– Spoiler Review –
Star Wars #6, from Luke and Verla’s conversation holding hints of the future to Luke’s battle with a surprising and familiar face to obtain a new (temporary) lightsaber, “The Destiny Path” comes to a rousing close.
Whenever Artoo’s service to the galaxy and Skywalkers comes to an end, this little droid deserves a funeral attended by the entire galaxy, by both good and evil, as he’s never really taken a break; he has every right to be grumpy and swear his little booping head off. His service continues here, saving Luke from Verla’s trap, in another clutch last minute save. While we’ll be getting a Artoo-less Star Wars in the upcoming The High Republic (which gets another tease here!), I can’t imagine yet what it’ll look like when his time is up, nor can I imagine wanting it to be…he might though, so tirelessly saving the Skywalkers from themselves. Hopefully he can get another spa treatment soon.
Verla might be surprised about Luke’s mercy, and eventually senses he’s a good person instead of her rushed conclusion due to his lineage, but what surprises her more is his commitment to becoming a Jedi to help the galaxy. Her past paints the Force’s push and pull in a far more negative light, as she was told to become a Jedi and that path only brought her pain, from the loss of loved ones and tireless pursuit by the forces of evil, and she only gained peace once she hid from it all and lived a secluded life. If that sounds somewhat familiar, it should, as Luke will one day make a similar choice when he goes off to Ahch-To, teased by Verla’s comment about Luke wanting to stay and learn how to fish (he had a far better and more intriguing fishing teacher anyways). Luke here is the Rey to Jedi Master Luke, knowing the path ahead might not be easy but ready and willing to meet his destiny, whatever it may be, anyways. It’s such an interesting way to view Luke, especially at this point in his journey, as having him accept the destiny ahead of him despite knowing who his father became, with someone jaded about serving the Force telling him it won’t end well, reiterates the selfless hero Luke Skywalker becomes. Even when he pulls a Verla, hiding out after it seems like destiny has slipped away and he’s no longer a help the galaxy, he recognizes the galaxy needs him and gives himself up to help save it. Writer Charles Soule always seems to have a thumb on the here and now, but also the past and future of the Saga, tying the eras together with a deft, poetic bow that continues to make his work always worth checking out. But this isn’t the only time Soule pulls this trick off this issue…
Verla accepts Luke’s commitment, asking him never to seek her out after she tells him where he’ll find a lightsaber, and points him towards a Jedi Temple from the High Republic era. She warns it’s protected by something dark, but he knows the path before him now and has embraced his destiny so he’s willing to face whatever it may be. Upon opening the Temple and grasping a new, High Republic-looking saber, a dark spirit attacks him: the Grand Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels! After his death in the finale to season 1 of Rebels, the Grand Inquisitor’s spirit would return in the Lothal Jedi Temple, eventually helping crown Kanan Jarrus a Jedi Knight, where he was seen as a Jedi Temple Guard like he was prior to the fall of the Jedi. After Darth Vader takes over the Temple, which the Grand Inquisitor’s spirit tries to protect, it seems Vader repurposes it to haunt Jedi Temples (or at least this one) and attack anyone attempting to become a Jedi. The Grand Inquisitor’s harrowing final words to Kanan, about there being things worse than death, originally signaled the arrival of Vader, but ol’ Grandy says them here once again about his new fate as a spirit in waiting, standing alone in the Temple, with the flames which consumed him still dancing across his damaged body and holy crap does it give those words a whole new, terrifying meaning. This isn’t the first time Soule wrote the Grand Inquisitor, he appeared in his Vader comic run, but it’s another great show of how he’s able to build a character’s story, no matter what era they’re in, and honor what comes before and after. And the art by Jesús Saiz, with help on colors from Arif Prianto, truly makes ol’ Grandy’s appearance a horrifying sight to behold, from the aforementioned flames still burning his body to his snarling visage, altogether it adds so much extra, terrifying weight to the repeated phrase about fates worth than death, especially since Vader leaves him to continue his watch even after Luke leaves.
Luke is able to overcome the Grand Inquisitor’s attacks by drawing strength from the sense of peace and purpose hidden within the temple, while also coming to terms with the potential cost of being part of the legacy of the Jedi Order: sacrifice, which goes back to what I was talking about earlier with Luke and his future. When he returns to Leia, Lando, and the fleet (L-squad reunited!), who are all ready to start their own Operation Starlight (providing a beacon for the other fleets the Empire can’t track, which is also another, but previous THR reference), Leia only helps build his confidence in his choices by asking him to brandish his new lightsaber in front of everyone. It’s not as grand a gesture as standing up to the First Order singlehandedly, but it’s a start.
I’m going to gush about Saiz and Prianto’s work a little more, again regarding ol’ Grandy’s appearance, as his final panel (included below), with the help of letterer Clayton Cowles, might be my favorite of the year, and one of the best in these last 5 years, as it’s so chilling it gives me shivers every time I’ve looked at it today (and I’ve looked at it a lot!).;Honestly, it might already be one of my top moments of the year from the artwork alone! Beyond their excellent work there, I also enjoyed Saiz’s continued strength with faces, as the anger or frustration on Verla’s face is palpable, but so to is Luke’s determination and it’s all done without tracing. Unfortunately, this is the art team’s final issue on the series, as issue #7 will see a new team join, and they’ll have quite a bit to live up to after these first 6 issues (the original #7 solicit seemed to suggest Roman Rosanas wasn’t to join yet, but the preview at the end of this issue confirms he’ll be taking over then).
Here are a few other things:
- The Jedi Temple Luke visits is in the Outer Rim on Tempes, noted for its primary usage by the Order during the High Republic era. And since the lightsaber looks like it’s from the era too, maybe we’ll see who wielded in an upcoming book/comic! Add those to the growing list of teases for the upcoming launch in January! When we get closer, I’ll have an article on the Manor detailing all the teases placed so far, but for now stop by our The High Republic hub for all our current coverage (and later reviews!)
- Verla doesn’t have tons of information about what all went down, but she does give Luke his father’s name: Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan will go on to tell him this in RotJ on Dagobah, but interesting to learn he got that information prior to that.
- As for when to expect some upcoming issues, issue #7 hits shelves October 7, while #8 is out November 4.
Star Wars #6 connects past and future for poetic and thrilling effect, as Luke accepts his destiny and the Grand Inquisitor has a haunting appearance, bringing “The Destiny Path” to an excellent close.
+ Poetic use of the connections across eras
+ Luke coming to accept his destiny and what it might entail
+ The Grand Inquisitor’s haunting, terrifying fate…
+ …and the artwork which brings it to chilling life
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
STAR WARS (Vol. 2)
The Destiny Path: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 / Arc Review