– Spoiler Review –
You wouldn’t quite know it, but with Star Wars Adventures #14 (Vol. 2), IDW closes out their mainline series and is their penultimate contribution before Dark Horse takes over the license later in the year. The main story focused on Rey wraps up nicely while Justina Ireland’s The High Republic back-up tale is a stellar showing for writer and artist both.
“Repair Stop – Part 2″ Written by George Mann, Art by Butch Mapa, Colors by Charlie Kirchoff, Lettering throughout by Johanna Nattalie
I really liked seeing Rey improvise and, in a way, trust in the Force for everything to work out, as she was a little locked into doubt by the time of The Rise of Skywalker that she wasn’t out in the field on missions like this, while BB-8 at her side allows for some other enjoyable moments, building off a line in TRoS from Leia about trusting a droid. The resolution to events with Moebin and Varris, the bounty hunter, are fun enough, especially Rey’s diversion tactics in the opening bit. While Finn does end up still sidelined, I’m just glad he and Chewie were just testing their fixes and not flying away for no good reason. If there’s anything from this story I took away, it’s how I look forward to more Rey once Star Wars decides to venture into the post-TRoS era.
Butch Mapa’s art brought even more enjoyable panels this time around, from Rey’s mischievous face as she tries to talk up Varris to distract him as BB-8 cuts Moebin free to the series of panels as she sneaks around, tailing Varris and Moebin. Between the big chase splash last issue and these panels this issue, Mapa tells a lot of story through these panels/pages and I really liked this approach and his ability to fill in where the dialogue wasn’t. Kirchoff’s colors remain bright, though feel a little darker thanks to the interior of Varris’ shuttle, matching the direness of the situation.
Tales of Villainy: “A Very Nihil Interlude” Written by Justina Ireland, Art by Nick Brokenshire
Set during The High Republic era, “A Very Nihil Interlude” features Justina Ireland’s character Deva Lompop, a member of a new species known as the Shani that actually premiered first in the War of the Bounty Hunters’ one-shot collection, but has begun to make herself known amongst the Nihil in Ireland’s Phase I, Wave III novel Mission to Disaster (which releases in stores March but is already out digitally). Deva’s been a fun character, as while she’s with the Nihil, it’s often clear it’s what she enjoys doing for now, and her helping out the local girl on the planet of the Nihil’s latest target shows there’s so much more dimension to her. The whole scene where she scares the kids beating up on the defenseless girl was both funny and terrifying thanks to Nick Brokenshire’s art, while it recalls her interactions with the younger characters of Mission to Disaster that I really enjoyed. Everything Deva has made me eager for more of her and this is just another slice of that Deva-fan pie.
Brokenshire’s art has been some of my favorite for Star Wars Adventures’ short-lived return and he goes out on top with this story, much like he started this run in 2020! Deva and the Shani’s ability to unhinge their jaw is downright spooky but in the hands of Brokenshire it’s chilling and frankly terrifying, with some big, scary lettering by Nattalie, to the point I’m a little worried for younger fans (I know younger me is shaking in his tennies)! Not only that, Brokenshire captures Deva’s relaxed, go-with-the-flow stances and nature, often having her leaning back against something or hands on her hips. The whole sequence in the groves, as she ropes up the many bullies then appears first as a spooky shadow was stellar and made for a great set of panels. The final one, of the chaos around them as the Nihil invade, the little girl happy and saying Deva was a nice woman, provides a nice big laugh to end the issue on.
Here are a few other things:
- The High Republic Adventures #13, out in March, will be IDW’s final comic issue. Should be a little bigger fanfare around that release!
Star Wars Adventures #14 (Vol. 2) is a quiet ending for an era of all-ages comics, though at least it never stopped doing what it did best, even in the end.
+ Deva Lompop delights thanks to writing/art
+ Art telling the story
– A quiet goodbye
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.
IDW’S STAR WARS ADVENTURES (Vol. 2) REVIEWS:
#1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 | #13