– Spoiler Review –
Doctor Aphra #35 is the penultimate issue of “Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon,” as we finally learn a little more about Voor’s plans with Aphra and an old frenemy learns he was duped, again, setting up for what could be quite the finale.
If you’ve been following the Manor for a while, at least the Doctor Aphra series reviews, then you’ve probably heard enough about my theory that Minister Voor is actually Chelli Aphra’s mom, Lona. Even when the previous issue showed Lona dead after the raiders attacked their hideaway when Chelli was a child, I hadn’t quite given up hope. But after this issue, my theory might’ve finally been defeated, as about 95% of my reasons are seemingly debunked here. As Aphra uses the Empire’s communications against them, broadcasting her message of ‘cooperation’ to as many ears/eyes as possible so Voor, who Aphra knows has an unnatural interest in her, will come to get her before someone like her ol’ pal Darth Vader finds out about her survival, again, against all odds. The plan pays off as Voor swoops in moments after Vader’s command to kill Aphra and ask questions later comes through, resulting in Voor taking Aphra, Vulaada, and Krrsantan under her protection for now because it’s good for PR…and, as we soon learn, other surprising reasons. For all her smiles and groveling about the Emperor on camera, Voor is quick to edit out the less-than-savory PR moments, so one has to wonder what she all does when the cameras aren’t on her as well. As she reveals to Aphra, the answer seems to be planning the ultimate coup: taking down the Emperor and ruling the Empire itself! Aphra fits in the plan due to her unpredictability, though originally not needed alive until her little stunt, as it can give Voor a chance to manipulate events so her coup seems like someone else’s idea, much like all her work as a head of PR has been, like how they got Milvayne to be a compliant world by offering them to police themselves or pay the consequences. In a way, Voor wouldn’t be the worst ruler, as her work is largely non-violent, until absolutely necessary of course, as she manipulates behind-the-scenes to get the results she wants. All of which doesn’t quite sound like Mama Aphra, Lona.
My theory they are one in the same falls apart due to most of this issue, so let me list the ways. For starters, don’t you think Chelli would recognize her mother, be it her voice or looks? Sure, the Force-infused hookspores in “The Catastrophe Con” took the form of her mother in a similar garb to Voor’s outfit when we first meet her, and used a voice similar to her mom’s, but if Aphra could recognize it then, she’d easily recognize it now, so there’s a big knock against the theory; We see Lona dead on Arbiflux a second time this issue, further cementing her natural end already happened; Voor didn’t care if Aphra was alive for her plans to happen, and if she was really Lona, wouldn’t she want her only child to live? We know it’s easy to get a new arm, but Voor seems to have both and Lona died missing one. The list seems to go on and I sure had fun with this theory while it lasted…but I still have 5% chance of it being true. Teased at this issue’s end, #36 (the last of this arc) is set to reveal Voor’s rise in the ranks, so it could potentially reveal Lona is Voor, maybe due to Bor-related mind hijinks or brainwashing of another type. Plus, the cover has Lona on the front, with the raiders of Arbiflux behind her and Aphra so it could mean Voor’s story ties into theirs somehow…or it’s just an awesome, Indiana Jones-looking cover. Yes, I’m stretching for this final 5%, but aren’t rebellions, err theories built on hope?
But enough about my pitiful attempts at keeping a theory alive, what about the rest of the issue?! Aphra and Tolvan’s little moment at the beginning of the issue is everything I live for with these two. Tolvan admits she still loves Aphra, but still really hates her (with Aphra’s “I knows” bringing great laughs), which is much better than Aphra deserves after everything, though I think even Tolvan can see Aphra’s plan here is both self-serving and, in a weird way, protecting Tolvan from being complicit in the unspeakable rebel superweapon plans. They part on much better terms than at the beginning of this arc, so it gives me hope the two might find a way to reconcile. Could Tolvan try to free Aphra from Voor’s grasps? Or will that come next arc when Aphra’s stuck in a very dangerous situation? Either way, more of these two together, because who doesn’t love reading lines like, “Santy, meet Captain Snuggles,” or “TT. You are such a careerist. I forgot how hot that is.”
When Vader’s holocalls in with orders to wipe Aphra from existence, I can only imagine the dark lord’s considerable hate bubbling over like Mustafar lava flows, as he now knows he’s been fooled TWICE by Aphra regarding her apparent death: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, death to you for real this time, Doctor Aphra. Another old adage to consider: third time’s a charm. Will the charm work in Vader or Aphra’s favor? Will Vader get to finally see her dead (which might just kill me to see) or will Aphra’s third escape from him be what stops his pursuit for good (which might be also due to the events of Ep. V and VI catching up to Vader)? If you’ve been peering ahead at the series’ future through the solicitations, October’s revealed we might find the answer sooner than later (and November’s are due soon so even more details might be divulged UPDATE: They are out and I do not like them…but also do at the same time). Either way, these two are on a crash course, though his arrival might be something Aphra can use to her advantage, claiming she’s trying to help stop Voor’s plans of usurping the Emperor, saying she knew he’d arrive to come after her and she could enlist his help to stop the latest threat to his Master. And how delicious would that be if Voor was actually her mom, Lona? Sorry, last time I’ll bring up my theory this review…maybe.
Simon Spurrier has been an excellent choice for taking over the Aphra series, as her story has only gotten more layered, exciting, and humorous, though I’ll always want a female writer to have a crack at Aphra, but for now there are no complaints with how he’s handling the series. As for art, unlike the last few issues, Andrea Broccardo provides all the work with pencils, having Marc Deering and Scott Hanna on inks, with Chris O’Halloran for colors. While I’ve been enjoying some of the artist variety, thanks to how it helps distinguish the flashbacks from the present day, it was nice to have one person provide all the work, and Broccardo was a fine choice. I was a little harsh on Broccardo in the past, but I’ve since really grown to enjoy his work, and gets his chance to shine here. From Aphra, Krrsantan, and Vulaada’s fantastic outfits once Voor gives them a PR makeover, capturing Voors ability to switch from smile to sneer in a flash, watching Tolvan’s resentment and love for Aphra cross her face, to showing Vader’s fury through his poses, there’s a lot to love this issue on the art side too.
Here are a few other things:
- First the murderbots wrapped up their story arcs/time on the series in “Worst Among Equals,” and now Black Krrsantan gets to exit stage left after them, having been paid Aphra’s full debt thanks to Voor, thus no longer having a reason to stick around her…all this tying up loose ends definitely makes me a little nervous regarding what’s next for this series after what’s been revealed about the next arc in October’s solicitations.
- Vulaada doesn’t get much to do this issue unfortunately, besides leave her qaberworm behind with the Rebellion…what’s her part in this arc’s finale next month and the series in general?
- I honestly forgot this was the penultimate issue of the arc; I’ve been having too much fun with this one to think it’ll come to a close so soon. Plus, most of the arcs have been 6 issues, but this one will only be 5, so that’s why it feels like it’s ending so quickly. Anyways, I always look forward to rereading a Doctor Aphra arc once it’s time for the arc review and “Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon” is no exception!
- UPDATE: I don’t know how I missed out on this, but Twitter user Elliemagique had an excellent thread on fancasting of Aphra and crew for live action appearances.
Whatever disappointment I might feel about the potential death my theory, Doctor Aphra #35 is such a great issue my disappointment doesn’t even get a chance to exist.
+ Voor’s surprise plans (even if they help undermine my theory)
+ Aphra’s gamble (and potential way out with Vader…again!)
+ Tolvan and Aphra scenes
+ Vader’s already boiling rage boiling over
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
Doctor Aphra
Aphra (#1-6) | And the Enormous Profit (#9-13) | Remastered (#14-19) / Arc Review | The Catastrophe Con (#20-25) / Arc Review | Worst Among Equals (#26-31) / Arc Review | Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon: #32 | #33 | #34 | #36 | Annual: #1 | #2
CURRENT SERIES COMIC REVIEWS:
TIE Fighter (miniseries)
Galaxy’s Edge (miniseries)
Age of Republic (miniseries) | Age of Rebellion (miniseries) | Age of Resistance (miniseries)
Star Wars
Kieron Gillen Retrospective (#38-67) | Greg Pak – Rebels and Rogues (#68-73)