A solid culmination of an arc as Aphra’s gonna be Aphra.
Creative Staff:
Story: Kieron Gillen, Simon Spurrier
Art: Emilio Laiso
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
What They Say:
“REMASTERED” CONTINUES! Evil droid mastermind Triple-Zero has been blackmailing Doctor Aphra into stealing his old memories…which also has included sneaking onto Rebel training grounds run by General Hera Syndulla. Now hunted by both Hera of the Rebellion and Tolvan of the Empire, Aphra’s got a lot on her mind…But if there’s anything to know about the Doctor, it’s that she’s always got tricks up her electro-sleeve!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
I’ve had some frustration from this arc as its progressed simply because there’s only so long that you want to see Aphra in this kind of position. Gillen and Spurrier worked the idea nicely of upending who was in charge or who when it came to her and Triple-Zero and that made for some interesting areas to explore in a very complex character. What helped ease some of the frustration continues here as well as Emilio Laiso and Rachelle Rosenberg deliver a great looking book with a range of fun aliens, some amusing action pieces at times, and some really good moments of tenderness that humanizes the characters just a bit more. It’s taken a while for me to like Tolvan but the team has managed to pull that off all while giving me some time with Hera as well.
With this installment wrapping up a lot of things it is incredibly busy and filled with action. Aphra’s actions have her working by the seat of her pants as usual but with a whole lot of possibilities to account for that help her along the way. Her attempt at getting the data she needs has her coming up with a plan to just take all of the data and figure it out later and that has her taking control of the Rebel ship in general, playing some smash and grab essentially before making a getaway in it with everyone. You can see the incredulity in Hera over this because it is a big and crazy move, especially with such a valuable ship that the Rebellion is using to train with, but it largely serves to enhance her reputation more. As does the sharp use of the data to secure her a safe passage out with those of her team that are still interested in returning to work for Triple-Zero.
It’s here that we get a really fun moment with one of them swapped out with Tolvan in the covered suit and that gives them both a chance to engage in some sexytimes for a couple of days before Aphra has to get back to Triple-Zero. I’ve grown to really like this pairing with all its weirdness of how they deal with each other since they’re both pretty hot for the other but also will use and manipulate each other as well. Which is why things go so badly for Triple-Zero in the end because when he does get the data he tries to get Aphra to see that she is just like him. Not make her like him but make her realize she always was. It may not go over as planned, and in fact nothing anyone did involving Aphra does, and while she’s not coming out on top here she does have some position and power to work with. Of course, she also has a whole lot of people on all sides that may just opt to try and kill her instead. Aphra’s gonna Aphra.
In Summary:
While the Doctor Aphra book can see-saw for me in how much I enjoy it because it takes some strange and unusual turns at times, I’m glad it does because I’m wary of books that just work too well for me too consistently. This issue wraps up a lot of things that have been going on for a bit with Aphra’s fall – and she’s still got a bit further to go – and it works well to deal with several of these things. From Hera to Tolvan to Triple-Zero, Aphra’s trying to come out in a good spot but has problems all over simply because there are too many variables. It’s a fun issue that gets a lot done and I’m looking forward to an even more stripped down adventure next as she ends up in jail. Again.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Marvel Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: April 25th, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
