Star Wars: Target Vader (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Target Vader
Writer: Robbie Thompson
Artists: Marc Laming, Cris Bolson, Stefano Landini, Marco Failla, Roberto di Salvo, Georges Duarte, & Neeraj Menon
Release Date: February 11, 2020


Synopsis: THE HUNTER! DARTH VADER is on the hunt for a mysterious criminal syndicate operating outside of THE EMPIRE’s rule. But little does he know he’s being hunted by a group of the galaxy’s deadliest bounty hunters, hired by the syndicate to take out Vader once and for all. Led by fallen Imperial Officer BEILERT VALANCE, this ragtag group of assassins will stop at nothing to kill the biggest bounty of their lives.

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: TARGET VADER #1-6

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Review: I immediately loved the artwork in the first few pages of this book. The colors are vibrant. The details given to the different alien species are excellent. There are aliens from all three trilogies throughout this book. That's the Star Wars I love. There are even references to the Bounty Hunter's Code that reminds me of The Mandalorian. 

Beilert Valance is going to be a big presence in the comics it seems with the upcoming Bounty Hunters ongoing comic. I'm not familiar with the character, but I like that they are bringing back select characters from the old Legends and introducing them into the new canon.

The focus is on bounty hunters, so of course a team forms. I like that the team includes what looks like a female Tusken Raider, Urrr'k. Dengar is also part of the team, keeping that connection to bounty hunters from the films. 

It's always fun to see bounty hunters do their thing because their morals are always very particular. And there will always be plenty of twists. This felt like an introduction to Valance the most. We learn some of his backstory and get to see where his allegiances fall. 

I give this book a 4/5. It's fun and very Star Wars. I think this volume has convinced me to pick up the Bounty Hunter series when it comes out.


--PAUL

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artists: Caspar Wijngaard, Wilton Santos, Cris Bolson, & Andrea Broccardo
Recent Release Date: December 10, 2019

Vol.1: Aphra
Screaming Citadel
Vol.2: The Enormous Profit
Vol.3: Remastered
Vol.4: The Catastrophe Con
Vol.5: Worst Among Equals

Synopsis: After a year of close shaves, Doctor Chelli Aphra is taking it easy and lying low. Probably herding banthas or something. She's smart like that, right? No, not really. The galaxy's shadiest archaeologist is back doing what she does best: busting into alien temples to steal horrifying weapons for huge profi t. She just can't stop herself. But plenty of other people could. Powerful factions are watching closely: Rebel and Empire, familiar and strange - all calculating whether Aphra's more useful alive...or dead.

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA 32-36

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Review: This continues to be my favorite ongoing Star Wars comic series. I absolutely adore that a lesbian hate-love romance is at the center of an ongoing Star Wars series. Representation absolutely matters. Doctor Aphra is such an interestingly complex character. This volume, especially, showcases the gray morality of the universe. No one thinks of themselves as evil in their own head. 

In this volume we get to see a little bit more about Aphra's past. We learn more about both of her parents. Aphra compares her own upbringing to her new not-a-ward Vulaada.

Black Krrsantan and Tolvan are back. This ongoing series utilizes its original characters so well, bringing them back in places that make sense. 

This volume was a little slow for me starting out, but by the end I was completely invested and loved how everything actually played out. Predictability, allegiances, and priorities are at the center of this volume. I give this book a 5/5. I'm looking forward to more Doctor Aphra!   


--PAUL