Published: February 15, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Andrés Genolet
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Stephen Segovia & Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and an elite crew of Rebel heroes are lost in the farthest reaches of No-Space after a mission gone wrong. A desperate maneuver is their only chance to find a way home – but what will it cost them?
The review;
This series has really been a highlight for me over the past few years. It has pulled at the strings of my nostalgia for the original films while providing extra depth to those stories that I know so well. This current arc is aligning our characters with ideas and places form The High Republic, arguably, one of the best and thought projects to have come out since the Disney acquisition. Charles Soule did a fantastic job last issue of bringing new and old readers onto the same page, ready to leap into whatever this issue has for us. Along with incredible artwork from Andres Genolet, it is always a fun ride to see where we’re heading next.
The first thing that is really prevalent in this issue is the pacing. For this arc, even for this series, the pacing has been quick brisk. Of course, it usually has to be, there’s a lot of story to tell and not much space to tell it. Yet in this issue it feels like someone has slammed the brakes on. I mean this in a very positive way. It creates an atmosphere most like the start of Alien, where we’re exploring what is happening and what the Nostradamus is doing. Having last issue to bring everyone (both readers familiar with The High Republic and those not) to the same page, has meant that everyone is in the dark about what is happening, that we’re all trying to figure out what the situation is on Kezarat colony. Rather than rush, Soule allows a wide lens shot at it all, so we can try and piece things together. It also gives the reader a tremendous sense of slowness that our characters are nearly going to be feeling now that they are trapped in no space. It is very well executed.
The artwork by Genolet this issue also feels from another time. When we see parts of the colony, I couldn’t help but see the similarities of the style with those of the first Dark Horse Comics from the earlier nineties. It might be completely accidental, but it feels Genolet is trying to show that the colony itself has been lost to time, that we can’t think of this place as just somewhere lost in space, but it has been frozen in time because of no outside influences. The internal shots between characters has the detail we always expect, and you can feel the tension that lies between Lando and Holdo, great compositions!
We are introduced to Captain Blythe who is the tour guide for our characters and ourselves. We get a brief history of what has happened, filling any lingering gaps in our knowledge of what might have happened between The High Republic and now. I love seeing the Nihil, if only briefly. Of course, for readers of that series, there is a huge question underpinning the kill droids, why were they left? For this story it probably doesn’t mean anything, but if you’re following along a couple of centuries ago, is this a clue to how things might end? As I’ve said, the series is so well planned, that I’m Soule is setting things up. I adore seeing the role reversals in no space and the colony. Luke, Leia, Holdo, important people who are worth a tremendous amount in the galaxy and yet here are worthless. The one that is the most valuable is Lobot, who Blythe is very happy to have with them. I really hope Soule exploits this in further issues as I would like to see how the other characters deal with it. There is also a real sense of community here, something the Rebellion are trying to work to in the galaxy. On a small scale like this it works but perhaps Leia will pick up some tips as to how this can be used after they have overthrown the Empire.
Throughout this series, Soule has always provided those character moments that really set the Original Trilogy apart from other films. The one that I always think is so important is that between Luke and Leia. We know it’s there in the films, but we never really get to see it, which is where Soule comes in. Of course, they don’t know they’re brother and sister, but you can feel it in the way they confide with each other, share their worries. And then there’s the other pairing! Lando and Holdo! I must admit I didn’t see that coming! I’m very interested to see how that plays out!
Soule captures Luke perfectly as a character. It is a very interesting time for Luke and Soule has really delved into where Luke is at this point between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and this is no different. Luke is still going on with his training, and even admits to Leia that he needs the Jedi text in order to complete it. Yet his lessons are so easily forgotten. As I read the pages, I seem to continually hear, “Always with you, it cannot be done.” Sometimes Luke is so strong headed, he forgets everything Yoda was trying to impart. He hears the principles but doesn’t apply them (you might hear the teacher side of me coming out here!). Blythe’s son, Forvan, is so excited to see Luke because he’s a Jedi and says to Luke that the Jedi can do anything. His belief in the Jedi has no limitations. Yet for Luke, he instantly goes on the defensive to say that he will do his best but, well, that don’t expect too much. Luke is putting his own limitations on his abilities and not believing he can do them. Cue the hearing Yoda in your head again, “That is why you fail.” Luke still hasn’t learnt to believe in himself, that he still can’t do what actually he can because he still places his own perceived limitations on himself. It’s frustrating but very much like a stubborn student who keeps failing to hear the true message of their teacher’s words.
As always, Soule brings us a great issue. The change of pacing is fantastic and the atmosphere this generates really helps this issue to stand out and for readers to take note. There’s no action but a lingering sense of dread as our heroes try to come to terms to their fate. This is definitely a story arc that will appeal to a lot of fans and hopefully encourage some to have a look at The High Republic. A great issue with a lot of potential with where the story is heading next.
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
