Star Wars, Vol. 12: Rebels and Rogues (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars, Vol. 12: Rebels and Rogues
Writer: Greg Pek
Artist: Phil Noto
Release Date: November 19, 2019


Synopsis: Darth Vader is on the hunt for Luke Skywalker! Thousands of remote probes are sent into the far reaches of space looking for the Rebel Alliance. But the rebels send out desperate, heroic missions to lead them astray. Chewie and C-3PO lure a drone to a planet with an unstable core but learn of a secret droid civilization. With Star Destroyers and Darth Vader approaching, they must now protect these newfound droids. Luke Skywalker undertakes a mission to lead a drone away from a rebel refueling station but runs into the Force-sensitive human Bendoh. With Luke training to be a Jedi, will Bendoh be a valuable teacher or a simple grifter? Then, Han Solo and Princess Leia plan to use a drone to take down a local crime boss, but things get complicated when they run into Leia's ex! What could possibly go wrong?!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS 68-72

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Review: This is the twelfth volume in this ongoing series and quite honestly, it's getting stale. I am absolutely ready for the jump past The Empire Strikes Back. I'm curious to see if they'll do any Shadows of the Empire plots. But in the mean time, this volume had our main heroes split up into duos. Han and Leia meet with an ex of Leia. Luke and Artoo search a desert planet and meet a force user. Chewbacca and Threepio discover some not-so-organic lifeforms.

There are some interesting ideas in this volume, but it just feels kind of boring. There's no big picture things going down It just feels like more missions that will be resolved and are just taking up the time until we get to Hoth. The stakes don't feel high. One thing I did enjoy seeing was Han and Leia's relationship starting to look like what it does in The Empire Strikes Back. 

I give this volume a 3/5. The heroes are divided and not much happens. There isn't even much resolution in this volume. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Writer: Ethan Sacks
Artists: Will Sliney, Dono Sanchez-Almara, & Protobunker
Recent Release Date: November 5, 2019


Synopsis: A thrilling call to adventure on the very edge of the galaxy! Black Spire Outpost has long been frequented by smugglers, merchants and travelers from every system looking to make their score on the infamous black market - or experience exotic thrills only the remote world of Batuu has to offer. Beings like the infamous Dok-Ondar, proprietor of rare antiquities, thrive on the unique opportunities that abound on this lawless outpost at the edge of Wild Space. But the First Order has come to Batuu - and now its survival is at stake! The road to Black Spire's salvation begins in the past...with a job that Han Solo and Chewbacca once pulled for Dok-Ondar. The newest chapter of the growing Star Wars saga begins with this riveting comic adventure tie-in to the theme park!

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Review: Welcome to the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu! I haven't been yet, but you may have if you've recently visited Disney World or Disney Land. There's obviously a lot of references to how the actual park looks. The cover featured the Millenium Falcon just like the actual attraction. 

This graphic novel tells one story focusing on one of the original characters made for the parks: Dok-Ondar. Within the big story there are four smaller tales being retold. Han Solo deals with a baby sarlacc. Greedo's ego is showcased. Hando comes in contact with the Guardians of the Whills. And, Doctor Aphra travels to the Sith Homeworld of Moraband. Each of these stories show off different aspects of the park that you can see for yourself if you go in person. This is what Star Wars does so well, making connections and building a big lived-in world.

There are plenty of wonderful references. Ki-Adi-Mundi and Chirrut are just two of my favorites. Dok-Ondar is the true star of this book. He's an underworld mastermind.

I give this book a 3.5/5. It's full of fun stories with connections to the park and featured characters from different eras. This definitely is a tie-in story, though. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Han Solo (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Han Solo
Author: Marjorie Liu
Illustrator: Mark Brooks
Recent Release Date: January 3, 2017

Synopsis: Everyone's favorite scoundrel goes Solo! Han is given a top-secret undercover mission for the Rebellion: rescuing several informants and spies! His cover for the assignment? Only the biggest and most infamous starship race in the galaxy, the Dragon Void! A tournament he has dreamt of winning his entire life. With a chance of glory, can Han keep his mind on the mission? Or is failing Leia worse than losing? If that wasn't enough, there's also the small matter of finding a traitor within the Rebellion. As the Dragon Void heats up, can a certain Wookiee pal lend a hand in the mole hunt? Place your bets for the ultimate space race! Our money's on Han and the Millennium Falcon - after all, it's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! 

COLLECTING: HAN SOLO 1-5

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Review: This comic is a great look into Han Solo as a character between A New Hope and The Empire Strike Back. He isn't quite as ingrained within the Rebellion, but he is having difficulties returning to the smuggler life. There are plenty of great bro moments between Han and Chewie. Leia is characterized well, too. 

This is a fun, adventure comic. There's an ancient Space Race. There's Imperials constantly on our protagonists' tails. Rebel Spies. Fun and new characters of all shapes and colors. I especially liked the character of Loo Re Anno. 

This is another great miniseries from Marvel. It focuses on Han Solo as a character and shows a story that fits with what he's made from. I give this comic a 5/5. Don't miss out on this one!


--PAUL