Published: August 02, 2017
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Jody Houser
Penciler: Emilio Laiso
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The Star Wars story continues! Rogue One, the small rebel crew comprising Jyn Erso and friends, has arrived on Scarif! But much danger lays in the path between the rebels and the Death Star plans – Including never-before-seen moments!
The Story:
Yavin 4, Rebel Base
A Rebel Fleet Trooper explains to the Mon Calamari Admiral Raddus that the Imperial Shuttle has again been stolen by Jyn Erso and her team. Raddus’s reaction takes everyone by surprise when he announces that they must go and support them in their mission and violate the orders of Mon Mothma and the council.
Scarif
The planetary shield glows around the gate to the surface as shuttles go about their business, overlooked by numerous Star Destroyers. An Imperial Shuttle reverts from hyperspace and flies toward the opening.
Inside this shuttle is Jyn and her team. Chirrut and Jyn are in a discussion about the force and how it is with them on their mission. He tells Jyn about how he and Baze were guardians of the temple and how it was desecrated by the Empire, but thanks to her father’s actions there is now a chance to stop the Empires project.
Cassian enters the hold and announces they are landing. Jyn stands before the assembled team and remembers her father Galen and Saw Garera. She quotes a story about Saw and says they will take their chances and to make their numbers count. Cassian then starts to explain the plan on how things are going to work, with Kaytoo, Jyn and himself infiltrating the base to find the plans, while the rest of the team distract the Imperial forces.
Bodhi enters the hold and asked what he is to do. Cassian asks him to keep the engines running, so they can make a quick getaway. He returns to the cockpit, but seems a little distracted, Kaytoo is in the co-pilot seat and asks if he is ok. Bodhi is unsure whether he is brave enough to carry out the task ahead, Kaytoo reassures him that he will be ready when the time comes.
The tower of Scarif base looms large over the tropical oasis, many shuttles are in flight around the area. An Imperial Officer, Ground Crew member and 2 Stormtroopers approach the shuttle and enter the ramp. Bodhi greets them and directs them towards the hold to view the manifest. The Imperials climb down into the hold only to be ambushed by the rebel ‘cargo’ the shuttle is carrying.
Jyn and Cassian use the unconscious Imperials uniforms as disguises and exit the shuttle with Kaytoo. As Bodhi watches them approach the hangar, he gives the signal to Melshi and the rest that they are clear to leave the shuttle. As Jyn, Cassian and Kaytoo enter the hangar, Kaytoo says he has a bad feeling, but Cassian cuts him off.
Director Krennic’s shuttle enters the Scarif shield gate and lands at the base of the tower. He enters the command centre that boasts views of the base and its landing pads. An officer enquires why he is there, his answer comes quickly. Krennic wants all communications from Galen Erso investigated immediately.
The rebels have dispersed around the landing pads to plant their explosives and are quietly taking out any stormtroopers they come across as they go.
Kaytoo approaches a droid that is of the same model he is and asks for his assistance. The droid questions whether Kaytoo may actually need a maintenance check running as his behaviour is odd. Cassian approaches to find Kaytoo plugged into the now disabled droids access port and is downloading the plans for the base. He let’s the droid fall to the floor and he states that the odds of them making it to the vault for the plans. Cassian holds his communicator and tells Melshi to ‘light it up!’
With the press of a thumb to a detonator, violent explosions rip through many of the landing pads on the base. Krennic watches as the plumes of flame and smoke rise, he commands that the garrison is deployed.
Stormtroopers and Scarif Troopers scramble to their posts around the base, the rebels are waiting for them. The battle of Scarif now begins.
Grand Moff Tarkin is standing in the Death Star command centre, an officer approaches and tells him of a rebel incursion on Scarif. Tarkin wants to speak to Krennic, but he is advised he is already on Scarif. He is aware that the original plans for the Death Star are located there and wants the preparations made for a hyperspace jump and to inform Darth Vader of the news.
Jyn, Cassian and Kaytoo enter the antechamber for the vault. Kaytoo strikes out at the officer on duty and renders him unconscious. He explains that the officers hand print will be required to access the vault. Jyn and Cassian drag the officer with them down the access corridor.
The battle outside is getting more intense, the Imperial forces, while initially shocked into action are slowly starting to pick off the rebels. Then Baze hears an ominous sound, he turns to Chirrut and tell him to run as AT-ACT’s appear through the jungle canopy.
The Profundity
Admiral Raddus stands on the bridge of the Profundity looking out through the viewport. He hopes that the Rogue One team can hold the Imperials off until they reach Scarif, as he watches as the Rebel fleet jump to hyperspace.
To be concluded…
The Review:
Phil Noto gets it right again! The subtle way that the Scarif Base Tower is incorporated into the background logo is well done and the detail of the Rebel team in disguise is very high on detail and accuracy.
The rebels report is rather brief and to the point for this issue. Again, this is still underused in my opinion.
As the original Marvel synopsis states, there is plenty that is not in the film in this issue, but there a few little items that are left out. The expanded scenes with Raddus are a greater insight into the Admiral and his beliefs about what needs to be done.
Where in previous issues the illustrations of Grand Moff Tarkin have not been as good as they should be, there is a marked improvement in this issue. His likeness is much better and more care seems to have been taken over some of the other characters, Krennic and Bodhi Rook included.
One mistake though; the preview of the issue 6 cover is actually a picture of the issue 5 cover instead. This mistake is both on the digital and paper edition, with no correction being uploaded for the digital version as of yet.
Overall a well-paced issue which sets us up nicely for the grand finale in a few weeks.
With the Death Star, Tarkin, Vader and the Rebel Fleet about to converge on Scarif, I have a bad feeling about this!
Availability:
This issue was released on 2nd August 2017 and is available via the Marvel App and all good comic book stores. This issue retails at $3.99.
