– Spoiler Review –
A lingering cliffhanger resolved, creepy new Ascendant tech unveiled, Tagge family problems, and more abound in the excellent Doctor Aphra #17 (Vol. 2).
It’s been nearly two months since the last issue of Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) and it always feels like a longer wait, as I know writer Alyssa Wong and the art team of Minkyu Jung, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Joe Caramagna always deliver, and Doctor Aphra #17 was no exception. I really enjoyed issue #16, refreshing for the series that kept its individuality while part of the big crossover event, and this only furthers that feeling, as issue #17 explores more of the creepy Ascendant cult and their tech, reveals another disaster of a character tied to Aphra’s past, and is packed to the edges of the pages with humor and wit.
At the end of issue #16, Sana Starros and Aphra tracked down an old contact of the rogue archaeologist’s who might know where to get more Ascendant tech for their ‘benefactor’ Domina Tagge, but instead find a strange ritual and a hooded figure. Lots of fans (including myself!) hoped and speculated it was Magna Tolvan, one of Aphra’s old flames from the first volume by Kieron Gillen and Si Spurrier, and while the answer turned out to be someone else, they are a compelling and fun new addition to the series anyways. Underneath the hood is Kho Phon Farrus, a new species with sharp features, a light-blue tint, and feathery shoulders, who is a fellow archaeologist with their own set of issues, harboring a grudge against Aphra because of course she was a jerk to them back in their university days. To Sana, Aphra describes them as similar to her dad and his obsession with the Ordu Aspectu, but actually believing themselves as a Jedi, and it’s clear they might believe it’s possible thanks to the deadly artifacts of the Ascendant. Kho gets the upper hand on Sana and Aphra thanks to an Ascendant whip—I thought it was a lightsaber in issue #16 so it felt very meta with the line from Kho, “And I never said this was a lightsaber”—which is able to suck the energy from Sana’s gun, and then Kho uses said energy to stop Aphra from taking the other Thought Dowser. Later Kho’s able to raise up all the hands from the deadly ritual, like they have the Force, and throws the appendages at the pair, giving Kho a chance to escape to their hideout. We’ve only just met them, but I imagine being teased back at university for wanting to be a Jedi when all they wanted to do was fit in has led Kho down this darker path, and feeding into it is their employer: the Archivist! The Archivist is a Force-sensitive individual working for Crimson Dawn, as revealed in the opening act of Crimson Reign, and Kho’s working for her to gather the Ascendant tech. Did the Archivist promise Kho the tech would truly give them the Force? Or is it the belonging she offers them by joining with the Dawn upon completing the mission which drives Kho down this path? Or a combination of some of the above and more? As much as Aphra writes off Kho here, I’m eager to see and learn more about them, their past, and their future. And also, Wong’s managed to add another non-binary identifying character to canon, after Lapin and the two Ubese, so big thanks to her for widening representation and making it look so damn easy!
After Kho’s escaped, Aphra tells Sana that while in the grasps of the whip the energy she connected with felt familiar, like that of the Thought Dowser she used on Crimson Dawn’s flagship, but that it also seemed to recognize her! It’s a spooky realization that Sana doubts, she’s not much of a believer if she can’t physically use it, but Aphra has a delightfully funny point: she dealt with Rur, a droid who thought it was a Jedi. So what energy, what consciousness, what power is left inside these Ascendant artifacts? Their collective consciousness, like a holocron? Or is it memories of someone else who used the items and it was someone who knew Aphra? It’s an intriguing development and I am eager to see where Wong takes this part of the plot. It also puts extra weight to the danger of the Ascendant and their tech, which Aphra’s said both the Jedi and Sith didn’t want them around, even if Saphra uncovers the limbs being thrown at them was part of simple tricks and nonsense of sorts using magnets. The Archivist wants Kho to track down something called the Spark Eternal, which sounds like any ancient artifact one shouldn’t attempt tracking down, and they have an auction list to peruse from the recently departed contact of Aphra’s, while Aphra’s looking for his list as well. It won’t be long before the two parties clash again!
As I mentioned, there’s tons of riotous humor this issue, as Wong’s scripts often contain, from the way Aphra responds to Kho and their delusions, Aphra’s trickery of them, and Sana’s practicality. I loved lines like Aphra saying everyone should know not to mess with ancient rituals or that she’s the superior archaeologist, while her initial conversation with Sana as Kho’s introducing themselves and waxing poetic about their rivalry shows her lack of cares to give. I found the moment she tricks Kho both funny and interesting for Chelli Aphra, as it’s clear she actually is trying to be a better person, without ever admitting it of course, so it’s probably not hard for her to sound heartfelt (I still hear all the dialogue in Emily Woo Zeller’s voice, of course!) as she apologizes to Kho for how she treated them in the past, only pull the oldest trick in the book and get a shot off at Kho. Her laughter was pretty infectious, making me burst out more with the big bubble breaking lettering from Caramagna, as it was easy to hear her incredulous self delight
While there was no panel time with Ariole and/or Just Lucky, which I was a little surprised about but glad it meant Kho got a proper introduction, we do have some opening pages between Domina Tagge and the rejuvenated psychotic nephew of her’s, Ronen. He doesn’t waste much time with being the worst again, asking after Silas Tagge’s shares and hinting hers could be up soon too. Domina recently killed Silas, as seen in Wong’s War of the Bounty Hunters – Boushh #1, as she continued to ensure the safety and the Tagge corporation, even if it meant against threats within, and she let’s Ronen have it after even the slightest hint of aggression against her. Ronen decides not to worry about that for the moment and instead inquires about Dr. Aphra, making me very curious what Domina tells him considering their current arrangement and how he takes the news. Can’t wait to find out!
One of the best things about Ronen Tagge’s return has been the art team’s, Minkyu Jung and Rachelle Rosenberg, take on the character, with some unhinged looks creeping in behind his eyes, as if the near death experience broke him yet revitalized him, while I liked the little regret on Domina’s face as she recalls killing Silas, though the stone-cold indomitable look takes back over before you know it. As I mentioned before, the overall design for Kho is a great look, from their wild facial expressions to the color scheme for the red of the hair and the lite blue of the skin, and it’s makes them instantly memorable and standout for more than just their actions. And everything about the Ascendant tech so far has resulted in some unique work from the team, be it the worn gold look of the whip before it’s powered up, to the hazy red of the devices adding to the spooky feeling of how they work, while the whip wrapped around either Aphra’s arm or Sana’s blaster looks haphazard on purpose, conveying how dangerous it is. Also, the image of the hands blasting towards Aphra and Sana was creepy, a bunch of floating hands coming to attack them like some zombie Force moment, Caramagna’s and I absolutely loved it, especially as it shows how far Kho is willing to go for what they want. The pure delight on Aphra’s face after tricking Kho is another aspect of the panel bringing me to near tears in laughter, while I appreciated how Sana doesn’t look shocked as her weapon is drained by the whip, but rather just angry it’s happening.
Here are a few other things:
- It’s been so long since the previous issue I finally got my Doctor Aphra mini-bust from Gentle Giant in the meantime!
- Is a certain character’s appearance in The Book of Boba Fett‘s “Chapter 2 – The Tribes of Tatooine” a hint we’re close to Aphra’s first live-action appearance or is it just a cool cameo of one of Aphra’s may frenemies she’s lovingly nicknamed Santy? Either way, I was so pumped by the moment!
- Stay tuned to our social media channels for details about a big thing we’re going to do for Aphra’s upcoming 7th anniversary in March!
Doctor Aphra #17 (Vol. 2) is a creative team at the top of their game, confident in their story, characters, and vision, as a new character introduction and further look at the deadly Ascendant makes this feel like both classic and brand-new Chelli Aphra content.
+ Kho Phon Farrus
+ Ascendant tech gets even spookier
+ Domina and Ronen’s brief chat
+ Art team helps me laugh a ton
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 (Vol. 2) REVIEWS:
Fortune and Fate: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 / Arc Review — The Engine Job: #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 — War of the Bounty Hunters: #11 | #12 | #13 | #14 | #15 — Resurrections: #16