Originally published on Patreon
Over the course of this five issue series we've been getting snapshots into different periods of Obi-Wan's life, seeing him at his best, exemplifying the qualities that make him a good person, and a good Jedi. And in this issue we see him in his final days as he continues to try and do some good in the galaxy.
Taking place in the present for the first time, now that the sandstorm has passed, there are no flashbacks this issue. Instead we get to spend some time with Old Ben. Following the sandstorm, Obi-Wan discovers that parts of his home were damaged, and sets out to trade with the Jawas for replacement parts.
At the same time, the Imperial garrison have discovered that Tusken Raiders broke in during the storm and stole some supplies. A group of Stormtroopers are sent out to get them back, leading the Imperials into a deadly ambush with the Tuskens that results in all but one of them dead. Obi-Wan finds the remains, scavenges some pieces, and decides to help the wounded Imperial, even if it means exposing what he is.
This issue showcases the kindness and decency of Obi-Wan. He's in a situation where he cannot afford to be found, where his mission to protect Luke is the most important thing to him; yet he's willing to put that in danger in order to help a wounded man who'd die if he didn't.
I'm sure most people would say it's a foolish risk, that he could have just walked away and left him and it would have been the right thing; but Obi-Wan has learnt throughout his life, and the stories he's told us here, that sometimes taking the risk to do the right thing is the better move, because it makes the galaxy a better place.
This, to me, is the good side to the Jedi, the thing that they perhaps began to loose by the time we met them during the prequel era. They're people that are willing to put themselves at risk, they're the kind of people who will lower their weapon and help someone who is very likely their enemy, because its the right thing to do. We see this reflected across Star Wars, situations where the smart move is to kill someone, to eliminate the threat, but instead they show some kindness, and eventually it changes that person, makes them see that they're on the wrong side, and that they can bring some goodness into the galaxy. It's how the Rebel Alliance had so many Imperial defectors.
Obi-Wan is a decent person, one of the best the Jedi ever had, and this issue shows why. But it also acts as the perfect conclusion to the series. We've seen him learning hard lessons, being put in dangerous situations, and now, when there's no danger to him, when he could easily walk away and nothing bad would happen to him, he makes the choice he does because of that past, because of those hard taught lessons.
This series definitely had some ups and downs, but between this and issue four, the series absolutely ends on a high note.
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