Published: March 9, 2022
Rated: T
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: David Messina
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover artist: Alex Maleev
The synopsis;
NEW SERIES – HAN SOLO IS BACK!
But wait! Isn’t HAN still frozen in Carbonite? Yes. But you can’t keep a good smuggler down. Set a few years before Episode IV: A New Hope, Han, his partner, CHEWBACCA and GREEDO, embark on a heist for JABBA THE HUTT. It’s supposed to be an easy job. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, how about a reunion with the very last person Han expected to see? The last page is a jaw-dropper…
The review;
Mark Alders: A new series focusing on the galaxy’s most loveable rogue and co-pilot, sounds like bliss. Having had such fun writing a previous review, I thought I’d bring my own co-pilot to write these reviews with. Kat is shorter, definitely not as hairy- ok who am I kidding, I’m clearly the Wookiee and she is the devilish rogue with all the charm! So here we are going to look at what this issue has to offer. There is a lot of expectation for two fan favourites as well as the fact the story is written by Marc Guggenheim, a huge name in both television and comics. He is joined by artist David Messina who has most recently done work for the crossover War of the Bounty Hunters.
Kat Rees-Jauke: My co-pilot Mark Alders knows me so well! With each of us having a soft spot for the galaxy’s greatest scoundrel, we’re hoping to bring our diverse knowledge about Han Solo to the review table. What’s so exciting about Han Solo & Chewbacca is that it’s exploring a completely new part of his story in the modern canon, set after Solo yet before A New Hope. Guggenheim is writing a Han that feels like the arrogant flyboy who has now lost a bit of his naivety as he becomes jaded and streetwise (or should that be galaxy-wise?). I loved the references to Episode IV and V in here, particularly some of Han’s iconic lines.
He’s definitely got that confidence in his abilities as well as being able to talk his way out of any situation. But like you say, it’s those references to those original films, to that era that just come pouring out of this issue. Having a snaggletooth in there, traveling to Tatooine and Corellia, the cantina, there’s so much for fans to devour on every page. For me though, it was seeing Han and Jabba interact that I loved. You really get the sense that Jabba has a soft spot for Han, exalting him a little higher than everyone else.
Jabba definitely sees Han as a very valuable asset, and I think that’s why he often gives him these high-risk yet high-paying jobs. Han wants a challenge, he wants to push his flying skills, and he wants to get paid. Though the cargo Jabba wants is pretty macabre. Then fans get the return of Greedo! Considering how little screen-time the Rodian got, for well-known reasons, clearly there’s already a lot of animosity and history between Han and Greedo. I completely heard Greedo’s voice in my head when he appears saying “Going somehere, Solo?” (or if you have the film memorised “Oota goota, Solo?”) Guggenheim’s writing almost suggests that Jabba is deliberately setting up Han with Greedo – possibly hoping that their mutual hatred is going to cause trouble?
Oh absolutely, which in turn goes to explaining why Jabba then sends Greedo after Han in A New Hope. Again, it’s yet another reference that Guggenheim brings in, fans of the Original Trilogy will have a field day! Before we go much further, we have to talk about the artwork by Messina. The double page spread of the Falcon was incredible! What really got me was the likeness of Han to both Harrison and Aiden, you can see both likenesses coming through. I always thought I’d want Ford to be the epitome of Solo but actually the two brought together by Messina works really well.
Messina’s portrayal of Han is nothing short of extraordinary, perfectly blending Ford and Ehrenreich’s likenesses into this younger yet familiar version of the smuggler. He puts a lot of expression into Han’s eyes and even a casual flick of his hair, not to mention the iconic Solo eyeroll. There’s a lot of that around Greedo. Some of the standout panels are the flashbacks to Han’s youth on Corellia, beautifully given this nostalgic vibe by being monochrome. It’s almost as if the black-and-white is Han’s romanticising of his memories of that tough time.
Oh, I absolutely agree, the flashbacks were excellent! And the lighting of the areas really grabbed my attention when reading. Everything just seems the perfect blend of Solo and A New Hope in absolutely every sense. So, should we discuss the ending? The whole issue feels like it’s trying to help readers to settle, to trust the direction that the series is going. There is obviously a lot of love here for the films and the character, Guggenheim proves he knows his stuff. But… I used to love the mystery surrounding Boba Fett, not much was known about him and that just added to his level of coolness. Might the ending here give us too much? Do we need to know so much about Han’s origins?
That ending! Without spoiling things for readers too much, I don’t think this ending appears to be what it’s implying. Earlier in this issue, Han uses the old bump into someone technique to help with a bit of deception for the job he’s pulling for Jabba. Now the mysterious figure who confronts Han at the end bumps into him and quite possibly takes something off Han. It could well be that this new character is someone undercover. Han has had a lot to drink at this point, his guard is down, and he’s talked a lot about himself. Certainly, enough to let someone fool him. Guggenheim has thrown a massive hydrospanner in the works with this cliff hanger and it’s going to be extremely interesting to see where the story goes next.
While it’s fantastic getting to know more about how Han and Chewbacca (mainly Han) were swindling before becoming heroes of the Rebellion, at the same time the mystery around the smuggler is part of Han’s charm. If anyone can tread this fine line though, it’s Guggenheim, and already this arc is promising everything fans love about Han and Chewbacca – fast paced heists, Han talking himself into and out of sticky situations, and the friendship between him and Chewbacca.
Agreed, this is a very strong first issue, quenching fans’ thirst for more Han and Chewie whilst reassuring them it is going to be done right. Couple the fan service with the incredible artwork and the foundations of what is to come, this could be the smuggling series fans have wanted for so long. Issue two of Han Solo & Chewbacca cannot come fast enough!
Availability;
Han Solo and Chewbacca #1 is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $4.99 and is available via ComiXology, the Marvel App and from all good comic book stores.
