Published: January 6, 2021
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Penciler: Jan Bazaldua
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
“OPERATION STARLIGHT, PART 2 (OF 3)”
REELING FROM THE LOSS OF ONE OF THEIR OWN, THE REBELS FINALLY SEE A PATH FORWARD!THE REBELS attempt to create a new communications code that THE EMPIRE will never be able to crack, in hopes that they might be able to safely reunite their scattered fleet and rejoin the fight. However, the code has a cost, one that LANDO CALRISSIAN is not willing to pay! Meanwhile, STARLIGHT SQUADRON, the group of elite pilots tasked with finding the scattered divisions of the fleet, heads out on its first deadly mission.
The review;
I’m sat here ready to write my review and what should have shown up in the post today but my copy of Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule. If you have read any of my reviews of Soule’s work, you will know how highly talented I believe Soule to be and I can’t wait to dive into his first novel for Star Wars. Yet, last month, Star Wars (2020) #9 left me a little lost for words. Soule did not seem to write a comic to the high standard that I (and fans) have come to expect from him. There were big lapses in time as well as the loss of a hero that happened in the blink of an eye. I’m hoping that this issue we see a return to form, perhaps even a redemption for the previous issue…
Let me start by saying that this issue feels like Soule is once again on top of his game. The focus throughout this entire series has been on the original characters and Soule once again comes back to this. This issue is all about Lobot and Lando. To see this duo together again is simply wonderful. Lobot gets through Lando’s walls in a way few can, they share a special bond that has been built up story after story (and is referenced here). Their bond that is almost exclusively told in comics and books, not through the screen time and Soule does a great job of showing just how deep that connection goes. Lando will not stick his neck out for anyone, except Lobot. You get the sense of this again and again.
The bond the two share is only part of this duo, with each character really shining through the comic. Lobot really proves his power in this, with powers that almost seem force like when used on droids. I’m sure it’s no coincidence that Bazaldua draws the panels with Lobot’s ‘power’ in the poses he does. Lobot isn’t just anybody, he has a gift.
Then there is Lando. Who can love such a scoundrel and it is very easy through the course of this issue to fall in love with the charm of this man? He really is on form, with his smooth talking and comical one liner’s. You get sucked in, as I imagine the ladies are in a galaxy far, far away. Then Soule removes the shroud over your eyes, and we see that Lando is still the person he was. Looking out for himself. It’s a very abrupt awakening and Soule reminds us that Lando doesn’t play as a team. It also shows just how much Lobot means to Lando as he is the only person that Lando will fight for. Added to this, it also makes Lando’s actions in Return of the Jedi even more poignant. At the end of The Empire Strikes Back, it isn’t an immediate change for Lando, his character doesn’t make such a huge and dramatic change. Soule really reinforces who Lando is at this time in the timeline, that he still has a long way from the scoundrel to the hero.
The translator droid has a very Ultron feel and I wonder just how far Soule may take him. In general, I love how much focus the droids get in this issue. We see Threepio and Artoo once again saving the day before it goes all horribly wrong. Soule has never forgotten the droids in this series, a pitfall of many writers, and it always seems respectful that they are in every issue. And it is not just droids, a gave a cry of joy to see L’ulo again. I won’t say too much but this character is one of my favourites!
The artwork in this issue took me some time to get used to. Soule is usually partnered with super realistic artists, yet this couldn’t be further from Bazaldua. His work has a far more anime feel. This is not at all a bad thing and I find it fascinating to see Soule’s work through a different artist. With so many droids in this issue, the artwork really helps to bring expression to these otherwise emotionless droids. The action is also very easy to follow, which allows you to really lose yourself in the story.
Worried? I can’t lie, after last issue I did take pause I think where we might find ourselves this issue. Yet Soule has redeemed himself with love for the droids, for Lando and for Lobot. This is Star Wars as it should be with charming, double crossing swindlers, droids saving the day and the Empire having the upper hand. We all have off days, thankfully Soule’s lasted all of one issue! This is still a very strong series, perhaps one of the very best that I’ve read and essential reading for any Original Trilogy fans. Until next time, I will be making a start on Soule’s novel…
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel. This issue is available via the Marvel App and all good comic bookstores. This issue retails at $3.99.
