Star Wars: Rogue One – Cassian Andor #1 Is a Barebones – Yet Entertaining – Cash-In (Review)

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While Star Wars has faced criticism lately, there was a lot of excitement when Disney first acquired the franchise. Films like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the series Andor proved that Star Wars could be innovative and set a high standard for new content. With the 10th anniversary of Rogue One approaching, Marvel is releasing prequel books focusing on characters like Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor. Given the positive response to Andor, fans are especially eager to read the upcoming issue centered around the character of Cassian Andor, which is being released this week.

The first issue of Star Wars: Rogue One – Cassian Andor, from writer Benjamin Percy and artist Luke Ross, reveals the backstory of how Cassian was found, as seen in the movie. While enjoyable, the single issue feels a bit thin for a complete story.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Percy’s story is well-paced and has cool moments This doesn’t really feel like a comic that needs to exist
Ross’s art captures the Star Wars feel it needs to Ross’s Andor always looks somewhat off

Percy Entertains, but This Story Didn’t Really Need to Exist

Andor was a truly exceptional show. While Rogue One was enjoyable, it simply doesn’t compare to its spin-off – very few shows or movies reach that level of quality. A comic book featuring Cassian Andor might seem like a natural continuation, but it faces high expectations after the show’s compelling storytelling. The first issue of Star Wars: Rogue One – Cassian Andor will likely attract fans eager for more of the show’s depth, but it ultimately delivers something closer in tone to the movie – fun, but not essential.

Benjamin Percy is a talented superhero writer, particularly known for his work on darker characters like Wolverine and Deadpool. He seemed like a great fit for a story about Cassian Andor, but this comic feels surprisingly thin. It simply retreads familiar ground, showing the mission we already saw in the show, his encounter with a bounty hunter, and Kaytoo’s rescue. The issue ends where we first met Cassian, leaving Percy with little room to add anything new or interesting. It feels purely like a prequel, which is a letdown considering Percy’s abilities – he could have explored a different period in Andor’s life. Throughout the entire comic, I didn’t get the sense that this was a story that needed to be told, and that’s a significant issue.

Ross’s Art Is Mostly Good, but There Are Some Problems

Luke Ross is a veteran comic book artist who’s worked on countless superhero titles, and he’s incredibly adaptable. A real highlight of Marvel taking over the Star Wars comics has been seeing artists like Ross get to illustrate that universe. And for the most part, he does a fantastic job. His spaceships look excellent, his depiction of the Rebel base on Yavin IV is spot-on, and the comic features some truly impressive visuals. However, there are a few areas where the artwork falls a little short.

My main issue with the artwork is how Cassian is drawn, which is problematic since he’s a central character. The artist clearly tried to make him look like Diego Luna, but his face sometimes looks really odd. It feels like the artist didn’t have enough reference photos from all angles, leading to moments where the entire face is shown when only a portion should be visible. While it’s great that the artist was aiming for a realistic portrayal, it unfortunately often looks unnatural.

While Rogue One and Andor have been highlights since Disney took over the Star Wars franchise, this comic book feels like a letdown. The creative team of Percy and Ross is usually excellent, but this issue doesn’t quite work. It’s passable, light entertainment for Star Wars fans, but ultimately feels unnecessary.

Star Wars: Rogue One – Cassian Andor #1 is on sale now.

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2026-05-06 16:10