Written by Jody Houser
Art by Emilio Laiso
Cover by Phil Noto
The Synopsis
Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, along with their ragtag team of Rebel activists, are on the hunt for the Imperial Death Star plans. But the Empire is not going to back down without a fight. Will the Rebels succeed? Or with the Empire destroy them without batting an eye?
The Story
Scarif.
The Rebel fleet drops out of hyperspace in orbit above the planetary gate of Scarif. The X-Wings and U-Wings of blue squadron head straight for the open gate to try and get beyond it before the Imperials can react to their presence. Gold and red squadrons assume the role of protecting the fleet. Most of blue squadron make it thorough the gate, but some are less fortunate and cannot pull up in time as it closes before them.
On the surface the Rebels are under attack from AT-ACT’s and are relived to see X-Wings swoop in and destroy their attackers. Blue leader tells the X-wings to form up on his position to offer cover for the ground crews and allow the U-Wings to deploy their reinforcements. Ground troops poor from the U-Wings and they join the flanks of their comrades.
TIE fighters have been deployed to protect the shield gate from the Rebel fleet. The rebels are taking casualties and Red 5 is one of the first.
In the skies over Scarif base, TIE strikers have been deployed and are in dogfights with X-Wings. Through the smoke filled air, Krennic’s shuttle lands and Deathtroopers are deployed to bolster the Imperial frontline.
In the vault, Jyn and Cassian are frantically searching through the files in the library. A familiar name appears on the screen and Jyn knows this is the one; Stardust. Cassian questions how she can be sure, the answer is simple, it is her nickname given by her father.
Kaytoo is under attack from Stormtroopers and is proving a good aim with the blaster that Jyn has given to him. Despite his accuracy, the numbers of Stormtroopers trying to stop him is too great as some of their shots are landing and causing him extensive damage. Never the less, he continues to fight. He needs to protect Cassian and Jyn and he knows that time is running out. He closes the vault door keeping them from harm and releases the data tape that is needed. He tells Cassian that the plans can be broadcast to the fleet from the tower, but only if the shield is down. Now, Cassian and Jyn need to climb to the top. With his last, effort he destroys the operating console. One final blast hits Kaytoo and he falls to the ground. He lies there and the light in his eyes flickers and fades for the last time.
On the landing pad, Bodhi needs to patch the ship into the communications network so he can send a message to the fleet. It is a physical link and he grabs the cable pack, tells the team to contact Melshi and let him know that the master switch must be thrown to allow the message to get through. Bodhi leaves the safety of the ship and finds the connection. He plugs in the cable and races back towards the ship. He is a few metres short when he is stopped in his tracks, is the cable too short? No, it is snagged on a cargo crate. He turns back to release the cable and is surrounded by Scarif Stormtroopers.
The window of the vault explodes towards the column of data tapes, quickly followed by Jyn hurling herself across the void and grabbing on to the column. The Stardust tape is flashing and she climbs to release it. Cassian also makes the leap and is a short distance behind her. Jyn try’s release the tape from it’s mooring, but slips as she pulls at it. The tape is free, but Jyn regains her balance and clips the tape to her belt. Blaster fire rings out; Krennic and 2 of his Deathtroopers are above them in a doorway.
Bodhi is about to try and explain what he is doing to the troopers that surround him. As he speaks, his fellow Rebels open fire and he can make a break for cover. Cassian calls him on his communicator to ask if he has called the fleet. Bodhi explains that he can’t connect the cable, but Cassian leave him in no doubt what he must do. He runs for the ship and when he reaches it he connects the cable. He part is done, now the master switch is next and he calls Melshi for help.
Melshi, Baze, Chirrut and a small band of Rebels are continuing their battle from the cover of a doorway. Melshi receives the message and one of the Rebel team breaks cover to try and reach the switch. He is taken down promptly as he leaves his cover. Suddenly Chirrut heads for the switch, guided by the force.
Cassian shoots a Deathrooper, who falls past him into the void below. Krennic and another Deathrooper are left. As Cassian takes out the last trooper, Krennic lands a shot on Cassian and he falls onto the platform below. He is still and does not move. Jyn moves to the opposite side of the column and climbs for the top.
Chirrut is nearly there, he reaches the control panel and fumbles for the switch and the connection is made. Baze calls to him as an explosion rips through the control panel. Chirrut is thrown through the air and Baze runs to his friend. As Baze reaches Chirrut, he can see that his friend is badly injured. Chirrut is reciting his force mantra and he dies in Baze’s arms.
Bodhi makes radio contact with Admiral Raddus and he tells of the plan to broadcast the plans to the fleet, but this relies on the shield being down. Raddus has an idea and calls for a hammerhead corvette. Bodhi hears a noise and turns to find an explosive charge has been thrown into the hold of the ship. The explosion rips through he ship and destroys it completely.
Baze sees the explosion in the distance and senses what has happened. In a controlled rage he turns to attack and takes out a Deathrooper. As the trooper hits the floor, he sees a charged explosive in his hand.
Jyn reaches the top of the tower via an access panel. She heads straight for the console and inserts the tape. The antenna needs to be realigned and this has to be done manually. She heads to the antenna station and resets its position. As she heads back to the console, a TIE striker targets the platform. Jyn slips and dangles precariously from the side, but summons the strength to climb back on the platform. As she approaches the console Krennic is there, blaster drawn questioning who she is. Jyn proudly tells Krennic of who her father is and how he has built a flaw to be exploited in the Death Star. Krennic still believes that the Rebel will die with her that day. A blaster bolt hits Krennic in the back and he falls to the floor.
In orbit a hammerhead corvette rams a damaged Star Destroyer and pushes it towards another in the Imperial Fleet. With the momentum of the push the Star Destroyer collides with it’s counterpart and destroys the other Star Destroyer. Both Star Destroyers are now floating battering rams and crash into the planetary gate.
Cassian stands over Krennic and Jyn goes to the console and starts the transmission.
Aboard the Profundity a transmission is being received. They have the plans, she did it!
Jyn turns towards the body of Krennic, but Cassian holds her back. The Death Star has dropped in to orbit around the planet, it is time to try and escape, they have no time to waste.
Aboard the Death Star, Tarkin orders the destruction of Scarif base and to leave the fleet to Darth Vader. With that, the super laser discharges and lances a green beam to the surface destroying the antenna and striking the planets surface.
Raddus sees this, they have the plans, they need to get them to safety. He orders the fleet to disengage and jump to light speed to escape. As they break formation and some ships flash into their jumps, a Star Destroyer drops out of hyperspace and some of the exiting Rebel ships collide with it. It is Vader’s ship and he organises a boarding party.
Jyn and Cassian have escaped the base, but know they are not going to escape the planet. They head for the coastline and settle on the sand as the fall out from the super laser and a tsunami fast approaches.
A copy of the plans is retrieved and Rebel Troopers head for the Tantive IV for their escape. The floor before them is jammed ajar, and they are seemingly trapped. Behind them in the darkness a red lightsaber ignites revealing the ominous figure of Darth Vader. Using his blade and the force he systematically picks off the troopers. The last trooper manages to hand the copy over to colleague on the other side of the door a the red blade impales him.
Tantive IV launches from the hold of the Profundity and heads for deep space. Vader looks on as his prey escapes him.
On board the Tantive IV a Rebel Captain heads to the bridge with a copy of the plans. He approaches a white clad figure and ask her what have they sent them. As the starts turn to lines and the Tantive IV jumps into hyperspace, she replies ‘Hope’.
It is a period of civil war…
The Review
Surprisingly only one cover was available for the final issue. In saying that, the cover is very strong and really is a good piece of artwork. That cover artwork by Phil Noto for the whole series has been of a very high quality, with some really cool variants.
The Rebels Report brings us up to speed with where the issue is going. Going forward, I think after the Cassian and Kaytoo spin off also having this, I assume any further Rogue One related titles will carry these reports.
The artwork in this issue is very good and this has continued to improve throughout the series. The colour palettes used are very evocative of the movie and are close to screen accurate.
Unfortunately some sequences have been shortened too much. The long awaited Vader scene is one of these that has suffered from a lack of frames. This sequence should have been more robust and possibly at least a 2 page spread. I wouldn’t have minded this being an extended copy and carrying the $4.99 price tag to help the shortened sequences to be expanded on.
The dialogue is very concise in places, but this keeps up with the pace of the frames and this has been a feature of the series as a whole.
I did like the way they hid Leia’s face after there being some conjecture over the CGI enhanced version in the film. It think this was how the film would have originally ended until the technology was deemed successful. I also loved the final page having the opening crawl from A New Hope. A great way to end a brilliant adaptation.
All in all this is the best Marvel adaptation so far. After the relatively poor carbon copy of the film for The Force Awakens, we have had a version which has hinted towards what lies on the cutting room floor in unused material. The use of flashbacks and recollections to fill in the story gaps has been something that I have enjoyed.
Overall a solid 9/10 for the whole series.
