Published: October 7, 2009
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Colin Wilson
Colourist: Wes Dzioba
Letterer: Michel Heisler
Cover Artist: Jo Chen
Editor: Randy Stradley
The synopsis;
Twenty-five years after the events in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the relentless assault by the alien invaders known as the Yuuzhan Vong has plunged the galaxy into war. But word has come of a possible intelligence coup for the New Republic !
Young Finn Galfridian joins Leia Organa and her children aboard the legendary Millennium Falcon for an undercover mission to a notorious refuge for pirates and smugglers. Meanwhile, Finn’s sister Kaye, held prisoner aboard a Yuuzhan Vong starship, is about to show the invaders that the galaxy is not defenseless!
The review;
The duel between Tsalok and Finn on Rychel in issue 3 has had a profound effect on the Vong leader. He is now the ruler of Rychel, but he still cannot understand why Finn spared his life. He is sitting on the thrown but his internal turmoil is eating at him. What does this mean for Finn, will we see Tsalok face home once more to try and glean the answer from him? It’s strange to see the inner battle in the Vong leader and is a window into their ways and feelings.
It’s interesting to see the absence of Han going on the family break, but after losing his co-pilot during the early stages of the Vong invasion you can tell how much he is hurting at the loss of Chewbacca. This is explored in great depth in the novels and while not in this issue, you know it has cut him deep. The exploration of Han and his feelings is deep and possibly some of the best character-based writing attributed to Han Solo in any Star Wars literature. Unfortunately, we don’t see the full extent of this in this format. I have used the word family in a loose term because Leia and her children are accompanied by Finn, Prowl and Chewbacca’s nephew, Lowbacca, known as Lowie. There is also a very dubious destination for this break is the Hutt world of Nar Shaddaa also known as Smuggler’s Moon.
The short interlude after the Falcon departs is a very poignant conversation between Luke and his pregnant wife Mara Jade about father and son relationships. One thing that you may not understand is the mention of her disease. This is a bio engineered illness that one of the first Yuuzhan Vong scouts into the galaxy has released on her in the Legends novels for this era.
We get to see the what is known as the vongformed landscapes of Artorias; yorik coral and other Vong manipulations taking hold. It is also obvious that there are some Artorian’s who have escaped the clutches of the Vong and formed resistance cells attacking their oppressors. This is part that I am pleased to see. Instead of just following the characters that have fled the Vong, we are also starting to see the events of those left behind.
Events on the Tsam Pah also take a huge turn. Kaye Galfridian is manipulating the Vong with her own act of submissiveness. Her character is slow cleverly written, but the artwork enhances those subversive ways with her manner and expressions. She has now befriended Arbeloa the warrior who is also a captive. Working in tandem they have now started the revolution, trying to overthrow their captors. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
Well, I must say, I didn’t see that coming. So, Han Solo did join them on their excursion. Stowed away on his own ship to follow his family, but to also question the intentions of Finn. This is typical behaviour of how I’d expect Han to be with someone who is showing an interest in his daughter. Leia coming to Finn’s rescue is a let off for him. The underlying reason for them being on Nar Shaddaa is to meet with a smuggler for information. Han sees Finn’s droid Prowl as a tool to help them get to the smuggler. I’ve mentioned Han’s character development and when he refuses to meet with Anakin to talk about the events that led to Chewie’s death on Sernpidal, shows the anger that he retains towards his son. This also reflects back on the interlude with Mara Jade and Luke which is echoed in the text for this sequence.
Dulac who betrayed the Artorians is captured in some caves and dragged down into a well of sorts by an unknown who puts a breathing mask on him. This leads us to the last two frames that give us the perfect cliff hanger. King Caled is still alive and it looks like he is in charge of the resistance on Artoria.
The writing of this issue is quite phenomenal. How Tom Taylor somehow squeezes all these different mini arcs within one issue still astounds me. There is some great character development, personalities of our heroes that hold true to what we know, but also the explanation of a foe we know so little about. It is great story telling and makes me feel that Taylor should be given another crack at a Star Wars title someday. The story is not the only star though, as the artwork again is faultless. Graphic, colourful, expressive and fills in the gaps the text cannot.
I can’t believe we are at the end of issue 4 already. Issue 5 is the last in this story arc and I’m looking forward to what it has in store!
Availability;
Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Invasion ran for 3 series from 2009 to 2011, encompassing 17 issues. Invasion – Refugees #4 is currently available in digital format via the Marvel App, comiXology or by subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from Marvel. Please check with Amazon UK and US or your local comic bookstore for availability.
