Comic Review: D-Squad #3 (of 4)

Glaring off the page and with the murky form of IG-88 reflected in his lenses, Zuckuss is the focus of Kuder’s direct cover. It’s a really unusual composition compared to the other artwork we’ve seen so far in the series, which only makes D-Squad #3 stand out even more. Meanwhile Christopher’s action figure variant has Beetee take centre stage and the glowing orb of his photoreceptor looks suitably menacing. Finally, bringing in a lovely pop of colour is Reilly’s variant which is a bold and geometric portrait of QT-KT that is a beautiful mix of details and simple shapes.

Following on from the main storyline in Star Wars and Bounty Hunters, things are really starting to heat up as the droids fight back against the Spark Eternal. As its corruption spreads across the galaxy, it is coming closer to its true goal – the flesh. With droids now under its will, irrelevant of whether they’re a protocol droid or have assassin programming, cyborgs are now falling under the Spark Eternal’s thrall. While Ajax and his enlightened followers are rallying their forces to protect the freedom of all droids, R2-D2 is racing to save C-3PO before it’s too late.

With cyborgs now falling to the hive mind of the Spark Eternal and humans its next target, the endgame is within its reach. Yet while the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance, a showdown ensues on Gallios as bounty hunting droids IG-88 and 4-LOM banter over who gets to claim which bounty. As the two posture and argue, R2-D2 tries to make them see the bigger picture. No droid is safe – not even assassins – and he gets them to reluctantly agree to join him on his quest. This ragtag gang need to find Ajax Sigma and one of Artoo’s old allies may just know his location…

Guggenheim writes these droids so well. Each has such a unique personality that comes alive on the page and makes them so relatable. Never would anyone had imagined that the murderous Triple Zero could work alongside R2-D2 or 4-LOM, yet that’s what makes D-Squad work. In times of crises, you can’t pick the perfect dream team, so you’re basically stuck with whoever is available. Although it is set in space, D-Squad reads like a classic adventure story.

With 4-LOM and IG-88 gatecrashing at the end of D-Squad #2, this edition picks right up where that confrontation ended. And the two are still arguing. There are plenty of bounties on Triple Zero to go around, but IG-88 considers his assassin prowess enough to take them over 4-LOM. The two would have been there a long while if not for Artoo. Espín’s artwork is fantastic as usual and it’s almost possible to feel Artoo eye-rolling at the side as the two argue.

After breaking the argument up and getting Triple Zero a temporary reprieve from his galactic wide bounties, they regroup aboard 4-LOM’s ship. Having recently lost Zuckuss to the Spark Eternal, the bounty hunter is a bit more understanding of Artoo’s plight. Out of all the droids so far, 4-LOM is the most empathic, possibly because he’s spent so much time around humans. Guggenheim writes each droid depending on their programming and feelings towards organics. IG-88’s programming as an assassin droid lends him a coldness and aloofness from humanity, while Artoo sees them much more as equals and friends.

And then there’s Triple Zero and Beetee who see the entire galaxy as chaos waiting to happen. Guggenheim captures the duo in an excellent balance between humorously murderous and worryingly unhinged. Their answer to everything is death, destruction, and chaos. Not exactly the pep talks the droid team are looking for. While the rest of the main titles, including Star Wars, Bounty Hunters, and Darth Vader (2022) are all on the more serious side, there is a refreshing levity to D-Squad that’s reminiscent of a lot of the droid episodes from The Clone Wars.

It’s an old Clone Wars friend that Artoo decided to turn to for help. Seeing QT-KT enter this story is absolutely amazing! Fans should remember that she served Aayla Secura during the Clone Wars and has since remained on Ryloth, home of many a Star Wars rebellion. It makes perfect sense that she would help this group rebel against the Spark Eternal and would know about Ajax Sigma.

These droids are now ready to take on the Spark Eternal, but the stakes are higher than ever before. Time is running out for C-3PO, and the rest of the galaxy could easily fall under control of the hive mind. As rumour spreads about the droids that are resisting, nowhere is safe for Artoo and his reluctant and not so reluctant comrades. Next issue sees them rallying together in the hopes of saving the galaxy – or just themselves if you’re Triple Zero and Beetee.