Published: May 27, 2020 (digital release May 4, 2020)
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Penciler: Marika Cresta
Colour Artist: Racehlle Rosenberg
Cover Artist: Valentina Remenar
The synopsis;
NEW CREW, NEW MISSION! With the Rebel Alliance back on the run after their defeat at the Battle of Hoth, it’s never been a more dangerous time for outlaws, scoundrels and the errant rogue archaeologist to make their way in the galaxy. But after a string of bad luck and near escapes, DOCTOR APHRA is back on the job! She’s been keeping a low profile – jobs are scarce and credits scarcer. But the promise of the score of a lifetime is a chance too good for her to pass up. And to find the cursed RINGS OF VAALE, Aphra will need a crew of treasure hunters the likes of which the galaxy has never seen before! But RONEN TAGGE, heir to the powerful Tagge family, also has his eyes on the prize. Do Aphra and her team stand a chance at fortune and glory?
The review;
Doctor Aphra is back! And technically she has been back for a few weeks but with the current climate as it is, saving this review until the physical copies of the comic were released in stores seemed the most responsible thing to do. The last series of Doctor Aphra, originally written by Kieron Gillen and then Si Spurrier, was a rollercoaster of a ride. Just when things looked like they would be finished, a whole new, interesting storyline would come along. There wasn’t anything quite like it. But for me, the thing that kept drawing me back was the love story between Aphra and Tolvan. Love story might be too strong a phrase, love disaster might be better, but it is one of the most compelling romances found in Star Wars. It never felt forced, it felt fluid and it really had that constant Ross and Rachel feel of will they, won’t they? To have Aphra back in a new series has me very excited (and on the heels of the news of the new audio drama out this summer). I don’t know how it will be different, what will be the same, but my expectations are high…
Who is Aphra? She was always supposed to be a space archaeologist hunting for things around the galaxy. Of course, as soon as those words are spoken, an image of Indiana Jones crossed with, well, with himself, Han Solo, probably come to mind. The last series of Aphra tried to show this, but the interference of the Rebels and the Empire kept getting in the way. This isn’t to say the stories were bad, they weren’t, but the character had gotten in so deep with enemies that the original idea for the series had become left behind. Wong takes the story right back to those first roots, to that feeling that this story should be Indiana Jones in space (with a bit of Aphra flair thrown in). And that is exactly what you get. Apart from the first few pages, which Wong uses as a prologue to show the reader when this is set, the Empire, the Rebels, they are gone. It’s a bold move by Wong yet it’s one that will pay off. This issue has a very different feel to the old series, already setting itself apart. This is about what Aphra does best, finding things to make a living. Through her, the reader gets to learn more about teh galaxy, about the planets that inhabit it.
Through this, we also get to learn more about Aphra. Wong already introduces us to the Shadow University, that pays Aphra for her finds; to Eustacia, a former classmate of Aphra and to Ronen Tagge who has a past with Aphra. There is a lot of backstory that promises to be filled in by Wong, something that will please fans. Yet, as much as we’re going to be finding out new things about Aphra, the recurring theme in this issue is that things have not changed. That although there is a new writer, a new artist, that this is still the same character that fans have fallen in love with. From the very first pages, it is obvious that Wong means to follow through with this promise, that Aphra is still Aphra. She still has her wit and she still doesn’t trust anyone. Wong also reminds us that Aphra still bears this weight on her shoulder of those she has lost. That although they are still out there, she has condemned herself to stay away because it is what is best for them, not her. It is the one selfless thing that Aphra has ever done. To have them out of the way, the same with the Empire and Rebels, will allow Wong to explore the character from a point of view we have been promised but rarely seen.
For all this talk of keeping things the same, Aphra does have a new team. The only familiar face is Black krrsantan, who I’m glad is still present. Lucky is a new face but seems to have a detailed past with Aphra and knows exactly the type of person she is. We also have Detta joining the story, my suspicious mind can’t help but think she is far more than she seems. And where would a team be without a droid. In this comic we don’t see much of TA-418 but I’m sure that’s to come. The little droid has a lot to live up to, following in the footsteps of Bee-Tee and Triple Zero. There is a lot of foundation work that Wong is setting up and everything I’m seeing shows huge potential and has me interested, very interested.
Which brings me to the other new addition, the new Ark Angel. The design of the ship is stunning, showing similarities with the quad-jumper in The Force Awakens. I put this design down to artist Marika Cresta, who shows a very distinctive style throughout this issue. This is not like the old Aphra and I think it’s good that there is all change. Cresta allows you to feel like you are in a world with detail everywhere, yet also focusing in on small groups. You can almost feel the background noise fade away in these panels. It’s a fresh style that I think will breathe new life into Aphra. And if the deisgn of the Ark Angel is to go by, I can’t wait to see what else Cresta comes up with. I should note, we talk about an artist and never say much about the colour artist! Yet here, I want to. Rachelle Rosenberg brings out Crest’s work and her use of colour really grabbed my attention. At the bar in the Shadow University, you can really see the colour come through, to have it dull and ancient in a few short panels after. And this is but one example. The changes through the different places in this comic are unique and noticeable. I would be remiss not to comment on how well done they are!
A legend filled with curses, money to made by selling artifacts to a university and danger lurking around every corner. Yes, this could be about any of the Indiana Jones movies, but it also describes this new arc. I love that Wong has stripped Aphra right back, has moved Aphra’s attachments, the Empire, the Rebellion, all out of the way so she can focus on the reason every reader is here, Aphra. Everything is the same, but everything is new. It comes up time and again in the comic and that is exactly what we are getting. Wong has set the tone of this series and created an incredible first issue to really whet the appetite of any Star Wars fan to where this series could lead. And that is what we have at the moment, a world (or galaxy) of possibilities. My expectations were high to begin with, but Wong has moved that expectation even higher. If you are in need of some new Star Wars, then look no further. Even better, look no further than your local comic store for this issue, who are in dire need of fans support at the moment. There are several variant covers to lure you in, my favourite having to be the gorgeous Hoth based one by Ashley Witter. Until next time…
Availability;
Doctor Aphra #1 is the start of the second series in this title available from Marvel. This issue is available via the Marvel App and all good comic bookstores and retails at $3.99.
