Comic Review: Tales from the Nightlands #2 – Happy Halloween!
The Nightlander returns - this time to haunt Luke Skywalker.
By
Oct 22, 2025
Dark Horse Comics/Youtini Illustration
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Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Vincenzo Riccardi
Publisher summary:
After his defeat on Cloud City, Luke Skywalker is tormented by Darth Vader's revelation. Is the Dark Lord of the Sith really his father? When a nightmare suggests otherwise, Luke can't resist the opportunity to investigate…and comes face-to-face with…the Nightlander!
Dark Horse Comics
Why it matters: Continuing the grand tradition of Jedi facing their fears, Cavan Scott and Vincenzo Riccardi tell one of the most stunning scary stories in Star Wars history.
Key moments:
Amazing visuals: The true star of this comic is not Luke Skywalker, it’s Vincenzo Riccardi. His art is beyond beautiful, with dreamlike flourishes and a style that is unique among the long history of amazing Star Wars artists. It’s no surprise that Riccardi won our 2024 Youtinee for Best Comic Artist, and it looks like he’s poised to do it again.
Like father, like son: The complex parallels between Luke and Anakin is the backbone of the Skywalker Saga. Rather than focus on a Luke vs Vader battle, Cavan Scott emphasizes how similar Luke is to Anakin, one of the greatest Jedi to ever live.
Menacing villain: The Nightlander is a perfect vehicle for this anthology story. Beyond the clever cyclical nature of her character that allows for a cross-era throughline, the fear-based foe offers ample opportunity to dig into what makes our heroes tick.
Dark Horse Comics
The big picture:
He’s done it again. Cavan Scott always delivers in his Star Wars storytelling, regardless of the format, but these annual Halloween anthologies are where he really shines. With the setup of who the Nightlander is out of the way, this second issue goes all-in on fear and existential crisis. Scott captures Luke perfectly here, balanced between the headstrong optimist from Empire Strikes Back and the fearless Jedi master in Return of the Jedi. Ultimately, though, it’s a story of family (even if they don’t know it yet). In facing his fears, Luke is reminded of the importance of sticking together and why Leia is still by his side.
As great as the story is, this comic would be an all-time classic even without any words. Vincenzo Riccardi is one of the most interesting artists working in Star Wars comics right now–perhaps ever. As seen in his previous collab with Scott in Tales from the Death Star and the fantastic High Republic: Echoes of Fear, Riccardi has a unique vision for this galaxy. Somehow, fifty years after the Original Trilogy, he’s finding a new way to portray these characters that feels both fresh and still true to the films. His layouts, blurring lines between action and nightmare, are unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Take the Dagobah cave scene from Empire, dial it up to 11, and render it in a psychedelic color pallet, and you’ve got Tales from the Nightlands #2.
Our rating: Masterpiece
What’s next: Unfortunately, there’s only one issue of Nightlands left to go. Issue #3 is in stores November 19th.
Oz Davis is a co-host of The Cosmic Force and Bounty Hunt at Youtini. He's kept up with every Canon release since 2014 and has a particular soft spot for lesser-known books like "Servants of the Empire." As part of Youtini's "Dad Batch," he's also developed an affinity for the multitude of Star Wars children's books, and he's always looking to expand his collection.
