Between the Panels

The Force. In Star Wars there is this unseen thing in the galaxy that everyone is connected to, but only few have been able to tap into its power.  Some use this power for good, to aid others; while others use it for control, for selfish goals. One of my favourite moments in the use of the force is with the character Chirrut Imwe: a blind man who joins in the fight to get the plans for the Death Star. Now Chirrut doesn't use any cool force abilities (Force push, jump, hold, etc.); the awesome thing that happens is that he trusts that the force will guide him in his fight.  The big moment is when he walks out in the open toward a bunch of Stormtroopers to help get his ship up in running. As he is walking, he repeats out loud "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me." and he does not get shot in all that time as he is walking toward his goal.  Once he accomplishes his task, he sadly dies because of an explosion, but his brother (who has not believed in the Force) star

Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious is one heck of a vile bad guy in Star Wars.  This half-baked (quite literally due to his own force lightning) person who seized control of the entire galaxy in one felt swoop, didn't operate as obviously as he does later in saga.  Palpatine seems, at first, like a genuine caring chancellor that is trying to fight for the freedoms of a planet in the Republic.  However, over time, his rise to position and power shows more and more of his hand for complete dominance and authority.  It's through the rise of Anakin Skywalker , that we see more of the inSidious (see what I did there) plot to manipulate this powerful rising Jedi Knight to become his greatest servant for his will.  Anakin only wanted to grow in power to save his wife from a premonition he had about her death in child birth.  Palpatine saw this desire of power and used it for himself to create confusion in Anakin as well as giving him the promise of gaining power to save his wife. Thi

If you have been following Star Wars content since 2019, you have likely heard of the series The Mandalorian . Some people have mixed reviews on the latest content, but I want to get into what has become The Mandalorian's most iconic line " This is the way ". Within the series, you find out that the Mandalorians were a group of people who had been eradicated by the Empire for their precious metals to make weapons and use for currency.  One of the things that added to the Mandalorian culture was their strict adherence to certain rules, which acted as a pathway for them in all that they did.  This path would often be affirmed with other Mandalorians in the uttering "This is the way". Part of these tenants was not removing your helmet, devotion to family and the Mandalorian race, as well as being prepared as one global warrior clan.  The Way was something that was taught at birth and driven to the very identity of your being. The most notable marking of a Mandalor

Han and Chewie .  Arguably one, if not, the most iconic duos in cinematic history.  These "scruffy looking nerf herders" are always side-by-side, hip deep in troubles of their own making. Whether it's smuggling goods, or flying in a barrage of enemy TIE fighters; these two have each others backs.  As a nerd it makes collecting a bit of a nightmare when you can find that awesome Han Solo figure, but you know you can't just have Han without his first mate/co-pilot Chewie.  Even the show Chuck , demonstrates this through the parting of two friends; one taking the Han Solo figure and the other Chewie. These two friends felt it was just wrong to separate the two figures, like it felt wrong to part as friends. Han and Chewie have seen good times and bad, but they always had each other.  I remember the biggest gut punch was when Han Solo died in episode seven, but an even bigger hit was hearing Chewie's lamenting cry and rage poor out at the loss of his friend.  They w

Rebellion: it has such a negative connotation to it doesn't it?  When I think of the word "rebellion" I immediately get a vibe of misfits that are causing a ruckus.  Rebellion though in it's true form, more often than not is about pushing back against something, usually a misjustice.  When you hear "rebel" as a nerd, you might get the image of Han Solo, Princess Leah, or the Rogue Squadrons of Star Fighters! In those films and stories, to be a rebel was important in fighting against the darkness of the Empire and the Dark Side itself.  Being a Rebel was making a clear stand that something needs to change that the oppression happening must be stopped. This is why Empire Strikes Back is one of the most popular Star Wars films for most fans.  There is a clear vantage point that the Rebels are a small group and the Empire is a genuine threat to their very existence: the Empire cannot win. One of my favourite lines from Star Wars: Rogue One was from the main char