Sometimes it seems like no matter how many “Star Wars” stories I read, I’m missing something. Part of this is because there are many unexplored areas of lore in the Legends timeline, but part of it is because some plot and character points were chronicled off the beaten path.
A prime example is the young Twi’lek Jedi Xiann Amersu in the “Republic” comics. Although I read every issue, including the “Jedi” spinoff series, I felt like Xiann was suddenly thrown into the mix as someone who is inexplicably close to main characters Aayla Secura and Quinlan Vos. After being an unnamed orphaned Padawan in “The Hunt for Aurra Sing,” she pops up again in the “Aayla” issue of “Jedi” and “Republic’s” “Siege at Saleucami” (Issues 74-77) arc, where she nobly sacrifices herself in a space battle.
But it turns out Xiann does have an introductory story; you just have to hunt for it. It’s in “Heart of Fire” (2001), a four-page comic serialized in “Dark Horse Extra” Issues 35-37 and collected in the “Menace Revealed” omnibus (2009). (You can find the omnibus for much cheaper than the “Extra” issues.)
John Ostrander’s story is set between “Republic’s” “Twilight” and “Darkness” arcs, when Aayla is off flirting with the dark side. The titular gem symbolizes a bond between giver and receiver; Quin had given it to Aayla, Aayla gave it to Xiann, and now Xiann gives it to Quin. Further making a reader feel out of the loop, Quin recounts adventures with Aayla that we never saw portrayed. But in explaining that Xiann looks up to Aayla as a positive Twi’lek female role model, “Heart of Fire” brings the young Jedi more fully into the saga.
The other “Dark Horse Extra” four-pager from the Episode I-to-II era, “Poison Moon” (2002), is less important to the overall narrative, but it’s weirdly notable for being the only original Anakin-and-Obi-Wan comic in that time period. (“Jedi Quest” is an adaptation of a young-adult novel.) Originally published in “Extra” Issues 44-47 and later collected in “Menace Revealed,” “Poison Moon” is Michael Carriglitto’s only “Star Wars” writing credit.
The story finds the duo investigating a crashed ship on an asteroid. Jedi Alysun Celz claims to be transporting Dark Jedi Et Rex to Coruscant to face trial, but in reality, she’s the Dark Jedi and Et Rex is innocent. The adventure allows Obi-Wan to remind his Padawan that appearances can be deceiving.
Because “Menace Revealed” – which also includes four other oddball comics, the Hasbro “Attack of the Clones” tie-ins — can be found fairly cheaply, you might want to pick it up in order to get these oddities and then sell your redundant comics to make some of the money back.