Published: February 22, 2023
Rated: T
Writer: Alicia Wong
Artist: Natacha Bustos
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Ema Lupacchino
The synopsis;
TO THE BONE!
• The SPARK ETERNAL sets its sights on CRIMSON DAWN!
• As SANA STARROS and MAGNA TOLVAN race to intercept it, will DOCTOR APHRA’S most desperate gambit pay off?
• Or will she be lost to the SPARK ETERNAL forever?
The review;
Last issue saw Alyssa Wong dealing with the Tagge side of things, bringing some closure on that part of the storyline. It was incredible, make no mistake, and it was also just the break we needed from Aphra to deal with some loose ends. This comic promises to get straight back on track and return to the main character and what antics will ensue with The Spark. Interestingly, we have a different artist this issue with Natacha Bustos, who has done several previous Aphra issues, and I’m interested to see what she brings this time around.
Issue twenty-eight was full of out and out action. Returning to Aphra, the pace has had to go back to build up, to filling in the gaps so we know where and why things are leading where they are. Throughout the issue, there are lots of flashbacks to the past when Miril was alive and well. This background history always fascinates me, and it seems so rightly placed when considering the kind of series Doctor Aphra is. We meet Ilith, the leader of a splinter group who had different ideas of what the Ascendant should do and didn’t believe that Miril had what it took. Fascinating just from a historical point of view, yet it was also very interesting to see that Miril was the one with the morals, although by her opposition these were seen as a weakness. Ilith goes into detail about balance, that along with the light and protection, that hate is also needed to balance this out, creating a Spark in balance. I almost feel Wong uses this as a way to epitomise the words of Yoda, that, “Hate, leads to suffering.” You can’t not hear those words as the events of the past play out on Pyrr IX.
This is probably as good as time as any to mention the incredible artwork of Bustos. Not only do we get to view the past but so does Aphra, and Bustos is able to illustrate this beautifully by overlaying the events of the past onto where Aphra currently is. It would be very easy to lose the reader with it all, but she makes it very clear what is now/ what is then, and it just creates a wonderful blend of the past and present. However, this is not her crowning achievement in this issue. It has to be Aphra and The Spark. The two have agreed to cohabitate with Aphra’s body, meaning that they both speak through Aphra. Talk about a nightmare when trying to help the reader understand what is going on. Bustos doesn’t even flinch. She is confident with her delivery, and it really shows. The humour expressed with the two talking to each other and even sometimes being in unison with each other is so well done. Readers will surely make comparisons to the portrayal of Gollum/Smeagol in The Lord of the Rings, and I feel that’s such a high complement to give to Bustos. She does brilliantly in this issue and really shows such command of her craft.
While it is good to have Aphra back and having her brought up to speed with what The Spark knows (at least some of it), for me, this spotlight is stolen by two wonderful (am I allowed to use that word for them?!) droids. I always loved them in the original series however, we did need that break from them. Wong utilises them so perfectly, they are there for the humour – and my goodness what dark humour it is. You can’t help laughing at the suggestions or the simple no hesitation, here’s the solution approach. It is just so wonderful to have them back and to have them in such capable hands. Wong gets them and it shows every single issue that they’re back for. I always want to see more of them; Wong certainly uses them sparingly, yet I think this is the right decision, the impact of when they are included is just so much more powerful.
Kho is back and I’m very glad they are. There is a very quick backstory update for those not reading Hidden Empire (and why aren’t you, it’s incredible!) but if you are keeping u-to-date with it, this is really starting to flesh out that are of that story. In Hidden Empire, Kho and the Archivist have almost taken a backseat, there are clearly somethings going on that they are immensely important for, but up until now they felt like a loose end in the last issue. Here in Doctor Aphra, those loose ends are picked up and given a lot clearer direction. The fact that Kho wants to use the cage to capture The Spark makes absolute sense and provides quite an easy solution to the problem. Yet eating Hidden Empire, you’d be forgiven in wondering what happens to the Sith Lord already present in the cage. The Doctor Aphra series has had connections with the crossover events but they have never felt as strong as the other series’ that it’s also connected to. This promises to be a lot more important and the effects a lot deeper than previous. In other words, this is the time for the Doctor Aphra series to shine and really show what it’s made of.
This series continues to go from strength to strength. The reintroduction of original series characters, the crossover with Hidden Empire, the exceptional writing, the incredible artwork, I’m always so excited for the next issue and what it might bring. Wong really has hit the high point of this entire series and the fact that the fate of the characters is linked to Hidden Empire, has me even more enthralled. Whether you’re a fan of Doctor Aphra or finding it through Hidden Empire, this is definitely a great issue to get you into this series.
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.
