Comic Review: Star Wars (2020) #46

For some reason, it has felt like a very long time see we have last seen Lando and his trial. Perhaps it has been because of the Free Comic Book Day story that Charles Soule contributed to, with a story that saw Lando and the rest of the gang happy together, but I still feel like I have been waiting a long, long time to read this issue. Last issue saw a slower paced issue, one that drew on so many things that are just Star Wars. Soule knows how to weave these things together, to give fans those little moments that the likes of Irvin Kershner could do so well. I imagine this issue, the pace will change once again, providing a much more action focused comic. Although these things show how well Soule knows how to write Star Wars, I am also enjoying the legal aspects in this issue. Sure, it’s laws in a galaxy far, far away, but as Soule was originally an attorney (with his own practice), you can see how easy the flow of speech is in the courtroom. I hope we get to see more of this! Joining Soule is artist Madibek Musabekov, whose work I always enjoy, who has seemed to go from strength to strength with every issue. I’m always keen to see what he presents us with. With this duo I’m sure we’ll be led down another interesting path as we start the third part of The Trial of Lando Calrissian… Deliberations.

The focus of this series has always really focused on two individuals: Luke and Lando. I love that it has, I adore these characters. Even though this is the trial of Lando, this comic is not his; it belongs to Mon Mothma. The change of focus by Soule really raises the stakes for the comic, Soule is going to really delve into why Mothma is the Rebel, why she is the leader of the group and why it all came about. It’s a background story I never expected for us to see in these pages but I’m glad we do. Soule does an incredible job of guiding us through Mon’s thought process and story. He quickly makes it clear that Mothma comes from money (in case you didn’t know!), that it would have been easy for her to look the other way. Why get involved when you don’t have to? When you look at the world and some of the politicians and people of power that are in our systems, I wish I could say that this isn’t the norm, that many stand up for what is right, but it seems to be getting fewer and fewer. So why Mothma? Soule does an amazing job of writing Mothma, her story, her conviction come through. Breaking it down into two parts: first the veil has to be taken off and then the realisation that there needs to be change. The latter isn’t explained here but the former does in the form of a flashback. It’s brief and all around the watervine peach, yet it’s a wonderful tale, one that encapsulates why the Empire is evil. Trust Mothma’s story to be so graceful and simple, so beautifully thought of by Soule. You can’t help but get lost in the words and story and it’s no surprise that Hachi – Mothma’s captor – starts to be convinced by the cause. Although it doesn’t go the way we think, it does show just how powerful Mothma’s words are, how she has been able to convince entire worlds of the cause. Not because she needs to, but because she realises the galaxy needs to.

Politics has always seemed a little dry at times in Star Wars yet here Soule handles it so well. I could spend so much more time talking about Mon Mothma and how much more depth Soule has provided for the character, I find it fascinating. But to do so would be to completely miss another important point here: the pace of the comic is excellent. Yes, there is a lot of talk between Hachi and Mon, but Soule and Musabekov do a fantastic job of weaving the secondary story through this to keep the story moving at a very fast pace throughout. Lando is needed for the mission to save Mothma and throughout the mission, he risks his life to try and help the Rebels. Not because he wants to prove himself, not to do it for personal gain but because he understands that the Empire needs to be defeated, that the Rebels need to win. They can only do that with Mothma at the helm. It shows just how much character development Lando has gone through since The Empire Strikes Back, that it isn’t just about him, but the galaxy at large. We see the Rebels – with Lando – visit several suspected safe houses. It’s all done within a few panels. The tale of Mothma, the search for her, are weaved together in order to allow the fast pace to continue. Throw in the odd reference with a droideka, or to Hachi feeling that she can be above the fight between the Empire and the Rebellion, or the fact that if the Rebels can’t rescue Mothma they need to kill her, and you have an issue brimming with story. In some ways I’m surprised this wasn’t spread over two issues, but condensed the pacing feels just so right.

I have mentioned the page layouts and how Musabekov has weaved the two separate stories so well but the art, as always is just superb. What really impressed me this issue was Mon Mothma. At the start, she is worn down, battered and not looking her best. But as she begins to talk, as she begins to inspire, you can see the light almost filling her eyes, her whole posture uplifting even though she is still captured. I’m not quite sure how Musabekov manages this, I don’t think I need to know, but it looks incredible. Throw in the amazing double page spread when the Rebels are dealing with the droideka and I think it’s fairly easy to see why I admire this artist so much.

Which brings us to the ending. Lando talking about odds. Seeing Mothma been able to sweet talk an opponent to possibly joining the Rebellion. Lando himself trying to sweet talk the sweet talker. How will it all end? Will Mothma have been convinced by Lando’s words, enough to persuade the rest of her leaders to vote for Lando to stay? We know how it all ends, but is Mothma the one to push the odds into Lando’s favour? The ending of this issue feels so well timed, so Lando. It all comes down to the luck of the draw. It almost seems to obvious what is going to happen, too easy for Lando to get a pure Sabacc at this point and I’m sure Soule has a few cards up his sleeve before he is done with us.

I am an Original Trilogy fan at heart and this series has always been able to tap into that. This issue is no different. It provides background, motivations, action, humour, everything I could possibly want for a Star Wars comic packaged in beautiful artwork and gift-wrapped with incredible covers. I mean, what more could you possibly need from a comic? Soule and Musabekov are at the height of their game and this issue just continues the wonderful trajectory up that the pair have set for themselves. Here’s hoping the next issue doesn’t feel as long a wait.