Product Description

Kir Kanos is the last surviving member of the elite Imperial Guard. He`s on the run -- and the Empire will stop at nothing to destroy him! It`s the combined might of the Empire against a single man. Crimson Empire combines the dynamic artistic talents of comics superstars Paul Gulacy (Batman vs. Predator III) and P. Craig Russell (Elric: Stormbringer) and featuring a new cover painting by master Star Wars illustrator Dave Dorman.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #354385 in Books
• Published on: 1998-12-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781569713556
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Library Journal
In Dark Victory, the mirror universe is a dim shadow of the Federation, ruled by a cruel tyrant, Emperor Tiberius. Much to the dismay of James T. Kirk, Tiberius is also Kirk's double and is determined to destroy him, whom he considers to be a weak and embarrassing twin. The action can be a bit confusing for listeners unfamiliar with Spectre, the first title in this series, but it doesn't take long to get one's bearings. Unfortunately, those looking for a satisfying conclusion must wait for the third installment. Shatner is in top form and, along with great sound effects, does an admirable job of resurrecting his signature character. Trekkies of all stripes will clamor for this one, but be prepared to purchase the entire series, as individual titles do not stand alone. Recommended for all sf collections. A few galaxies over, the Star Wars contingent is having its own set of problems. Although Emperor Palpatine is dead, a powerful Ruling Council continues with the empire's plans. Dark Lord Carnor Jax is determined to claim the throne, but he must first eliminate Kir Kanos, the only member of the emperor's elite bodyguard to survive after Jax's treachery toward his emperor and fellow guardsmen. Seeking refuge from Jax, Kanos finds himself allied with rebel forces. But Kanos owes allegiance to no one, and rebel leader Mirith Sinn cannot trust the enigmatic warrior whose loyalty lies with a dead emperor. This dramatized production uses multiple voices and searing sound effects to keep imagination flowing, but the ending is rather abrupt, eliciting vague disappointment rather than anticipation for the next title in the Crimson Empire series. Recommended only for libraries with an extensive Star Wars collection.ASusan Dunman, Murray State Univ., KY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
In Dark Victory, the mirror universe is a dim shadow of the Federation, ruled by a cruel tyrant, Emperor Tiberius. Much to the dismay of James T. Kirk, Tiberius is also Kirk's double and is determined to destroy him, whom he considers to be a weak and embarrassing twin. The action can be a bit confusing for listeners unfamiliar with Spectre, the first title in this series, but it doesn't take long to get one's bearings. Unfortunately, those looking for a satisfying conclusion must wait for the third installment. Shatner is in top form and, along with great sound effects, does an admirable job of resurrecting his signature character. Trekkies of all stripes will clamor for this one, but be prepared to purchase the entire series, as individual titles do not stand alone. Recommended for all sf collections. A few galaxies over, the Star Wars contingent is having its own set of problems. Although Emperor Palpatine is dead, a powerful Ruling Council continues with the empire's plans. Dark Lord Carnor Jax is determined to claim the throne, but he must first eliminate Kir Kanos, the only member of the emperor's elite bodyguard to survive after Jax's treachery toward his emperor and fellow guardsmen. Seeking refuge from Jax, Kanos finds himself allied with rebel forces. But Kanos owes allegiance to no one, and rebel leader Mirith Sinn cannot trust the enigmatic warrior whose loyalty lies with a dead emperor. This dramatized production uses multiple voices and searing sound effects to keep imagination flowing, but the ending is rather abrupt, eliciting vague disappointment rather than anticipation for the next title in the Crimson Empire series. Recommended only for libraries with an extensive Star Wars collection.ASusan Dunman, Murray State Univ., KY
(Library Journal )

From the Publisher
From the acclaimed producers of the Star Wars(r) Original Radio Dramas, Tom Voegeli Productions, this fully dramatized audio contains original Star Wars music and sound effects.

Customer Reviews

The best of the best
Years before Star Wars: Empire, Dark Horse gave us Crimson Empire- a dark story about the elite Imperial guard. Carnor Jax and and Kir Kanos are former members of Palpaltine's Eltite Guard, feared and respected throughout the galaxy. Now, two years after their master's death, they find themselves in very different circumstances. One, Jax, is poised to take over his master's throne, and the other, Kanos is a hunted, hungry fugitive that has sworn revenge on all those who betrayed his beloved emperor.

Flashing between now and the past, this book shows us slices of the past, including how the Imperial Guards were trained. Wow! That's all I can say without offering too many spoilers. :> And this book has more twists and turns in this plot than a Kessel Run.

Though it's a few years old now, this remains one of the best Star Wars stories of all time, and represents Dark Horse Star Wars at it's best. If what you love about the Star Wars Universe is the characterization then stop reading this review and buy yourself this. You won't be disappointed.

This can be enjoyed by newcomers and long term fans as it a clearly defined story not relying heavily on intricate continuity.

Highly recommended.

One of the Best
Having read a lot of Star Wars Graphic Novels, I can safely say this is one of the best if not the best. Crimson Empire delivers the goods. Period. There's a reason almost all the reviews here are 5 stars: this story is unique, captures the essence of SW and takes you on a ride that is as enjoyable as the original films. BOLD. NEW. EXCITING. Read Crimson Empire.

SOLID SOTRY WITHOUT THE CORE CHARACTERS
I've long considered Dark Horse to be the smartest and most resourceful comic book publisher. When they started out over twenty years ago, they made the conscious decision to not try to take on Marvel and DC at their own game. Instead, they published truly unique titles such as Concrete and Hellboy and were aggressive in obtaining the licenses to popular movie franchise like Aliens, Predator, and, their biggest coup, Star Wars. Let's not forget that Marvel had the Star Wars license in the 1970's and while they concentrated on the central characters from the first trilogy, Dark Horse has delved into the expanded universe, telling stories that were set thousands of years before the events in the first Star Wars film, as well as tales set well after Return of the Jedi, not to mention filling in gaps between the films.

This tale takes place about ten years after the destruction of the first Death Star and after Luke Skywalker has defeated the last of the Emperor's clones. The empire is fractured and looking for new leadership, and still looking to crush the rebellion. Stepping forward, and nominating himself as the new ruler is Carnor Jax, a member of the Emperor's Royal Guard.

The book sheds some deserving light on the members of the Royal Guard. These Crimson cloaked warriors were always shrouded in secrecy. A back story takes readers to the distant planet of Yinchorr, a desolate planet with no strategic value. It was here were potential Royal Guardsman received their harsh training. Often having to fight to the death to prove themselves worthy to the Emperor as well as Darth Vader. The Guardsman's training was perhaps even more strenuous than that of the Jedi.

On the planet of Phaeda, a mysterious man has just entered a local watering hole and is confronted by several soldiers and Stormtroopers, killing all of them single-handedly. This man turns out to be Kir Kanos, a former Royal Guardsman marked for death by Carnor Jax. Kanos uncovered a plot by Jax to have inferior clones of the Emperor, thereby sealing his fate. Still loyal to the Emperor, Kanos and other loyal Guardsmen battled Jax's forces but were overwhelmed by superior numbers until only Jax remained. Now, on this insignificant planet, Kanos finds himself in a strange alliance with local Rebel forces when Jax tracks him down and is willing to destroy the entire city to kill his enemy.

Here is a great example of an outstanding Star Wars story with little reliance on the core characters. Luke Skywalker and Vader make brief cameos in flashback sequences only. The book holds it own on the strong plot and the powerful enmity between Carnor Jax and Kir Kanos, two mortal enemies. You just know that one of them is not going to survive; it can be no other way. The art is by two veteran artists, and two of my favorites: penciller Paul Gulacy and inker P. Craig Russell. I've been a huge Gulacy fan ever since he worked on The Master of Kung-Fu in the 70's and his pencils are perfectly rendered by the poetic inks of Russell.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON