Canon Comic Review: Doctor Aphra #15 (Vol. 2) – War of the Bounty Hunters

– Spoiler Review –

Fresh out of Crimson Dawn’s prison and in hot pursuit of a valuable item, Doctor Aphra #15 (Vol. 2) finds the rogue archaeologist backed in a corner and using her knowledge of the past to save herself, her allies, and the item itself… but it looks like it comes with a cost.

After sneaking around Crimson Dawn’s flagship post-prison breakout, banding together to track down the necklace Aphra and Sana Starros stole from a member of Black Sun working for Crimson Dawn, Deathstick and some Dawn guards ambush the group and alliances get rocky once again. Lucky understandably blames Aphra and her misguided pursuits for their current situation and I love how while these two aren’t necessarily friends, they blame each and yell at one another despite facing mortal peril and poisoning by Dathomirian means, but they still look out for one another, warning about incoming knives and whatnot. Even after the confrontation comes to an end and the crew escapes to the hanger bay, there’s still animosity between them, though Aphra later admits it would be a shame if either of them were successful in killing one another after all these years of trying. It’s a funny dynamic and adds better dimensions to their frenemy status, as while I enjoyed the taught tension between them in the opening arc, I hadn’t gotten to know Lucky enough for me to be invested in their tiffs, but now I’m glad we had so much time with Lucky as it all pays off here in their final standoff. Even more hilarious are Sana and Ariole, who are busy making drinking plans while the other two threaten one another, and I adore their friendly banter as they know these two won’t actually kill one another and they’ll end up working together again one day; they’re the sane part of each rocky couple and this was a brilliant way for writer Alyssa Wong to show it.

Outnumbered and outgunned, how does Aphra and crew manage to escape Deathstick’s clutches?! The issue takes a surprising and wild turn, as Aphra’s archaeological background helps save the team, but maybe dooms herself! Aphra notices Qi’ra’s collection of artifacts includes a Thought Dowser, made by a group of people called the Ascendant, who dabbled in stuff so dark not even the Sith wanted to deal with them and their work! That sounds bad, very bad! Aphra’s brushed up against some dangerous artifacts before, and in a very Indiana Jones-ian way they seemingly have supernatural aspects though she’s largely come away unharmed when using them, but the Thought Dowser and its spooky, ominous history mean her careless disregard for the past and its warnings finally come to haunt her. Upon activating it, via her electro-tattoos, its dark power comes easily to Aphra, engulfing her in a red flame, as she makes Deathstick turn her own blade against herself, while the artifact itself begins to mess with Aphra and her mind. It’s a scary moment, as while it’s great to see our fiendish heroes escaping, it’s clear this is unnatural and too far, scaring the crew, while the glowing intensity of the artifact and the art team’s choices almost recall Aphra’s panic attack upon seeing Darth Vader again. Even Aphra, also so sure these are just pieces of tech, realizes it’s far more than that, there are truths in legends, and she tries pushing back against its influence. In a final yell, urging it out of her head, the artifact’s energy explodes, frying her arm but releasing its grip on her…or so it seems, though the final panel teases its spark still courses through her dormant tattoos. I’m both terrified for Aphra and very intrigued to see where this goes: where Wong will take this thread, be it some psychological goodness dipping into Aphra’s past or how it’ll help push along Sana and Aphra’s re-burgeoning relationship.

In fact, Aphra’s actions might be enough to help Sana finally put down her barriers with Chelli, as it’s the first time Sana experiences the somewhat-selfless Aphra in action. A few issues ago, Aphra told Sana how she helped out the Rebellion and put herself in danger by delaying Darth Vader and the Empire’s search for the rebel base on Hoth, and while Sana believed her—against her own best judgment—seeing it first-hand potentially changes everything. Aphra putting herself in danger, and while she didn’t quite expect it to be that much danger, results in Sana saying Aphra might be becoming human again, while her cradling Aphra after the artifact breaks from her, yelling at Aphra not to die on, her shows those walls are falling down; not too long ago it feels like Sana wouldn’t been angry she didn’t get to kill Aphra herself, so this is some measurable progress! Combine these moments with their near kiss a few issues ago and Aphra’s life likely on the line from the artifact, and I can’t wait to see where Wong takes these two next!!

Before the issue closes, Aphra’s able to old-school hack into the necklace and uncovers Crimson Dawn’s network of spies are spread everywhere, something we see more potently in the final War of the Bounty Hunters issue (out the same day), but it’s exactly what Domina Tagge ordered, so hopefully she honors her side of the deal when they return with the goods.

The art team of Minkyu Jung, Victor Olazaba, and Rachelle Rosenberg return after a one issue break, rejoining Joe Caramagna on lettering, and I’m so glad they were all involved with this issue. Jung and Olazaba’s art jostles between humorous and frightening, like the panel where Deathstick’s knives pin Aphra to a wall, where I could almost hear the ‘thunks’ of the blades played for laughter thanks to the way its drawn and Caramagna’s SFX, to the panels of Aphra’s control of the artifact recalling the panic attack art the team went with after she saw Vader. Each panel fits the mood and moments Alyssa Wong’s writing takes us readers through and I love how the art helps the issue balance between the dramatic and the comedic. The whole set of panels with Aphra holding onto the artifact really pushed the art team to new heights, from the cool fiery glow emanating from Chelli or the odd swirls as she first takes hold of Deathstick’s mind, and Rosenberg’s colors, a red so strange and unnatural it’s basically white, only made the whole thing feel wrong. I also really loved the look of Aphra’s charred arm—which sounds really weird after I type it out—the art and colors make it look sickly, damaged, and burnt, highlighting how much damage it did to her physically to protect others.

Here are a few other things:

• Aphra’s line to Sana, about stabbing someone in the front for once, is a brilliant callback a scene between the two in the “Rebel Jail” arc of the original Star Wars run, also heard in the Doctor Aphra audiobook, where we first learned about their romantic history!
• The Ascendant and their history have caught my interest, what with the Sith even scared of their work. It’s evident by this Thought Dowser they were extremely dangerous so what else did they cook up that even now people fear their work…and it’s still so viable?!? It’s not made clear when they operated, but considering how dangerous their work is, I feel a The High Republic era connection, as I have to wonder if they have any ties to the Great Leveler and harnessing it to do what it does to Jedi. Also out today for comics is The High Republic – Trail of Shadows #1 (our review is incoming and I’ll update this with a link) that dives into the aftermath of the Leveler’s appearance at the end of The Rising Storm; it’s a hauntingly stellar issue!
• Domina Tagge had quite the star appearance in writer Alyssa Wong’s War of the Bounty Hunters – Boushh #1 last month, a stellar issue about found family and the family you’re born with. Make sure to check it out!
• Considering this is the final month of the entire War of the Bounty Hunters crossover, with November allowing all the series involved to deal with the fallout and Crimson Reign starting in December, this really felt more and more disconnected with its events, which is a really great thing. Aphra has been able to weave itself into the big event but focus on its own aspects, allowing its characters and their drama to take precedence, and this almost didn’t feel like it was part of the crossover until the final page with Qi’ra’s spy network revealed, confirming something we already knew.
• With War of the Bounty Hunters #5 (my review is also incoming and I’ll update with a link), the ending reveals the final part of Qi’ra’s return trilogy will be called The Hidden Empire, out sometime in 2022. I’d hazard a guess in May, as Crimson Reign should be 5 issues and that would mean it ends in April.

From Aphra’s selflessness (unintended or not), the crazy interesting new ancient artifact, mutual parting with Lucky, to Sana’s new regards for her ex, Doctor Aphra #15 (Vol. 2) is another stellar entry by Alyssa Wong and team!

+ Storylines converge

+ Action and humor delight

+ New art fits right in

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.

WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS CROSSOVER REVIEWS

DOCTOR APHRA REVIEWS:
Volume 2: Fortune and Fate – #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 / Arc Review — The Engine Job: #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10
Doctor Aphra (audiobook)
Volume 1: Full Volume 1 Review

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