– Spoiler Review –
Doctor Aphra #6 (Vol. 2) begins a brand-new arc, “The Engine Job,” where the rogue archaeologist is on the hunt for ancient Nihil technology on behalf of Domina Tagge…wait, didn’t Aphra just kill her nephew, so how are they working together? Read on to find out!
The introduction of Domina Tagge in the last issue felt like it would portend much trouble for Doctor Aphra and I’m glad it did…but then didn’t! In one of the issue’s many expectation beating moments, the story starts with Aphra already captured and delivered to the indomitable Domina Tagge, something I didn’t quite think would happen so early in the arc, rather at the end, but I enjoyed the development immensely. We get a quick glimpse of what brought Aphra to the Tagge’s doors, as the bounty for Aphra (alive), brings her all sorts of bounty hunting trouble, even including on-and-off ally Black Krrsantan, and the whole opening sequence is a fun chase and evade with the ever confident Aphra avoiding capture. Well, that’s until another on-and-off ally Just Lucky takes out her speeder and his latest accomplice, Kharrek, puts her out with a sleeping dart.
When Aphra comes face to face with Domina, even more fun expectation defying moments happen, as it turns out Aphra’s defeat of Ronen (who seems to be officially dead now) was simply the job interview she didn’t know she wanted to work for Domina! Their back and forth, and showing each other up, were real highlights of the issue, from Aphra thinking she’s got Domina dead to rights and figured out to Domina showing how little Aphra knows her. If Aphra was able to trick, fool, and work around Vader’s immense power and resources, I’m sure she’ll find a way to get a foot up on Domina in the future, but I feel like she might have more trouble this time around. Domina’s shrewdness and cold, calculating demeanor make her a more formidable foe since she’s seemingly not as damaged goods as Vader aka Anakin Skywalker was, as she can see the larger picture and simple, basic emotions like hate and anger don’t distract her from her goals and continued domination. It’s only been an issue, so there’s plenty more room for Domina to surprise, but already she’s close to being up there with Vader and Triple-Zero for deadly adversaries that actually make me fear for Aphra’s life; Ronen last arc wasn’t even close, but still an enjoyable villain.
There were some really great lines and moments with Aphra this issue, from her trademark overconfidence, like when she thinks she’s got her escape all figured out before Lucky appears, to her own self-deprecating humor, like her joke about everyone wanting to throw her out of airlocks. Writer Alyssa Wong had Aphra down rather pat in the opening arc, “Fortune and Fate,” and this issue is not only an extension, but a progression as well, as she captures a little more of the character than before, especially with the cocky moments on display throughout the issue. While Aphra makes a cavalier remark about being thrown out airlocks, the memories of Vader come back in a small but harrowing way for her, as Domina reveals the ace up her sleeve with a ray shield, slowing sucking the air from her, which recalls to her the feel of Vader’s invisible hands around her throat. It’s only one panel, but it’s enough to highlight the threat Aphra faces if she plans on messing with Domina, while also showing Vader will always have a place of fear in the back of her mind, no matter all her posturing.
As I mentioned above, Domina wants Aphra to track down ancient Nihil technology someone has replicated and is about to sell to the galaxy. It’s called a path engine, the key to a long lost lightspeed travel method, said to be incredibly fast, and its abilities could stop the war or change the economy, both which of course would be deadly for the Tagge dynasty, so it’s up to Aphra to ascertain if it actually works. The Nihil are the villains from the upcoming High Republic publishing initiative launching in January, set 200 years before the prequels, and references have been littered throughout comics and novels since its announcement. This is one of the most curious and intriguing yet, as while the Star Wars relaunch mentions the series’ important Starlight Beacon, knowing the Nihil are doing something screwy with hyperspace to start chaos for the Jedi and Republic means the Path Engine could’ve been the key to their nefarious deeds. How and why it gets lost could be an integral part of the High Republic stories. Also, it might help explain why Aphra’s latest Ark Angel (IV, to be exact), a borrowed High Republic era ship found on her last job, might be such a fast and nimble fighter.
Aphra wants some help on the job, and not from any recent backstabbers, so she suggests: Sana Starros!!!! The solicits teased her return for a while now, but it seemed more like Domina sent Sana after Aphra or she runs into her on this latest job, not that she specifically requests her help! Sana has been eager to kill Aphra ever since we learned the two’s rocky relationship history in 2016’s “Rebel Jail” arc for the first Star Wars volume, and only recently did we finally learn why in the delightful Doctor Aphra audiobook, where Emily Woo Zeller and Nicole Lewis brought Aphra and Sana’s history to life with charm, wit, and emotional weight. The last time they saw each other, Sana finally let her hate for Aphra go, realizing it was only causing her more pain than Aphra had done in the first place, but vowed she never wanted to see her again. Sana would go on to transport Aphra’s other ex, Magna Tolvan, to the Rebellion, working with them for a while more. How their first meeting will go, and if any of Aphra’s changes since they last saw each other could help finally smooth things over for them, remains to be seen, but I can’t wait no matter the outcome!
This arc introduces a new art team, which has a more exaggerated style which fits rather nicely with Aphra’s boisterous adventures and escapades. On pencils are Ray-Anthony Height and Robert Gill, with Victor Olazaba on inks, Rachelle Rosenberg (woot) back on colors, and Joe Caramagna on lettering. Despite the style change, Rosenberg’s colors offer a through line between the two teams, something small but I really appreciated. Height and Gill’s pencils bring a more exaggerated style to the series, with wide, agape mouths or giant takes on minor facial expressions, which took a little getting used to but felt appropriate as the issue went on, considering her larger than life actions and adventures! They also provide Domina with a formidable and determined face behind which she hides any and all emotion, which adds to the mystery and fun of her character, as you never quite know what she’s up to next! One of my favorite pages/series of panels is when Aphra and Domina are finally alone, as Domina barely moves as Aphra brandishes her gun, and Caramagna’s lettering sneaks in to reveal Domina’s devious ray shield trap; it minds me of a flipbook, to some extent, which I love. Also, the single panel of Aphra remember Vader, him a ghostly specter floating over Aphra’s body drifting through space, was a chilling but succinct moment to convey their history (and pay off the joke earlier about being thrown out airlocks!). Overall, I’m interested to see what the team can bring to the table in the upcoming issues!
Here are a few other things:
- When I was writing my “Fortune and Fate” arc review, the first 5 issues, I must have totally glossed over the opening credit’s page in the official site’s preview for issue #6 because in my review I was curious if/when we’d see Just Lucky again and the credits page had him front and center! Regardless, his reappearance was a nice touch, though I couldn’t tell if he was wearing the Ring of Fortune nor were there any updates on his brother’s whereabouts and health, but it seems he’s still under the Tagges’ thumbs despite Ronen’s demise.
- More Aphra goodness today! Her excellent, hilarious audiobook is getting a script book, out April 6, 2021! There’s going to be new content, including Dramatis Personae in her voice and it’s damn hilarious!
- Syphacc, the gentleman handing out Domina’s bounty on Aphra, is from the Bounty Hunter series.
- If you got the Jen Bartel variant cover for this issue…I am jealous! But if you happen to have an extra I could purchase, keep me in mind, alright?!
- That’s a wrap on Doctor Aphra for 2020, as she won’t be returning to comic shops until January, which is a shame but as long as she keeps coming back, it’s all good!
Doctor Aphra #6 (Vol. 2) is a great, expectation beating start for the next arc of the series, bringing back some exciting familiar faces and an intriguing new villain.
+ Aphra and Domina facing off with their own talents
+ Domina’s potential as a new villain
+ From the Nihil to Sana, lots of cool things to look forward too
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.
DOCTOR APHRA REVIEWS:
Volume 2: Fortune and Fate – #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 / Arc Review — The Engine Job
Doctor Aphra (audiobook)
Volume 1: Full Volume 1 Review