV series of the same name). THE STARCRUSHER TRAP has Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, and a few other Jedis investigating a mysterious starship named Starcrusher that destroyed a fleet of Republic ships in a matter of seconds. As the title implies, they are led into a trap and have to work very quickly before they are sucked into a sun.
Very intense and well written with lots of action. The artwork is not very good, but the story and characters involved more than make up for it. We also get a glimpse of Anakin's Padawan becoming more independent and Jedi-like here. Good read!
Very intense and well written with lots of action. The artwork is not very good, but the story and characters involved more than make up for it. We also get a glimpse of Anakin's Padawan becoming more independent and Jedi-like here. Good read!
June 18, 2021
After the strong showing by "Deadly Hands of Shon-Ju," we find ourselves back in the janky, sort of blocky art and less than surprising storytelling that plagued the Clone Wars graphic novella series so far. "Starcrusher Trap" feels oddly similar to a story run during the new Marvel canon, but Marvel (love them or hate them) did it better.
September 22, 2023
This instalment suffers from a shocking dive in quality and poorly written female characters. But I've just noticed who wrote the script, so I shouldn't be all that surprised... Barr does not seem to have improved at all between the 1980s and 2011.
June 3, 2021
This one was bad. Bad story. Bad art. Nothing good to say about.
January 28, 2018
Star Wars Legends Project #143
Background: The Starcrusher Trap was released in July 2011, the sixth in a series of 11 graphic novellas written as tie-ins to The Clone Wars animated show. It was written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by the Fillbach Brothers. Barr has worked on many major comic book properties, and he also contributed some to the "Rogue Squadron" series of Star Wars comics. The Fillbach Brothers also drew several of the other novellas in this series.
The Starcrusher Trap is set sometime during the first year after the Battle of Geonosis (22 years before the Battle of Yavin). The main characters are Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Anakin, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Jyl Somtay (a Jedi Knight around Anakin's age). Chancellor Palpatine plays a significant role, as well.
Summary: The Separatists have unleashed a devastating new weapon: a massive capital ship called the Starcrusher. As it lays waste to Republic fleets, the Jedi device a daring plan to board the vessel and disable it from within, but it seems Sidious and Dooku have already thought a few moves ahead!
Review: This story somehow manages to take the standard Star Wars "Oh, no! Another enemy superweapon!" plot, which is already bad and boring, and makes it even worse. On the plus side, there's a halfway decent attempt at some good bantering dialogue between several of the characters, so that works pretty well at least. Also, the Fillbach brothers have finally settled on a style that works well for Ahsoka (and the other characters), so that's a big improvement as well.
I don't know how much more to say because I don't want to actively spoil it, but the "trap" of the title is so jaw-droppingly stupid that I'm almost not sure how revealing it would "spoil" anything. It's the most over-thought, elaborate nonsense plot I've run across in awhile, but the full weight of the absurdity isn't apparent until late enough that I guess maybe some readers will get some enjoyment out of wondering what might be going on. It's bad enough that the Starcrusher is equipped with lasers that can kill any Republic ship at full shields with a single hit. That makes no sense.
But then on top of that, the real nefarious plan is to lure the Jedi aboard a fake Starcrusher that's just an empty hunk of metal shaped like the real thing (and also equipped with at least one ship-killing laser), and then drop it into a nearby sun once they're trapped on-board. And the Jedi's plan to escape (stick Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Mace Windu, and Ki-Adi-Mundi in a trap and then try to pretend they're in actual danger? Come on) is, if not more absurd, then at least as ridiculous as the trap they're escaping from. I'll refrain from revealing at least that much, but . . . We can do better than this, people.
D+
Background: The Starcrusher Trap was released in July 2011, the sixth in a series of 11 graphic novellas written as tie-ins to The Clone Wars animated show. It was written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by the Fillbach Brothers. Barr has worked on many major comic book properties, and he also contributed some to the "Rogue Squadron" series of Star Wars comics. The Fillbach Brothers also drew several of the other novellas in this series.
The Starcrusher Trap is set sometime during the first year after the Battle of Geonosis (22 years before the Battle of Yavin). The main characters are Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Anakin, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Jyl Somtay (a Jedi Knight around Anakin's age). Chancellor Palpatine plays a significant role, as well.
Summary: The Separatists have unleashed a devastating new weapon: a massive capital ship called the Starcrusher. As it lays waste to Republic fleets, the Jedi device a daring plan to board the vessel and disable it from within, but it seems Sidious and Dooku have already thought a few moves ahead!
Review: This story somehow manages to take the standard Star Wars "Oh, no! Another enemy superweapon!" plot, which is already bad and boring, and makes it even worse. On the plus side, there's a halfway decent attempt at some good bantering dialogue between several of the characters, so that works pretty well at least. Also, the Fillbach brothers have finally settled on a style that works well for Ahsoka (and the other characters), so that's a big improvement as well.
I don't know how much more to say because I don't want to actively spoil it, but the "trap" of the title is so jaw-droppingly stupid that I'm almost not sure how revealing it would "spoil" anything. It's the most over-thought, elaborate nonsense plot I've run across in awhile, but the full weight of the absurdity isn't apparent until late enough that I guess maybe some readers will get some enjoyment out of wondering what might be going on. It's bad enough that the Starcrusher is equipped with lasers that can kill any Republic ship at full shields with a single hit. That makes no sense.
But then on top of that, the real nefarious plan is to lure the Jedi aboard a fake Starcrusher that's just an empty hunk of metal shaped like the real thing (and also equipped with at least one ship-killing laser), and then drop it into a nearby sun once they're trapped on-board. And the Jedi's plan to escape (stick Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Mace Windu, and Ki-Adi-Mundi in a trap and then try to pretend they're in actual danger? Come on) is, if not more absurd, then at least as ridiculous as the trap they're escaping from. I'll refrain from revealing at least that much, but . . . We can do better than this, people.
D+
February 7, 2015
Star Wars: The Clone Wars-The Starcrusher Trap is a graphic novel based on the Clone Wars television series. This genre was not a usual for me by any stretch of the imagination. I read this book in attempt to recognize the taste of younger male readers I may teach in the future. I have to say this was not a good book for that. The content was hard to get into and left a lot to be desired. There was not much by way of background information so I had a hard time understanding what was going on. The books do not encourage readers who are faint of heart and not in-the-know about Star Wars and the Clone Wars series. It was particularly hard in the form of a graphic novel to understand what was going on because it was not always clear whose perspective--good or evil-- we were seeing from page to page and there were not transitions between the two.The illustrations helped a little but I needed more guidance because there were so many different settings and the action was so episodic that the book was moving on and leaving the reader in the dust.
I was surprised that with such few portions of text on each page that the book used some impressive language that could really enrich the young reader that the text was aimed for. This also worries me that the student, perhaps being a reluctant reader already, would just skip over the word and not care to extract meaning and see what is truly going on. Sometimes the pictures or the small amount of context may help the reader find meaning, but not often in this format. I was also impressed that the author worked in a little bit of girl drama between JYL and Ahsoka. The two started out fighting over a guy--Skywalker, and ended up friends and left him behind. Although it is very stereotypical, I think that some girls might find that relatable and comical within a "boyish" book.
Although this genre/series is not for me I can certainly see a young Star Wars buff really getting into a series like this. I think students with the background understanding would have no problem knowing what is going on and following the seemingly ambiguous action. Now, having read it I can now recommend it from personal experience.
I was surprised that with such few portions of text on each page that the book used some impressive language that could really enrich the young reader that the text was aimed for. This also worries me that the student, perhaps being a reluctant reader already, would just skip over the word and not care to extract meaning and see what is truly going on. Sometimes the pictures or the small amount of context may help the reader find meaning, but not often in this format. I was also impressed that the author worked in a little bit of girl drama between JYL and Ahsoka. The two started out fighting over a guy--Skywalker, and ended up friends and left him behind. Although it is very stereotypical, I think that some girls might find that relatable and comical within a "boyish" book.
Although this genre/series is not for me I can certainly see a young Star Wars buff really getting into a series like this. I think students with the background understanding would have no problem knowing what is going on and following the seemingly ambiguous action. Now, having read it I can now recommend it from personal experience.
February 18, 2013
I wouldn’t recommend this to any Star Wars fans above the age of 10. The plot was maddeningly predictable. Also, when I saw Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan, on the cover I groaned inwardly, but the good news is that she doesn’t play a central role in the story. Artwork is OK.
May 12, 2014
...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2016
it was fun. not sure if it's cannon anymore though.
February 14, 2025
It was good
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews