Comic Review: Doctor Aphra (2020) #40

After the one silence, we have the narration by Aphra herself. As has always been the case, Aphra isn’t always the main character, even in her own series. It’s why the character does so well, they let others shine just as much as themselves. To hear Aphra talking and explaining to Sana how things are, is a great way to bookend the series and ensure the focus is absolutely on her. It’s almost comical that Wong has Aphra telling Sana that they’re not main characters, because they aren’t, but it’s also what makes them so loved by fans, that they can skirt the edge of the major battles and events but not be fully embroiled in it. Aphra hints at this in her monologue that it is this that makes this character great, that this is why this character has had not one, but two series all about her. Of course, even in ‘death’, Aphra has to be Aphra. She is going through an ancient Jedi temple. The idea I love, the design by Jung of the temple itself is enticing. The pace of this issue is perfect, it does exactly what it needs to do at a pace it should be at, yet there is a little part of me that just wants (a little) to slow down and really have Aphra explore the temple more. Aphra finds an ancient Jedi text, and it seems right that with this priceless artefact that she wants people to spend it with. It shows her growth from where this series, where this character started. She ended the last series sacrificing and pushing those she loved away, this is seeing her embracing that love and the ones that love her. It’s incredibly poetic.

Which brings us to the question that we all wanted to know. Last series she was absolutely in love with Tolvan, and it almost tore her apart to leave her. I adored this relationship, it seemed so genuine, one of the most genuine relationships we have had in Star Wars. Yet it is hard to deny the connection between Aphra and Sana. Sana herself has had her own self-titled mini-series and stepped away from Aphra, surely that would mean…something. So which way would Wong play this, who is the right one for Aphra? Well, the answer is, Wong doesn’t know… or if she does, she’s not settling it here. The triangle still exists, they are all content to just be three. I kept thinking this over and I think this is perhaps the best move Wong could have done. If they had sided with either character, there was always going to be backlash from the other fanbase. By it been a three, without a definitive answer, with Sana’s other relationship kept to one side, without really defining the parameters of what’s actually going on, it just makes for more mystery, for more guessing and more reasons that Aphra needs to return.

We don’t see too much of Domina Tagge in this issue, I wish we had. This is my favourite character that Wong has created for this series. I definitely have a ‘crush’ on this character who is so well developed and something different for a galaxy far, far away. But as she is such a presence, too much of her in this final issue would have taken the limelight from Aphra, and that is definitely what was not needed. She wasn’t the only Imperial affiliated character; we had the Imperial Security Bureau meeting with Raslin Grace (who we met in Revelations) on a task to find Aphra.

With all these things, I’ all leading to the same thing: Aphra isn’t done. The end of the comic confirms this, but it is clear throughout this issue that there are a lot of things been put into place for a return. The Jedi text that we know Luke will ultimately claim, the love triangle that hasn’t really been answered and the bounty hunter on the hunt for Aphra. Not only Aphra, but I’m also hoping that the characters that have developed, like Tagge, will also return either through Aphra or some other publication. Although this issue brings a beautiful conclusion to this series, Wong also uses it to show that there is still so much to tell for this character and those around her.

Alyssa Wong has done an incredible job on this forty-issue series. They rejuvenated the character of Aphra, giving them new life and showing a different side to the character. This ending brings all the threads to a wonderful end, away from action, away from the surplus and focuses on Aphra and Sana and Tolvan. It has been a wonderful journey that I am sad to see end, at least for now, but Wong has ensured this character is going out on a high. She’s not left on a planet alone, but still out there doing what we love Aphra to do. When she will return, we do not know, but Wong has really put their stamp on the character and brought her to new heights. Along with Minkyu Jung, this series has shown tremendous atmosphere, something far more eerie, creepy, and intriguing than what we somethings see. I hope neither Wong nor Jung leaves us for too long! All that is left for me to say is thank you to Wong and Jung for an incredible journey through Aphra’s life… and thank you for not killing Aphra!