Published: July 5, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Guest Artist: Andrea di Vito
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Stephen Segovia & Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
DISASTER LOOMS FOR THE REBEL ALLIANCE!
• With the discovery that the Empire is building a second DEATH STAR, the Rebels are on the verge of despair.
• But LEIA ORGANA has devised an impossible mission to remind both the Rebels and the galaxy how to hope.
• It’s the FALCON’s time to shine, as the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy flies into the belly of the beast!
The review;
High Expectations, they always seem to make matters worse; things don’t deliver what we really want, we’re left deflated and cheated. Yet this series continues to rise my expectations again and again, and I’m always deeply satisfied with the outcome. Last issue was an absolute experience, changing how we perceive so much of Luke and his journey in the Original Trilogy. Although I would happily follow Luke for the whole series, he is (at the end of the day) one person in a huge war engulfing the galaxy. This week it’s Leia’s turn to have Charles Soule focus on. What to expect I really don’t know, yet Soule has proved time and time again that these beloved characters are in safe hands. This week, he is joined by Andrea Di Vito. This is Di Vito’s first steps into a larger galaxy and having seen the work he has done in Marvel comics, I’m very intrigued by what he will bring to this issue.
I love that we are still feeling the effects of the anomaly that ended the Crimson Dawn trilogy. The fact that the Emperor and Vader aren’t on top form is the perfect opportunity for the Rebellion to attack. Not everyone thinks so, Captain Rowne questions Leia of her choice. Now I’ll be honest, I found it rather frustrating that someone would even question Leia, yet it is Soule making an obvious and important point. In the Empire, people are afraid and don’t question what is happening for fear of the consequences. The Rebellion works very differently, questioning is allowing, people are allowed to doubt, that’s why they have been able to achieve everything that they have. We can also see that Leia herself takes no offence; she shows no sign of the frustration readers may feel. She stays calm and responds with calm and well thought arguments. Leia realises that this is part of the process, of checking that what they are doing makes sense and is the right course.
What I also like, and Soule has done this before, is show that the Rebels aren’t going to win by sheer force. The Empire has more troops, more ships, more everything. The Rebels are only going to win through propaganda and winning the hearts of the people of the galaxy. As Leia explains why the mission needs to happen, it’s not about victory or killing, it is about instilling hope in those that need it, for those that need that gentle push against the Empire. It’s a part of the war that gets forgotten a little too much, yet Soule, like so many things, always has it there present. It’s the driving force for the Rebellion.
Through this we get to see Ackbar, Home One, Wedge Antilles, so many references back to the Original Trilogy. Di Vito does an incredible job of capturing each of these moments but where his work really shines is with the Falcon. The ship has never looked better (well, when the fertiliser has come off). The movements of the ship and the detail itself look superb on the page. To then have it diving into the levels of Coruscant is incredible and Di Vito lines up the panels so well that you can feel yourself descending with the ship. Each level we see has its own unique feel and you’ll be wanting to go back to take a closer peek at these panels.
Soule shows us a very interesting dynamic with the removal of Vader and the Emperor. The Rebellion want to attack because the leadership of the Empire has their focus elsewhere. It makes sense. But then Soule shows us just how wrong this actually is. The leadership is overconfident, we see it in Return of the Jedi, they believe in their power so much. Yet when they are not there, the troops they leave behind aren’t themselves overconfident and this is further reinforced that they are afraid of the leadership and what they will do when they return. It means these troops are more cautious, trying to make sure they don’t make any mistakes. With the Rebels attacking Coruscant without leaders, they become overconfident that they can achieve their goal. What Soule presents us with is a complete role reversal of the two sides. It really reinforces the problems with over confidence, no matter which side has it. It is only in true Han Solo fashion that the Rebels are able to pull out a victory: with luck. It’s another part that Soule doesn’t forget, Han. He is never mentioned but it’s these little nods that make readers remember him. It is so clear when reading this series (or any that Soule has or is writing) that Soule understands Star Wars better than most, the beats it needs, the little moments that make it Star Wars. Even knowing it enough to take it and turn it on its head like he has done here with making the Rebellion leadership more like Vader and the Emperor.
Lastly, we have Lando. At the very start of this series, we saw that he wasn’t fully invested in the Rebellion, that he was still wheeling and dealing. I’m sure this will come back to haunt him in future issues, but we have seen this progression of him becoming more and more invested in the cause. Here, he still has his doubts, that for him this mission was a failure.Yet, for the Rebellion as a whole, it was what they needed. It’s the last step that he needs to make. We also see the start of his relationship with Nien Numb and just how much luck was needed to keep that spark of friendship alive… quite literally!
It can’t all be about Luke (even though I wouldn’t complain) and Soule is very good at taking breaks from his story to look at the other aspects of the Rebellion. I always love when Soule starts thinking about the propaganda war the Rebels need to fight. With the opportunity of switching how the Rebellion and Empire view a battle, Soule seizes it with open arms and shows us a role reversal that is both interesting and though provoking. As always, this is a series that is essential reading for anyone who enjoys the Original Trilogy, Soule is a master of his craft and a master of Star Wars, there is no one I would trust with this era more. Along with well thought out panels and gorgeous images of the Falcon by Di Vito and you have yet another incredible issue that is sure to be a hit with every fan.
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
