If you haven’t been reading this series now’s is a great time to jump in. The last issue revealed some secret history of the Jedi and closed with Aphra and her compatriots arriving at Yavin IV. Kieron Gillen has made this series feel very important, but is it good?
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #3 (Marvel Comics)
So what’s it about? Check out our preview to find out more.
Why does this book matter?
On top of its importance in the great web of Star Wars stories, Gillen has has crafted a unique character in Aphra who is capable of revealing new artifacts and culture in the galaxy due to her being an archaeologist temple robber. Certainly a cool character to coexist amongst the pirates in Star Wars.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
I wonder if there’s a body under there.
This issue opens with Aphra and her father arguing over whether the Death Star was real or not and her father’s apathy towards those who died reveals he’s possibly more interested in things than people. It’s a recurring theme that Aphra grills him on in the issue and it ties into their complicated relationship. In this conversation, Gillen ties the issue into events that occurred in Rogue One as well as A New Hope which is some fun fan service, but also a way to tie these characters more deeply to the films. It’s also a great way to slingshot their current mission so it feels more important.
Yavin IV is currently occupied by the Empire, so much of this issue is all about Aphra and her friends enacting a plan to get into a specific temple. That means teamwork from their Wookiee friend, but also the evil robots (who continue to throw out the hilariously evil banter). Black Krrsantan steals the show as he shows off how badass he is using guerilla tactics to take out Stormtroopers.
Artist Kev Walker draws a top notch issue, with plenty of planet flora and fauna to capture your eye as well as primo character moments as they work out their father/daughter issues. The robots look as good as ever and you’ll never look at Black Krrsantan the same again. Holding up a gun the size of a washer and blasting away might just stick with you.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The father/daughter stuff is laid on a bit thick, possibly because we’re only just getting to know them, but the dialogue forces the father’s love of things over people too hard. The concept certainly makes sense, but there’s more telling than showing which makes it hard to see it as a genuine argument. The father is also strangely apathetic, which makes his interactions with Aphra seem emotionless.
Outside of this, Black Krrsantan is so powerful it’s hard to believe he’s not ruling the universe. Given, he’s taking on Stormtroopers who are very good at dying, but the ease in which he takes on a walker and an army is tough to swallow.
His take down is a little too easy.
Is It Good?
If you’re a fan of Star Wars you gotta read this as it connects to the films nicely. The mission the characters are on is intriguing, their infiltration of Empire controlled base exciting, and the evil robots continue to be a delight. That said, the father/daughter dynamic isn’t feeling genuine and Black Krrsantan is way too powerful.
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