Captain Phasma #3 Review

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Captain Phasma rallies the Lupr’or for an assault in Captain Phasma #3.

This article contains plot details for Captain Phasma #3.

Captain Phasma #3

Writer: Kelly Thompson | Artist: Marco Checchetto | Colorist: Andres Mossa | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: Paul Renaud | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

Phasma is relentless. She is also ruthless. While on the hunt, Phasma and TK-3465 don disguises to blend in with the locals, the Lupr’or. Phasma’s hunt for Lieutenant stalled with the discovery of the R’ora, the indigenous beings of the world that menace the Lupr’or from the seas. That is unacceptable. As long as Rivas lives, he is a threat to Phasma. He knows she lowered the shields on Starkiller Base and thereby made the Resistance’s attack possible. Therefore, in Captain Phasma #3, she concocts a plan. The Lupr’or are but a pawn in that plan.

Among the panels of gorgeous art, provided by Marco Checchetto, a few notable scenes stand out in this intriguing tale.

Phasma the Inspiration and Opportunist

Frustrated by the presence of the Ror’a in the waters outside the Lupr’or village, Phasma, the Pilot (TK-3465), and their guide, Da’ren, return. While they are there, Phasma notices a child wearing a pendant made of technology. At Phasma’s bidding, the child leads them to a Lupr’or elder. However, the elder refuses to disclose the source of this technology. For the bedridden elder, this technology is a “soul killer.” Despite this, the child agrees to lead Phasma to the ship that is the source of the technology.

The ancient ship is enormous, and Phasma needs help to harvest the resources she needs. Therefore, she ditches her disguise and dons her chrome plated armor. Phasma then delivers a rousing speech to the Lupr’or. She guarantees them a victory. Their existence depends upon it. Phasma persuades the Lupr’or to betray their traditions and beliefs.

Tk-3465 appreciated Phasma’s speech. When she attempts to compliment her commander on the difference she is making in the lives of the Lupr’or, however, Phasma chides her absurdity. The Lupr’or are fodder to her. They are a means to an end. Phasma is blunt. She has the gift of inspiration and leadership, and yet, she uses it in furtherance of her own ends. Unfortunately, this issue omitted TK-3465’s reaction.

Reflections on Parnassos

To TK-3465’s dismay, travelling on Lupr’or involves a lot of climbing. During one such climb, the climbing is especially treacherous. TK-3465 grumbles, as she often does, about falling. De’ran agrees and urges Phasma to move faster. In response, Phasma reflects upon another place and time. In this remembrance, a man carries a child on his back, and a woman follows them up the side of a mountain or cliff. The woman, Siv, nearly falls before regaining her footing. Out loud, Phasma then addresses Siv and cautions care in climbing. TK-3465 asks Phasma who Siv is, to which Phasma responds someone she used to know and is of no concern.

Siv was of the Scyre, Phasma’s clain on Parnassos. The story of Phasma and the Scyre was told in Phasma, by Delilah S. Dawson. After a journey that destroyed her people, Phasma abandoned Siv on Parnassos. In fact, she systematically eliminated anyone that remembered her from her time on Parnassos. Therefore, this almost wistful reflection of Siv seems out of character for her. Perhaps Phasma isn’t as coldblooded as she lets others believe.

Concluding Thoughts on Captain Phasma #3

Captain Phasma #3 is another excellent entry in this miniseries. Phasma’s gift for inspiration brought the Lupr’or to battle. They electrocuted the Ror’a inhabiting the seas between their village and the Ror’a stronghold. Now, all that stands between Phasma and Rivas, or what is left of him, is a collection of Ror’a warriors. It appears Phasma’s plan for the Lurp’or as canon fodder is about to come into play.

In The Force Awakens, Phasma had little screen time. What screen time she had demonstrated her loyalty to the First Order, but that she valued her life more than the cause. Between the Phasma novel and this series, Phasme became a more complicated character. Thompson’s writing shines.

This series wraps in the next issue. One can assume Phasma’s success in hunting down Rivas. However, TK-3465 has an unknown fate. Those that know things about Phasma have a habit of dying. Over the course of this adventure, TK-3465 learned things about Phasma that the Captain might prefer she not know. What this means for the pilot remains to be seen in the next and final issue.