– Spoiler Review –
Star Wars #8 wraps up a short but vital arc, “The Will of Tarkin,” by injecting the series’ new villain with backstory while pushing Tarkin’s doctrine to a whole new interesting level with Leia, which will unfold over the following arc. Consider this review to also be my arc review for the two issues.
This isn’t the first time writer Charles Soule put out a short, two issue arc, Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith’s “The Rule of Five,” and much like that brief one-two punch, “The Will of Tarkin” wraps up what came before and launches us into what’s yet to come, all while adding some much needed background to the series’ main villain, Commander Zahra. In my last review, Zahra’s inability to prove herself to Tarkin again due to Leia’s hand in helping destroy the Death Star was my main guess for why the she has so much disdain for the Rebel leader, and this issue Zahra confirms its truly enough to fuel her vendetta. Zahra’s competence and brilliance have been a highlight of the character, while finally having an Imperial who isn’t evil simply for evil’s sake like we’ve had in the past on this series (Kanchar, anyone?), is a welcomed change of pace. Zahra lost her family due to the rebels and fought her way up until she became Tarkin’s prized pupil, as we saw last issue, while her usage of his tactics and focus on fear are only a part of what makes Zahra so deadly to the Rebellion post-Hoth. Watching her lead a boarding party on the rebel frigate, slicing and blasting her way through to the engine room and forcing a confrontation with Leia, and then jet-packing out into space and hopping on her Star Destroyer to fight the Rebellion another day was thrilling and nerve-wracking, as her true competence and volatility became clear. In fact, her true goals with meeting Leia were downright chilling, as she reveals she only came aboard to instill fear and doubt into the Rebel leader’s mind, slicing at Leia from the shadows before she gracefully avoids Luke’s lightsaber and jumps out a window into space. As I also said last issue, Zahra’s time with Tarkin almost make this feel like a “what-if” scenario had Tarkin survived the Death Star, as his adherence to instilling fear to keep systems in line is granted new life when Zahra makes it personal and on a smaller scale. As much as Zahra is causing problems for our heroes, I’m anxious for her to stick around awhile, as a worthy foe they can lose to but eventually beat.
How will this affect Leia? As much as Zahra hopes, enough to infect her decision making process, making her doubt such aggressive actions again that led to them saving another fleet division? Or will Leia be able to get past it quickly, in the 5/6 issues of the next arc? We know by Return of the Jedi she’s certainly over it, leading a bold and daring rescue of Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba’s slimy hands, but I’ll be curious to see how she gets back to that confidence after this. Regardless of how long or how deep Zahra’s tactics will hurt Leia, this at least could signal Leia will be back in the forefront a bit, something I’ve been hoping for recently as she had an early chance to shine in this series but she’s not been in the spotlight since for character growth, like Luke’s main, starring role last arc.
As much as I’ve enjoyed “The Will of Takin,” and Star Wars #8 for its Zahra-building, I’m still sad to see the art team go so quickly. Ramon Rosanas, with Rachelle Rosenberg on colors, have been solid together, creating some memorable scenes from the previous issue with Tarkin’s glowers and Zahra’s raising of an enemy compound, but this issue has their real highlight: Zahra’s battle from the shadows with Leia in the reactor room. From the way they play with shadows, the slice of a hand or arm on Leia from Zahra’s blade, or her imposing outline in the gas thanks to her tactical suit, the whole sequence showed her superiority and cunning without barely having to show her at all, aiding Soule’s script to really bring the chills home as she sliced from the darkness. The whole sequence of Zahra boarding, the battle, passing Luke, and exiting the ship through the window was a blast, and showed how everyone, from the panels/lettering of Clayton Cowles, the art team, and writing were on the same page. I also enjoyed how many of the scenes were framed, much like shots from a film. I’ll miss this team, if you can’t tell!
Here are a few other things:
- I like how Zahra, very confident she can beat him, tells Luke he’s untouchable for now due to Vader’s orders and…no one really talks about it afterwards. I’m sure they’ll discuss it soon, but felt weird a big thread like that wasn’t touched on more.
- Seeing Shara Bey in her A-wing is a big delight, just wish she had more time or showed off some big moves in the battle. I guess her time we’ll come soon, at very least, but we got to see her and Luke meet before their big mission together post-Return of the Jedi.
- The solicit for the issue teased the series’ biggest dogfight and, well, I feel like it didn’t quite deliver, as it was the tertiary focus of the issue (and rightfully so). The dogfight/space battle that wins that award (despite my feelings on the art) took place in “Hope Dies,” part of the first volume’s 50th issue spectacular that saw the Rebellion take their first real beating after the destruction of the Death Star.
Now that I’m finally done talking about the villain, hey, who doesn’t love a compelling villain, let’s wrap this up! Star Wars #8 caps off a short but important arc, “The Will of Tarkin,” by diving into the antagonist for once and giving us the big set up for what’s to come in the next arc!
+ Zahra’s chilling tactics
+ How long/much will this affect Leia?
+ Another great issue for an art team gone before their time
– Zahra’s ultimate motivations a little predictable
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 | #6 / Arc Review | The Will of Tarkin: #7