Clone Wars - Volume 5: The Best Blades "Dead Ends" by: John Ostrander, pencilled by: Brandon Badeaux, inked by: Armando Durruthy "Bloodlines" by: John Ostrander, art by: Brandon Badeaux "Hate and Fear" and "No Man's Land" by: Haden Blackman, art by: Tomas Giorello "The Best Blades" by: Jeremy Barlow, art by: HOON, Ramiro Montanez, and Stacy Michalcewicz

Summary: The violence of the Clone Wars has left no one untouched. Even representatives to the Galactic Senate have to fight for their lives, as well as their ideals, and the Jedi themselves are drawn ever deeper into the kinds of situations their own teachings urge them to avoid. It is a dark time for the galaxy, and the darkness serves as camouflage for those who would manipulate all sides in the conflict. It is a time when every sword must be drawn for battle. The Best Blades Fortunately, there are rays of hope: the events of the Clone Wars have steeled the resolve of some who will one day help lead the galaxy to a new order; one of the Separatists' great leaders is handed a crushing personal defeat; and a hero of the Republic, believed lost, is returned. But as Master Yoda knows, even the best blades cannot survive constant use. Review:   More power for Palpatine, Obi-Wan returns, and Yoda is forced into killing a close friend. It's a good set of tales, we finally get to learn about what happened with Obi-Wan and Alpha after Ventress captured them on Jabiim. Plus, we learn more of Palpatine's deceit. We see that the previous Naboo senator and an assassin attempting to kill Palpatine after he became Supreme Chancellor, the reason that he got his own personal guards, used the same weapon to kill themselves. Thus implying they were of the same origin, and of course the implication that Palpatine planned it all along. We also see what happened to Valorum after Palpatine replaced him as Supreme Chancellor. And we see his death... An enjoyable book. I think Yoda's story, "The Best Blades" was my favorite. It held the most emotion and showed how the war was affecting the younger Jedi. Back to the Rise of the Empire Era. Back to Star Wars Eras.