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Star Wars: Dark Times #5
Star Wars - Dark Times: Out of the Wilderness v. 5
Everyone wants fugitive Jedi Dass Jennir. An assassin is hot on his heels, Darth Vader is also in the race to find him, and even the outlaw crew of the "Uhumele" are searching for their former companion. But for Jennir and his "partner" Ember Chankeli, those are distant concerns as they endure a scorching desert trek and an attack by deadly land pirates!
Even under a blazing sun, these are dark times! Collects "Star Wars: Dark Times--Out of the Wilderness #1 #5.""
Even under a blazing sun, these are dark times! Collects "Star Wars: Dark Times--Out of the Wilderness #1 #5.""
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 1, 2022
He made it through the wilderness. Somehow he made it through. Didn't know how lost he was, until he found her. He was beat, incomplete. He'd been had; he was sad and blue... (Deepest apologies to Madonna...) The fifth volume of Star Wars: Dark Times sees former Jedi Dass Jenner and his unexpected lady-love, Ember, on the run in the desert from an Imperial assassin. This issue, in particular, feels wonderfully like a western, and the budding romance between Dass and Ember makes it feel like a Zane Grey western, set in the Star Wars universe. Loved it. Artwork is still stellar.
December 6, 2019
This story reminds me why I was never really a fan of the Mad Max universe. It's too much desert with no distinguishing features. The Jedi tries to make it more fun, but the empty landscape, the focus on slavery and the lack of a proper contribution from Vader make this a drag to read. Why did the author include so many undeveloped story threads? Most of the time we follow Dass anyway, so why do we need the rest of the cast? How much longer is Vader going to be kept out of the main story?
Dass Jennir is joined by Ember Chakeli whom he met during his last mission. They become stranded on a planet after being attacked by Empire fighters. Darth Vader is on Dass's tracks after learning of his existence from interrogating a Uhumele crewmember. He had another captive who got silenced by a mysterious assassin. This assassin is looking for Dass as well. The crew of the Uhumele too. Everyone wants Dass. Must be his cologne.
Dass Jennir is joined by Ember Chakeli whom he met during his last mission. They become stranded on a planet after being attacked by Empire fighters. Darth Vader is on Dass's tracks after learning of his existence from interrogating a Uhumele crewmember. He had another captive who got silenced by a mysterious assassin. This assassin is looking for Dass as well. The crew of the Uhumele too. Everyone wants Dass. Must be his cologne.
July 14, 2026
The story is at its best whenever it evokes Western tropes, as it executes them in a competent manner. A slaver caravan in the desert, Dass Jennir to the rescue, all the while a nameless assassin goes after him - good stuff! Maybe not five issues good, but you could make a great three-issue arc out of it. Shoutouts to Wheatley, as well. Great artist.
Everything else drags it down. Bomo's gang has nothing to do; they just kind of bumble around until they meet The Lord Dass again. Despite the cover, Vader is quite superfluous, as well - I'm guessing Out of the Wilderness is meant to set up the next arc? It certainly feels like filler. This would have been okay with a monthly comic such as KOTOR, but alas, it and Legacy had to die while Dark Times was allowed to release issues once in a blue moon. Again, I love Wheatley, but Dark Horse had so many talented artists - including this series' own Dave Ross - who could have helped stabilize things. It's all irrelevant in 2026, I suppose, now that we just have the TPBs and omnibuses. But look at it this way: we all like Dass and Bomo and the gang, yeah? So wouldn't it have been better had we gotten more, and had the series validated storylines like this?
But worse even than Dark Horse's internal politics is the character of Ember. Oh god. So, the slaver from the last arc has become Dass' traveling partner and is poised to become his lover. Exactly the type of Jedi story you love to read! Better yet is that she herself becomes a slave in this one, yet the story does nothing with that irony, no, it seems completely oblivious to it. I suppose I respect that she's completely insufferable and has no redeeming qualities, but it does make the love story even more awkward.
Everything else drags it down. Bomo's gang has nothing to do; they just kind of bumble around until they meet The Lord Dass again. Despite the cover, Vader is quite superfluous, as well - I'm guessing Out of the Wilderness is meant to set up the next arc? It certainly feels like filler. This would have been okay with a monthly comic such as KOTOR, but alas, it and Legacy had to die while Dark Times was allowed to release issues once in a blue moon. Again, I love Wheatley, but Dark Horse had so many talented artists - including this series' own Dave Ross - who could have helped stabilize things. It's all irrelevant in 2026, I suppose, now that we just have the TPBs and omnibuses. But look at it this way: we all like Dass and Bomo and the gang, yeah? So wouldn't it have been better had we gotten more, and had the series validated storylines like this?
But worse even than Dark Horse's internal politics is the character of Ember. Oh god. So, the slaver from the last arc has become Dass' traveling partner and is poised to become his lover. Exactly the type of Jedi story you love to read! Better yet is that she herself becomes a slave in this one, yet the story does nothing with that irony, no, it seems completely oblivious to it. I suppose I respect that she's completely insufferable and has no redeeming qualities, but it does make the love story even more awkward.
April 15, 2019
This read very much like a western which was another refreshing change of direction for this fantastic series. What I particularly liked about this volume was the focus of Das Jennir being an average Jedi. So often in stories featuring a Jedi, they come across as a being of god-like status. Yes, a Jedi is pretty overpowered compared to non-Jedi folk but it was nice to see that Das has his limitations too. The foreshadowing of the inevitable confrontation with Darth Vader was again a little lacking, but did have more relevance to the plot. The main weak point was the assassin hunting Das Jennir who really lacked any character development at all. He might as well have been an assassin droid, except for his fate and the end of the story.
A much lower-key affair compared to many other stories, but I did appreciate the character development s with Das and Ember as well as their evolving relationship with each other. I also liked how the arc concluded having not tied up all the loose ends and leaving particular aspects permanently unfinished.
A much lower-key affair compared to many other stories, but I did appreciate the character development s with Das and Ember as well as their evolving relationship with each other. I also liked how the arc concluded having not tied up all the loose ends and leaving particular aspects permanently unfinished.
June 30, 2023
STAR WARS – DARK TIMES Vol.5 - Out of the Wilderness
Excellent series – this one is a western motif ****
Out of the Wilderness: #1
“Blast. There goes our hyperdrive.”
Out of the Wilderness: #2
“Darkness brings no change to the raider’s relentless drive across the wasteland.”
Out of the Wilderness: #3
“Let’s take a look at the unfortunates who have chosen to befriend Dass Jennir.”
Out of the Wilderness: #4
“If there’s a trap, what will you do?” - Ember
“Spring it.” - Jennir
Out of the Wilderness: #5
“You will tell me EVERYTHING you know about Jennir. And, I assure you, you will have AMPLE time to reveal ALL you know.” - Vader
Excellent series – this one is a western motif ****
Out of the Wilderness: #1
“Blast. There goes our hyperdrive.”
Out of the Wilderness: #2
“Darkness brings no change to the raider’s relentless drive across the wasteland.”
Out of the Wilderness: #3
“Let’s take a look at the unfortunates who have chosen to befriend Dass Jennir.”
Out of the Wilderness: #4
“If there’s a trap, what will you do?” - Ember
“Spring it.” - Jennir
Out of the Wilderness: #5
“You will tell me EVERYTHING you know about Jennir. And, I assure you, you will have AMPLE time to reveal ALL you know.” - Vader
September 1, 2017
A good-not-great entry in the Dark Times series. This one is starting to coast on the fumes of older themes and stories--more slavers, more reflection on the roles and responsibility of Jedi after Order 66, the murder of Dezono Qua having unintended consequences, Janks' capture wrapped up. Nothing especially wonderful but still above-average writing and art. The one new element is Jennir's romance with Ember, which I'm not entirely sold on but is a nice thing in an arc with a lot of tragedy so it's welcome if not totally delivered on.
March 18, 2020
The art is exquisitely rendered, however the storytelling is tepid. There dialogue might as well be blank bubbles- every line is written as if there wasn’t a panel to accompany it. I’m not sure how something this painstakingly boring is published yet here it is. A lot of great ideas sprinkled within but really needed a better writer or maybe a stronger editor. I don’t know but I feel terrible about this book. How does author get so much work?
September 5, 2019
Another great chapter in the Dark Times saga. At this point there's not much to say that I haven't said in previous arc reviews. It's a really good series that any SW fan should consider mandatory, and a perfect starting point for the EU (well, Volume 1 of course, not volume 5).
January 6, 2021
Although it's the weakest volume of the series so far, this is still a great comic book, and continues Dass Jennirs story in a cool and organic way. The new bounty Hunter Character was a great addition, and this makes me pumped to get into the final two volumes of the series. Rating:8/10
May 10, 2021
Yawn. A complete snoozefest that lacks the tension a standoff between a jedi and bounty hunter should entail. Needed more Vadar to save it. Guess art was cool.
Think this will be my final book in this series. Only the first volume is memorable to be honest.
Think this will be my final book in this series. Only the first volume is memorable to be honest.
October 10, 2023
The series remains very unfocused - and though I can appreciate the space western vibes, it feels as though this was decided as the most important aspect, since it has been given priority over any decent plot.
January 31, 2018
Toute la série des Dark Times est excellente.
September 29, 2024
I honestly didn't like it, it was more about a path for more power by Vader.
March 25, 2025
Another great volume from this series. I’m a big fan of Dass.
December 6, 2025
I didn't love the fakeout death near the end or Jennir bizarrely running away from a fight he could have won, but the rest of this volume was solid.
November 15, 2018
Star Wars Legends Project #179
Background: Out of the Wilderness was released in October 2012. It collects Dark Times #18-22 (alternately, Republic #101-105), first published August 2011-April 2012. It was written by Randy Stradley (under the name Mick Harrison) and drawn by Douglas Wheatley. Stradley has written a few dozen other Star Wars comics, in addition to most of Dark Times. Wheatley frequently collaborates with him.
This is the fifth storyline in the Dark Times series. The story takes place around the same time as the events of Dark Times: Blue Harvest (my review) and during the following few weeks, 4 months after Order 66 (19 years before the Battle of Yavin). The main recurring characters are Jedi Master Dass Jennir and Darth Vader, Ember Chankeli, and the crew of the Uhumele. Most of the action takes place on Prine.
Summary: After successfully resolving the gang war on Telerath, Dass Jennir moves on, this time with the conniving Ember Chankeli in tow. He knows he can't trust her, but he has feelings for her anyway, and besides, the people of Telerath would have killed her for her actions on that planet if he'd left her behind. However, it seems she may end up dead anyway, when a run-in with Imperials leaves the pair stranded and hunted on a primitive desert planet with little hope of rescue. Meanwhile, Bomo Greenbark and the crew of the Uhumele, battered after months of misadventure, are having second thoughts about their decision to cast Jennir out. Maybe there is a place for him among them after all . . . if they can find him in time!
Review: This was an ever-so-slight step down from the excellence of Blue Harvest, but this still remains a top-tier series. Star Wars characters spend way too much time wandering across barren desert planets, but there's no question of mistaking Prine for Tatooine. I really like the way they've handled the developing relationship between Dass and Ember, in parallel with her development as a character. They still draw her in a way that is at times exploitative, but the depth of the writing shines through anyway.
Falco Sang is an interesting and sufficiently-menacing antagonist, but I'd like to see him developed more. The story makes it easy to take him seriously as a credible threat to a Jedi Master, but really hard to figure out what he's all about, and that missing piece feels like a flaw.
Regardless, this is the kind of story that feels like it ought to be really predictable, but I never felt like I knew what was about to happen next or where it was going to end up. Of course, it helps that none of the characters feel invincible, which is really important for a series that calls itself "Dark Times." Recommended!
A-
Background: Out of the Wilderness was released in October 2012. It collects Dark Times #18-22 (alternately, Republic #101-105), first published August 2011-April 2012. It was written by Randy Stradley (under the name Mick Harrison) and drawn by Douglas Wheatley. Stradley has written a few dozen other Star Wars comics, in addition to most of Dark Times. Wheatley frequently collaborates with him.
This is the fifth storyline in the Dark Times series. The story takes place around the same time as the events of Dark Times: Blue Harvest (my review) and during the following few weeks, 4 months after Order 66 (19 years before the Battle of Yavin). The main recurring characters are Jedi Master Dass Jennir and Darth Vader, Ember Chankeli, and the crew of the Uhumele. Most of the action takes place on Prine.
Summary: After successfully resolving the gang war on Telerath, Dass Jennir moves on, this time with the conniving Ember Chankeli in tow. He knows he can't trust her, but he has feelings for her anyway, and besides, the people of Telerath would have killed her for her actions on that planet if he'd left her behind. However, it seems she may end up dead anyway, when a run-in with Imperials leaves the pair stranded and hunted on a primitive desert planet with little hope of rescue. Meanwhile, Bomo Greenbark and the crew of the Uhumele, battered after months of misadventure, are having second thoughts about their decision to cast Jennir out. Maybe there is a place for him among them after all . . . if they can find him in time!
Review: This was an ever-so-slight step down from the excellence of Blue Harvest, but this still remains a top-tier series. Star Wars characters spend way too much time wandering across barren desert planets, but there's no question of mistaking Prine for Tatooine. I really like the way they've handled the developing relationship between Dass and Ember, in parallel with her development as a character. They still draw her in a way that is at times exploitative, but the depth of the writing shines through anyway.
Falco Sang is an interesting and sufficiently-menacing antagonist, but I'd like to see him developed more. The story makes it easy to take him seriously as a credible threat to a Jedi Master, but really hard to figure out what he's all about, and that missing piece feels like a flaw.
Regardless, this is the kind of story that feels like it ought to be really predictable, but I never felt like I knew what was about to happen next or where it was going to end up. Of course, it helps that none of the characters feel invincible, which is really important for a series that calls itself "Dark Times." Recommended!
A-
December 28, 2012
After reading some disappointing Star Wars graphic novels recently and questioning how many I should be reading, it is refreshing to read another volume of my favorite series. As I read this volume, I was reminded of one of the reasons why this series is so good. Any character can die at any moment in this book. This is unusual for a Star Wars book, but it really ratchets up the tension in every story arc. Every Star Wars fan would be happy to see see Darth Vader show up in a story, but it always seems meaningful in Dark Times. He really sets the tone of this book better than any other character could. When you couple that, with the fact that the overall plot seems to have moved forward more in this volume than the last, I'd have to say this is another great installment of this series. Dark Times may come out slowly, but I'm happy to wait for art and story that is this good.
November 1, 2012
Doug Wheatley's artwork = 5 stars ++++ as always. The only non-film artist who can get me 200% into the Star wars universe 'feel." o wonder they chose him for the now-probably-doomed live-action SW tv series....
At any rate, it receives such a lower rate than the rest, because it feels like filler start to finish. Still well written and amazingly illustrated, but a bit of an empty storyline - something this series is not known for.
At any rate, it receives such a lower rate than the rest, because it feels like filler start to finish. Still well written and amazingly illustrated, but a bit of an empty storyline - something this series is not known for.
December 16, 2013
This was a fun graphic novel... Haven't read a Star Wars one in a while... this was volume 5 though and I hadn't read any of the volumes before this.. so, I entered the story right in the middle of everything that was going on... all and all it was an entertaining story.
November 4, 2015
Wow! I could not put this book down. The art stays consistent bringing the characters to life. The plot continues to thicken with assassins and slavers. There is also a lover affair evolving. I continue to be impressed by this series. My rating for this issue is 5.0 out of 5.0.
January 25, 2016
La inclosió de camps de refugiats de les Guerres Clon o comandants de l'Imperi amb personalitat pròpia i lleialtats a antics aliats fa que l'univers Star Wars sigui més ric en lectures del què estic acostumat.
El dibuix és brillant, boníssim.
El dibuix és brillant, boníssim.
August 3, 2012
it lacked a deeper story. but it was nice. I guess I just haven't read all of the dark times comics that's why.
June 28, 2013
The art was really good, but the story never went anywhere and it was disappointing after the previous volume.
January 9, 2016
I stumbled upon this one and I'm glad I did. I will definitely try and track down the issues prior to flesh out the story for me.
July 10, 2012
Love the artwork and storyline of this series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews