Published: August 17, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Andrés Genolet
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: E.M. Gist
The synopsis;
The Rebel Fleet is reunited at last, and Leia Organa, Mon Mothma and the other Alliance leaders send a strong message to the galaxy that the resistance to Palpatine’s rule remains as strong as ever. Meanwhile, Lady Qi’ra of Crimson Dawn has activated her sleeper agents across the galaxy, instructing them to cause chaos for the Empire by any means necessary!
The review;
We saw a break from the regular storyline last issue, and I think it was well timed. Issue 24 ended on an incredible finale, a new high for the series, that has continually improved on itself again and again. Having a pause from that to let readers to catch their breath (and to celebrate all the hard work from Charles Soule) was just the thing that was needed. But Soule is back with artist Andrés Genolet (his first foray into the galaxy of Star Wars) to continue the story. With a lot of loose ends taken care of, Soule will now be able to drive forward into… well, any direction he wants to go, the real question is, where will this direction lead us readers.
In the last arc we saw Zahra using propaganda as a strength. Throughout the years, fans have known that propaganda was used by both sides to gather supporters. Soule used the notion brilliantly for the Empire but this issue we see the same for the Rebels. This isn’t just about battles, about killing troops, it is about winning the hearts and minds of the galaxy. As a fan of history, I love that Soule shows us this side of the war, broadening what is actually happening in the different arenas of war. He borrows pieces from World War Two, the guerrilla tactics of Vietnam, none of it is unknown to us, but Soule really brings it to the forefront for us to see and appreciate.
Soule loves to add to what we take away from the Original Trilogy. Every time I read things he has wrote, I rewatch the films with a new light, a new view to how to interpret them. After the Battle of Hoth, the rest of the galaxy has been told by the Empire that the Rebellion is destroyed, gone, never to be a thorn in their side again. Leia realises that something big needs to be done to keep the spark of hope in the galaxy alive. Not only do we see the aftereffects of The Empire Strikes Back, but we also see the Empire’s propaganda machine working with Imperial Unity Day. You get the feeling that there is this back and forth between the Empire and the Rebellion, one showing strength, one offering hope, each trying to one up each other. It’s a rare side that we don’t see very often and I’m so glad Soule is using it so effectively.
There are a lot of familiar faces in this issue. We see Wedge and Hera, now intricate parts of the Rebellion. We also see Luke back in his x-wing. With all the Jedi stuff, it’s great to have him back in the cockpit and seeing him being active with the Rebels. Soule acknowledges that Luke hasn’t forgotten his path within the force, that he still needs to focus on it, but he is not a stranger to flying with the squadrons. More than that, he is also a symbol. Luke is still a farm boy at heart, shy and not wanting to seem proud. Yet he is also a Jedi in training that gives hope to those around him. When the other pilots ask to see the lightsaber, Luke is hesitant but also understands that while they are creating sparks of hope for the galaxy, he in turn is creating sparks of hope for those already in the Rebellion. It shows just how important Luke is for the Rebellion.
This is an issue of two halves. The second focuses on the second Death Star and we get to see the ISB checking on the security surrounding the secret construction. Moff Jerrjerrod is, of course, overseeing everything. What I like about this, and Wedge and Hera, is all these familiar faces that we know from the films, are finding their places in this series, showing how their influence is already within their organisations and fitting into the continuity of what we will eventually see in Return of the Jedi. Yet even here, we see Crimson Dawn have infiltrated, that they have spies even in this most precious of locations. Not a surprise given how far Qi’ra seems to have been able to get with her plans.
But this is where Soule really makes us think. How far would we go for our morals and beliefs? We know the ultimate fate of what will happen in the trilogy. We also know the fate of the galaxy if the Death Star II doesn’t get destroyed. But for the characters that are there, it is a much more difficult decision. Soule writes it beautifully, making us as the reader, question what would we actually do, would we make the right call when everything is on the line? It is fascinating to think about but with Soule it is never that easy. For once the characters (and I hope us) have decided what is right to do, Soule ends on an absolute curveball. Not that I will give it away here, but as readers I think we agree with the decision of the would-be traitors, yet when all the information is finally presented to us, is it still the right decision? It’s the perfect example why Soule is one of the best Star Wars writers.
The artwork from Genolet has a lot of its basis in anime style, which is very different to what we are used to seeing in this series. For me, it worked well. The flow of the issue from panel to panel was perfect, even with all the movement from location to location. The emotion he captures on the traitors faces, that torn feeling of not knowing what to do, couldn’t have been easy yet the result is superb. My favourite piece though, was seeing Wedge behind the cockpit. It’s only a very small panel in a he two-page spread, yet the angle, the placement, felt like Genolet had lifted it straight from Return of the Jedi, perfection at its best!
Soule does it again. This is the epitome of why Soule is such a good writer. He makes us think of what we already know and look at it from a different light. We see aspects of Star Wars that we might not have thought of, and it makes us appreciate those movies all the more. For some authors that would be enough, but Soule can’t just stop there, he has to present moral questions to ask ourselves, to make us think what we do in a given situation. And when we have a clear answer? Well, he turns it completely on its head and ends the issue with us thinking – What!? A lasting impression to last us till the next issue arrives. Masterfully done! If you can’t tell, this is an incredible issue and the potential for this story arc is off the charts. This is one that every fan should be reading.
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
