Star Wars, Geek Culture, and Power Converters
I love one (1) Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra. So much. She’s not perfect; in fact, she’s a little bit terrible at times but that just makes me love her more.
Spoilers for Aphra doing terrible things and also being very, very gay beneath the cut. Continue reading
Hey Aphra? I hope you understand how lucky you are to be alive right now because holy crap, you should’ve died at least six times in this issue alone. Okay, maybe not six but a lot. At least twice.
One of the coolest things about this particular arc (and with so much going on, there’ve been a lot) is the combination of Aphra and Hera; two women who could not be more different. Even if they were on the same side of things, I highly doubt you would ever see them getting a drink together but wow are they fun to throw together. I particular enjoyed Aphra having a scientific interest in the abominations created by the Tarkin Initiative while Hera is horrified on moral grounds. My second favorite was Hera’s remark that “It’s lonely being you, isn’t it?” because WOW did she figure Aphra out fast.
This issue is making me think a lot about Aphra and what kind of person she is. The easy answer is that she’s not a good one but it’s always more complicated than that. Simultaneously, Aphra does what’s in her best interest and almost gets herself killed a lot. She’ll do the terrible thing but try and find a way around it. And she’ll flirt with an Imperial officer even though she knows it can’t end well. Aphra, you are a delightful and complicated mess and I love you more with every issue.
As Aphra’s allies dwindle, in part because of her own actions, her chances of surviving this arc are decreasingly rapidly… as are the chances for her allies. Seriously, I need that next issue now. Please?
Doctor Aphra #18: Kieron Gillen and Si Spurrier/Writers, Emilio Laiso/Artist, Rachelle Rosenberg/Colors, Joe Caramagna/Letterer, Heather Antos/Assistant Editor, Jordan D. White/Editor
The interesting thing about accidentally putting off your comic reviews for a few issues is what you notice about how an arc reads. I’m a big fan of Kieron Gillen’s work (just go look at my reviews of his fantastic Darth Vader) but something about his Star Wars series just wasn’t entirely clicking for me in the same way. That click finally happened when I sat down and read the latest three issues together. If you’ve struggled with “The Ashes of Jedha”, try reading it all together in one sitting for a better experience. (Which given that we’re talking about Gillen’s writing here, probably shouldn’t have surprised me. But here we are.) Let’s talk about each of the big three. Continue reading
Doctor Aphra: Still gay
Tolvan: Still doesn’t know her name. Still pretty into her
I dig it.
“Remastered” has no intent of confining itself to just one location and in Doctor Aphra #17, our favorite archaeologist and her team make their way to a rebel pilot training base where the general in charge is a very familiar green face. Yup, it’s the face you’re thinking of because who else could train a batch of recruits to fly x-wings quite as well as Hera Syndulla?
One thing I really like about this comic is that it never tries to hide that Aphra’s not a great person but at the same time, it makes it clear that she’s not exactly a really bad person either. This arc in particular has emphasized this with Triple Zero forcing her to do things she otherwise wouldn’t and Tolvan skinning another being as part of her disguise which Aphra’s not okay with. It gives Aphra more depth than your standard “bad gal” and honestly, it’s part of what makes me love her. It’s also a part of what makes her feel real. She makes a lot of bad decisions and then has to deal with the consequences. If anything, Jango’s line about being a simple man trying to make his way in the universe probably really applies a lot to her too.
This issue also does lovingly poke fun at how trusting some of the Rebels can be. (Or maybe that’s just Flight Control; Hera at least knows what’s up. Actually Hera is by far the most competent person in this issue.) In a way, it’s almost sweet how he so easily believes that these mercenaries are there to join up without any ulterior motive.
I think it’s been a little while since I’ve mentioned it but I am really digging the Laiso/Rosenberg combination for the artwork on this book. There was something about their work on this issue that particularly clicked into place. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there was something about it that took my feelings on the art from like to love.
There’s a heck of a lot going on in both “Remastered” and Doctor Aphra #17 and I’m definitely still on board with all of it and can’t wait to see how both Hera and Aphra handle things in the next issue.
Doctor Aphra #17: Kieron Gillen and Si Spurrier/Writers, Emilio Laiso/Artist, Rachelle Rosenberg/Colors, Joe Caramagna/Letterer, Heather Antos/Assistant Editor, Jordan D. White/Editor
Yep. It’s going to be another review where we talk spoilers but you’ve probably already seen this particular one. Continue reading
I’ve decided that all I want from Kieron Gillen’s Star Wars is more Skywalker twin interactions.
Queen Trios and the Empire continue their efforts to drill all of the kyber out of Jedha and the rebels continue to have somewhat strained relations with what’s left of the Partisans. However, things are slightly less than harmonious between even some of our heroes…
Spoilers after the cut. Continue reading
When a Star Wars comic is set on Jedha not too long after Rogue One, you have to expect that there will be references to the film but that doesn’t stop me from grinning from ear to ear when I see Jyn Erso’s name in print.
I appreciate that Kieron Gillen is making sure that we know that Rogue One’s mission was not forgotten amongst members of the alliance even in the wake of the victory at Yavin 4. The Partisans have not been forgotten either which is definitely a good thing to help give the rebel side some depth. (Still waiting for word on the Dreamers though…)
There are two particularly noteworthy parts in this issue that highlight some of our favorite heroes. Leia has her moment as the persuasive Rebel Leader who is here to get things done but not so much to take people’s crap. Luke, on the other hand, seems to be on a mission of discovery whether he realizes it or not. Jedha is the perfect place for this given the presence of both kyber crystals and the former Temple of the Whills. This offers a nice taste of Luke the Jedi Hero in a way that makes me think of the concept of the Legends of Luke Skywalker novel. (That’s a good thing, by the way.)
Assorted Thoughts:
Star Wars #39: Kieron Gillen/Writer, Salvador Larroca/Artist, Guru e-FX/Colorist, Clayton Cowles/Letterer, Heather Antos/Assistant Editor, Jordan D. White/Editor
It’s a brand new day for the main Star Wars book as Kieron Gillen slides in to take the reins and I’m like 99% sure that all of my favorites are going to die because I spent all my Gillen Good Luck on keeping Aphra alive. Just like he’s been doing over in Doctor Aphra, Gillen is already working with the events of Rogue One as our heroes venture over to Jedha. Needless to say, things aren’t doing great there in the wake of the Death Star and the Empire is trying to mine whatever kyber crystals it can from the ruins. The Rebels arrive looking for the remains of Saw’s Partisans while the Empire brings in a specialist to try and solve its mining issues. Things are likely not going to go very well for either of them very soon. Shocker, right?
While Jason Aaron’s run was solidly good, Gillen’s new angle for the book can only be a good thing for the series. He’s not a stranger to our core crew, having written them during the two crossovers, but seeing his take on the heroes for once will undoubtedly be fun. There’s already been a tie in to his Vader series that was unexpected yet incredibly welcome.
On the other hand… the art on this book continues to be an exercise in frustration for me. I like Larroca’s style well enough but the moment the faces jarringly slide into photorealism, I’m not a fan. There are at least several panels where the faces clash so much with the rest of the art that they almost look pasted in.
A few assorted thoughts:
All in all, a good start to a new era of Star Wars comics. It’s most definitely a good place to jump onboard if you haven’t already.
Star Wars #38: Kieron Gillen/Writer, Salvador Larroca/Artist, Guru e-FX/Colorist, Clayton Cowles/Letterer, Heather Antos/Assistant Editor, Jordan D. White/Editor
Star Wars: Giving more of us excuses to roll up to conventions in comfortable robe costumes one character at a time
Oh wait. Was that not the takeaway I was supposed to get from this issue? Oops.
Spoilers after the jump. Continue reading
I usually try and keep these spoiler free but today? Today we’re talking spoilers. You have been warned. Continue reading