Star Wars: Screaming Citadel (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Screaming Citadel
Writers: Kieron Gillen & Jason Aaron
Artists: Marco Checchetto, Salvador Larroca, & Andrea Broccardo
Recent Release Date: October 24, 2017


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Review of Doctor Aphra Vol.1

Synopsis: A rebel pilot and a rogue archaeologist delve into the darkest shadows of the galaxy side by side, as Luke Skywalker reluctantly teams up with Doctor Aphra! The not-so-good Doctor will make Luke an offer he can't afford to pass up...one that leads him to a very rare gathering at the heart of the infamous Screaming Citadel! Will Luke find what he's looking for? Can Aphra be trusted? Or will they both wind up victims of the Citadel's queen? And as this unlikely duo steps right into the lair of one of the most powerful, reclusive and dangerous women in the galaxy, can Han and Leia be far behind them? 

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Review: This is the second crossover event in the Marvel Star Wars comics. It brings the ongoing Doctor Aphra and Star Wars series together. I liked the pairing of Luke with Aphra. They play well off of each other with Luke's naive goodness and Aphra's experienced gray morality. I liked when she called him a wannabe padawan. 

There are some well designed characters in this comic. The residents of the Screaming Citadel have a goth bdsm vibe. Luke even gets to dress up. I liked seeing him in something different. 

I want to know more about Sana and Aphra's past!!! Please, Marvel, make a queer love story prequel!!!

The murder droids are wonderful. Having them on the same side as the "good guys" for at least the time being led to some funny situations. 

The last panel intrigued me. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. I am always here for more Doctor Aphra!   


--PAUL

Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Captain Phasma (comic) -Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Captain Phasma
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Recent Release Date: November 29, 2017

Synopsis: What happened to Captain Phasma after Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens? Writer Kelly Thompson (HAWKEYE) and artist Marco Checchetto (AVENGERS WORLD, PUNISHER, GAMORA) expand Captain Phasma's story and reveal how she escaped the destruction of Starkiller Base. It's the stunning lead-in to this winter's blockbuster big-screen Star Wars film, and everything you need to know is right here! 

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Review: Captain Phasma has been the Boba Fett character of the sequel trilogy. She looks bad-ass and intimidating, but she hasn't really proven herself in the movies. This comic, taking place between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, shows Phasma in her element. We get to see her utilizing survival skills. We get to see her take the role of a leader. The Captain Phasma shown in this comic is what I expected from her when I first saw her design before The Force Awakens was released. 

I liked seeing Captain Phasma covering her own trail. It makes up for her actions in The Force Awakens. I also liked the amount of female characters in this comic. It shouldn't be something to make note of, but unfortunately it still is when it comes to such big brand stories. I really enjoyed and hope to see more of the character Pilot. 

I give this comic a 4/5. I really liked what it did to the character of Captain Phasma. She was shown as a more fully fledged character. It was an interesting, short, survival story.


--PAUL

Star Wars: Shattered Empire (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Shattered Empire
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artists: Marco Checchetto, Angel Unzueta, & Emilio Laiso
Recent Release Date: November 17, 2015

Synopsis: For the first time in the new Star Wars canon, journey with us into the time after the end of Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi! Writer Greg Rucka (PUNISHER, WOLVERINE, Gotham Central) and artist Marco Checchetto (AVENGERS WORLD, PUNISHER) take us past the destruction of the second Death Star — and into the chaos of a Shattered Empire. It's the explosive lead-in to this winter's blockbuster big-screen Star Wars revival, and everything you need to know is right here! Collecting JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - SHATTERED EMPIRE #1-4, PRINCESS LEIA #1 and STAR WARS (1977) #1

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Review: This is one of the few stories set after Return of the Jedi. The first panels take place at the end of the Battle of Endor. Poe Dameron's parents are the focus of this book, primarily his mother. Though the main cast does make cameos. 

I like the groundwork this places for the post-ROTJ universe. The red messengers from Palpatine were really cool. I also really liked seeing Naboo and Leia's force sensitivity come into play again in a subtle way. I'm very interested in what happens to the things Luke recovered at the end of this short graphic novel.

I felt like this was a cool beginning, but I wish it had been longer. The trade paperback includes the first volume of two other comics because Shattered Empire itself is so short. I'm hoping we get more stories that pick up on these threads. I give this graphic novel a 5/5.


--PAUL