Han Solo #2 Review

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Find out what happens when the Dragon Void Run captures the attention of the galaxy.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Han Solo #2.

Han Solo #2

Writer: Marjorie Liu | Pencils: Mark Brooks | Inks: Dexter Vines | Colors: Sonia Oback | Cover Artist: Lee Bermejo | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Han Solo #2 Summary:

When issue one of Han Solo ended, the galaxy’s most famous smuggler (at least from the reader’s point of view) had just emerged from hyperspace into what appeared to be an ambush. Han and Chewbacca were participating in the Dragon Void Run, an infamous race across the galaxy. However, the ambush was not what it seemed. Despite Han’s protests that it shouldn’t be happening, mines attacked the racers as the first obstacle in the race. With some deft flying, Han and Chewie avoided the mines until they discovered the secret for overcoming the obstacle. However, the mines have taken out many of the racers, and Han is among a group of four that are competing for the lead of the race.

Arriving on world, Han has words with one of the other racers over his racing antics. Next, a Dug (think Sebulba) warns Han an enemy is on his tail just before the Empire arrives. Meanwhile, Chewbacca locates a cantina and retrieves the Rebel operative, whose name is Bot. After the operative is retrieved, a woman carrying a blaster attacks Chewbacca and Bot. As the pair flee, Han and the other racers are rounded up by the Imperials.

“Dying ain’t an option.”

Han’s restlessness and purpose are some of the themes of this series. I had speculated that part of what was holding Han Solo back in issue one of this series was that he wanted to do something that mattered. More specifically, he wanted to do something that mattered to Leia. That may still be the case, but Han clarifies why he agreed to complete this race after turning down so many other jobs. It isn’t about the money for one. He doesn’t believe he will make any money from this race or job. With the Dragon Void Run, his life is on the line. As a result, he has options: fight, run, or die. As Han says, “Dying ain’t an option.” Therefore, his options are running or fighting, and he has gotten really good at both.

The race, with its life or death consequences, makes Han feel more alive than any other job. By comparison, all the jobs he turned down recently don’t measure up. When something “smelled bad,” he just turned it down and moved on. His explanation for this is that all he has done lately is fight or run. The race is about running and perhaps fighting. Plus, it has the added benefit of doing something for the Rebellion, and more specifically, Leia.

The issue is whether this message is clear. If Han is truly tired of running and fighting, wouldn’t a simple job suit him just fine? Why go for something as dangerous as the Dragon Void? This is what convinces me that Leia and the Rebellion are part of Han’s equation. That is the unnamed variable in Han’s formula.

A Tapestry of Star Wars Species

This issue of Han Solo has done an incredible job of creating a tapestry of diversity in the Star Wars galaxy. First, there is an incredible diversity of races. Take some of Han’s competitors for example. He is racing against Twi’leks and a Pantoran amongst others. The Pantoran is Delan Vook, which will disappoint some readers that might have hoped he was the reintroduction of the Chiss to Star Wars from the Legends universe of stories.

There is also Grega the Falleen. Grega was responsible for delivering Bot to Han and Chewbacca. The Falleen were initially introduced in the Legends universe. Prince Xizor was a Falleen and leader of the Black Sun Syndicate. His first appearance was in Shadows of the Empire. The Falleen were a race created for the then expanded universe and did not originate in the movies. Xizor largely established their race as villains, but in this issue, Grega portrays them with a more ambiguous morality.

In addition to Delan and Grega, many other classic Star Wars races appear throughout this issue. The aforementioned Bot is a Duros. In the cantina where Bot is delivered to Chewbacca, several other races appear. These include an Ithorian, Gungan, and Aqualish. In addition, until the human woman shows up and starts shooting at Bot, the cantina is full of nothing but nonhuman races. The cantina patrons interpret her appearance at elite resentment that common pilots, such a Wookiee and his human companion, could have success in the Dragon Void race.

In many ways, the cantina scene in Han Solo #2 is an incredible homage to the cantina in Mos Eisley from A New Hope. The diversity of the patrons is on such similarity. It is a place where illicit deals are made or consummated. It is a place that says much about the galaxy without having to use many words. This same sort of scene couldn’t be created in a text only book, but it works fantastically in a comic book.

The Dragon Void Race

The race also says quite a lot about the society of Star Wars. For one, just as in our world, there are avid sports fans in the galaxy far, far away. Those fans have identified their favorite racers and cheer for them. Han Solo has become a fan favorite. He has captured the public’s imagination as an underdog. Also, there is an anti-elite sentiment among the fans. It is not unlike when fans cheer against elite teams, such as the New England Patriots of the past decade, the Chicago Bulls of the nineties, or the San Francisco 49ers of the eighties. Some fans gravitate toward the elites, and others want to see the upset story.

There is also a code to the race. In an attempt to avoid the mines, Delan used the Millennium Falcon as a shield while he fired back. This infuriated Han. Loo Re Anno, the venerable champion racer, advises Han that he could file a complaint. Delan would have likely been disqualified. Han declines. Although it is within his rights to do so, the race is “pure,” as Loo Re describes it. It seems like an unwritten rule, similar to the unwritten rules that golf and baseball are famous for.

The Story Development

There are at least three things going on in this story now. First, there is the Dragon Void race. This is perhaps the most straight forward thing happening. The racers have completed stage one, and now they have been apprehended by the Empire. Second, there is Han and Chewbacca’s mission to rescue the Rebel operatives. Chewbacca has retrieved the operative, but an unknown person opens fire on them. Finally, the Empire shows up. Their reasons for arresting the racers are unknown, but could they possibly be aware that Han, or less specifically a racer, is there to rescue the operative? Overall, Han Solo #2 does a great job continuing the story and creating intrigue.

Han Solo #2 Favorite Panel

Brooks and the other artists on this issue turn in incredible work panel after panel. The various Star Wars race are easily identifiable. The starships participating in the Dragon Void are incredible. For this issue’s favorite panel, I picked as simple transition panel featuring the Millennium Falcon landing on world. Han and Chewbacca have just escaped from the first stage of the race. The sun is behind the Falcon as it lands. Countless beings look on as it maneuvers towards its landing space. It establishes a great mood and is an incredible transition. Beyond that, it is just great to look upon. Notice the fading of the upper left corner where the sun bleeds over the side of the Falcon? Beautiful. That is Han Solo #2 favorite panel.