Published: July 27, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Artist: Minkyu Jung, Natacha Bustos
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Graphic Designer: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: W. Scott Forbes
The synopsis;
ECHOES!
• Tainted by the SPARK ETERNAL, DOCTOR CHELLI APHRA is not herself!
Trapped in her own mind, Aphra’s only hope for escape lies in her own memories…
• …but will she find a way out before the Spark consumes her completely?
The review;
Last time we were with Doctor Aphra, Alyssa Wong was moving a lot of pieces around ready for… well presumably ready for chasing down Aphra. A slower issue but with such a highlight of an end that I have been eagerly this comic. Tolvan is back and with her comes a change in dynamics to the story. What will this look like? How will Aphra react (if she can react at all while she isn’t quite herself). It’s an exciting issue for any Aphra fan. Joined by Minkyu Jung and Natacha Bustos, I cannot wait to see what is in store for us this month.
Well let’s begin with the obvious, this was not the issue I was expecting… again! Tolvan is back and all the excitement that that brings and…nothing. Ok, the rest of the gang chasing after Aphra… nothing. Okay, my favourite, Domina Tagge… nothing. I feel I can almost hear Wong laughing with amusement at my shock that this is not the issue readers would think we would get. Wong is playing with us, making us wait for the payoff. Thankfully, this issue still is one that is a wonderful read, somehow – somehow- upping the expectations even more!
The start of the issue finds the Aphra in her own memories with the Spark Eternal. The Spark feels a connection with Aphra beyond the obvious. It recognises that the two think quite similar, take joy in similar things, think the same way. It is rather confronting for Aphra, who in all fairness to the character, has grown considerably in this series, someone has a bit more of a conscious. When faced with memories of her past, Aphra isn’t sure what to think. It is a great way for Wong to catch up readers who are just finding the series. We see the doctor shooting someone in cold blood, showing the sheer ruthlessness of Aphra. The most interesting scene is one with Just Lucky. Lucky confirms that Aphra has feelings for both Tolvan and Sana, making us ready for the inevitable love triangle that is going to ensure in future issues. Further into this scene, Wong also shares the thrill Aphra has when finding an artefact, one I don’t think has been fully explained before. The artwork here is incredible and houses my favourite panel of the issue. The multiple Aphra’s taking an artefact really works beautifully.
When the comic began, I was a bit worried Wong would focus solely on Aphra’s memories. It wouldn’t have been the worst thing as it would serve as a good synopsis for readers of what has come before, I mean Aphra does have a lot of history. Yet I needn’t have worried. Wong moves the story on, focusing exclusively on Aphra and the Spark. Although Aphra has been taken over, her mind and spirit are still what we have always known with Aphra: strong. Even tied up in her own memories, she is able to assess the situation and act, taking the fight to the Spark. The history lesson that ensues about the Ascendency is fascinating. To see the Sith fighting against someone other than the Jedi is a nice twist, I just wish there was more. Like Aphra, I like having this galaxy expanded, looking at different cultures and beliefs that exist in a galaxy far, far away.
The artwork here works very well. There are lots of different moments, lots of different characters that have already been established that need illustrating. Jung and Bustos can invoke these characters with ease, even if it is just a silhouette. Transitions between the real world, to Aphra’s memories, to the Sparks memories are seamless and never once do you feel you are taken out of the story or unsure to what is happening. As I’ve previously said, my favourite panel is the multiple Aphra’s, her different outfits and looks allude to all the history surrounding this character.
So, you don’t give readers the issue we really want, so how on earth do you top that ending, how do you show the reader that going not the expected route was worth it? You bring back two other beloved characters from the original Aphra series – the droids! I was beside myself when they were mentioned but that is not enough for Wong, they’re coming back just like Tolvan. The droids are another part to Aphra that have been missing in Wong’s series. Don’t get me wrong, much like Tolvan, they have needed to be. There were a lot of things tying Aphra down in the previous series, Wong making a fresh start has been best for the stories that Wong has delivered. But after two years, I am so excited to have all the major characters back and to see them in the hands of Wong. It promises that the next issues of Aphra are going to be explosive – very, very explosive.
The echoes of Wong’s laughter can still be heard in my head. The teasing of what is to come, of what fans can’t wait to read and yet making us wait a whole month longer. The anticipation can be felt throughout this comic. Wong knows what she’s doing and she’s having fun while doing it. She doesn’t just give us an easy issue though, there is a lot here for readers to sink their teeth into, to see even more pieces been moved into place. Bringing yet more fan favourite backs is incredibly exciting and when all these characters once again meet up, well, it’s going to be the reunion of the year. It has been good to have a break from what was with Aphra, but who doesn’t miss ex-Imperial lovers and murderous, torturing inducing droids? The next few weeks are going to be a long wait.
Availability;
Doctor Aphra (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel. This issue is retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, comiXology and all good comic book stores.
