Published: October 26, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Penciler: Minkyu Jung
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: W. Scott Forbes
The synopsis;
Desolation!
The spark undying lives in Doctor Aphra’s body, and as its power grows, so does its hunger! But Aphra’s plotting her own escape…! As everyone flocks to the Vermillion, their showdown will change everything!
The review;
Doctor Aphra feels like it is at its prime. Bringing the original series together with the new and throw in Crimson Dawn just for good measure. You get the sense that this story arc is really going to change a lot of things fundamentally for this series and I think we’re really going to see that this issue. Just looking at the cover by W. Scott Forbes, you can see that the love triangle is going to begin. Alyssa Wong has been outdoing themself issue after issue, yes, they have teased, but every issue has left readers wanting more and happy with the general direction the story seems to be heading. But we’ve had a lot of foundations set, a lot of moving pieces so they are in just the right position, surely the time to have everything erupt is now… right?
The first thing that instantly drew my attention is that there is a little note to say that this issue takes place before the first comic for Hidden Empire. That series begins next month, and I love that there is a note to say about chronology, it shows that these two are going to be linked. The Doctor Aphra story lines have been intwined with the Crimson Dawn Trilogy but not as much as other series’ and I’m really hoping with such a buildup in this series, that we’ll see a much bigger impact in the final part of the trilogy. There are also hints in the issue, most notably that the Archivist has got something else going on behind the scenes, something even more powerful. It just makes me even more excited for what is to come for the remainder of the year from Marvel.
Although this is a Doctor Aphra issue, for me the stars of this issue have to be the droids. We get a quick recap of what has happened to them since we last saw them, which has been pretty much boredom. But to see them trying to entertain themselves with sand sculptures and blowing them up is simply hilarious, as well as the fact that they insist on still wearing their ‘holiday’ gear. Although I think the series needed a break from them, to have them back now really brings something nostalgic back to the series that I didn’t even realise was missing.
Aphra is still trying to find her way out and going through the past with Miril. But like all creators, she doesn’t want to see how what she has created has been perverse over time. Aphra tries to persuade her, and it is obvious, that her intention was never for such destruction. The links to the world now can be seen through this, with creators of technology having their work and creations perverted by advertising corporations and are now trying to make amends. I wonder if Miril will have a change of heart eventually or if Aphra is going to have to figure that part out for herself. One part that really made me sit up during these moments was the mention of cortosis! Talk about a history lesson in Star Wars! Originally seen in Knights of the Old Republic and the Darth Bane Trilogy, Wong mentioning it here is such a wonderful easter egg for fans on the franchise.
The artwork for the issue flows beautifully throughout the entire issue. Minkyu Jung never struggles to illustrate what we need to see (beach wear and all). The highlight for me was when Aphra (well, the Spark) is talking to Kho and trying to persuade them that she could give them some of her power. The teasing, the flattery, the artwork just matches it perfectly, something akin to Frodo been tempted by the ring.
This issue really has started to get everything moving. The rescue mission is underway, Sana’s group has the plan, the droids are killing, The Spark is being fooled and… well, there is so much more to see. Aphra hasn’t seen Tolvan yet, the droids haven’t really had their moment to shine (if killing can be called shining) and we have no idea how Aphra is going to escape. And that’s not forgetting how this is all going to connect to Hidden Empire. There is so much potential that Wong is playing with here. What I like is that they are not rushing. All these encounters, meetings of old friends and lovers, it is what fans have been wanting and that anticipation, that payoff isn’t something that should be sped through or underplayed. You can sense that Wong understands the responsibility that is being placed on here and so far, it is very clear they are going to make sure they do it right. With Hidden Empire due for release soon, I think we’ll start to see more links with this issue and the next release and things will become clearer still. It’s fascinating to watch and can’t wait to see how Wong will resolve it all.
Availability;
Doctor Aphra (2020) is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
