– Spoiler Review –
As December fast approaches, The Rise of Skywalker grows ever nearer, and to help build up the hype, Marvel starts their Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker content with Allegiance, a four part miniseries which drops throughout the month of October, written by Ethan Sacks, with art by Luke Ross. Allegiance #1 is a solid enough start, giving us little glimpses into the state of the galaxy, and the Resistance, after The Last Jedi, while setting up for the journeys ahead in the next few issues.
The issue opens with the devastating destruction of a neutral planet, as the First Order won’t let it slide they helped the Resistance post-Battle of Crait, sending a very loud and very clear message to any would-be allies. It’s an age-old tactic we saw a lot of from the Empire, and while it’s effective in silencing or preventing allies from coming forward, it helps galvanize those who will stand against such atrocities, giving them ammo in their recruitment efforts. General Leia knows they can’t protect any potential allies from the FO due to the state they are in, so she decides to make a trip to both honor a fallen friend and recruit the armada necessary to not only fight back, but show the galaxy the Resistance can keep them safe from the tyranny of the FO. Gathering together Rey, Rose, and Chewie to accompany her, Leia travels to Mon Cala to address the death of Admiral Ackbar and hope to gain the planet’s support once again. But it’s not the Mon Cala themselves she’s first greeted with, it’s the Quarren, the other race inhabiting the planet that has a history of either helping out the bad guys or not wanting to take sides, and they tell Leia she’s not really welcomed. Per the cool, behind-the-scenes section at the end of the issue, the Quarren who addresses Leia is none other than Nossor Ri, who originally sided with the Separatists in the Clone Wars until King-to-be Lee-Char helped convince him otherwise, as seen in the animated show.
In a way, Allegiance is the third part of a Mon Cala comics trilogy spanning the eras. In 2018, Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith’s “Burning Seas” arc and the Star Wars series’ “Mutiny At Mon Cala” arc were part of a thematic crossover concerning the Mon Cala. In the Vader series, set shortly after Revenge of the Sith, we saw a surviving Jedi misguide the Mon Cala into a conflict with the Empire, which led to the planet’s subjugation, King Lee-Char captured as leverage against the populace, and Raddus escaping (so he could go on to help the Rebellion at Scarif). In the “Mutiny At Mon Cala” arc, Leia, Luke, Han, Chewie, Threepio, and a Clawdite shapeshifter help the planet overthrow the yoke of the Empire’s rule to join the Rebellion. Now Allegiance sees Leia, Rey, Rose, and Chewie trying to bring them into the fold again, and considering the Jedi all those years ago had a vision that the Mon Cala fleet would be involved with saving the galaxy several times, it now feels like a potential hint this series will end with the Mon Cala rising from the waters once again to aid the galaxy in its time of greatest need; I mean, it was probably a safe bet regardless, but it’s cool to see how planned out this all was in retrospect.
Rey seems to be in an interesting place right now, struggling with her connection to the Force, unable to focus enough to use it properly, making her feel like a disappointment to everyone who has put their faith in her. To test and hone her skills, she goads an Anoat trash bear-thing into a fight, hoping to subdue it with the help of the Force, but after some problems, the arrival of the Falcon and Leia’s mission basically saves her. I’ll be curious how much of this is explored and dealt with here or if it’s something we’ll see covered and resolved in next month’s Resistance Reborn novel. UPDATE: Executive Editor Jennifer Heddle responded to a question regarding the timeline of Reborn, Spark of the Resistance, and Allegiance, and she believes it goes Reborn, Allegiance, and then Spark, but Story Group member Matt Martin isn’t confirming or denying at this moment, though I will say Rey’s Force doubts are also in Spark, so she either doesn’t get over it here or Spark takes place prior to this series if it resolves here…we’ll just have to wait and see. UPDATE 2: Having finished Spark, review coming next week, I can confirm it takes place after Allegiance since it mentions the events of this comic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Heddle’s series of events was correct then.
Whether you ‘ship them or not, the chemistry between Poe Dameron and Finn is undeniable, so I love how Allegiance finds the pair on a mission of their own, BB-8 in tow. Most of the humor this issue comes from the progress on their story, which finds Finn caught in the middle of a bar fight, despite Poe’s warning to keep a low profile. One of my favorite parts of the issue comes from Poe and Finn standing at the bar entrance, a new brawl unfolding behind them as they casually discuss next steps, framed and drawn excellently by artist Ross. As low profile as Finn tries to stay, he bumps into a seemingly random bar patron again, and while there is no fight, it happens to be shapeshifter Remex Io of the notorious Kendoh gang. Remex, Kendoh herself, and their Aqualish brute were first introduced in writer Ethan Sacks’ Galaxy’s Edge miniseries, which according to the BTS notes, actually takes place after Allegiance. I had hoped we’d get a bit more from the gang, as they felt underutilized in the GE comic, so I’m excited to have them here.
After Luke Ross’ run on Age of Republic Villain issues, I’ve picked him as one of my favorite artists and never looked back, and in Allegiance, he confirms his status and expands on why he’s a fantastic artist, with Lee Loughridge for colors by his side. For starters, and it’s a little thing, but I love how each scene/place setting has its own colored hue, like Poe and Finn scenes are pink while Rey fighting the monster are a off-yellow, as it helps both visually pull you into the next scene but keep each place distinct. The opening neutral planet was gorgeous by design, the cities of glass serene in their beauty, but so too was their destruction, which shows Ross can both bring a majestic look to everything from a quiet moment to chaos. His styling for character faces is also a big factor into why the issues look so good, while the scene I mentioned above about Finn and Poe brought even more humor to their section. We’re in good hands for the next three issues!
Here are a few other things:
- More of these BTS notes and glimpses please, all the time!
- It looks like the visit to Mon Cala will delve figuratively AND literally into Ackbar’s legacy, as we’ll be meeting his son!!! Check out the preview for issue #2 at the official site. The issue is out next week.
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘s Allegiance gets off to a solid start in #1, setting up some noteworthy storyline and character moments to come.
+ Sequel trilogy heroes off adventuring together
+ Watching Rey’s struggles
+ Begun, the final installment of the Mon Cala comics trilogy, has
+ Luke Ross and Loughridge’s art
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
ALLEGIANCE
#2 | #3 | #4 | Full Miniseries Review