Publsihed: November 24, 2021
Rated: T
Writers: Cavan Scott, Justina Ireland, Jody Houser, Steve Orlando
Artists: Ivan Fiorelli, Georges Jeanty, Paul Fry, Kei Zama
Colourists: Chris Sotomayor, Victor Olazaba, Pete Pantazis, Alex Sinclair, Ruth Redmond
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
Book Design: Carlos Lao
The synopsis;
THE GALAXY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY!
Happy LIFE DAY! Celebrate the galaxy’s favorite holiday with a collection of festive tales from all across the STAR WARS SAGA! Life Day is the last thing on HAN SOLO’S mind when he and CHEWBACCA find themselves outgunned and under fire. But Chewie won’t give up hope, remembering the lessons of Life Days past and present. As for Life Days yet to come… well, they’ll have to survive the night first!
The review;
Red-robed Wookiees and a softly glowing Life Day orb immediately capture the festive spirit in Noto’s direct cover. However, a dashing Han Solo hints that not all is going to go as planned during this holiday season. Sprouse’s variant has a similar style, really encapsulating the original Holiday Special, and the little golden glow-worms add a lovely warmth. In icy blue and white, Duursema’s variant is an extremely unusual, yet very beautiful, portrait of Princess Leia in her Hoth gear, framed by a delicate golden life tree.
Life Day. It’s a tradition that started with the Star Wars Holiday Special and possibly one of the only good things fans remember from it. It’s the intergalactic version of the festive holidays, started by the Wookiees on Kashyyyk, but adopted by the denizens of the galaxy. It’s a time for coming together and celebrating family, hope and light. There’s been a lot inspired by this Star Wars holiday, most recently the Star Wars Life Day Treasury by Cavan Scott, and now a team of talented Marvel writers is bringing a collection of festive cheer together in Life Day #1.
The main storyline started by Cavan Scott follows Han Solo and Chewie in a ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ sort of style, where everything is going wrong for the smuggler (as usual), and he’s still got to find a nice present for his family. Being set after Return of the Jedi, the Corellian has settled down and needs to get gifts for Leia and a young Ben. There’s also of course one huge Wookiee who needs some love too. Rather than browsing the stalls on Batuu though, Han’s got to con Oga and Kanjiklub. It’s fast-paced and really makes Han think about the true meaning of Life Day, just like any good Christmas story.
Jump back a couple of hundred years, and Burryaga the Padawan Wookiee takes his Jedi Master to Kashyyyk to eliminate a threat to the High Republic in Justina Ireland’s adventure. Along the way they save the Wookiees’ beloved trees and make plenty of friends. One of the best moments is when they all sit down together to a roast dinner, beautifully drawn by Jeanty, filled with food and toys. It’s a cosy and heartwarming story, plus it’s nice to see more of Burryaga, who’s had a smaller part in the High Republic literature so far.
Finally, there’s two flashbacks to Han and Chewie’s previous adventures, by Steve Orlando and Jody Houser, and both celebrate the duo’s strong friendship. Whilst the Corellian smuggler might act a bit shady on times, there’s no denying that underneath his sarcastic exterior Han has a good heart. When a job for Jabba the Hutt (no he doesn’t pay extra for working over the holidays) goes south, Han immediately steps up to help Chewbacca, even gifting him a Life Day orb as a way to keep his furry family close even when travelling across the stars.
With multiple stories comes numerous artists and they’ve all done an amazing job! What does Christmas decorating look like in a galaxy far, far away? Well, there’s wreaths and garlands decorating homes and shops. The sparkling Life Day orbs that are central to almost each story is hung a bit like fairy-lights. Every artist has taken a familiar decoration, but just given it a clever twist. There are so many incredible panels, including the aforementioned roast dinner, a Rebellion dance to Life Day carols, and most adorable of all – Han giving Ben a piggy-back ride.
If fans are looking for a cute, heartwarming festive read then Life Day #1 is a must-have! There are all the classic themes of favourite holiday movies woven into Star Wars storytelling, with moral lessons delivered behind some Christmas cheer. It almost feels like a Muppets Christmas special with all the cameos made by familiar faces from across the timeline. While it may only be a Marvel one-shot comic, all the different stories make this a fulfilling read, absolutely perfect for fans of all ages on a cold wintry night
Availability;
Star Wars: Life Day #1 is a one-shot issue from Marvel Comics. It retails at $4.99 and it is available from all comic book stores and the Marvel App.
