Star Wars #13 Review (Vader Down Part 3)

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The cross-over continues. Han Solo and Dr. Aphra slug it out. Nuff said? Oh yeah.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Star Wars #13.

Star Wars #13

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Mike Deodato | Colorist: Frank Martin Jr. | Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos | Cover: Mark Brooks

Vader Down continues with issue thirteen of Star Wars. The action commences with Aphra, BT-1, and Triple Zero moving in on Luke after knocking him out at the conclusion of the prior issue. The trio mock R2-D2, who is doing his best to protect Luke while he recovers. Artoo and BT-1 engage in what can only be described as an Astromech swearing-fest. Triple Zero observes that Artoo is foul-mouthed, thereby destroying any notion that Artoo was innocent. The swearing contest then devolves into violence. This could have been amusing and entertaining except for the fact that Artoo brought the standard arc welder to a blaster and missle fight. In fact, BT-1’s arsenal is so massive it borders on the absurd. Where does this droid possibly keep all of these weapons? Artoo flees the battle for the moment.

Han Solo and Chewbacca arrive just in time to rescue Luke and Artoo. These panels were both incredible and frustrating. Both Han and Aphra are scoundrels at heart. The opportunity to see them square off is simply perfect. There is some irony in Aphra attempting to insult Han as the “Prince of Smugglers” as she is known to engage in a few underhanded tricks herself. She just spray painted one of her droids to ambush Luke in the last issue after all. Han and Aphra spend several panels attempting to out fight and think each other, and their conflict reaches a somewhat disappointing climax that borders on slapstick. One other note concerning their conflict, Han has heard of Dr. Aphra prior to this fight. She knew he would have, and that her name would at least give him pause. Han attempts to play this off, but his initial reaction was telling. It’ll take a later issue to find out what Han knows about her and why her presence was immediately perceived as a threat.

While Han attempts to keep Aphra busy, Chewbacca gets the drop on Triple Zero. As an aside, the overzealousness with which Triple Zero pursues his lust for inflicting pain is sometimes overplayed. In some instances, his maniacal lines can be comedic gold. His insults to Artoo are fitting of someone as deranged as he. His final recollection of Han’s known associate is worth at least a grin. Chewbacca gets to live up to his specie’s reputation of removing droids’ arms from their sockets for the second time in about a month in the pages of Star Wars comics (see Chewbacca #2). The conflict between Chewbacca and Triple Zero sees each getting the drop on the other throughout the fight until Luke finally regains consciousness and steps in to help the wookiee. Some classic, quick thinking action by Artoo allows Luke, Han, Chewie, and the droids to finally escape Aphra and her droids.

Darth Vader is largely absent from this issue. In some ways, this works similarly to Dracula in Bram Stoker’s novel. The monster was largely not present, but his presence was felt in the effect he had on others around him throughout the novel. The anticipation works to build suspense and fear. Similarly here, Vader’s presence is very much felt. As Leia sets out from the refueling station, C-3PO and her men beg her to stay behind as they fear what Vader might do to her. Leia cautions her subordinates to shoot first and ask questions later. Later, as Leia and her soldiers close in on Vader’s location, comm-chatter relays the panic of the Rebel soldiers that are obliterated in Vader’s wake. He is destroying their tanks to the horror of the troops. Radio calls beg anyone listening not to come after him. Finally, Leia’s men are summarily force choked, presumably to death, as Vader reveals himself to Leia. His arrival and appearance (great use of coloring and shading by Deodato and Martin) is sudden, eerie, and terrifying. By using him so little, his emergence in this issue is memorable. Leia is left in a very vulnerable situation as the issue concludes.

This series is now accomplishing what crossovers are meant to do: bring characters together when they might not otherwise have a reason to interact. Vader has largely used Dr. Aphra as a shadow operative in the pages of Darth Vader. He has sent her to retrieve information from the Ante. Her and the droids extracted information from the mortician on Naboo. Aphra posed as an opportunist in staging a raid on the Imperial cruiser while recruiting bounty hunters to help her. All those times, she was Vader’s secret representative. She is a liason for an entity that cannot be seen performing these acts in public. She does not typically act as a frontline operative. In this series, circumstances have forced her to take on the role of a combatant and provided the opportunity for her to come face-to-face with the likes of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker.

Despite some of the absurdities of the combat in this issue, it is a must read. The series overall is excellent. The Star Wars galaxy got a little smaller for having Aphra encounter Han and Luke, but the interaction has been fun for the most part. Darth Vader continues to prove why he was so feared throughout the known regions. In addition, each of the characters have had a canvas for the writers to paint their personalities and growth as they continue to journey from the events of A New Hope to the events of The Empire Strikes Back. This series is already half over, and it has been quite a ride. The teaser on the final page of this issue for the next issue promises plenty of action in part four, which occurs in Darth Vader issue 14.

Favorite Panel:

Deodata returns from the Vader Down stand alone issue to provide the art for Star Wars 13. Marvel’s Star Wars artists consistently provide quality work, but they all could take a lesson from Deodata on creating action scenes where there are a lot of explosions and weapon’s fire. His illustrations of Leia and Han are among the best of any artist so far. He also draws a great Chewbacca. He only had the opportunity to draw Darth Vader once in this issue, but the Vader he gave us is simply terrifying. Despite the absurdity of BT-1’s arsenal, he does very well with all of the droids as well. His take on Dr. Aphra though is my favorite so far.  Therefore, I have selected an Aphra actin panel as this week’s favorite.