Regality And Power In Star Wars Age of Republic: Count Dooku #1
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
Count Dooku has been sent to Sullust to set up an alliance with one of the corporate factions on the planet. The work of Dooku and his master must remain covert for now, but the deal is complicated when a Jedi of the Order arrives on the planet around the same time as the Count. He was once a well-known member of the Jedi Order, and the Knight recognizes Dooku immediately. However, the Count may be able to use this to his advantage.
Star Wars Age of Republic: Count Dooku #1 spotlights the memorable archvillain from Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, and both Clone Wars series.
Thanks to both Clone Wars series and the wealth of comic books, novels, and videogames made about the Clone Wars (many of which aren’t technically canon anymore, I guess), there has been a lot of Count Dooku media out there. However, with the exception of the latter Clone Wars series, not much of it has been as insightful and defining as this comic.
Dooku is an aristocratic former Jedi. He was born into wealth and chose a sage’s path. He was an apprentice to Yoda and the master of Qui-Gon Jinn (That latter detail always felt glossed over in the prequels).
In short, Jody Houser once again captures the ethos and identity of a major Star Wars figure in a compelling and interesting fashion.
Luke Ross delivers a grittier style this time around, and he brings out some truly powerful close-ups of the Count through the book. Nobility, duplicity, and intelligence are shown simply through the visage of Darth Tyranus. His skill with a lightsaber is made clear in the brief action sequences. It’s also an excellent recreation of the late Christopher Lee’s likeness. Java Tartaglia gives an ominous and dim glow to the colors throughout the book, and it suits Dooku perfectly.
Star Wars Age of Republic: Count Dooku #1 is another hit from the writer/artist team of Jody Houser and Luke Ross. Dooku is a mainstay figure in the Clone Wars era of the Star Wars franchise, and this one definitely does him justice. Give this one a read.
Star Wars Age of Republic: Count Dooku #1 comes to us from writer Jody Houser, artist Luke Ross, color artist Java Tartaglia, letterer VC’s Travis Lanham, cover artist Paolo Rivera, and variant cover artists Mike McKone with Guru-eFX and Dermot Power.
