next comic on the review backlog is Thrawn from 2018. Published by Marvel, writer Jody Houser, penciller Luke Ross, Colorist Nolan Woodard. Technically an adaptation of the novel of the same name (which I have not read yet) which does explain, I think, some of the weirder pacing problems in the later issues.
A blisteringly good opening few issues gives way to a messier, but still very entertaining, final arc, in a comfortably bite-size six issue total run.
Not quite as overall solid narratively as some of the others I’ve read, but the incredible usage of 80s-style comic framing and beautiful, moody colorwork elevates it beyond most of the others in this collection. I feel like colorists never get enough kudos, so taking this moment to say that Nolan Woodard's work in this is absolutely stellar. Check out this page spread from issue #1:

Thrawn is an incredible character and this series really gives him a good foothold, even if the final chapters are mostly “prequel to his appearance in Rebels”. Seeing this guy worm his way into the Imperial bureaucracy by basically being twice as good as anyone else is truly fun as hell. I really liked this comic!!
read this if you, like me, wanted to see what New Thrawn was all about, if you read the Thrawn novels and wanted them illustrated, if you want to see Thrawn and Eli Vanto doing weird military flirting, or you're into Imperial Era storytelling especially as leadup to Rebels.
