There’s a part of me that really wants to dislike Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire #2. Not a big part, but enough that I’ve got to acknowledge it. It’s basically “Hey Remember This Character? The Comic”, with a story that manages to touch on all the major time periods of Star Wars continuity. It feels like an excuse to interpolate the Sequel Trilogy into the Original Trilogy and dash a little High Republic in there for good measure, all set at their amusement park location. I want to dislike it, but I can’t. It’s too light, it’s too well-paced, it’s too much fun. It’s one of the better Star Wars comics we’ve gotten in a minute.
While not as action-packed as its debut issue (Luke fought Boba Fett!), Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire #2 shifts the conflict from a physical one to a moral one. The residents of Black Spire outpost have a decision to make – will they help out the representatives of the Rebel Alliance or will they bend the knee to Darth Vader and the Imperial garrison he’s brought with him?
Marvel
Let’s catch you up on the story real quick: Darth Vader has arrived at Black Spire Outpost and he’s seeking a Jedi artifact of legend discovered on Batuu centuries ago. Meanwhile, Leia is trying to track down a Rebel sympathizer who she thinks can help her track down Jabba the Hutt’s palace so she can rescue Han. Sensing its power, Luke is drawn to the presence of the artifact much the way Vader is. C-3PO is scared. That’s it for the major players.
This story is being told to Rey 30 years after the fact, by Oga Garra, someone who was there to witness the action. While the central mystery of what this artifact is and what it can do for either the Empire or the Rebellion remains unclear, what is very clear is the line it draws for the citizens of Black Spire, with some immediately doing calculus about how how they can sell out Leia and the others for personal gain, while others are arguing about the moral responsibility they have to fight against the Empire in every way, firmly putting the “war” in Star Wars.
Marvel
What works best in this issue is the cat and mouse game between Vader and both the artifact he’s after and the Rebels trying to avoid him. Vader running into old clones Farmer and Stacks was especially riveting. You were waiting for the Sith Lord to fly off the handle or one of the clones to buckle under the pressure of the questions he was getting and fight to break out, but the mutual respect on display won out despite how intense the whole scene was.
Vader is very much the star of this issue, with barely any scenes with Luke to speak of, Leia and Chewie technically get second and third billing respectively. Leia’s scenes, while few, were incredibly effective. Her compassion and knack for empathy and understanding shine through even in the few lines she has, and when it’s time for action she steps up in a way that very quickly reminds you she’s a General in a Rebel Army. Chewbacca is given a scene so badass, it’s all I can do to not mention it here.
Marvel
While, occasionally, it feels like an inordinate amount of time was spent finding ways to nod and wink to fans, well, I’m a fan and it worked on me. But the reason it worked is because the bones of the story work so well. I’m enjoying the story for its mystery, its action, its breezy pace, its ability to set up iconic characters doing things you wish you got to see them do in the movies. It all just works together so well you forget it’s basically an ad for why you’ll see these characters on your next visit to a Disney theme park.
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