Have you seen this Jedi?
I remember seeing Star Wars IV: A New Hope when it first came out in theatres. I was just a child then, but from the very beginning Obi-Wan Kenobi was and is my favorite Star Wars character. I can still remember having his action figure that was released after the movie. I can’t say that I’ve read every Star Wars story out there or every one featuring my favorite Jedi, but I sure hope that after this column is read that more stories featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi will be published.
Some have referred to him as a “hermit” or “old Ben” but if the whereabouts of this exiled Jedi Knight were to get out, all could have been lost. Some of his accomplishments have been chronicled in the Star Wars universe of comic books that is published by Dark Horse, but much of his life and his lineage has continued to remain a mystery.
What was his life like being in exile from the Empire? Surely, he didn’t live like a monk the whole time while he was watching Luke Skywalker grow up. Did he live under assumed names? Did he ever marry? How many children did he have? At what point would he have had to give all that up? Who are some that have come from the Kenobi clan that have lived throughout the centuries but under assumed names? At what point did a Kenobi come out and take his rightful place as an heir to Obi-Wan? These are just some of the questions that can be asked to help build on the legacy that is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Being a comic publisher, Dark Horse has a great opportunity to enrich the Star Wars line with the life and times of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the generations that would follow him. Without a doubt, this is one of the most underused characters in the Star Wars universe when compared to Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader or Han Solo just to name a few. After all, isn’t Obi-Wan Kenobi regarded as one of the greatest Jedi ever? Here’s to hoping the folks at Dark Horse will take the time not just to consider bringing Obi-Wan Kenobi to the forefront of the Star Wars universe… but ACTUALLY doing it.
On a final note, this is my FIRST column that I have done…EVER! I hope you enjoyed reading this. My purpose in doing these articles is to spotlight characters that are not being used, underused or being used completely wrong. Hopefully, as I continue to do this, you will find this column to be helpful in pointing out areas in which the comic industry can do better for us… the FANS!!!!!
Your comments on this article will be greatly appreciated!
Next Week: WANTED…SQUADRON SUPREME!
stephen@comicattack.net
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Great job, Stephen! Obi-Wan is one of the greatest characters.
Very good article first off and I can’t wait to see who’s next! I agree that there should be a lot more exposure to Obi-Wan…i mean just how many Luke, Han, Vader, Ewok stories do we actually need? Give those guys a break and give us more Obi!
“There’s never been a more retched hive of scum and villainy.”
He’s a character you have to be kind of careful with, though. There was a game being made (that got axed) that depicted a Sith version of Kenobi which, while interesting, didn’t really sit right with me personally.
Personally I rather enjoy the mystery around him. I don’t really want his entire life time explored. Nor do I want him exploited out into every possible thing they could shove him in to.
I Sith Kenobi? What game was this!?
Star Wars Battlefront III, I believe. Which was canceled when the studio making it (Free Radical) shut down.
Sith Ben? meh…sounds like they were just reaching lol But I’m kind of on the same page with you about Ben’s history but i’d like a little but no over exposure…i’m on the fence with Yoda as well i’m cool with the fact that after 5 movies and countless books we still know very little about the guy
I don’t think anyone ever likes seeing a character over exposed or exploited, unless maybe you’re a HARD core fan of that character. I really like Obi-Wan and I wouldn’t mind seeing a little bit more about what he was up to all that time.
Maybe a little one-shot with a peek at what Obi-Wan was doing would be cool. Not erasing the mystery, but giving fans a little more info.
Great article, Stephen!