– Spoiler Review –
The crew faces an uphill battle bringing an escape plan to fruition amongst the Kezarat Colony, but once they put it in motion, could it be successful? Find out in our review of Star Wars #32 (Vol. 2).
Chewbacca wastes no time in trying to get the Colony’s attention about his revelation regarding a potential escape, but after being stuck in the same place for 200 years despite the best efforts of many visitors, and even Jedi, they aren’t exactly rushing to hear about this latest attempt. I liked the calm, lackadaisical nature of the crew, fitting for their mindset of focusing only on the future, as they debate first how to properly address what Chewie is a speaking (a conversation I quite enjoyed) and then take him to Lando and Amilyn to help translate, and finally to Captain Blythe, who is so set in his ways he’s unwilling to listen at first. There’s a dark tint to Blythe’s attitude, as if he’s eager to prove himself right rather than allow for the possibility of escape…is it because he’s more comfortable here and afraid of the change once they’d leave, be it lack of power as they integrate into the larger galaxy, relying on others beyond their colony, or even that he’s like acrophobic for anything outside the colony, while it could be a nefarious twist on any of the above options, though I wouldn’t bet on it (even despite the shadows across his face seem to speak to something dark). Regardless, the Kezarat Colony is an interesting study which almost feels like a commentary on our world or certain factions within it: so used to their way of life, unwilling to accept change or possibility of hope, they dig drenches in outdated ideas or ones they can self-fulfill, hate of the unknown dressed up as concern for one’s one security and safety. Can Leia and team get them out of the rut and willing to accept whatever will greet them in the larger galaxy? Their efforts this issue and the next, due to the cliffhanger, should go a long way in gaining the hope they’ve forgotten to strive for, mythological Jedi mural or not.
There’s a healthy size cast of heroes this arc and writer Charles Soule continues to juggle them like a pro. Chewie picking up on Lando and Amilyn’s connection (regardless how I felt about it) was a cute moment, but better yet I liked how they approached the Wookiee making himself as little of a threat as possible to the crew when trying to present his plan, from the way artist Madibek Musabekov has his big, furry paws up in surrender and peace, while Clayton Cowles’ lettering makes his growls so small and thin, so unlike his work with the Wookiee over the years (and wildly different from Joe Caramagna’s in Han Solo & Chewbacca #4). With Lando, the focus is on his disarming charm, helping grease the wheels for Blythe to agree to hear Chewie’s plan and later he’s the hype man for their recovery mission. Amilyn shows off her mechanical skills, helping repair what looks like a High Republic Longbeam so they can attempt to steal back their stolen Path engine, though I wish she got a little more here. Leia gives Blythe an idea of the state of the galaxy after he reveals the last visitors was 35 years ago, which means last he heard the Republic still thrived, so her updates help show him what she and her people stand for. Lastly, Luke’s emboldened by Forvan’s excitement in his presence and the possibility to show to the Colony and himself he can be the Jedi he wants to be…but he’s also eager to get back his precious ancient Jedi text, still too beholden to what the past has to offer, which brings him and their mission trouble.
This returns us to the cliffhanger I mentioned before, as Blythe okayed their recovery attempts, resulting in Lando, Amilyn, and Luke acting as distractions for the copious amount of Killdroids so Chewie can rush in and grab the Path engine. Focused with righteous desire to get his book back, Luke makes a confident break for it, but a Killdroid nabs him at the last second, the book tumbling off into space, his life hanging in the balance. Regardless of plot armor, this situation as been intriguing enough that I’m very invested in seeing how Luke and the team pull off this heist and return to the galaxy, Colony in tow.
Taking over for Andrés Genolet, Madibek Musabekov has a pretty similar style, with enough unique touches it’s both clearly a new artist but much in the same wheelhouse, especially thanks to returning colorist Rachelle Rosenberg and Cowles on lettering. I liked how much bigger the mural of the mythological Jedi is this issue seems to be, giving it more importance and power over those looking at it, Rosenberg’s colors still giving it an ancient tablet feel, just on a larger scale. The space suits, much like Forvan wore when we first met him, are appropriately 50/60’s looking space suits, as if to hint at how old the resources are of the Kezarat Colony, and feel campy and fun to see on our heroes, like this is more of a Marvel comic from the 70’s than the 2020’s. Luke looks a little too younger for my liking, almost childish with his bowl hair cut, but Musabekov nails the excitement and confidence he’s found on his mission for the book, a gleeful smile as he connects with the Force and acts like what everyone expects a Jedi too or the big heroic swing he takes with his blinding gold—thanks to Rosenberg’s colors— lightsaber, taking out Killdroids now that he’s found his groove, all the little sparks showing how devastating his blow was, the little droid head floating, angry it’s lost its body to a little Jedi, Cowles’ SFX ensuring the move seems as majestic and deadly as the art makes it look. The page of Blythe and Leia’s conversation is my favorite of the issue, and while it might seem like a weird choice, let me explain. For starters, all the conversation carries on, each new panel really captures Leia’s feelings regarding her reporting to Blythe, surprised when he tells her how long it’s been since someone’s visited, angry as she recounts the Empire’s terror, and hopeful after she tells him they are the few fighting against the tyranny, Blythe sympathetic at the final sentiment. What takes it to another level is what’s happening in the background, the little depictions of Lobot, Lando, and Chewie working on the exterior of the ship to get it running, a little act playing out that’s worth focusing on because it’s a funny, yet familiar, sort of mimicking the scene in The Empire Strikes Back where Han and Chewie are fixing the Falcon and doesn’t quite work out like they’d like it to. Musabekov’s pencils give enough definition they are easy to tell apart, while Rosenberg’s colors narrow down to fit the little bodies to help with quick recognition, while Cowles’ lettering, while there’s plenty of dialogue, manages to keep their little background play from being covered up.
Here are a few other things:
- Amilyn graces the majestic Women’s History Month variant cover by Peach Momoko, as seen above!
- Soule had a busy week, as this is one of three Star Wars comics written by him, with Hidden Empire #4 and The High Republic – The Blade #3 the other two!
- I understand there’s probably not enough space for it and we’re likely not going to follow the Colony after this arc, but I do wish we got to see more of it. The citizens. How they all work together. A general sense of their feelings. And how they’ll take it when they can return to the galaxy. Unless we’re not seeing them because there isn’t a thriving community there like Blythe has led us to believe, but I doubt that, especially since the Revelations one-shot already revealed that’s that the case. A little more time with the rest of the colony, while understandably hard to achieve here, would’ve gone a long way to give us a better sense of the Colony being more than a pretty part of the art when we see the giant group of ships but no beings.
Star Wars #32 (Vol. 2) maintains a good mixture of the many protagonists in this interesting situation I’m eager for more in the next issue.
+ Whole cast gets their dues
+ Chewie initiating everything
– Feeling the lack of time with more of the Colony
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 | #8/Arc Review — Operation Starlight: #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 — War of the Bounty Hunters: #13 | #14 | #15 | #16 | #17 | #18 — Crimson Reign: #19 | #20 | #21 | #22 | #23 | #24 — Special Issue: #25 — The Path to Victory: #26 | #27 | #28 | #29 | #30 | #31