Published: May 18, 2022
Rated: T
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: David Messina
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover artist: Alex Maleev
The synopsis;
THE HEIST IS ON!
• HAN, CHEWIE and GREEDO have to pull off an impossible heist for JABBA THE HUTT!
• But who can Han trust?
• SPOILER: Han breaks into his target’s safe, but you won’t believe what’s inside!
The review;
Kat Rees-Jauke: Standing mid-argument with the classic finger point, Noto’s direct cover perfectly sums up Han Solo and Greedo’s not-so-friendly relationship. It’s also very fitting for this issue which sees the Rodian take the brunt of Han’s frustration as their job unsurprisingly goes awry. Adam’s variant is a great portrait of Chewbacca that emphasises the Wookiee’s more ferocious side, while Hughes uses an unusual composition to great effect for a Millennium Falcon selfie.
Han Solo finds himself surrounded by untrustworthy allies as he tries to complete a job for the nefarious crime lord, Jabba the Hutt. Back on his home planet of Corellia the smuggler is looking to win big by stealing a rare artefact. The only problem is his back-up is Greedo, a double-crossing Rodian, along with a man claiming to be his father. With no time for sentiment or turning back, Han must use all his sly tricks to be able to complete the job without getting caught.
Guggenheim surprised fans at the end of Han Solo & Chewbacca #1. After creating an issue which really paid homage to the Original Trilogy and Solo: A Star Wars Story, he threw a hydrospanner in the works by introducing a character that was supposedly Han’s long-lost father. What I loved about the opening of this issue is Han immediately calling the man out. Having been raised on Corellia and lived within the shadows of the underworld Han is cynical and naturally untrusting – just look at how suspicious he still is years later when Obi Wan asks for help. Han has only ever known people who have double-crossed or betrayed him, and even after a few drinks he still maintains those emotional walls. What did you make of his reaction Mark?
Mark Alders: I absolutely loved it, very Han! I also think Guggenheim uses it as a way of relating to the reader, who I’m sure, like Han, are full of doubt as to who this person really is. I loved the way that Guggenheim referred back to Solo and what Beckett told him about trusting people, these lessons always staying with Han, his life experience reminding him he’s right to not trust anyone. I’ve always been a little put off by seeing parts of Han’s family, part of me thinks it should always be left in mystery. I can’t help but be intrigued here and the flashback of Han as a child was a very interesting way to open the comic. I’m sure they’ll be more to it as we continue through the story. Yes, plus that flashback tied in perfectly with Most Wanted by Rae Carson, which hinted at Han’s troubled childhood and absent working father.
Can I mention the artwork though? I mean talk about wow! The amalgamation of Solo Han and A New Hope Han is simply stunning, both of them coming through perfectly through the entire issue. Were you equally as impressed Kat? Messina’s portrayal of Han is an absolute joy to look at in every panel and I do agree there’s fantastic balance for all the versions of the scoundrel. Flashback Han in particular is pretty interesting with his long 70s style hair and I am here for it! Oh, I loved the hair! I thought it was really in keeping with the character and a nod back to when Star Wars was first made. Sinclair’s colouring for these flashbacks also needs a shout out because the warm tones and rosy hues suggest how Han views his past through tinted eyes, only remembering the good parts.
Now although it’s interesting seeing Han and ‘Dad’, for me, I’m really enjoying the relationship between Han and Greedo. In A New Hope, we are led to believe that Han is just that arrogant to think he can shoot Greedo, but this reveals there’s more to it than that. Han sees first hand just how imcompetent Greedo really is. I could almost see Han’s eyes rolling on the page. I’m pretty sure there was an eye-roll panel! But it’s definite to see that Greedo is out of his depth, not having reliable sources of information nor understanding basic security measures. He’s like a cat burglar while Han is much more of a master thief. Guggenheim includes a brilliant call-back to A New Hope as Han pretends to be a security guard in a ‘borrowed’ uniform and fake designation number, getting them into Graves’ penthouse when Greedo can’t manage it. The Rodian just seems to have a total lack of awareness about how people work and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that he’s a big, green alien. When everything goes wrong, not surprisingly, Han is the first to point the finger at Greedo (quite literally) and the one to orchestrate their escape.
Oh completely agree with the A New Hope call back; Han uses what he knows. I do wonder if this is one of the ‘more difficult places’ that Han alludes to in Return of the Jedi. Through all this, the person I feel the most sorry for is Chewbacca because he’s left outside! But again, this feels like it’s harkening back to the original film, where it’s Luke, not Han, who tries to figure out how to include Chewie in their plans. Han just always assumes it’s not going to work! I’m really hoping in the next few issues we see more of Han with Chewie.
I guess the point to all these references and why they really speak to me as a boy of the Original Trilogy, is that Guggenheim isn’t trying to make the reader see the films differently, he’s trying to enhance them. He’s adding to the lore that has already been established and showing where it has originated from, rather than trying to rewrite it for himself. Han is one of those few Star Wars characters who has quite a limited backstory, and who made so many off-handed comments during the movies that are perfect for being explored in this series. The way Guggenheim is writing Han Solo & Chewbacca is only enriching the scoundrel fans know and love.
With the heist gone wrong Han and his crew now need to figure out a way to escape without being caught, and without Jabba the Hutt finding out. Has Greedo actually set up Han using false information? Can Chewbacca figure out a way to rescue his friend? Han Solo & Chewbacca #3 is going to involve a lot of running – good job Han’s used to hairy escapes.
Availability;
Han Solo and Chewbacca #1 is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via ComiXology, the Marvel App and from all good comic book stores.
