Published: February 1, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Justina Ireland
Artist: Pere Pérez
Colour Artist: Jay David Ramos
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Ken Lashley & Juan Fernandez
The synopsis;
STARRING IN HER FIRST EVER SOLO SERIES! Fresh off of a string of disappointments, Sana Starros returns to her family’s ancestral home for some downtime. But family time is far from relaxing for a scoundrel and her family of ne’er do wells, especially when Stormtroopers crash dinner… Watch as JUSTINA IRELAND and PERE PÉREZ bring Sana Starros to new heights!
The review;
So here we are with the first issue of Doctor Aph- oh wait a minute, this isn’t that series! Sana Starros has been a key player in that other series for quite some time and the character has really found her footing there. She’s the complication in Aphra’s life that actually helps her, and although this is a brand-new series, I think it’s important to look at what has come before. Because Aphra and Sana are very similar, they both go after valuable things, play both sides of the coin and generally cause trouble in the criminal underworld. However, there is one fundamental difference between the two; Sana has a much stronger moral compass. Aphra goes places where Sana wouldn’t, and it is this difference that has me very intrigued to this series. Aphra will do whatever is needed to get her goal or treasure, Sana, whilst will try and do a lot, still keeps her principles intact. This has meant Aphra has overshadowed Sana a lot and it will be interesting to see what Sana can do by herself. So, is the team up to the task? Justina Ireland has been releasing a fair few Star Wars books with The High Republic and I have loved the stories she has told. Out of the Shadows has to be my highlight of her writing so far and shows how well Ireland walks the fine moral line on some seedier characters. Joining her is Pere Perez, who has done incredible artwork within Marvel and I’m extremely excited to see his take on a galaxy far, far away. So, let’s see what issue one brings us.
If you’re keeping up with your reading of The High Republic era, you’ll recognise the planet that we open up onto, E’ronoh. Looks like the planet got itself sorted by the time of the Empire! The opening really sets the tone for this series as well as the type of character Sana is. There’s lots of humour and action but what really caught my attention was the artwork by Pérez. In his other works, his use of shadows has always been wonderful, and he’s brought that with him here. The stormtroopers as they’re standing at nighttime with the shadows cast by the artificial light is wonderful and it instantly drew me in. Throughout the issue we get to see more and more, I have a feeling Perez is really going to outdo himself in this series.
Back to Sana, Ireland has the job of trying to catch up new readers as well as keep it interesting for those of us who have followed Sana from the original Star Wars series when Marvel first got the license back. I love that Ireland uses pink milk and cute animals to get the message across loud and clear, Sana is not your typical girl, who likes to do typical girl things. It’s done in a quick, joking way but allows anyone who isn’t aware of the character to understand her right away. Ireland also uses short flashbacks to help fill in the blanks. She uses Aphra (and how could you not?) and Phel (her brother) to provide more information on this character so we have what we need in order to understand the story. Because make no mistake, there are a lot of questions in this story, even for the well-read fan.
A first issue is always about creating the potential for the series, for setting the foundations to make us want to read more. That comes with the unknown. The first huge unknown for us here is time, when is this set? It looks like Sana and Aphra aren’t on great terms, but is that because it was a breakup, or (if you’re following the Hidden Empire storyline) Aphra’s death or because Aphra and Tolvan are back together… or is Ireland just playing with us, knowing that as readers we’ll be asking these questions? Ireland has worked very well as part of a collaborative team for The High Republic, and these are surely some of the questions that would have cropped up with Charles Soule (Hidden Empire writer – as well as The High Republic writer) and Alyssa Wong (Doctor Aphra writer) as to where to go with Sana? As well as when, there are questions surrounding her brother Phel. Has he gone off and joined the Empire? Where is he now? It all speaks to a lot of potential for this series.
Sana goes back to her family home and having travelled with the character for so long, it’s very interesting to see this different side of Sana. Unlike Aphra, who had a very dysfunctional family, on the surface (at least) Sana has her grammy looking out for her, cousins, aunts, and everyone in-between. It feels like your typical family, who now each other better than anyone else. Of course, most families aren’t trying to pull heists or have a stash of weaponry in their storeroom, but you can’t have everything. Sana is normalised here, and I think that’s important. She’s like everyone else. She doesn’t have force powers, or family members in high places, she’s a normal girl trying to make her way in the galaxy. As a reader, it’s very easy to relate to her and I think that will mean a lot as the series continues. Like all families, there are partners that aren’t accepted by the family, in the case of Sana, it’s her cousin’s husband; an Imperial officer Captain Cerasus Ehllo. This seems like it’s going to be the thrust of the family story that will carry us through the series. An heirloom stolen, yet we have no idea what it can be. An Imperial who cares little for anyone but himself and his unborn heir. Sounds like a character we’d expect in Doctor Aphra.
Comparisons were always going to be made between Doctor Aphra and this series. You have two main characters who are very similar and yet fundamentally different on important issues. Ireland’s job for this opening gambit was to show readers why we would want another series about such a similar character. That she does. Aphra will use anyone to get what she needs, yet here we have a story very much centred around family, a family that is far more normal than the one Aphra has. These are characters that support each other and work as a unit and although their goal seems one lifted from Aphra, there are enough differences to make me want to know more. With Ireland keeping the time of when this is set a mystery as well, makes it a tantalising read as it might be foreshadowing current events in Hidden Empire. If that’s not enough to convince you, then the artwork in this issue should be. The flow and pacing are exceptional and can’t wait to see what future issues hold. Time will see just how far the differences between this, and Doctor Aphra are, but I have a feeling Ireland has some cards up her sleeve.
Availability;
Sana Starros is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics and retails at $4.99. This issue is available via the Marvel App, comiXology and all good comic book stores.
