“I can see the Talisman in my mind. I’ve barely touched its true power!” — Pulsipher
“Vector” Part 3
Something terrible is spreading among the Mandalorians, threatening to bring their conquest of the galaxy to a previously unthinkable new level!
Penciled by Scott Hepburn
Inked by Dan Parsons
Lettered by Michael Heisler
Colored by Michael Atiyeh
Cover by Dustin Weaver
Edited by Randy Stradley and Dave Marshall
The Rakghouls entered the picture very soon after we started discussing “Vector.” Established in the first Knights of the Old Republic game, they were otherworldly — more out of a creature feature than a science-fiction film — and the Rakghouls as a group seemed to care little for the conventions of biology. Recipients of Rakghoul bites would linger for a time before transforming all at once in a flash of light.
This — and the fact that it was the Sith warriors in the game, not the human medical researcher, who had the cure — suggested to all involved that the Rakghoul plague might be something other than natural. That covered the flash of light — and more, because with the Muur Talisman around, Rakghouls with the Talisman nearby are quite a bit more formidable than their video-game cousins. If you’re looking for crocodile jaws capable of cracking Mandalorian armor fresh from the forge, it helps to mix a little Sith magic in with your dentistry!
So it’s definitely worth reading the descriptions of plague mechanics in “Vector” very carefully, as you’ll understand why it works one way in the comics and another way in the games. And, of course, there may yet be more to learn in the issues to come!
It’s always a challenge deciding what should be in a hologram and what should be on a screen. There are video screens in Star Wars, but what we remember are the holograms. But I didn’t want three episodes of holography back-to-back-to-back. Fortunately, it was a pretty easy choice which one to make two-dimensional. The other two scenes have more dramatic weight, while the more expository scene was in a place that wasn’t very conducive to showing a hologram (and was a hacked message from the electronic trash bin, to boot).
Lucien’s description of Xamar’s research here also answers another question from the beginning of the series, namely why the First WatchCircle was willing to take a post so far from the center of the galaxy. The Rogue Moon was a certain attraction to the seers, but it was not the only one.
Finally, this issue continued one of the basic missions of “Vector,” namely, introducing the large number of new readers arriving for the crossover to the players, concepts, and themes within each series. We see Zayne’s selfless acts; we see Gryph’s greed leading him off course, only to bring him back toward something more important. If any of these scenes strike chords familiar to regular readers, it’s for a good reason and a better cause — bringing our enlarged audience up to speed on who’s who, what’s what, and why they do the things they do.
“Trust me, you don’t want this!” — Celeste Morne, to Zayne about the Talisman
The term “Mando-Raks” came from editor Randy Stradley. I’d thought of Mando-Ghouls, which sounded too much like it belonged in an old Filmation cartoon!
That’s our rally master from #26 paying a call on his troops at the opening — and wishing he’d stayed where he was!
We learn a bit more of Celeste’s origins this time out — including a bit of how the Covenant does its recruiting.
Some readers saw a parallel to the movie and novel 2010 in the wording of Zayne’s message to Cassus Fett. Unintentional, though as a huge Clarke fan, I heard the echo too. I also didn’t catch how Europa-like Jebble was!
Cassus Fett is one of those figures like Darth Vader that’s best used sparingly — he’s often present in name only, where we can see how others react to his mention. This is his first encounter with Zayne, though they have been on the same planet before. As with our other Mandalorians of name, there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Add one to our list of ironic responses to “May the Force be with you.” What’s the count up to now?
Pulsipher — everything his troops thought he was, to his final peril — had another name like Demagol’s, a contraction of some creepy-sounding syllables. Though I did later learn there was a Pulcifer, Wisconsin!
The full name for the Oubliette was a joint creation of Mick Harrison and myself. I used that card from Antiquities quite a bit during my Magic: The Gathering days. If only I had never unsealed that display box!
Latest edition
Star Wars: Legends Epic Collection – The Old Republic Vol. 2
After Zayne Carrick is framed for the murder of his fellow Jedi in training, his poor luck prevents him from clearing his name and throws him into dangerous situations all over the galaxy, leading to his final confrontation with the Jedi Masters who massacred their own Padawans!
More info →
Earlier editions
Star Wars Omnibus: Knights of the Old Republic Vol. 2
After Zayne Carrick is framed for the murder of his fellow Jedi in training, his poor luck prevents him from clearing his name and throws him into dangerous situations all over the galaxy, leading to his final confrontation with the Jedi Masters who massacred their own Padawans!
More info →
Star Wars: Vector Volume 1 (aka Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Vol. 5)
A terrible vision reaching far into the future alerts the secret Jedi Covenant to the importance of Taris, and they activate operative Celeste Morne. She encounters a monstrous threat, an ancient Sith artifact, an army of Mandalorians, and Zayne Carrick, the Padawan accused of killing his fellow students! Then, over 4,000 years into the future, "Vector" crosses into the period immediately following the events in Revenge of the Sith. The unfortunate misfit crew of the Uhumele is thrown into the path of Darth Vader and the now-ancient Jedi Master Celeste! Both Sith and smugglers will not leave this meeting without grave consequences...
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