Written by Alyssa Wong
Art by Minkyu Jung
Published by Marvel Comics
Doctor Aphra is a solid series.
No ands, ifs or butts. Consistently solid writing and character expressive art.
This issue sees the aftermath of Darth Vader’s arrival on the planet Jekara where Crimson Dawn is holding its carbon frozen Han Solo action party.
Aphra and Vader have a history.
We’re shown snippets via flashback with elegant visuals and succinct dialogue. No fuss, no muss. We learn that beneath Aphra’s unflappable exterior is a very human and vulnerable person. Now we love her even more.
As this storyline progresses, I realize that this adventure is incidental to the overall War of the Bounty Hunters saga.
Aphra doesn’t really have a gundark in the fight over Han Solo or Boba Fett. She peripherally involved, does what she wants and moves on.
And that’s okay. It’s a great ride.
The b-story with Just Lucky and Aridce Yu is pretty compelling as well, which says a lot because I’m not very familiar with these two and their backstory.
They’re in a fight for their lives with their former mentor, Gallin over Crimson Dawn’s dubious influence on their families. It’s personal. And I believe every second of it.
With the help of Sana, her partner in crime, Aphra is soon back to her master-thieving self, taking advantage of the chaos Darth Vader’s presence causes.
With two great storylines, we get two gripping final panels. Both pairs of anti-heroes find themselves exactly where they don’t want to be.
And I have no idea how either are going to get out alive.
