Star Wars: The Mandalorian: Season One, Part Two

Star Wars: The Mandalorian

by Rodney Barnes, Georges Jeanty (Illustrator)

The comic book adaptation of the hit series continues!

A rookie bounty hunter needs a little help with a tough job — who better than the Mandalorian to lend his expertise? But when he finds himself allied with a ragtag crew of cutthroat mercenaries looking to spring a convict from a prison ship, the mission will turn out to be far more difficult — and deadly — than it appeared! As an old rival offers an olive branch, the Mandalorian welcomes the chance to enjoy a little peace — but before long he is cornered by powerful enemies. One of them knows all about the Mandalorian’s past…and is determined to make sure he has no future! But, when the dust settles on this conflict, what will be the fate of the Child?

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Adventure, Marvel

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2023

About the author

Comic book writer

Reviews

[Matthew Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised at how well the comics adapted the show. The same feelings, emotions, and awe I experienced the first time watching the show is translated very well in these comics. Rodney Barnes is a great writer.

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good adaptation of the series. The book managed to capture most of the main story points of the last four episodes of the first season. It was a bit rushed in places, and the action does look better on the screen.

On the run as a traitor to the Bounty Hunters Guild, Mando is forced to take what jobs he can, including some old associate he left on bad terms. However, an offer from where his troubles began is too tempting to turn down. One way or another this will be ended.

A good book, enjoyable, but I would rather watch the episodes again rather than read the book. The book finishes with a thumbnail variant cover gallery and some stills from the episodes.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comic adaptation of the second half of the first season of The Mandalorian. This would be a great way to remind yourself of what happens, should you need a refresh and not a ton of time to do so. ALSO, great for anyone to try it out before watching.
Adapts S1 Eps 5-8
5- The Gunslinger - Mando teams up with a new bounty hunter to earn money for ship repairs. Their target: Fennec Shand.
6 - The Prisoner - Mando joins a crew helping to rescue a prisoner from a New Republic transport. When they turn on him, Mando shows them why he's the best.
7 - The Reckoning - Returning to Nevarro to help Greef Karga, Mando gets into Imperial trouble with the appearance of Moff Gideon. Features the first appearance of the reprogrammed IG-11 and the fall of Kuiil.
8 - Redemption - As they attempt to escape from Gideon's forces, we find out Mando's name is Din Djarin. IG-11 sacrifices himself for their escape, changing Din's mind about droids, and Gideon is revealed to have the Darksaber.

Watch this show, read this comic!
Strong recommend. (Though the show is obviously better...)

[Jaye Berry]

The show is obviously superior but some of the art in here was fire, like most of the covers were nice. But the questionable art for the people remains like bro how you gonna get the faces wrong just watch the show because who the fuck were any of these people?? Grogu deserved to be cuter we all deserved Grogu to be drawn cuter!!

[Connor Stompanato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much have the same thoughts on this as I did 'Part One' and if I could just review them together, I would have. This was a great refresher on everything important that happens in the second half of 'The Mandalorian' season one. The comic captures all the details we need to know but speeds up the pace from the actual television series.

While the faster pace was a benefit for part one, there were a few times here that I wish we had more time to take in a scene or moment. The final issue/episode in particular rushed through a few scenes that had far more impact in the show than in the comic. Still, this is a very faithful adaptation and since I have seen the show already my mind can fill in the blanks. I do want to go back and rewatch the show eventually, but for this project I'm enjoying seeing the same story in a different format.

You can read all of my other 'Star Wars' book reviews here.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half of the first season gets collected here, and does a good job presenting the story, for people like me who may have dozed off during one or more of the episodes. Oh, and I guess for people who didn't watch it at all. But if you didn't, you're not going to walk away with a super-strong impression - a lot of the personality of the show is lost in the format, as it's all the little details that really make the show work. The story itself doesn't compare to the other Star Wars titles right now. So maybe if someone wants to watch the newest season, they could now skip the first season.
The art works well, and the main points of the plot for each episode are present. Even most of the dialog seems to be straight from the screen. But there's nothing extra added, nothing that rewards individuals who've already watched the show with extra insight, or even easter eggs.

Ultimately, it's a decent translation from screen to page, but I still really don't understand who it's really for.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as satisfying as the first volume and a further reminder that The Mandalorian probably should have been a comic book rather than a TV show.

If you've seen the show, the plot and dialogue and, well, everything is identical here. So, it could be a dull read for some. But I'm far enough removed from having seen each episode to still enjoy this fun little dose of Star Wars. Even the middling artwork felt oddly appropriate, sort of like how everything in the Star Wars universe is slightly aged/used.

Looking forward to the Season Two adaptation!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

9 ABY

This graphic novel is the second installment in the adaptation of The Mandalorian TV series. While it is a tried-and-true adaptation, the action feels a bit lackluster, likely because it is drawings versus live action.  Grogu, or "The Child" as he is in the story thus far, looks a bit funky in the artwork, and I feel like Gideon's presence isn't quite captured. Regardless, it is a nice way to revisit the story in a different medium.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same review as for the first TPB adaptation of season one. There isn't anything new or substantial added to these adaptations, so if that is what you are looking for, you could pass on these. This really is for huge fans of the show who want to enjoy the story in a different medium. The artwork overall is not my style, but there are some fun panels. Some episodes translate well into single issue comics, some not so much.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the previous volume, it's a great adaptation of the series. And the side effect of this translation into another medium is how it ends up really highlighting the individual stories. The good ones really shine. The bad ones get somehow worse.

The back half of the first season is pretty solid and this volume managed to get most of it in, although some of the action didn't work quite as well on the page versus the screen.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not have been surprised if this series had the last issue divided like Harry Potter/Twilight/Hunger Games into two; any way to drag out this longer than it needed to be. And when's Season Two coming out? There were some panels where the art changed (those Little Orphan Annie eyes?). Overall, for all the wait: this is just okay.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a solid adaptation of a solid show. Sure it’s a paint by numbers adaptation from screen to page but that’s ok. The Mandalorian is a dang near perfect show and it’s hard to improve on perfection.

I can’t wait for the season 2 book!

[Martijn Van · Rating 1 out of 5]

This feels and looks like a complete cashgrap. Of course it is nice to read the adventures of these fun characters, but with the incredible cheap looking artwork and the bad writing (writing a comic is not just using the tvshows script) this is something unworthy.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yawn. Even though this is a re-telling, it feels like it's lacking something. There's no emotion or heart to what's going on, it's literally just a by-the-numbers comic. Which, I guess, is fine for what it is.

[Jazlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of the artwork is amazing and the concepts done by other artists are really great too but then you just get into some mis proportion messes and blobby looking people, the unmasking scene for Din makes him look fat, 😭😂 it’s a mess

[Joano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume had season 1, episodes 5-8 of the hit Disney+ series. This one is 3.5 stars. There’s more dialogue in the TV series, so much of this was cut from the comic. Again, this comic will work with fans but might not be that great for readers who doesn’t know anything about this series.

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great volume that represents the series well, with great artwork. This is the way.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reusing the review from Part One since it still applies - -

The abridged nature of the comic presentation does the scope of the series no favors. Everything is rushed and underdeveloped.

[Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a comic book adaptation of the back half of Season 1 of The Mandalorian. It's good for what it with good clean art. If you haven't seen the show, this is a great way to experience it.

[Paul Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-done adaptation of the series. Highly recommend!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
I've read a ton of Star Wars adaptation comics. This is one of the best. It's also been a while since season 1, so I forgot a good deal.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good adaptation. Grogu isn't as cute in this.

[Raul Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much the same issues I had with the Season One volume. This adaptation adds nothing to the series and the artwork is mediocre. Not essential.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and faithful adaptation of the back half of season one. I appreciate this quick refresher of events. But the show is still superior. This is the way.

[Adam Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reminder of a good series.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid adaptation of the second half of the first season.

[B.A.G. Studios · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rather straightforward translation of Season 1 from screen to page.
This is fine, it's nothing new, but when combined with volume 1 (which should have just been packaged together), it at least feels complete. This doesn't feel rushed like a lot of these more basic adaptations do, and for the most part, I liked the art. It's not trying to shot-for-shot recreate the show, but its cinematography’s influence is heavily felt. Plenty fine.
Good refresher for me, recapping in order to watch ahead in a faster format than a full re-watch.