clone wars vol 1: the defense of kamino

Sacrifice (republic issue 49)

I always thought it was cool that the Clone Wars EU begins not with an epic battle or high-stakes Republic vs Separatist clash, but a small-stakes, character-driven piece set in an underworld space station. Sets the tone for some of the best Star Wars you'll ever see.  

The Battle of Kamino (republic issue 50)

And here's your epic battle. Sets the tone for the rest of the Republic run: John Ostrander and Jan Duursema in unreal form, and some fairly pedestrian stuff from everyone else. Smart to get the obvious "why don't the Separatists attack Kamino" out of the way early.

Jedi: Mace Windu

It's Ostrander and Duursema again. They make this stuff look so easy. Tightly plotted; character driven; rooted in wider storytelling (this works as a great companion peice to Shatterpoint; and all the time squirreling away nuggets for the future (in this case, Sora Bulq).