Star Wars: Rogue One — Jyn Erso #1 Shows the Force is Still Strong in the Comics (Review)

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It feels like we’re constantly talking about the future of Star Wars, especially since Disney took over. Currently, The Mandalorian and Grogu isn’t performing as well as hoped, and some fans are worried about the franchise. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I’ve seen this happen before – periods where things seem down, but there’s always something to appreciate. Looking ahead, 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Disney’s Lucasfilm is letting Marvel create prequel comics focusing on the film’s characters. Rogue One is a fan favorite, and it even spawned Andor, which many consider the best Star Wars story ever told.

The Andor tie-in comic started well, but the newest issue focuses on Jyn Erso, a compelling character from the movie. Surprisingly, the story, which takes place during her time in an Imperial prison—a potentially dull setting—is actually a really exciting Star Wars adventure. Ethan Sacks and Ramon Rosana have crafted a fantastic tale that proves there are still compelling stories to be told in the Star Wars universe.

Rating: 3.5

Pros Cons
Sacks takes a pretty standard Star Wars story and makes it sing The issue could have used about ten more pages to develop its plot
Rosana is able to avoid the Larocca Problem with his photo-realistic art The story is entertaining, but it’s also cliche as all get out
Overall, this is an exciting comic that gets a lot right The ending doesn’t really make sense

Sacks Reminds Readers of What a Star Wars Story Can Be

Ethan Sacks is known for his work on the more hopeful, Jedi-focused stories in the Star Wars High Republic era, so it might be surprising to see him excel at a darker, more intense tale. But this issue proves he can deliver a classic, fast-paced action story – a prison break – with real energy and excitement. He really nails the character of Erso, perfectly capturing her cynical outlook while still hinting at the person she once was, and will become again. The story has a nostalgic feel, reminding me of the short, adventure-focused stories I enjoyed in the Star Wars Adventure Journal from the 1990s – and I loved that!

Okay, so this issue was a fun read, but it definitely had a few bumps. The biggest issue, and it’s something I noticed with Andor too, is that it felt a little rushed. The story keeps moving, which is good, but I really think it could have used a few more pages to breathe. Take the escape sequence, for example – it felt way too easy. A riot and then poof, they’re away on a speeder? It had the potential to be thrilling, but it just didn’t quite get there. Honestly, the whole thing feels pretty predictable. We’ve seen these characters and situations before. And the ending? It felt a little forced. Logically, the Empire should have dealt with Jyn much more harshly after everything that happened. These flaws definitely hold it back from being great, but it’s still an enjoyable issue overall.

Rosana’s Art Is Able to Look Like the Movies Without Falling in the Uncanny Valley

A common issue with Star Wars comics adapting the films is that the artists sometimes prioritize realism too much. I refer to this as the “Larocca Problem,” named after artist Salvador Larocca, who worked on titles like Star Wars: Darth Vader and the main Star Wars comic. His work often appeared as if it was directly traced from movie stills. Artist Ramon Rosanas seems to be aiming for a similar level of realism in his Star Wars art, but unlike Larocca, his work doesn’t give the impression of being traced.

The artist, Rosana, clearly studied Felicity Jones’ performance as Jyn Erso and brilliantly translated that into a comic book version of the character. It’s a surprisingly difficult task to capture an actor’s essence on the page, and Rosana does it exceptionally well. The storytelling flows naturally thanks to strong character work, clean page designs, and dynamic action sequences. While the artwork isn’t flawless – some details are a little rough – it’s hardly distracting unless you’re specifically looking for imperfections, which, admittedly, is part of my job.

I’d enjoy seeing more prequel stories featuring the characters from Rogue One, but I wish they were a bit longer. Thankfully, this comic uses its short length to deliver a fun prison escape story. It’s not groundbreaking, but it really feels like classic Star Wars, which has been missing from a lot of recent content. Sacks and Rosana are a strong creative team, and even with a few minor flaws, this issue is sure to please.

Star Wars: Rogue One: Jyn Erso #1 is on sale now.

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2026-06-03 16:47