Published: February 26, 2020
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Penciler: Jesus Saiz
Colourist: Arif Prianto
Cover Artist: R.B. Silva, Guru-eFX
The synopsis;
RETURN TO CLOUD CITY! The end of the war and the final defeat of the REBEL ALLIANCE are inevitable as the cunning IMPERIAL COMMANDER ZAHRA unleashes her fury against the splintered and scattered survivors. But where have the Rebellion’s greatest heroes gone when their cause needs them the most? LUKE SKYWALKER’S only hope at becoming a JEDI KNIGHT was lost during his battle with DARTH VADER…and so he, PRINCESS LEIA and LANDO CALRISSIAN must return to CLOUD CITY to find it! But Leia has her own covert mission to accomplish there…and Lando’s mysterious reason for returning could very well ruin their only chance at success!
The review;
I’m starting to really feel these long waits between issues, four weeks apart seems too long. Last issue, we had a shift in focus to Lando but with an ending that promised more Luke this issue and gave us one incredible ending. It was an ending that I’m hoping won’t take too long to answer. However long, I’m sure this month’s release will awe and amaze, how can it not with Charles Soule at the helm (who is also part of the announced Project Luminous) and incredible art by Jesus Saiz…
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this. And I mean that in a great way. What really gets me with this issue is the nostalgia that creeps in with every single frame. Most of the story takes place on Bespin, which instantly takes the reader back to The Empire Strikes Back. And almost like a nightmare, the story follows a lot of the same beats of the film when Han and Leia land on the city in the clouds, but it all goes horribly wrong. I’ve said again and again that Soule is a master of his craft and the way that he has constructed this issue is flawless. We all know the story, for most of us it’s our favourite of the films, so we think we know what to expect. Or perhaps we think we know what not to expect, because surely Soule wouldn’t put another character into carbonite? Right? Soule plays with everything we know and twists it in a way that is both nostalgic and also gripping. Coupled with this is the incredible art of Saiz, the shots are beautifully portrayed, echoing the shots from The Empire Strikes Back. This pair clearly know the effect that they want to have on the reader and succeed in doing it in every conceivable way.
What has already been established in this series is the aim that it’s going to fill in gaps. One I hadn’t even considered was how Leia is able to operate Han’s carbonite block. I’ll put my hands up, I thought she either spoke to Lando or read a manual! It’s not something that needed answering but it puts a completely different spin on Return of the Jedi. Leia knows the controls because she’s studied them. The advice she gives to Han about his condition, all known from first-hand experience. It fits into the films flawlessly and I can’t wait to re-watch Return of the Jedi, armed with this new knowledge.
Lando still steals the show for me. Soule knows exactly what to do with this character, from the smug remarks, to the wit. The Lando in the last issue was slightly unsure of himself, but back on his home turf, it’s the Lando we all know and love. Lando should always have gone back for Lobot. It might not seem it in the films, but over the years, back to the original Lando books, all the way through to more recent publications, we always assume the two know each other, and they know each other well. They are a pair and for all his saving his own skin, Lando wouldn’t leave Lobot behind. I think Soule will use this as a way of really showing a different side to Lando as the series continues.
I love troopers talking. They rarely say anything profound, but I could listen to them all day long (If you’ve seen the last episode of The Mandalorian, I’m sure you know what I mean!). The two in the carbon freezing chamber are utilised brilliantly, we get to hear their everyday chatter as well as their views on Vader. Although Vader doesn’t appear in this issue, his fingers are all over the different parts.
I want to end by looking at the new villain, Commander Zahra. Soule expands on not just her, but her whole crew and their ship. The concept behind it is one I think will draw a lot of people. To salvage a ship (The Fortitude) to then carry a crew who have all lost someone close on the Death Star is an original take that I can’t wait to see in future issues. I know Soule will have plans but actually seeing where he goes with this. There is just so much potential. It has been a long time since I’ve wanted to know so much about a villain… a villain and all her crew! I feel we could have a series just about all of those people, let alone weaving it into this series. It was a great way to open the issue and has me wanting to see them more and more.
A nostalgic trip back in time, or at least a twisted version of it. This is of course not the end of the adventures on Bespin, so I hope this warped similarity to The Empire Strikes Back continues as it’s very interesting to see how closely the two line up! The whole concept of this issue is simply genius and plays so much on our own memory. Only Soule could deliver such an issue. As always, Saiz is there, with panels that harken back to the film we all know and love. This really is a wonderful match of writer and artist and I can’t wait to see more of their work. And by more Marvel, I kind of mean…like…in the next couple of weeks…. please?
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.
