Marvel Comics’ fourth Star Wars series debuted this week with Kanan: The Last Padawan. The series, set outside the original trilogy’s time-frame, concurrently takes place (mostly) at the end of the Clone Wars, and Revenge of the Sith’s final moments. Luckily, that doesn’t mean the issue is lacking in Easter eggs and references. In fact, there are probably even more here than in other Star Wars series. The biggest and best are below, with an honorable mention to the Holocron seen in the above header image; however, it looks like a central plot point, so it’s probably not quite in “Easter egg” contention.
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Oh look, the Rebels Crew!
The Last Padawan is a prequel story for Kanan, taking place about fifteen years prior to the events of the animated series Star Wars Rebels. But that doesn’t mean the main crew would be completely absent, right? On the first page, we see The Ghost, their homebase vehicle, and a shot of the full Rebels crew, including Sabine, Chopper, Zeb, Ezra, Hera, and Kanan. It’s a nice nod, and a good way to tell the fans, “Yes, this is Rebels-related, and we’re not ignoring it.”
Your Father Fought in the Clone Wars
Jumping from one animated series to another, this issue occurs at the end of The Clone Wars. Meaning, we have some specifically Clone Wars-era appearances here, like the basic battle droids that formed the majority of the Separatists’ army (roger-roger), and they’re battling the Clone troopers. These particular Clones, led by Captain Styles and Commander Grey, are not to be confused with Grey Squad or Commander Gree.
Aliens Among Us
A couple of interesting non-human species appeared in this issue. In that first page, we obviously see a Twi’lek (Hera), and a Lasat (Garazeb Orrelios).
General Kleeve, the leader of the Separatist forces that Kanan, his master Depa Billaba, and their clones fight, is a Devaronian. These devilish-looking aliens brandish different shades of skin but always sport two long horns and pointed ears. They date back to the very first Star Wars film, with an appearance at the Mos Eisly Cantina. Another prominent Devaronian came in Season 1 of Star Wars Rebels, as Cikatro Vizago was an informant for the Rebels crew.
The final alien race, the green-skinned Kallerans, make their first canonical appearance, and their first appearance overall in the Star Wars universe here. An original species created by Greg Weisman and Pepe Larraz (and colorist David Curiel), they live on a planet called Kaller, introduced here as a disputed land late in The Clone Wars. The world was under Separatist rule, but was then “liberated” and put under Republic rule in this issue. However, the two Kallerans make it very clear that they don’t align with either side. That concept was addressed a few times in the Clone Wars animated series, that to the average citizens, the Separatists and Republic stood on equally oppressive ground.
Samurai Training Under Twin Suns
Not only is it beautiful, but this scene is also filled with references. The shots of sword-work training before a sunset are reminiscent of many Samurai films, dating from Kurosawa (an original influence for George Lucas, making this a double-Easter egg) up to more recent films like The Last Samurai.
The scene also featured twin suns setting in the background. While Kaller’s exact star system (or any other detail) is not disclosed here, the twin suns are a clear callback to Tattooine and the original Star Wars. When Luke Skywalker stands with the twin suns of his home planet setting, you know his journey is just beginning – it’s his true call-to-arms. Likewise, this is the last true moment of peace for Kanan.
Commander Grey, The Time Has Come…
Oh, Order 66. We knew for a long time that it was the moment that turned the Clones against the Jedi and almost exterminated them. We didn’t know until The Clone Wars just how heartbreaking that was.
In the final moments of this first issue, Chancellor (soon to be Emperor) Palpatine, hooded in his Darth Sidious persona, calls up Clone Commander Grey, and executes Order 66. With three words, Grey is turning against the Jedi he was just joking and laughing with. It sets us up nicely for the utter devastation that’s going to open issue #2.
What other references did you catch in Kanan: The Last Padawan? Let us know below!
