Published: February 3, 2021
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Penciler: Jan Bazaldua
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
OPERATION STARLIGHT GOES SUPERNOVA! The mission to reunite the REBEL FLEET is countered by a deadly trap sprung by the cunning COMMANDER ZAHRA! How will WEDGE ANTILLES, SHARA BEY and the other elite pilots of STARLIGHT SQUADRON survive? And then there’s LANDO CALRISSIAN… forced to choose between THE REBELLION and one of his oldest friends!
The review;
Last issue seemed to get the story back on track after a slight misfire with issue 9. I have just finished Light of the Jedi, written by Soule and I can’t recommend it highly enough. With such incredible prose, I’m not surprised there was a slight dip with this series! This month, I can’t wait to see what Soule has in store for us…
The main appeal for me for this series, is how Soule makes you rethink the original movies, the motives of the characters and what they have been through in the interim months between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This issue is no different and what really strikes me is how the Rebellion is portrayed. Through most of the films, books and comics, we all sympathise for the Rebellion, that their cause is a just one that should be fought at all costs. We cheered when Luke blew up the Death Star, when the Emperor was defeated and when Vader was redeemed, never really questioning how all this happened. In Rogue One, we began to see glimpses that the Rebellion have had to do things that would make them see less than heroic. Here now, Soule also shows us the dark side of the Rebellion through Lando. Now Lando is no angel, but one thing he is, is loyal to Lobot, his dearest friend.
Yet the Rebellion is willing to sacrifice Lobot to allow for some of the most important data the Rebellion will ever need. It comes down to, is one life worth the life of millions? How do you put value on a life? It’s an interesting dilemma, one that has been explored before. Leia is the one to make the hard decision, yes one she herself has had to put herself (and her planet) through, but does that make it right? Is the Empire not sacrificing lives for the stability of the galaxy? Seeing it from Lando’s viewpoint raises a lot of questions as to how we see the Rebellion but of course, also for Lando. It is these hard decisions, decisions that Lando does not see as right or fair, that lead him ever further down the path he is on. Soule goes one step further, by using Dameron (a hero of the Rebellion) to almost say to Lando that his wife is worth more than Lobot, that to hear from his wife is more valuable than Lobot’s life. It really brings home the reality of war, that although the Rebellion are on the ‘good’ side, that there are no sides that are completely free of guilt.
Knowing where Lando is heading eventually, Soule has created several ticking time bombs, which are really going to blossom in the next few issues. Authors can either give us surprises or knowing what we know, wait for that knowledge to come to light within the story. Lando is going down a dark path, as mentioned. However, we also know that he is going to become a general. How is he able to betray the Rebellion and earn their trust back enough to become a general, in the space of only a few months? This is not the only time bomb that Soule has set up. Shara has been captured by the Empire but we know that she survives well past Return of the Jedi, due to events in Shattered Empire. So how will the Rebellion save her? One may guess with two such cases, does one answer the other?
What is happening inside the Rebellion is only half of the story Soule is telling, the other half is following Starlight Squadron. This is where this issue shines. I’m a huge fan of the Michael Stackpole Rogue Squadron books and comics, and for me, this part of the issue felt like a Rogue mission. From the dogfights, to the crazy tactics, it all flowed wonderfully. Having Wedge there with his (wise?!) ideas of how to thwart the situation was very welcome, and I’m pleased to see Wedge getting some more attention. Added to this, Soule has written an incredibly competent villain in Commander Zahra, who the more I see, the more I love. Having such a god opponent makes the successes of the squadron feel so much more earn and deserving. Soule doesn’t give us an officer who isn’t worth her hat, he gives someone who we (and our characters) fear.
The issue looks great, but it is the Starlight Squadron parts where Bazaldua shines. The first panel with an x-wing and the star destroyer, I felt my jaw drop. The ship interactions, the movement, it flows so well that the battle plays out perfectly in your mind’s eye. Although so well written, it is Bazaldua that really brings this whole thing to life and gives it the pacing it deserves.
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, Soule does right by the droids. They are such an important part of Star Wars, and throughout this series, Soule hasn’t forgotten them once. we see them here again, helping to save the day, with Soule even mentioning that most people don’t even notice them. It may be just a little thing, but it’s one of those little things that I think adds so much to the story.
This issue is a story of two halves. First is Starlight Squadron, an action packed, fast paced tale of pilots trying to outwit a cunning enemy. The second, a careful look at how the Rebellion operates and the consequences of their actions. It is this second part that I think is Soule moving pieces around, ready for the next part of his story. Both work incredibly well together, showing us the character development and the action that makes up a Star Wars story. Soule and Bazaldua are really on top form here and no matter what you enjoy about Star Wars, you will find it here.
Availability;
Star Wars 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.
