Published: July 28, 2021
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
“FRIENDS AND ENEMIES” LUKE SKYWALKER embarks upon an epic mission with WEDGE ANTILLES and the brave pilots of STARLIGHT SQUADRON to rescue a lost division of the REBEL FLEET. LEIA ORGANA, CHEWBACCA and LANDO CALRISSIAN attempt to save HAN SOLO from the evil clutches of BOBA FETT. But what hidden vision will the Force send to Luke about the troubles to come?
The review;
War of the Bounty Hunters issue two was released two weeks ago, so far none of the tales in other issues going beyond that event. This comic promises to change that. The events surrounding issue two of the crossover event have been tantalisingly slow and I’m now ready to have the story move a bit more forward, rather than just filling in some of the missing details. Let’s see what Charles Soule and artist Ramon Rosanas have in store for us this week…
Is it a furthering of the War of the Bounty Hunters? No. Do I feel let down, disappointed and annoyed? Not in the slightest. Although I was hoping for movement on the crossover story, what Soule presents is something far better. This entire series began with Luke and the aftereffect of The Empire Strikes Back. The series has started focusing on other characters yet here, Soule brings everything back to where he first started: Luke. From the very start this feels like a very special issue, seeing Luke and Wedge back together flying with Starlight Squadron. This is how we all first knew Luke, flying in a squadron to save the galaxy from the Death Star. Although at this stage we don’t know it, this is Soule’s plan. We are then introduced to the rest of the squadron. Soule eases us into this, with pilots gradually talking and having their names revealed, again, it feels like A New Hope. For me, as a Legends fan, there is a definite Rogue Squadron feel to all of this and it really makes me wish we had more of Luke flying about in an x-wing with a squadron. For most of this series, Soule has really focused in on Luke’s emotions, of how he is dealing with the revelation from Vader. Here Luke is able to take a step back from that, to focus on helping the Rebellion away from Vader.
As Soule takes us away from the events of War of the Bounty Hunter, which I’m sure might be frustrating for some, he does provide a reason for this within the story. It is easy to get caught up in a crossover event, in the story of Han. But as L’ulo points out, Han is but one man and the Rebellion are fighting a war. I think this is really important to remember and why an issue like this is essential. Yes, a lot of the galaxy is focused on Han Solo and Crimson Dawn, but the Rebellion is still trying to defeat the Empire in a fight that at this point, they look like they’re losing. This isn’t after A New Hope, when the Rebels have had a victory to lift their spirits, this is after The Empire Strikes Back, where seemingly everything has gone wrong and continues to go wrong. One man is not going to change that fact. Soule doesn’t give us the issue that we may want, he gives us the story that we need; we need to remember the state the Rebellion is in. L’ulo continues to say that Leia can make as many speeches as she likes but the Empire is winning. It reinforces that the Rebellion is struggling and yet some of its top heroes are out looking for Han. Is that the right thing to do? Should the fate of one man threaten the entire galaxy? Soule uses L’ulo as our reality check, to ground us in the actual reality of what is happening.
As the story continues, we also get to see the legend that is Luke and Wedge, the survivors of the Battle of Yavin. I like that the regular troops hold these two in such high regard, that when all hope is lost, that these two can bring it around. Even with these two, there is a faith and trust between all troops of the Rebellion. Whereas the Empire will ignore its regular troopers, taking orders from those higher up in command, the Rebellion is able to have faith in one another, no matter if they’re a legend or not. Wedge and Luke don’t think they are better than anyone else and trust the ground troops, even when it doesn’t make sense to them.
The final run. Just like A New Hope. Soule shows us that Luke is away from his emotions, that he can have a reprieve before beautifully showing us that one cannot simply run away. These little nods back to Episode IV have all been for this moment, when Luke is sent a vision of what may be happening on Jekara. It shows us that Luke is still not in control of his emotions, that his training is still not complete. This is such an incredible pay off in such a short amount of time and one I wasn’t expecting (can you ever predict where Soule will go?). The use of Luke’s and the readers memories is executed without fault.
And on that note, I must mention the artwork by Rosanas. This is him at his absolute peak, the story suited his style perfectly. The images of the ships, the explosions, the battles, he makes it all work beautifully, creating a flow to the story that can’t be done with just words. The angle and images for Luke’s vision had to be just right in order to have the effect Soule wanted and Rosanas does it with seeming ease. Rosanas has always shown a special affinity for the ships of Star Wars, and he utilises that so well here. The widespread panels of the battle on the ground are a joy to behold and then to finish with those glorious panels at the end. This is what we need to see Rosanas doing a lot more of.
This is a comic filled with nostalgia, from A New Hope to Rogue Squadron, and quite intentionally. Soule plays us readers like puppets, knowing exactly how we’ll react to certain situations and images and uses it to create a very explosive ending emotionally. Although what I wanted was a continuation of the War of the Bounty Hunters, what I got was something much needed and something I enjoyed far more. Soule really brings this story back to where this series started, to Luke and his emotions. It may not move the crossover event much, but it shows us where Luke is in himself, where the Rebellion is and continues the themes that this series began with. I like that Soule hasn’t forgotten these amongst what is happening with such a big event (even if we the readers have!). This is such an incredible issue made even more amazing by Rosanas’ work. Whether you’re following the crossover event or not, this is an issue that will speak to many, many fans.
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.
