Ever since the announcement that we’d be getting a standalone one-shot for one of the most polarizing figures in Star Wars, I have been buzzing! I have been an unironic Jar Jar Binks fan since I first saw The Phantom Menace. There was something about the quirky, clumsy floppy eared creature that made me fall in love with him, and Gungans as a whole. While the rest of the world was busy meme-ing him into oblivion, I always saw a character with a heart of gold who just happened to be a magnet for chaos.
So, did Star Wars: Jar Jar (2026) #1 live up to the hype?
The Return of Ahmed Best
First things first—the biggest selling point for me was seeing Ahmed Best credited as a co-writer alongside Marc Guggenheim. After everything Ahmed has been through with this franchise, seeing him take the reins of Jar Jar’s narrative (and bringing his Mandalorian character, Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, along for the ride) feels like a beautiful full-circle moment. You can tell this story was written by someone who truly loves and understands the character.
The Story: Actions Have Consequences
The issue takes place during the Clone Wars and tackles a heavy subject: Jar Jar’s guilt over his role in granting Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers. It’s a “redemption” story that doesn’t shy away from his past mistakes.
The plot follows Jar Jar on a mission to the planet Urubai, where he teams up with Kelleran Beq to investigate a mining operation. Without spoiling too much, there is a massive lore drop involving Mira Bridger, the mother of - drum roll please - Ezra Bridger, and a secret communication network that hints at the very early foundations of the Rebel Alliance. Seeing Jar Jar transition from a “bumbling” senator to someone who is actually perceptive enough to see through Palpatine’s mask is great character development.
Artwork
The artwork is fantastic. Laura Braga and Kieran McKeown do an incredible job of balancing the “slapstick” physicality of Jar Jar with the more serious, photorealistic tones of the Jedi action. The colors make the world of Urubai feel distinct and vibrant. It is always so weird to me to bring up “color”, but they make a huge impact on what you are reading in comic books.
The Verdict
Is it a perfect comic book issue? Not quite. I felt like the dialogue could have been a bit better. However, that doesn’t mean it was bad by any stretch of the imagination. It is only volume one of the series, so there is a lot of set up that needs to happen to prop up the succeeding entries. I suppose what I am trying to say is it didn’t knock my socks off, but overall a very solid comic book issue.
If you’re a Prequel era fan or just want to see a great character piece co-written by the man who knows Jar Jar best (get it, Best), this is a very good read.
Overall Score: 7 out of 10
What did you think of Jar Jar’s team-up with Kelleran Beq? Is the Gungan finally redeemed in your eyes? Let me know in the comments below!