Star Wars #23 Review

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The Rebels adopt a strange way for determining command of the Harbinger.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars #23.

Star Wars #23

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Jorge Molina | Colorist: Matt Milla | Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos | Cover Artist: Mike Deodato & Rain Bredo

When a Story Arc Makes a Hard Left Turn

In the past two issues, Marvel established two parts of a promising adventure. In issue 21, SCAR troopers, led by Sergeant Kreel, tracked down Rebels on a distant world. Unlike the classic Stormtrooper, the SCAR troopers demonstrated deadly effectiveness. Then in issue 22, the Rebels lead a daring and complex mission to capture the Imperial Star Destroyer Harbinger. Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker have a plan for the Star Destroyer, but at the close of issue 22, the plan was still unknown. But, two issues into the story arc, and all appeared well. Marvel had established the building blocks for an interesting story. However, in Star Wars #23, it is revealed that Luke and Leia concocted a plan to steal a Star Destroyer to help break in Imperial blockade of Tureen VIII. Then the story takes a bizarre turn.

How the Rebels Decide Command…Seriously

A no-holds-barred foot race across a Star Destroyer is no way to decide a ship’s captain. Yet, this is exactly what Han Solo and Princess Leia do in order to decide who will Captain the Harbinger. As the Rebels continue to repair the Harbinger, Han and Leia debate what they should do in the absence of an admiral to command the ship. Han believes he is the only logical choice. Leia severely disagrees. Surely, there a logical way to settle this dispute would present itself. The answer to that would be no. They literally engage in what starts as a foot race to determine the captaincy of the ship.

I couldn’t help but think of the comedic line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.” The Rebels are on a dire mission, but that doesn’t stop them from engaging in these sophomoric hijinks. I had hoped that Luke and Han’s decision to haul nerfs in issue 17 would put an end to the comedic storytelling, but that is not the case.

Indeed, Han and Leia pull out all the stops. They hit, kick, and trip each other. Han commandeers a speeder bike and races through the halls of the ship. Not to be outdone, Leia dons an EVA suit and skips across the hull to the bridge. The seriousness of the mission is completely forgotten. Star Wars humor excels when it is understated and relies on witty banter. If anything, this race harms Han and Leia’s character. They both look uncharacteristically impulsive and juvenile.

Han and Leia Can’t Argue Any Other Way

Of course, what started the race is completely predictable. Han and Leia were bickering. Each had their own ideas of what direction the mission should take. And, of course, each thought their own idea was the best. Therefore, they started their routine of petty bickering and insults. What once was endearing has become something of a trope.

In my review for issue 22, I pointed out that the artists must be obligated to portray Han leaning over Leia when they argue. He either has a thumb pointed at himself, or a finger pointed at her. This issue is no different. Actually, there is one difference. Make it three. After the panel in which Han yells at Leia while emphasizing his point with a thumb jutting back in his direction, there are at least two more panels where Han leans over her while they argue.

These two need some chairs. Perhaps they could spend more time flying ships together. They did that at the beginning of the last issue. At least then there was some variety. Han and Leia are going to argue. That is a given. Would it be too much to change up the dynamic of how they do it?

Someone Has to Take Responsibility

During the race for the captaincy, the rest of the crew works on making the Star Destroyer space worthy again. A report that the bridge received a contact on its scanners interrupts Luke and Sana’s work. Therefore, they take a pair of TIE Fighters to check it out. On the way, Sana opens up a little to Luke. She claims that her reason for sticking with the Rebels has to do with the money Han Solo owes her. Luke seems doubtful. She involves herself in an awful lot of the Rebellion’s affairs after all.

Luke and Sana’s conversation ends as they approach a shuttle. It hasn’t been answering hails. Almost immediately, Sana figures out why that is. The admiral they had been expecting has been strapped to the front of the shuttle, frozen in the depths of space. Sana wastes no time in destroying the shuttle. This befuddles Luke. He objects to her actions, but she cuts him off.

Sana guides them back to the Star Destroyer. She knows the shuttle was just a distraction. The Empire has arrived. Indeed, Sergeant Kreel and his SCAR troopers have used the shuttle as a distraction while they execute an insertion onto the Harbinger.

Star Wars #23 Conclusion

Star Wars #23 was an unfortunate distraction from the main story. Han and Leia’s race to be first to the bridge and claim the captaincy was unnecessary to this story. In fact, it didn’t change anything. Leia has always been in charge. This tale didn’t advance the story of their characters. I hesitate to label that part of the issue as filler, but that it what it seemed like. They only things of real consequence that occurred in this issue was that the Rebel’s mission was revealed, and the SCAR troopers boarded the Harbinger. However, that only took a scant few pages. The rest of the story was largely unnecessary. Hopefully, Aaron can bring this story back on track for the remainder of the arc.

Favorite Panel of Star Wars #22

 While Han and Leia are chasing each other like children through the Star Destroyer, they run past Sana Starros. Unlike the leaders of this mission, she is actually doing her job. She mentions to C-3PO that she is about ready to kill both Han and Leia. She adds, “I mean, seriously, how do they expect us to put up with that?” In a way, I felt that Sana was speaking for the reader. The first two issues of this story arc set up a promising story. This issue undermines the story. I hesitate to call anything “filler,” but there doesn’t appear to be any good story reason for the race between Han and Leia. It comes off as padding for the story arc. At any rate, Sana’s comments struck a chord with me. Therefore, that is the favorite panel for Star Wars #23.