Published: August 10, 2022
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: David Messina
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
“LET’S KEEP A LITTLE OPTIMISM HERE. ”
• But optimism is hard to come by with the Millennium Falcon gone and Han and Chewie in their toughest spot ever!
• Greedo is back and boy, is he mad!
• Featuring the returns of Marshal Buck Vancto and Khel Tanna. Which one is going to get their hands on Han first?
• All this and more in the rip-roaring conclusion of “The Crystal Run.”
The review;
Mark Alders: Last issue found Chewie really coming into his own and rescuing Han. Only problem, Chewie and Han were left stranded on the planet, with a big question mark surrounding Papa Han. Who is he really? Is he who he says he is or has he been playing Han all this time? To the credit of Marc Guggenheim, he doesn’t keep us waiting too long and stretching this out till the last issue, but more of that later!
Because what I really want to focus on is the highlight of this issue for me, which is Han. There have been lots of great Han moments in this series so far, but it’s this issue that we see Han in his full glory. His humour, the acknowledgement of his piloting skills by others, the fact he’s not quite so easily conned not to mention trying to talk himself out of every situation, it feels like all the important pieces of Han are here.
Kat Rees-Jauke: The opening panels of Han Solo & Chewbacca #5 really remind me of the gang showdown on the Eravana during The Force Awakens. Han’s got his signature bad feeling about the situation and is trying to come up with a plan on the spot. He’s a very reactive character rather than a planner and that’s what Guggenheim perfectly captures. One surprise rescue by characters who’ve been brought back from the very first issue and Han’s literally out of the galactic frying pan and into the fire. I also love that Guggenheim is playing with us in these panels; I don’t know about you, but I was sure it was his “dad” coming back for him and Chewie, only to be proven otherwise on the next page.
Did Han deserve that many punches? Well, the scoundrel did desert the pirate crew to fend for themselves. Plus, it allows yet another tense moment between Han and Greedo. Seeing their rivalry is becoming my favourite part of this series because it’s helping to justify Han’s actions in Episode IV. The famous Han shot first scene being changed by George Lucas was because he didn’t want the smuggler to appear too dark and letting Greedo shoot first allows Han to call his own shot self-defence. But Guggenheim is tallying up all of Greedo’s strikes now and making Han’s famous shot something that was a long time coming for the treacherous Rodian. You’re absolutely right, it’s another part to Han’s character and how we see him in A New Hope. It really feels like this is Guggenheim’s payday for Han, where all the laying of foundations comes to fruition.
Well shall we deal with the elephant that has been held over our heads this entire series: Han’s father. I think it would have been easy for Guggenheim to have kept this charade up until the final issue but I’m so glad he didn’t! I love that Han hasn’t actually trusted him, even though he has wanted to, but has tried to anticipate what might happen. Were you surprised Kat that it was revealed in this issue, or in fact that he isn’t his dad?
The build-up to this reveal has been absolutely so well done, and I think Guggenheim did it at the right moment. To take it further in the series could have led to it being more obvious that Han’s ‘dad’ was a fraud, but the way it was done leaves readers questioning right until the very last moment. This is a con man with a big criminal record. And Han’s been disappointed so many times in his life that he moves on from this betrayal so quickly.
However, the con man has conned Han out of the location of this urn that he’s been running round the galaxy for (how can a piece of pottery be so important?), and that leads the pirates to the Benelex Marshal Service Headquarters. I really liked seeing this new location because it ties in a lot with the Aftermath trilogy and The Mandalorian with marshals featuring in both. They’re heavily inspired by Western sheriffs and basically freelance police parts of the galaxy. This is the first-time fans get to see a more organised version of the marshals though and Messina’s artwork for their headquarters beautifully combines sleek blockism architecture with more typical sci-fi elements. I absolutely love this expansion of the lore for the marshals, and should hopefully please both fans of the books and for those just joining due to shows like The Mandalorian. I wonder if there are more plans on the way for this group in future series.
That does segway very nicely into Messina’s work. This entire series has shown just how wonderful his work is and this issue is no exception. The facial expressions on all the characters adds so much weight to all the scenes. Han, as always, is flawless, a combination of both portrayals of the character, yet it’s those knowing looks, those shocked expressions that are timed so perfectly with the script that really make this story come alive. As you’ve mentioned Kat, his design of locations has also been impressive and in this issue we see yet another well thought out, meaningful location that expands our view of the galaxy. My favourite panel (well technically two) has to be the punch panels that repeat themselves!
They are just so laugh out loud! Han goes from scoundrel to super roguish with a black eye. I also love Messina’s portrayal of Chewbacca and he’s a big part of this issue. There’s a panel near the end where the Wookiee is desperately trying to get back to Han and the pirates, and you can see the resignation on his face that he can’t get out. Han Solo & Chewbacca #5 is an emotional rollercoaster, from hilarious punches to heart wrenching moments.
This happens because in a botched attempt to get at the con man who fooled Han, Chewie ends up being captured by the marshals. I did feel like throwing the comic at the wall at this point! How many times has Chewie sacrificed himself for Han? I think this is going to lead to Han having to return to Benelex in order to save Chewie and for one final showdown with his ‘non-dad’ as Greedo called him. What do you expect to see next Mark?
Oh, I think that is definitely going to have to happen… after Han has got the Falcon back. What I thought was done really well was Greedo actually shooting Han, the only way that Han wouldn’t have fought for Chewie (and at least we know Greedo has some accuracy!). It’s that undeniable bond that the two have that will keep Han going until he finally gets his friend back. To be fair, these are all things we know need to happen because of the films. What we don’t know is what will happen to “non-dad’, will Han finish him for good, or might he redeem himself by helping Han get Chewie? If i had to hedge my bets, this is Star Wars, I think redemption.
Yeah, but this is Star Wars. Redemption doesn’t usually end well for whoever so tries to redeem themselves. Chewie’s behind bars. Han’s been shot by Greedo. And there’s a ‘non-dad’ who could go either way. Not to mention a surprise cameo that I won’t spoil but let’s just say it’s going to add some fun times ahead. There’s going to be rescues and revenge aplenty in Han Solo & Chewbacca #6 next month!
The fact that we’re both unsure makes me so excited, even with all the known facts, there’s still so much anticipation. This series has been highly enjoyable, but this issue has really set my expectations even higher! It has everything a reader could want from a series focused on this smuggling pair! Next month can’t come quick enough!
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.
