The squeeze is on and Aphra’s about to really panic.
Creative Staff:
Story: Kieron Gillen
Art: Kev Walker, Marc Deering
Colors: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
What They Say:
Aphra’s mission to make quick credits by auctioning off an ancient Jedi artifact is going to plan…That is, until it isn’t. Meanwhile, a dark figure from Aphra’s past decides to make an appearance…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Kieron Gillen’s definitely having fun writing Aphra and this arc shows him loosening up a bit with her. The first arc was primarily about setup for this but it also dovetailed into the crossover event that felt too early and forced to really work well. But unencumbered by all of that and just focusing on her trying to move forward has made her a fun character to read about again. It also doesn’t hurt that we’ve got a few issues in a row now from Walker and Deering and they’re growing more comfortable with it all and just having fun, particularly in alien design, while also rolling well with the action elements.
Having Rur essentially go rogue here, gaining control of one of the droids and taking vengeance upon those that would try and control it, we essentially get a lot of chaos. It’s certainly earned by Rur as there are those that wanted to destroy him, control him, tear him apart into more manageable pieces. To be reduced to nothing and nothing more. So his bit of chaos here where he’s throwing weapons left and right, cutting down sentients, and just generally savoring all of this as a chance to cut loose. Considering his position for the last thousand years it’s certainly understandable. Patience is certainly working out in his favor but there’s no reason to be patient now.
Aphra’s time in her own book is definitely just as fun here as she has to escape from Rur and figure out how to stop him, particularly since there are no failsafes designed into what he’s taken over. She’s fun to watch as she tries to work through all of this while surviving but the reality is far worse for her. When she realizes that it’s the murderbots that have set this into motion she knows she has to deal with them. And that they’re prepared for that, which means she’s running through scenarios in her head to figure it out. I love the way she tries to change the balance of events with the weaponry that’s been stashed here and her making her way to the droids. But the reveal to her of what’s really about to hit the station with Vader is the best moment and has me eagerly looking forward to what’s next to see just how far it’ll go.
In Summary:
Doctor Aphra keeps things moving well here with a good pace to it so that the action hits well but there are moments to breathe and take in what’s going on. Though story is light here we get some good setup at the end for what I hope is a big event in the next issue considering all that’s gone on since the last time the two met. But I’m also hopeful for Rur to get some serious smacking around here and that we get an amusing twist in the way the murderbots are dealt with. The book delivers well here with its action and craziness and that kept me grinning throughout, though more looking forward to what’s next.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Marvel Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: August 9th, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
