– Spoiler Review –
Two issues of Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) in one month?! We are truly blessed. Doctor Aphra #18 carries on the madcap energy from the previous issue, as Aphra and Sana Starros close in on the Ascendant tech and their new rival, while the series returns to the trials and tribulations of Lucky and Ariole’s own decisions.
Last issue took a break from Ariole and Lucky in full, for what felt like the first time in some while, but it was fitting to introduce Kho Phon Farrus and their disastrous entrance in Aphra and Sana’s Ascendant tech hunting scheme. Aphra issue #18 splits it more evenly this time around, starting off with a flashback to Ariole and Lucky’s early days, before their falling out, and it’s clear how close Lucky and Ariole are to Aphra and Sana, in their own way of course. Much like Aphra did to Sana, Lucky walks out on his relationship to Ariole without explaining why, assuming it would hurt the other less and that they’d not understand. For Aphra, it was for selfish reasons, to fulfill her desire to explore and not be stuck in place, while for Lucky he leaves Ariole for a less selfish reason, trying to shield Ariole from dealing with Lucky’s brother Pak’s debts, but one thing such a decision forgets is that it would be up to Ariole if he wanted to deal with it. It seemed rather clear he wanted to deal with anything Lucky got into, moments away from proposing to Lucky before he walks out, who thankfully stops him from saying it which would’ve only made the moment worse. It makes tons of sense then for Ariole’s similar feelings and response to being around Lucky as Sana has been to Aphra, considering the situations, but we’ve yet to see Ariole since the two were on left by Aphra and Sana on Crimson Dawn’s flagship. A few flashbacks to their time in the hanger hasn’t yet cleared any confusion on what happened next, as in issue #16 we saw their mentor, who they were on the ship to hunt and kill, survived, and now in issue #18’s hanger scene, Lucky finally admits to Ariole why he left, the latter playing unconscious but is secretly listening. If they were there together, how come Lucky doesn’t know where Ariole is now? What all happened in that hanger after Qi’ra arrived and said she wanted to talk? Why has Ariole told the Sixth Kin the truth about Crae’s survival? I hope we won’t have to wait too much longer for answers!
Ever since Lucky absconded with the Ring of Fortune, one part of the Rings of Vaale they liberated from the spooky abandoned town in the opening arc of the series, I’ve been curious what he’s done with it…if anything. The last several issues seemingly abandoned the ring, almost convincing me it was a fever dream when I saw him take it, but issue #18 makes it clear he still has it…but there’s been no monetary fortune piling in front of him despite it. Did the rings really help Ronen survive or was it just luck? And is a potential softening between Ariole and Lucky the fortune the ring might provide instead? Or is luck and relationships just what we make it? Lucky wonders much the same and while I believe I know the answer, it’ll be fun to see where writer Alyssa Wong goes with this. Also, all the Ariole and Lucky talk reminds me there’s a need for a big shoutout, as this was one of the first, if not the actual first, deep, soft moment between two men in Star Wars. There’s been a growing list of LGBTQIA+ content, characters, and relationships in canon, but most of the queer relationships in books and comics have focused on lesbian pairings, so to have a gay couple developed more is a refreshing continuation of the comics’ expansion on representation.
Ever since Farrus jumped out the window, Aphra and Sana have been one step behind them, as Farrus has the list of Ascendant seeking clients and Saphra doesn’t. There’s a brilliant and fun montage of Farrus staying one step ahead, Minkyu Jung and team delivering silly yet memorable action panels of Farrus escaping the joint pursuit, with my favorite page being the entire montage sequence, Rachelle Rosenberg providing different color variations for each encounter, and Joe Caramagna’s letters drawing us along the fun little panels, while a page-sized Aphra is on the edge literally and figuratively, frustrated at Farrus’ lead. Investigating Kho’s latest Ascendant ritual, once again utilizing the cult’s tech to make macabre scenes which Aphra hilariously refers to as ‘art installations’ if you’re boring, Aphra hatches a plan to use both the tech against Kho and how to draw them into a trap. Throughout the issue, Aphra’s once again in rare form, a maniacal smile as she happily confirms people’s worst assumptions about her and her intentions, eating up their misjudgments or eager to confirm them, and these proclamations brought plentiful laughs while reading, with much of the delivery predicated on Jung and team’s work, going just big enough on her reactions to land the lines. The trap they set is through Beol, the head of the company trying to sell the fake Nihil Path engine a few arcs back, as they use his connection to post a fake Ascendant item to flush Kho out. They fall for it and Aphra plans on Kho thinking they have the upper-hand, as she’s retrofitted one of the Ascendant magnets to protect her, Sana, and Beol but makes it look like Kho’s finally succeeded in killing them. Aphra’s ingenuity with machines, finding clever ways to use them or rig them for her success, is one of the many aspects I love about the character, as well as her willingness to play up a false narrative on her/act even less savory than usual to achieve a desired result means humor and unexpected moments for readers.
Kho’s many rituals and escapes might seem successful to Aphra and Sana, but to them it’s been fruitless, with many of the items fakes, leaving Kho feeling defeated and less hopeful they are the chosen heir to the Ascendant’s work. As they wallow in their home base, we hear the Ascendant’s creepy ritual rhyme, one Kho’s translated but isn’t quite sure of its accuracy. There was a deadly spooky nursery rhyme in The High Republic – Trail of Shadows and now this ritual one also raises my hair, speaking of 7 steps to obtains the cult’s Spark Eternal, their greatest work. To Kho, the Spark Eternal supposedly gives the holder the power to defy death and be the person they want to be, to be whole, and it shows how they aren’t some villainous person out for power, but rather out for understanding and acceptance. Aphra admits and Sana eventually remembers how Kho was treated, so it sounds like this has become Kho’s only hope to prove those who have tormented them wrong. The “death” of Aphra, Sana, and Beol is the sacrifice of three Kho’s looking for, and while she performs one more ritual, both Kho and Aphra come to same conclusion: the Spark Eternal is at the University of Bar’leth! Interestingly enough, all three went to Bar’leth, though Sana’s slow realization of who Kho was back then made for a great and funny series of panels as remembrance washes over her. We’ve had glimpses of Aphra’s time at the university before, be it the back-up tale in Doctor Aphra #1 (Vol. 1) or the stellar Doctor Aphra audiobook, but it looks like we’re going to see even more, as the solicitations for the comics out in March promised with the young versions of all three on the cover. A month break is going to be a lot, but this series has always been worth the wait, especially these days!
We’ve had 10 issues now with this team, Minkyu Jung, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Joe Caramagna and while we had a fantastic start with Marika Cresta’s work (and I always hope she’ll return), Jung’s take has come to define Alyssa Wong’s run so far for me. These last few issues have really hammered that home, as Jung captures the zany energy Wong’s brought to the character and her story, the mischievous looks and over-the-top reactions, while Kho’s creepy rituals and strong Ascendant tech barrages offer their own kinetic yet relax moments that tell us a lot about the character. Jung’s art did a lot to sell much of the humor this issue, as I mentioned before, and he also helps sell the tenderness between Ariole and Lucky in the opening pages/flashbacks, a softness brought out by Rosenberg’s lighter colors, so the range here is impressive. Truly excited to see what else this art team can do with Wong’s stellar writing!
Here are a few other things:
- The return of the series isn’t the only exciting Aphra development in March…it’s also the anniversary of her first appearance in Darth Vader #3 (Vol. 1). To celebrate, we’ll have a few big giveaways coming, with prizes for both US and International fans! Look for more details next month on our Twitter, as there’s going to be a fun way to participate and achieve multiple entries!
- Congrats to the entire creative team on the series, as Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) has been nominated for Best Comic in the 33rd GLAAD Awards. It’s won it before so here’s hoping it can again!
- Krrsantan’s role hasn’t let up on The Book of Boba Fett, so that’s been cool to see him continue in live-action for now but I look forward to more appearances in the comics hopefully too! And you know, if he’s on there longer, could that increase the chances of live-action Aphra?
Doctor Aphra #18 (Vol. 2) proves once again this series is the top of Star Wars comics at the moment, mixing character moments and fun action for a compelling, humorous story.
+ Aphra’s energy
+ Glimpse into Kho’s motives
+ Ariole and Lucky’s past
+ Art team wows once again, bringing humor and character moments alive
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 | #17