Star Wars: The Phantom Menace hit theaters on May 19, 1999 to kick-off the prequel trilogy. Now, 25 years later we celebrate this momentous occasion with a one-shot comic, Star Wars: Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special. Those fans for the prequels, rejoice…others not so much.

In the special we explore the earliest days and secret inner life of Anakin Skywalker with never-before-seen stories set before, after and between the scenes of the feature film!

The one-shot is surely not going to win over critics of Episodes I-III, it seems this comic was made for those super-fans of The Phantom Menace. The special breezes through scenes from the film while not adding much depth with new stories. It’s fun to relive moments from Episode I for those who have seen the movie and hold it close to their hearts, which is likely the intended audience in the first place.

The big standout from the comic is the artwork from Will Sliney, a Star Wars comic veteran. His illustrations bring to life familiar characters and settings in a way that feels authentic to Episode I. Additionally, Guru-eFX‘s coloring adds a cinematic quality that transports readers back to that galaxy far, far away.

Nothing about this one-shot is revolutionary, but is a fun nod to The Phantom Menace fans. Stories by Greg Pak about Anakin Skywalker’s life, from his dreams as a Jedi to interactions with characters on Tatooine. The intent was to add context and depth, but ultimately just seemed a flat.

Star Wars: Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1 offers an enjoyable nostalgic trip back to The Phantom Menace for those die-hard fans. While not groundbreaking and does not significantly expand on existing lore, it serves as a great love letter to one of the most polarizing films in the Skywalker Saga.

Star Wars: Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1 hit local comic shops on May 1, 2024.