Star Wars #24 Review

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The Empire has plans for their wayward Star Destroyer in Star Wars #24.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Star Wars #24.

Star Wars #24

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Jorge Molina | Colorist: Matt Milla | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Cover: Mike Deodato & Rain Beredo

Introduction

Star Wars #24 is a story of sabotage. In the previous issue, Han and Leia engaged in a race to the bridge of the Harbinger. Whoever won received the title of “captain” of the Star Destroyer the Rebels had captured. Leia pulled out all the stops and beat Han. Therefore, she was in command. During this sophomoric race, Luke Skywalker and Sana investigated a late arriving shuttle with a Rebel admiral onboard. Unfortunately, the admiral was found dead. Using the shuttle as a distraction, SCAR Squad, under the command of Sergeant Kreel infiltrated the Harbinger.

This issue commences with everything going wrong on board. The cannons do not work. Maintenance crews go missing. The Harbinger approaches its target, the world of Tureen VII, in hopes of breaking the Imperial blockade. The Rebels run out of time as they approach Tureen VII. Before they can commence their raid, they must repair their cannons. First, however, they need to figure out what happened to the maintenance crews.

Sabotage

SCAR Squad bears responsibility for the missing maintenance crews. As the Rebels make repairs, the Imperials undue them. When given the opportunity to dispatch the crews, they take advantage. This element of the story is excellent. What the SCAR troopers are up to? Clearly, the Empire knows what the Rebellion plans and where they are. So, why doesn’t the Empire simply storm the ship and retake it? That answer to that question arrives later in the issue.

Eventually, the time comes and the SCAR Squad makes their move. They attack the engine room, the bridge, and the Rebels aboard the Star Destroyer wherever they can find them. Sargent Kreel attacks Luke Skywalker. Although, Luke doesn’t recognize him at first, Sargent Kreel taunts Luke from their days together in the arena on Nar Shadda. Chewbacca finds his hands full with another trooper in the engine room while Sana and other Rebels fight other members of the SCAR Squad throughout the ship.

Responsibility Resumed

 I was critical of the chase aboard the Harbinger in the last issue. It seemed immature and a ridiculous way to decide the captaincy of the ship. Furthermore, Han and Leia seemed childish. Fortunately, this issue rectified the problem. For certain, Han and Leia still bicker. In addition, this issue also includes a classic Han arguing with Leia panel (see my previous review). Despite that, Leia firmly controls the ship. She rebuts Hans insistence that they do things his way. She extends an olive branch and appoints Han the helmsman. Han, Luke, and Leia are at their best when they work as a team. This issue highlights that.

Sana Starros

Darth Vader had Dr. Aphra. Star Wars has Sana Starros. In each instance, a much-needed female character was added to the male dominated Star Wars cast. Just as the pages of Darth Vader explored Dr. Aphra’s character, Sana’s role continually expands here. Like Leia, she takes command when needed. When the Rebels seek out the invaders aboard the Harbinger, she is in front giving orders. Like Han, she has her own conscience to struggle with. She insists she is only assisting the Rebellion until Han can pay her back. Self-interest is one thing, but Sana’s actions speak to a growing sense of belonging with the Rebellion.

The Dark Arrival

At long last, the Harbinger arrives at the blockade around Tureen VII. The Imperial blockade was not expecting this late arrival. As Luke and Kreel clash, Luke boasts that it will take more than just some “bucket heads” to stop the Harbinger and the Rebels. Kreel is unimpressed. In response, he boasts that the Harbinger could have been destroyed days ago. However, they had a reason not to do so. In fact, he’ll let his boss explain why.

So, who is this boss? The answer to that question is the big twist of this issue. As the Harbinger flies into the space around Tureen VII, Han, as helmsman, takes on other Star Destroyers. X-wings poor from the Harbinger to join the fray. Then a different type of TIE fighter arrives to everyone’s surprise. It should look familiar to Star Wars fans, because it is none other than Darth Vader’s Advanced TIE fighter. The Dark Lord himself has arrived to oversee operations on the Harbinger.

Conclusion

Much like issue seventeen was the unnecessarily silly issue of the “Rebel Jail” story arc, issue twenty-four was the humorous interlude for this story arc. Fortunately, this issue redeemed the story. Introducing Darth Vader back into Star Wars was unexpected, for me at least. It was also brilliant. Darth Vader recently concluded. Vader vowed at the conclusion to find Luke, and to do it soon. This issue demonstrates what audiences knew to be true at the time of The Empire Strikes Back: Darth Vader is obsessed with finding Luke. My prediction is that he will not encounter Luke here. Somehow, the two will narrowly miss each other. Issue twenty-five is shaping up to be enormous. Han, Luke, and Leia need to complete their mission to Tureen VII or figure out a retreat. Either option has its difficulties.

Favorite Panel of Star Wars #24

The art shines in this issue more than in previous issues of this story arc. The panels featuring Luke and Sana searching for the repair crews are dark and eerie. The reader almost hears their voices echo in the dimly lit corridors of the Harbinger. The art sells the immense size of the Harbinger and that it is abandoned. That said, for me, what shined even more were the panels featuring the lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Sergeant Kreel. Molina’s art brought this fight to life. Most of the panels featuring the duel are scattered between panels displaying the action elsewhere. However, a sense of a fight between saber duelists still pervades the last half of the issue. Luke’s reactions and anger are easy to read. It’s all beautifully done. Therefore, I chose one of these panels as this issue’s favorite panel.