Comic Review: The Battle of Jakku – Insurgency Rising #4 (of 4)

Noto’s direct cover for The Battle of Jakku: Insurgency Rising #4 feels like the movie poster for the finale of a Star Wars trilogy. The sides are clear – Grand Moff Adelhard versus the New Republic – with Luke Skywalker ready to overthrow tyranny yet again. Quah’s variant couldn’t be more different though as it is a lonesome portrait of Zeva Bliss against Imperial wreckage, possibly suggesting how she chose the wrong side. Meanwhile Sprouse’s anniversary variant is the celebratory scene from The Phantom Menace which is perfectly suited to this final issue.

At the Battle of Endor the Empire fell. But that was only the beginning. While the Rebel Alliance has achieved a massive victory, the Imperial remnants are desperate to keep control of the galaxy or seize power for themselves. It’s a time of unrest that will push the newly emerging New Republic to its limits. It’s also an area that has been explored in quite some depth during the Journey to the Force Awakens publishing, including the Aftermath series and Shattered Empire.

So, what can the finale for Insurgency Rising add to this time period? A lot of the storytelling will feel familiar to fans who have read Life Debt or Alphabet Squadron. An Imperial sector is refusing to bow to the Republic and is continuing the fight. Brave Rebels are trying to get them to surrender. And this finale is a climactic battle between the New Republic and the Imperial remnants that perfectly sets up Republic Under Siege coming later this month.

After being detained on Adelhard’s Star Destroyer and with an unlikely rescue from an Imperial turncoat, the Rebels are desperately trying to escape. But the odds seem bleak. Until Luke Skywalker arrives to even them out. He easily takes on Reyna, and while she may be an Acolyte of the Beyond, she’s no match for a Jedi. It gives the Rebels a chance to get away – while Luke hunts down Adelhard.

Initially I was sceptical of Luke coming to save the day, once again, as I thought it would take away from the story we’ve been following of this group of Rebels. But because of the way Segura has written this finale it actually fits. This is the Rebel Alliance coming together to face the forces of the Empire and it’s the teamwork that fans expect from the explosive final battle of any Star Wars story.

And the Rebels, including Rynn, Kes, and Yeager, all get their time in the spotlight running through the corridors of the Star Destroyer and fighting through hordes of stormtroopers. It’s really great to see Kes and Yeager in the thick of the action, especially as it’s very easy to see where Poe Dameron got his arrogant attitude. Kes doesn’t even blink in the face of so many stormtroopers and is happy to gossip while in the middle of blaster fire.

While everything is going down aboard the Star Destroyer, Leia is worried about Luke going alone to face Adelhard. So, she decides to make a call. And when you need a last-minute rescue who are you going to call? Lando Calrissian of course! Having Lando bring in the cavalry was an unexpected delight, and it gives Luke the exact chance he needs to catch Adelhard off guard.

Up on the bridge the Grand Moff is almost assured in his victory. His belief in his own power and the might of the Imperial machine is so absolute that he underestimates the Force. He isn’t the first Imperial officer to make this mistake (and the First Order will keep making the act same one) but it leads to his downfall. After Luke cuts through dozens of stormtroopers and Adelhard is faced with his imminent defeat, the Grand Moff desperately tries to get into Luke’s head through cruel words. It doesn’t faze the Jedi though and watching Adelhard’s tyranny fall is extremely satisfying.

Everything about Insurgency Rising #4 appears to be a resounding victory and cause for celebration. The heroes win, everyone lives, and it’s a happy ending. But this is Star Wars. Segura wasn’t going to make it that easy. Adelhard falls but he does not die and now he is royally mad. There’s no knowing just how far he’ll go after being humiliated by Luke and his rage is definitely going to be a driving force in Republic Under Siege.

Bringing this finale to life is the fantastic art of Ross and Morales. Each panel is full of action that feels cinematic in scope. There are stormtroopers absolutely everywhere and blaster fire in all directions. It really feels like the Rebels are outgunned and only adds to the gripping tension. While all of the art is exceptional, the showdown between Luke and Adelhard has to be the highlight as the expression on the Grand Moff’s face is priceless. His look of pure shock as Luke defeats him just proves how delusional he was if Adelhard thought he was any match for a Jedi. 

Insurgency Rising #4 is an amazing finale to what has been a brilliant mini-series exploring this tumultuous time in the galaxy. It’s brought together characters old and new in a way that’s felt distinctively Star Wars yet never predictable, with some really emotional moments that portray the realities of war. It’s also leading into Battle of Jakku: Republic Under Siege which will continue parts of this story as the Imperial remnants try to hold onto power. Alex Segura, Luke Ross, Leonard Kirk, Jethro Morales, Rochelle Rosenberg, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Phil Noto, and everyone else who has worked so hard on this mini-series deserve all the credit for capturing the delusions of an Imperial who just doesn’t know when to quit and a New Republic that is determined to win.