– Spoiler Review –
Star Wars #56 picks up the pieces of the Rebellion in the wake of the events from “Hopes Dies,” as they make “The Escape” to fight another day.
Hope didn’t really die, both literally and figuratively as I pointed out in my review for issue #55, so despite being on the run, the Big Three (aka Leia, Luke, and Han), with Sana Starros flying them around, have plenty of hope about returning to the rest of the Rebellion. By the end of the issue, things don’t seem so hopeful, despite their seemingly pleasant leanings, but how they got there and seeing what comes next is already arguably more exciting than the past few slow burn arcs since Kieron Gillen took over as writer. There’s nothing wrong with a slower pace, but this issue starts “The Escape” with a little more spice in its step and now I’m the hopeful one it keeps it up, as “Escape” certainly seems to suggest a flight of sorts, though the issue’s end implies the Big Three will be stranded on this out of the way moon for a while, but the sense of mystery surrounding what’s keeping them there is engrossing already and should help fuel much of the arc.
This being issue #56, that means it was 50 issues ago (in this very series) we were introduced to Sana Starros, shockingly pronouncing herself as Han Solo’s wife, which is just shy of 3 and 1/2 years ago. It’s been quite a great journey since, as she’s shook off the initial shock introduction to become something far more than that, including becoming an important part of the Rebellion’s efforts, all the while jumping through different comics series and even a novel. We’ve gotten to see her heart of gold, from what she really uses her smuggling money for to how she increasingly waves off caring over who owes who in her work for the Rebellion, and most recently how she came to mend her heart, after a falling out with her partner Doctor Aphra left her burnt but she finally managed to let go of the hate and move on. Since Gillen took over as writer, he’s used her sparingly, though she had a much bigger and important part of her story covered in the recent Doctor Aphra arc, but he certainly has a handle on her character so I hope he continues bringing her back. She jettisons the Big Three to a nearby moon due to a looming Imperial presence, promising to return to pick them up when she loses them, so hopefully we’ll get to see what all prevents her from coming back quickly.
Crash landing on the moon Hubin* in the Volt Cobra’s escape pod, the Big Three, with Artoo carrying a dismantled Threepio, are immediately met by a rather large, fearsome creature, which gives chase. The droids are separated from the group, but Leia, Luke, and Han find themselves saved by some less than friendly seeming armored strangers. While it doesn’t seem like they are going to help our heroes, the next scene shows the Big Three drinking in the comfort of an idyllic manor (which looks a lot like our Manor…), space-peacocks roaming the grounds and a droid making them drinks. But the artwork tells us all is not fine, as none of the heroes look happy with their situation, besides maybe Han because he’s getting a specialty drink he’s been dying to have. Considering how comfy their surroundings seem, what’s wrong with the situation that has our heroes worried? How are the armored people related to the household? And what happened with the droids after being separated, are they still out there, ready to rescue our heroes? There’s some fun mysteries to unfold and I’m excited to see what answers we’ll get over the course of the arc.
Focusing on the bigger spectacle in “Hope Dies,” I almost forgot how great Gillen is with the Big Three’s characterizations, so much so that the characters ruminating on missing Chewie’s sarcastic growl is a mourning I shared with them, as I could’ve easily imagined his growl in the interplay between Leia, Han, Sana, and Luke. The mystery aspect to this arc, instead of a big clear enemy to strike at, is a fantastic change of circumstance As much as I feel like this type of arc is more fitting for Gillen’s Star Wars writing, the most important aspect that made issue #56 feel so fresh, new, and exciting was the change in artist. I’m not even being a slight bit facetious when I say that either, because solid art across the board is so relieving to have again, as it means there’s nothing to distract from the current scene, be it one full of important character moments or giant showdowns. The characters are unshackled from recycled responses from scenes in the movies, emoting again in fresh but fitting ways for each one, and the art in issue #56 highlights how overboard the previous artist had gotten with tracing. I’ve been up and down about Andrea Broccardo’s art before, as I liked Kanan #12 and Poe Dameron Annual #2, but didn’t enjoy his The Screaming Citadel work, but not only is Broccardo’s work in Star Wars #56 more towards the stuff I’ve enjoyed before, I feel like it was even better still. And even when you flush away memories of the previous artist, Broccardo’s artwork, with returning colorist Guru-eFX, is easily fantastic without the comparison, with some of my favorite parts being how dirty the Rebels looked or that gorgeous panel of the Dene Gois Cluster. They are joined by Clayton Cowles on lettering, with Tom Groneman as Assistant Editor.
Here are a few other things:
- *While the moon here is named Hubin, the Moff used for the Rebellion’s schemes to free the Mon Cala in “Mutiny at Mon Cala,” was named Tan Hubi. Hubin. Hubi. VERY CLOSE. Coincidence? Laziness? Somewhere in between? I’ll let you be the judge of that for yourself, but I feel like it was a little too on the nose to the previously named character.
- I’m not being 100% serious, but this is the first Manor-like place we’ve seen in a GFFA, so of course I saw a bit of a comparison when the manor our heroes are staying in was shown. But if they encounter mynocks during their stay…I’ll be honored!!
- Han has some real separation anxiety from the Falcon and I totally love it. Surprised by the little name drop of Lando to Luke, but it’s mostly harmless as long as Leia didn’t hear it.
- If you’ve been paying attention to the solicitations, you know some of the fun ahead for this arc, but I won’t go into any details if you don’t want it spoiled for you. But if do…might I suggest checking out November, December, and January 2019‘s?
Humor, mystery, brilliant art, Star Wars issue #56 has it all and is a great start for the series’ latest arc, “The Escape.”
+ Promising an “Escape” from a slower pace
+ Great sense of mystery
+ The artwork is the issue’s true star
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
Star Wars
Kieron Gillen — Ashes of Jedha (#38-43) / Arc Review by Chris | Mutiny at Mon Cala (#44-49) / Arc Review by Chris | Hope Dies (#50-55) / Arc Review by Chris | The Escape: #57 | #58 | #59 | #60 | #61 / Arc Review by Chris | The Scourging of Shu-Torun (#62-67) / Arc Review by Chris | Kieron Gillen Retrospective
Jason Aaron — Jason Aaron Retrospective (#1-37)
Greg Pak — Rebels and Rogues (#68-72)