Rogue One #3 Review

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The Rebellion makes a move on the Imperial research facility on Eadu.

This article contains plot points for Rogue One #3.

Rogue One #3

Writer: Jody Houser | Artist: Paolo Villanelli | Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover Artist: Phil Noto | Production Design: Carlos Lao | Editor: Heather Antos | Supervising Editor: Jordan D. White

Rogue One #3 resumes the adaptation of the film picking up with the destruction of the Holy City on Jedha. Jyn and the rest of the Rebels flee Jedha before heading to Eadu. After a crash landing, they arrive at Galen Erso’s research facilities right as Director Krennic interrogates Galen and executes his fellow scientists. The issue ends just as the Rebellion’s fighter craft bomb the facility. Like the previous two issues, Rogue One #3 preserves the story while making enough changes that create a worthy comic adaptation. Most readers are likely familiar with Rogue One’s story from the film. Therefore, this review focuses on the changes between the film and the adaptation.

Expanding the Story

This issue includes less significant additional material than the prior two issues. However, one additional scene stands out. Once they crash on Eadu, various members of the ad hoc team leave the ship in waves. The exodus begins with Cassian and Bodhi. Once Jyn suspects Cassian has a nefarious intent, she follows. Then Baze and Chirrut follow. Unfortunately, space constraints removed K-2SO’s joke that if Cassian returned first, then they would leave without the rest.

Baze and Chirrut discuss their own intentions. This additional scene adds needed depth of character to both men. Angered by the destruction of Jedha, Baze wants vengeance. The Empire destroyed his home. Although Chirrut counsels against such motivation, Baze seems unmoved. Chirrut has a different motivation. He follows Jyn. When asked why, he responds that she shines. Chirrut may not be a Jedi, but the Force influences his life. Scenes such as this one demonstrate how the Force impact other citizens of the galaxy.

Subtle Additions

This issue also includes additions to scenes with a less significant impact. For example, when the Holy City on Jedha crumbles and the Rebels begin to flee, Saw Gerrera stays behind. This scene largely resembles the corresponding events of the movie. However, just before he meets his demise, he utters the name, “Steela.” A panel featuring Saw and this woman comes next. Readers familiar with The Clone Wars likely remember Steela as Saw’s deceased sister. The pair were freedom fighters and featured in the Onderon story arc. However, readers unfamiliar with The Clone Wars might not understand she was his sister. Under these circumstances, readers could confuse her as a significant other.

A similar scene appears later in the issue. After scaling the cliff and reaching the research station, Jyn calls out to her father just before the X-Wings attack. In a moment of reflection, Galen experiences a flash back to a moment of tenderness with his young daughter. Although only one panel, it is effective in adding some tragedy to the scene.

In another additional scene, the focus shifts to Galen on Eadu. One of his fellow engineers alerts him to the fact that Director Krennic’s shuttle approaches their station. After a moment of reflection, Galen comforts his friend. That is it. Although it demonstrated affection between Galen and his coworkers, this scene was unnecessary. It contributed little to the story.

Storytelling Changes

There are a few storytelling changes in this issue that truly make it an adaptation. One example is when the Rebellion scrambles a squad to Eadu. In this issue, General Draven received word that contact with Cassian’s team was lost. He then orders a squad to Eadu. In this movie, X-Wing and Y-Wing fighters quickly take flight as flight crews race around the ships. In the comic, rather than focus on the fighters, the scene focuses on the pilots as the march to the hangar in a single panel. Some pilots don helmets, and one races to catch up. All of them are grim faced. The nature of the mission is deadly serious after all.

Conclusion

Rogue One #3 continues and excellent adaption of the film. Paolo Villanelli took over the pencil duties for Emilio Laiso and did an admiral job. Jody Houser’s work writing this adaptation shines as well. This adaptation excels at preserving the story, themes, and imagery of the film while supplementing the story with additional material. Although the film offered the occasional flashback which added depth, the inclusion of quick single panels detailing inner thoughts is even more effective in the comic. This adaptation is more than just a picture book for the movie.

Favorite Panel of Rogue One #3

A more significant change occurs on Eadu. General Draven clearly gave Cassian Andor orders to assassinate Galen Erso. Those orders stood despite the arrival of the Death Star and the destruction of the Holy City. In the film, Cassian gets into position to shoot Galen with a sniper shot. The scene alternates between his vantage point and Krennic’s interrogation of Galen. In this adaptation, the scene begins by exclusively focusing on Cassian’s perspective. As Cassian aims at Galen, an image of Jyn appears before him. He can’t make the shot. It was a minor change, but it had an impact. That is the favorite panel of Rogue One #3.