February is going to be quiet for 2019’s comics, but what’s there should be lots of fun, as more misadventures with Doctor Aphra are abound, the Star Wars series’ “The Escape” comes to a close, and we get a chance to glimpse at Count Dooku’s past in one of this month’s Age of Republic offerings.
MARVEL
Doctor Aphra #29 (on sale 2/27)
Simon Spurrier (Writer), Emilio Laiso (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colors)
Cover by Ashley Witter | Greatest Hits Variant Cover by Kevin Nowlan
“WORST AMONG EQUALS” PART 4
- Rogue archaeologist DOCTOR APHRA continues her race against time – and total bodily explosion – with only professional murder droid TRIPLE-ZERO for company.
- Facing firing squads, harpoon-flinging reptiles and – worst of all – really bad traffic, they have no idea they’re being watched by the deadliest Imperial threat of all:
- The Coalition for Progress! Face the unmitigated terror of the EMPIRE’S public relations division…
“Worst Among Equals” has only just begun but it’s off to a really fun start and is an awesome spot to jump into the series if you’ve been missing out on the Doctor’s misadventures. It looks to only be getting better with the involvement of the Coalition of Progress, the PR department of the Empire! The how and why I cannot wait to find out!
Star Wars #61 (on sale 2/6)
Kieron Gillen (Writer), Andrea Broccardo (Artist)
Cover by Jamal Campbell | Greatest Hits Variant Cover By Sara Pichelli | Action Figure Variant Cover By John Tyler Christopher
“THE ESCAPE” AFTERMATH
- The great love story of our time as man and spaceship are brought back together in a tearful reunion.
- Er…HAN gets the FALCON back.
- It’s not just about the escape—it’s what you leave behind…
Already two issues in and quite promising, “The Escape” will come to a close in February, finally reuniting Han and the Falcon, though I feel like that’ll be the least important moment of this arc’s finale, considering the trajectory of the arc so far. A great place to join this series as well!
Age of Republic – Anakin Skywalker #1 (on sale 2/6)
Jody Houser (Writer), Cory Smith (Artist)
Cover By Paolo Rivera | Concept Design Variant Cover By Tba | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover By Mike Mckone (6 Of 27) | Greatest Hits Variant Cover By Tba | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
“AN UNTOLD ANAKIN ADVENTURE FROM THE HEART OF THE CLONE WARS!
- A chance to strike a devastating blow to the SEPARATIST cause comes with a high cost.
- Will ANAKIN choose the darker path, or hold true to the CODE OF THE JEDI?
- Guest-starring OBI-WAN KENOBI!
Considering Manor writer Chris recently covered some of Legends’ tales about Anakin’s moral dilemmas during the Clone Wars, and The Clone Wars show had its share of moments, it’ll be interesting to see how Houser adds and complements such tales. But it’s the villain issue this month I’m far more interested in…
Age of Republic – Count Dooku #1 (On Sale 2/13)
Jody Houser (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover By Paolo Rivera | Concept Design Variant Cover By Tba | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover By Mike Mckone (7 Of 27) | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
“THE FORMER JEDI BEGINS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR HIS SITH MASTER!
- However, an unexpected encounter with an old student threatens his plans.
- Caught between his old life and his new, will DOOKU be able to protect the secrets of the SITH?
- And does he control the DARK SIDE, or is he merely its tool?”
Considering how much we already know about Anakin now and his fall, this issue covering some of Dooku’s past is far more intriguing to me. This seems to be set shortly after his turn, so could this old student be Qui-Gon Jinn?! I’m totally okay if it ends up being a new character or a different student from his past, like say Legends’ Komari Vosa (Bounty Hunter video game), but it would be a MUCH juicier meeting if it’s from Qui-Gon that Dooku is trying to hide his new allegiance and further the dark side’s goals at the same time.
Han Solo – Imperial Cadet #4 (on sale 2/13)
Robbie Thompson (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist)
Cover By David Nakayama | Variant Cover By Tba
“THE MISSION BEGINS!
- The training wheels are off as HAN SOLO and his fellow cadets head into real combat warfare!
- In the chaos of battle, will Han take a chance to slip the bonds of the EMPIRE?
- Or will he risk his freedom AND his life to help a fellow cadet left behind enemy lines?”
Imperial Cadet had a somewhat promising first issue, and as long as it sticks closer to its humor, I think we’ll have an enjoyable mid-equal on our hands. Is mid-equal a thing? Like it takes place during Solo’s time jump…or would it be pre-sequel, like the awesome Borderlands video games coined a few years back?
Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation #5 (on sale 2/20)
Robbie Thompson (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist)
Cover By Phil Noto | Variant Cover By Scott Forbes
THE KESSEL RUN!
- HAN and his crew pulled off an impossible heist…
- …but will the EMPIRE stop them before their stolen unrefined coaxium explodes?
- Or will a monster waiting in the Maw prevent them making the Kessel Run in under twelve parsecs?!
The benefit of a 7-issue adaptation for Solo is the Kessel Run can happen in the 5th issue, potentially being the entirety of its pages, leaving plenty of room for the double-crossing finale, more Enfys Nest, a certain Sith Lord’s appearance.
IDW
Star Wars Adventures #19
Cavan Scott (Writer) Nick Brokenshire (Writer, Artist) | Cover by Mauricet
Legendary General Obi-Wan Kenobi undertakes a daring mission for the Republic Army during the Clone Wars! Guest-starring Captain Rex! The second of three issues set during the prequel films!
#18, which launches in January 2019, is a Padme and Jar-Jar adventure, which honestly sounds more interesting than another Obi-Wan, plus Rex, issue since we’ve certainly gotten a lot of that already. Still, it’s Obi-Wan, so I’m interested.
Also coming in February is a really cool box set of the excellent Tales from Vader’s Castle miniseries, and it includes:
Collecting all five issues of the popular event series! If you missed “Vader’s Castle” before, here’s your chance to read all the spooky tales from a galaxy far, far away… This set features the original covers by award-winning artist Francesco Francavilla without logos, plus a very special sketch variant of #1-perfect for conventions or in-store signings!
That’s a solid way to collect such a cool idea that lived up to its name, for the most part.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
2019 SOLICITATIONS: January | March | April | May
CURRENT SERIES COMIC REVIEWS:
Doctor Aphra
Aphra (#1-6) | And the Enormous Profit (#9-13) | Remastered (#14-19) | The Catastrophe Con (#20-25) | Worst Among Equals (#26-31) | Annual: #2
Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith
The Chosen One (#1-6) | The Dying Light (#7-10) | The Rule of Five (#11-12) | Burning Seas (#13-18) | Fortress Vader (#19-25) | Annual: #2
Star Wars
Ashes of Jedha (#38-43) | Mutiny at Mon Cala (#44-49) | Hope Dies (#50-55) | The Escape (#56-61) | Annual: #4
Han Solo – Imperial Cadet (miniseries)