– Spoiler Review –
Lando – Double or Nothing #2 retains the fun and pace of the opening issue, but it makes Lando talk a little too much, something I never thought I’d hear myself say/see myself write.
I’ve liked how a younger Lando has been portrayed, from Last Shot, Solo: A Star Wars Story, to the first issue of Lando – Double or Nothing, as he’s a man who enjoyed gallivanting around the galaxy without a care in the world, but has begun to realize he wants something more though continues to fight against it. He keeps L3 around because she’s a good influence on him, allowing him to feel like he’s still the young, carefree smuggler, but is helping him accept he’s changing as well when she talks him into doing the right thing. For most of Double or Nothing #2, that’s the Lando writer Rodney Barnes gives us, but towards the end Lando gets a little too talkative/full of himself, basically narrating every panel as if the art isn’t going to be enough to explain what’s happening (the art is enough, by the way). Lando’s a talker, to be sure, but this was over-the-top at times, though I quite liked his tale about how he got the cape he’s wearing in the middle of the battle, as that felt more like a Lando-should-be-talking-here moment than every little detail. Hopefully going forward DoN has less of the narrating Lando, besides when he’s composing the Calrissian Chronicles (which I enjoy a lot), and more of the Lando the first issue gave us.
L3 is still a treat in DoN #2, both to her high levels of snark and how she’s helping groom Lando into something better than just a smuggler. Every moment his ego is about to ruin their chances of surviving the mission, she manages to cut him down and make him see reason at the same time, which is an impressive feat not just anyone could accomplish. I hope the miniseries can keep L3 at this level all the time, as it’s just as good as her parts in Last Shot already and could surpass that if this continues.
From their fight this issue, it seems my fears about Kristiss giving into Lando’s charms too easily were misplaced, as she’s not enjoying his self-centered demeanor while they struggle to find the best way to smuggle the weapons into the hands of her people currently held as slaves at the Imperial droid-repair facility on Kullgroon. However, I hope she doesn’t end up being a damsel in distress, as her introduction made her seem like someone who wouldn’t need much saving but she’s already in trouble and potentially needs saving by the end of this issue.
Not only did Barnes write Lando talking too much at some points, most of this issue is full of expositional dialogue, explaining more than is necessary, and it’s prevented from developing characters like Kristiss, as I don’t know what makes her tick, and only know what she wants. Other than that, there’s some good humor throughout and the pace is decent, but this still hasn’t quite grabbed my interest or felt like a must read just yet. Paolo Villanelli (art) and Andres Mossa (colors) have stayed consistent with a vibrant style and splashes of color, which really fits in with this younger, more showy Lando than his older, more refined self. In particular to note is how every time Lando is wearing a cape, they give it a sweeping, big life of its own as it swirls around him as he dodges incoming fire and flees for cover.
Lando – Double or Nothing #2 reveals kinks in the latest miniseries about the galaxy’s smoothest smuggler, but the fun hasn’t ended just yet!
+ L3 working on bringing out Lando’s good side
+ Art really fits for younger Lando adventures
– A little too much Lando (which I didn’t know was potentially possible)
– Some (new) worries for Kristiss
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
Lando – Double or Nothing
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