Published: March 2, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Penciler: Marco Castiello & Ramon Rosanas
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan & Rachelle Rosenberg
The synopsis;
STRANDED ON A STAR DESTROYER!
After a mission gone wrong, ace Rebel pilot SHARA BEY (POE DAMERON’S mother) was left for dead aboard the TARKIN’S WILL, a huge Star Destroyer. Shara survived and has been hiding deep inside the massive ship ever since, evading COMMANDER ZAHRA’S notice. But her time is up. Can she live long enough to escape?
The review;
This series has been a treat for a fan who grew up with the Original Trilogy. Last issue was no exception, biding the gap between the films and The High Republic. And then? Nothing, two months of no Star Wars, oh how I have felt that duration! Returning but far from where we left, we are no longer focusing on Luke, but back to the other storyline that Soule set up last year, that of Shara Bey. Although I am really enjoying Soule’s look at Luke’s development, I’m actually looking forward to the break, to getting back to the issues with the Rebellion.
And a break is what this issue is. The comic catches readers up and what has been happening with Shara. Compared to the last few issues of the series, this is slow and quiet with barely any action. I say all this as a huge positive. It is easy to see that Soule is laying the groundwork for what will be an incredible next issue, with plenty of blaster fire, straighter battles and the like. The purpose of this part is to bring that emotional emphasis to the story, and that it does. The writing, the artwork, it all contributes to the main tone of the story: quiet. Everything in this issue is quiet. There are so many panels that have no text, that are simply Castiello and Rosanas leading the story through their artwork. Shara is having to sneak around and the atmosphere that Soule, Castiello and Rosanas create really adds to this sense of fear of discovery. More than that, you really get a sense of the loneliness that Shara is feeling. We haven’t seen everything that she has had to endure, the obstacles she’s had to overcome, but the comic itself lets us know that it has not been easy for her. The only time we really get much speech is back at the Rebellion where her message comes through. Having such quiet through most of the issue really highlights when that message appears and how much that contact is worth to Kes. It’s cleverly done and the effect superb.
Shara may be the main character in this issue, but Kes is also having to deal with her absence. Kes is determined to get his wife back, even inciting a rebellion within the Rebellion. Well, it is what they like to do! The pain he feels is the same as Leia, who I’m a little surprised we didn’t see more of in this comic. I can’t help thinking that Soule may have plans for her next issue (or it might just be me hoping). Soule is also able to bridge the gap between the Original and Sequel trilogies through Poe. The fact Shara uses the TK number of his birthday was a great touch by Soule.
Soule adds a vast amount of emotion to this issue yet for me, my favourite part was seeing the normal, run-of-the-mill life aboard a star destroyer. The officer who thinks he is everything and runs down the regular troopers. He’s the kind of boss that we all loathe, who seems to complain lots but doesn’t do much himself. Usually when we see the Empire it is through battle or diplomatic relations when everything is perfect. Here, Soule shows us the normality of life. Just because the Empire has order doesn’t mean it doesn’t have those idiots who think they run the place. The artwork from Castiello and Rosanas is a feast for the eyes. The interiors of the star destroyer, and particularly the hangar bay, just look incredible. For a ship which has interiors that are very monotonous and bland, they really know how to make you go “wow”.
Shara is good at what she does but a hero is only as good as the villain, in this case Ellian Zahra. From the moment Soule introduced her, she has felt unique and someone who really deserves to be in the Star Wars universe. I was a bit worried that Shara would have gone unnoticed, yet Zahra is too good for that, she knows when something on her ship isn’t right. She is a formidable foe, and she should be. Seeing her ethos around the ship, the reminders, are disturbing and yet really gives you insight to who she is as a character. Her entrance onto the shuttle is very worthy of her. And the Lambda Shuttle? Well, I’m already making links to Return of the Jedi.
It has been a long two months to wait for this issue, yet it has been worth it. What sets Star Wars apart from other films, are the quiet moments. Those moments like Chewbacca trying to fix Threepio on Bespin or Luke floating in a batch tank. This issue is Soule taking a whole issue for one of those moments and its beautiful. The quiet, the artwork, the sense of loneliness that is prevalent in the comic, it all works so well. This is one of those great examples where less is more. It’s a great catch up for any readers who haven’t read the series so far, for fans who have been keeping up, this is the calm before the storm, and I’d happily stay here for a little bit longer.
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App and all good comic bookstores.
