Everyone has that one movie that they wish would get a sequel; The Last Starfighter is one of mine. The original 1984 movie follows teenager Alex Rogan as he learns that the video game he’s mastered was actually a test to find worthy pilots for an interstellar war against an evil empire. While it’s best known as one of the first sci-fi films to use extensive computer effects, The Last Starfighter is a movie with plenty of charm, an inventive premise, and all the makings of a franchise. Indeed, the ending did promise a sequel as Alex takes his girlfriend Maggie into space with him to rebuild the Star League, and the malevolent Xur, leader of the Ko-Dan Empire, is still at large.
That sequel would never materialize, despite efforts by filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Rogue One screenwriter Gary Whitta. Until now. The Last Starfighter #1 not only picks up where the original movie left off, but also expands on its world in surprising ways. Chief among them is the need for Alex to rebuild the Star League, given that Xur is still at large and the loss of the other Starfighters has the galaxy on edge. On top of that, he and Maggie are still getting used to life in outer space, which comes with its own set of challenges.
Writers Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes deserve all the credit for how they’ve managed to both continue the story of The Last Starfighter and stay true to the original film’s vibes. Not only do Raab and Hughes expand upon the politics and culture of the galaxy, but they also thrust characters into new directions. Alex takes on a leadership role, but is wracked with doubts about whether he can inspire others. Maggie ends up playing a major role in the story, while also deepening her own relationship with Alex. Even Alex’s reptilian co-pilot, Grig, and intergalactic huckster/recruiter Centauri have a role to play. It doesn’t hurt that Jonathan Betuel and Paul Davison, who served as screenwriter and producer of The Last Starfighter, respectively, serve as creative consultants.
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The Last Starfighter #1 also boasts some stunning artwork courtesy of Willi Roberts and Francesco Segala. Roberts’ attention to detail is incredible; you can see every wrinkle on Centuari’s face and every scale on Grig’s body, as well as the worry and doubt in Alex’s eyes. There are even some new aliens introduced, including Hanu, a massive being made entirely of stone, and Xyla, a blue-skinned, white-haired alien revolutionary whom Alex plucks out of prison to join the Star League. That same level of detail extends to the scenery, with a large floating obelisk serving as a gravestone for the former members of the Star League and Alex’s iconic Gunstar cutting a path through the skies.
Segala’s color work tops off the issue, bringing plenty of depth to the environments. Rylos, the home of the Star League, is bathed in a golden sunset that sets the mood for Alex to honor those who were lost. The depths of space are a cold, seemingly endless blue. And the ending features massive black starships, helmed by a new villain, swallowing up the sky in their wake. It feels every bit as epic as you’d expect, especially from a comic that’s continuing the story of an ’80s sci-fi cult classic.
The Last Starfighter #1 is the start of a more than worthy sequel to the classic sci-fi film, pushing it forward in new directions while never losing sight of what made the original movie so great. While fans often push for big budget revivals or sequels to their favorite films, this is a reminder that comics are often the perfect vehicle to get those sequels, especially if you have the right creative team.
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