For those who are only casual readers of the Star Wars comic line, the Dark Droids event is the current crossover connecting its various books, focused on a rebellion by sentient machines against their oppressive society. Droid domination hasn’t been a core focus of the Star Wars universe throughout its history, but recent writers (both in comics and novels, as well as film), have found ways to inject this obvious conflict into the larger galactic narrative. Star Wars: Dark Droids D-Squad looked to be a superfluous miniseries tacked on to the event yet turned out to be one of its gems.
Written by Marc Guggenheim and illustrated by Salva Espín, this four-issue miniseries finds C-3PO and R2-D2 assembling a team of droids to confront the corruption machines are experiencing throughout the galaxy. Eventually, the ramshackle team finds their mission bringing them to Jabba’s palace. Numerous beloved droids make an appearance, including Chopper, IG-88, and QT-KT, with some “which droid would win in a fight” fanfare thrown in throughout the entire run. They even find a way to add a little romance into the droid escapades!
Marvel Comics
Bing a droid fan, I was pleasantly surprised by this nominally noteworthy run, especially when R2-D2 was given a leading role. The Star Wars droids generally play a supporting role, and to see a whole book focus on their norms and teambuilding skills was entertaining. These short minis tacked on to larger crossovers have a real hit-or-miss quality, with some clearly being published just to entice completists into picking up another set of books. I can confidently say that even those unfamiliar with the larger event would likely enjoy this series, as it efficiently tells its succinct adventure. Salva Espín’s focused and careful line work perfectly complements Guggenheim’s plot direction; the book looks cartoony and fun without breaking out of Star Wars vibe or tone. My daughters, looking over my shoulder while reading this trade, quickly adopted it as their own and begin copying Espín’s great art. I might not be a blurb that makes its way onto the cover of future reprintings, but anytime comics excite the younger set should be seen as a high commendation.
Marvel Comics
As for supplementals, a few variant covers are thrown in at the end (I especially loved the Tom Reilly covers, and they would make for fine T-shirt prints), but nothing out of the ordinary. The real selling point for Star Wars: Dark Droids D-Squad is the accessible and fun story that doesn’t require a deep knowledge of the larger Dark Droids event. In fact, I’d love to see the D-Squad under the tutelage of this team of creators get more escapades in the future.
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