Published: July 20, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: David Messina
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
OH…SHYRIIWOOK!
• HARROO! RHOO AAHH! HRRG!!! (TRANSLATION: It’s a Chewbacca-centric special issue as Chewie fights to rescue his friend Han.)
• HRRARRARGH AAHHRA HUGGG! (TRANSLATION: Guest-starring the one-and-only KRRSANTAN!)
• RRRAHARRR RAAA HRRRA! (TRANSLATION: You don’t want to miss this one!)
The review;
It seems to have only been a short few weeks since we last caught up with everyone’s favourite smuggler. When we last saw Han, he had just been attacked by Krrsantan, a fantastic way to leave the last issue. Since then, readers have waited with bated breath to see what will happen. We know the main players, Han, Chewbacca and Krrsantan all live, we see them in the movies and in the Book of Boba Fett – so how does everyone get out unscathed?
Mark Alders: Ever since Kat and myself started reviewing this series, I have always said the same thing; I want more Chewie. This is, after all the series Han Solo & Chewbacca (both names). Up until now, it has felt that he has sat on the side-lines, almost an add on for a story that doesn’t really need him. Yet here, he shines through, this is Chewbacca’s issue. The first few pages contain no written English whatsoever, it is made up of grunts and sounds emanating from both Wookiee’s. But you don’t need there to be written words. We know how Chewie communicates, his actions and gestures. The artwork carries us forward, showing us what we need to understand what is going on. It’s simply gorgeous to see, both in terms of artwork and Chewie getting the limelight.
Kat Rees-Jauke: Also, could you not hear Chewie’s little grunts and mewls in your head? While Caramagna’s lettering perfectly encapsulates the Shyriiwook, I could literally hear Chewie’s voice just by looking at the pages. Han Solo & Chewbacca #4 proves that you don’t need lines to carry the story onwards when the artwork speaks for itself. Chewbacca is so much more than just Han’s co-pilot. He’s his best friend and most loyal protector, and that is what this story really celebrates.
As soon as he realises that Krrsantan has taken Han, there’s no stopping Chewbacca from finding his friend. I loved the moment where Chewie pauses before taking the pilot’s seat of the Falcon – it’s the empty space where Han should be after all. Completely agree, it’s the perfect reaction, in line with how Chewie responds to Han’s death in The Force Awakens. We know that Chewie will do anything for Han but knowing it and seeing it are two different things and I always love seeing how far Chewbacca will go for his best friend. He is usually this kind, caring creature until someone goes too far and isn’t that the ultimate sign of his true friendship with Han?
Shall we discuss Han’s ‘dad’. I mean the synopsis at the start of the issue says supposed father and throughout this story so far, it has been back and forth is he really? Clearly, they still want us to be questioning and with that end, why wouldn’t you? But what do you think at this stage Kat? Guggenheim keeps teasing us with this bait-and-switch, which is possible because we know so little about Han’s past. His dad is briefly mentioned in Most Wanted by Rae Carson, where Han expresses how his dad was mainly absent and not good as a father figure (what is it with bad Star Wars parents?), which fits with the character we’ve seen so far. I think this is Han perhaps glorifying good memories of his father and trying to hold onto the idea of him as a good dad. What’s particularly noticeable is they rarely refer to each other by name, nor does Han press his ‘dad’ about memories or stories from his early life on Corellia… I’m so intrigued but I think Han is going to have to get his heart broken.
Speaking of breaking things, seeing Chewbacca take on Krrsantan is such an incredible moment, only made better by Messina’s incredible artwork. There was no doubt that Chewie would find Han, and their reunion happens throughout this firefight. You can practically feel each Wookiee punch in the panels! Fans have seen in The Book of Boba Fett and throughout the Doctor Aphra comics just how strong the mercenary Wookiee is, yet Chewie matches him blow for blow. You are absolutely right and I’m so glad this creative team made it so. We have seen the potential of Wookiee’s, with Chewie it’s always felt like he’s left behind, that he is in some ways weaker to these ferocious Wookiee’s just because he can control himself more. To see him unleashed here is simply wonderful and even more special because it happens rarely.
I know we keep mentioning him, but I do want to pay a little time to Messina’s artwork for this issue. His work has been incredible throughout but this issue I feel he shines even brighter. A lot of the leg work this issue is told solely through the artwork and Messina’s able to capture the pace, the movement, the action all so perfectly. The page spread of the fight is glorious to see, and you can really look at the incredible line work of both Chewbacca and Krrsantan. I think you could easily have a comic with no words and Messina’s artwork to carry it the whole way through. I would gladly take a full Wookiee comic of Messina’s artwork! Every change in the eyes, a little scrunch of the snout, and the way the fur moves, is just so realistic.
If there’s one thing that Guggenheim seems to be perfecting throughout this series, it is the cliffhangers right as the action is reaching its crescendo. Chewie’s rescue was going so well, and then he and Han ended up in a bit of a tight spot. Their getaway ship is…missing. I really wasn’t expecting this twist – what’s your predictions Mark? I have been debating this with myself since reading the issue! We all think this ‘dad’ is a fake and so this only confirms our suspicions, a “ha! Told you!” moment. But then is it too obvious, is he going to come back and save them as the good dad that Han really wants? I just don’t know how Guggenheim is going to play this! I think – think – I want him to have taken off with the Falcon, being revealed as a fraud but I have a sneaky feeling it’s going to fall the other way. Which side are you betting on Kat?
I feel like there’s more to Han’s ‘dad’ jetting off in the Falcon than meets the eye. Chewie trusted him enough to leave the ship under his watch, and Han’s ‘dad’ appeared pretty invested in the heist. Earlier in Han Solo & Chewbacca #4 there’s a scene where Han’s ‘dad’ hinted at being unwell. Is this what drives him to take the Falcon? I think you’re right that Guggenheim wants us to think the worst of this character, yet I also believe there could be a huge turn around.
The next issue is really shaping up to be something unexpected, as these characters are all now in limbo. Han and Chewbacca are stuck, with Krrsantan not far behind. Han’s ‘dad’ is somewhere totally unknown for unclear reasons. What surprises are there going to be in the Han Solo & Chewbacca #5? The tension is definitely mounting up, which is helped that this series has been so strong, getting better and better with each issue. I can’t wait for the next comic, one that will hopefully have some answers!
Availability;
Han Solo and Chewbacca is an ongoing series available from Marvel. This issue is retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, comiXology and all good comic book stores.
