Last month, during TFAW’s massive Holiday Sale, I would not help but look around, greedily buying books I had not read before for drastically reduced prices. While I was browsing, however, I ran into a book that was a cherished part of my childhood, a little Star Wars book called Tag and Bink are Dead. Click on beyond the cut to hear about me gush about one of my favorite star Wars stories of all time. I promise you won’t regret it.
There are only two questions I need to ask you in gauging your need to read this book. They are as follows:
- Do you like Star Wars?
- Do you like Monty Python or Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead?
You might be a little confused. What do the popular British comedy troupe consisting of John Cleese and Terry Gilliam among others or a Shakespearean parody have to do with a Star Wars comic at all?
The answer to that is simple: this book’s main premise is Star Wars meets Life of Brian.
Now, I have not seen Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead, so I can’t comment directly upon that work (although what research i did tells me it’s certainly apt), but I have seen Life of Brian. If you remember Life of Brian, the movie’s central concept is that of a character named Brian whose life ran parallel to that of Jesus Christ, even though they never met directly. The central story of Tag and Bink is similar, as they don’t appear anywhere in the main story if you’ve only seen the movies, but as this story presents, they influence the story in ways you’ve seen, but didn’t consider.
For example: do you remember those two TIE Fighters that ambushed the Millennium Falcon when they first discovered the destruction of Alderaan? They just happen to be our heroes Tag and Bink. The same goes for that pair of Stormtroopers that Obi-Wan Kenobi distracts when he deactivates the shield generator. These subtle nods to the original movies give them a whole new watchability, and a great new humorous subtext. One of my favorite portions of the story is when it takes a dark turn, as you find out just how Many Bothans died to bring the Rebellion that vital information in Return of the Jedi. You might be confused at first, but then when you realize how subtle the humor is, you can’t help but smile. This brilliant and underappreciated story in the Star Wars Mythology could not have been possible without the contributions of a popular fan-contributor, Kevin Rubio.
Creator of one of the most popular fan films of all time, TROOPS (itself a mash up of Star Wars and COPS), Rubio knows how to add to the Star Wars franchise in unique ways. His humor is certainly evident throughout his work, and it adds to the story in new ways. His grasp of the buddy comedy works well, and it’s shown through the chemistry between Tag and Bink themselves and their weaving invisibly through the seams of the original trilogy.
The art, provided my Lucas Marangon, a long time Dark Horse artist, blends itself well into the story, with great comedic timing and winning reactions that are necessary in a comedy like this one. The pages are bright and fun to look at, and those sight gags make each panel a treat to behold. Be on the look-out not only for Hitchhiker’s Guide references, but Battlestar Galactica and even normal pop-culture references (what Rubio and Maragnon’s obsession with the Big Boy brand is, I’ll never know, but it’s funny to imagine what kind of fast food might be on The Death Star)
So really, if you’re a fan of Star Wars and Life of Brian (or Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead), there’s no reason this can’t be in your collection. Even if you’re “simply” a fan of those stories that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away, you should do yourself a favor and check this out. The Amazon link is here, and while you’re at it, watch TROOPS again. It’s always a good time for a laugh, right?
