Say what you will about Alyssa Wong’s Doctor Aphra title, but you can’t argue its distinct vibe that separates it from the other Star Wars titles on the racks. Even when it doesn’t connect as a singular narrative, it continues to be a title that folds new characters effectively into the existing universe and legacy characters. With the Spark Eternal storyline (collecting issues #21-25), Doctor Aphra feels the most “superheroic” the title has ever been, with mixed results.
This run is a direct continuation of the previous arc, with Doctor Aphra being pierced with a shard from the Spark Eternal. This piece of Ascendant tech can rejuvenate, but also corrupts those who possess it with Dark Side-like energy, and Aphra comes under its malicious sway. Understandably, she becomes a threat to her comrades Sana Starros and Kho Phon Farrus, who after a run in with the bounty hunter Boushh join forces with some of Aphra’s exes to help save her. All the while, Aphra is confronted with this dark version of herself let loose by the Spark Eternal, confronting the darkest corners of her psyche.
Grappling with one’s dark side is obviously not a new concept in Star Wars, but with Aphra so clearly built as a character removed from the tropes of the Jedi, her conflict with the Spark Eternal feels closer to the types of internal conflicts found in the X-Men, with the titular character being possessed by a foreign entity bound on controlling her for its own aims. This tone is aided by Minkyu Jung’s pencil work, which is warmly energetic, and superhero versed. It’s a pretty run that isn’t bogged down with excessive dialogue or exposition, giving the book a solid visual presentation.
The main problem with this arc is its length. In our era of comic narratives needing to make their way into a trade paperback, this ends up feeling like a story that could have fit perfectly well into 2-3 issues but was padded to meet the page requirement. It’s unfortunate, because all the character interactions and visuals are good, it just feels drawn out (especially since this collection doesn’t even conclude the storyline).
Nevertheless, Wong’s Doctor Aphra run has a voice of its own that makes it distinct from the other Star Wars comics currently on the shelf. The Spark Eternal may not be the book’s best run, but it continues to give its characters depth and charm, setting the stage for future adventures in the galaxy, far, far away.
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