Published: May 3, 2023
Rated: T
Writer: Alicia Wong
Artist: Minkyu Jung
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Rachel Stott
The synopsis;
THE PARTING GLANCE!
• Is this the end of the line for former allies APHRA and TOLVAN?
• DARTH VADER’S least favorite archaeologist must face a cold hard truth that will shake her to her core!!!
• Can she forgive herself for the chaos she’s about to unleash upon the galaxy?
The review;
What a month we are in, we are being treated to not one, but two issues of Doctor Aphra! Last issue saw the conclusion of the storyline with the Spark, Hidden Empire, and everything else leaving the gate wide open for us to see what happens when Aphra, the real Aphra come face to face with some old friends. It’s what makes this next arc so exciting, these characters have not been together since the original Aphra series, and their reunion is going to be something monumental… right? I mean, Alyssa Wong wouldn’t tease us… right? If you have been following Wong on Twitter, you will know that they like to tease… a lot! So, I can only imagine what is in store for us. But perhaps that’s the important thing here. With the storyline following Crimson Dawn over, Wong has the whole galaxy to play with, to head in any direction, and that has surely got to be a good thing. Am I wanting a wonderful, romantic, running through the rain affair with Aphra and Tolvan? of course I do. This is a couple that has always felt so genuine, so real that to see them back together would make me, and I’m sure a lot of readers, very happy. But I can also sense Wong laughing as I type, because of course, it’s never that simple! So, as we delve in, with I’m sure more gorgeous illustrations by Minkyu Jung, I can only begin to imagine where we will find ourselves.
Where do you even begin with a comic like this?! This is certainly an issue that is tying up loose ends and creating new foundations for the new story arc. The main thrust of the issue is of course Aphra and Wong knows not to deny us that what we want to see is her with Tolvan. But it is anything but simple. Wong shows us at the very start of the issue the effects on Aphra. The memories of her been inhabited by the Spark still haunt her and of course in true Aphra fashion, she tries to push everyone away. She is having to deal with a lot, but she doesn’t know how to do that with people around her. The person this affects most is Tolvan, rushing off as it’s not the reunion she wanted. Well, let’s just say I have a feeling every reader was with Tolvan as she stormed out the door, I certainly was! Yet what follows is the whole reason that these two work so well together. The communication, the different priorities, the fact they are so wrong for each other makes it so right. Tolvan is very aware that Aphra is selfish, that trying to love someone like that can be destroying, yet she can’t resist, she can’t deny her heart. Tolvan also knows that her priorities are with the Rebellion. It’s a love story that can’t end well, and yet you can’t help but cheer it on, quietly hoping that somehow, they find a way. Wong has absolutely captured the spirit of the two, bringing closure to the last series and starting afresh for their rendition.
Sana also plays a big part in this issue. She is the one that can see things for how they are and is perhaps the one who knows Aphra better than anyone, perhaps even herself. She knows what needs to be done…and then starts throwing a few bombshells of her own. Sana and Tolvan? Then admitting she loves Aphra? Talk about a love triangle of such epic proportions. Once this is all revealed, we see Sana leaving. I’m hoping this is the missing piece to when the Sana Starros series is set, as this has been kept rather open in that series so far and I can see how this issue and the series tie beautifully into where Sana now is mentally. Not only does Sana get space, but it gives Wong room to explore the relationship between Aphra and Tolvan, allow it the space to breathe that it needs before bringing the full weight of these three characters together.
The artwork in this issue is exceptional. There is so much emotion going around, and Jung is able to capture it all. Yet it is the first page that really just had my jaw dropping. The second panel, with Aphra’s face, you can see the pain she is in thinking about her memories from when the Spark had taken control. The whole page just reinforces this, the anguish, the draining of Aphra mentally is so perfectly captured, you can feel the weight that Aphra is carrying. I’m hoping we get to see a lot more of this as the issues continue.
If a love triangle isn’t enough, there’s plenty of emotion in the rest of the issue. Detta and Kho, Lucky and Ariole, Wong keeps going and going! There’s plenty here but it also helps conclude certain story arcs very well to make room for new beginnings. One character I do love is Aphra’s dad. Even when she is angry, shouting her mouth off, it is her dad who is able to calm her and make her listen. It’s a well written moment. Then of course, there is the introduction of a ‘new’ character, Luke. Well, I won’t say too much but the possibilities, that wide open galaxy I mentioned at the start? It looks like Wong is making full use of it!
Hidden Empire, Crimson Reign, War of the Bounty Hunters, these were fantastic events for Star Wars fans and the characters involved. Doctor Aphra went to some incredible places, new characters (please bring Domina back!), bringing back characters and having some of the best story arcs this series has seen. But it did come at a price. Wong had to fight with some restraints to make sure they aligned with the wider story arcs of the crossover events. Not only does this issue show the space the characters are going to be given to really spread their wings, but it also feels like Wong is spreading their wings. Wong has shown again and again that Aphra has really come into its own. The possibilities are endless and if the ending of this issue is anything to go by, it’s going to be an incredible ride.
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.
