Star Wars #42 Review

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When plans go awry on Jedha, someone must step up. Dennis discusses who and how in his review Star Wars #42.

This article discusses plot details for Star Wars #42.

Star Wars #42

Writer: Kieron Gillen | Artist: Salvador Larroca | Colorist: Guru e-FX | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: David Marquez & Mathew Wilson | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

The “Ashes of Jedha” story continues in Star Wars #42. After Chewbacca risked his life to bring them the plans to the Empire’s Continent class crawler, the Leviathan, Leia now concocts a plan to destroy the monstrous machine. In short, Luke, Leia, and the droids will infiltrate the crawler and disable the anti-air weapons. Then Benthic, Han Solo, and the Partisans will land, infiltrate the crawler, and drive it into the hole punched in the mantle of Jedha by the Death Star. Naturally, things go wrong and Han Solo reluctantly takes over leadership of Benthic’s assault squad. Meanwhile, Luke infiltrates the bridge of the crawler and confronts Commander Kanchan while Queen Trios corners Princess Leia.

Luke’s Assault

Once Luke infiltrates the bridge of the crawler, he shoots a crewman in the back. Granted, Luke had good reason as this crewman was preparing to shoot the Millennium Falcon out of the sky at Kanchan’s command. However, it didn’t seem the most Jedi-like thing to do. Therefore, one must ask if Luke’s conduct was consistent with his character.

The answer to this question is difficult. Other than sneaking around as a stormtrooper in A New Hope, Luke typically took on his enemies in a straightforward fashion in the original trilogy movies. However, the previous issue of Star Wars is enlightening in this instance. Luke and Chulco travelled to the Cult of the Central Isopter. It was there that Luke realized he might never become a Jedi, and he couldn’t bumble around looking for Jedi training and instruction. Therefore, he learned to focus on the moment, which somewhat ironically a very Jedi-like lesson to learn.

In addition to Luke’s experience with the cultists, Luke spent quite a bit of time with Benthic and the Partisans lately. Under Saw Gerrera’s tutelage, the Partisans embraced a ruthless philosophy for waging war. That includes mercilessly killing enemies to achieve objectives, which Luke previously balked at when Benthic executed an unarmed Imperial officer in Star Wars #40.

It is unclear whether this is intended to be a large moment in Luke’s development. However, for a hero that normally travels the straight and narrow path, Luke’s actions were somewhat shocking.

Han Chooses to Lead

When the Partisans’ carefully laid plans don’t survive the earliest stages of execution, Han reluctantly accepts leadership. Benthic was set to lead the Partisan infiltration group aboard the crawler. Then an unexpected Imperial raid resulted in his incapacitation. Initially, Han was simply the pilot for the group. He was getting them from point A to point B. However, the plans are forced to change. Ubin volunteers to lead the mission, but Han knows this is a bad idea. In the previous issue, she attempted an ill advised suicide mission.

It takes some convincing though. In The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia noted that Han Solo was a natural leader when attempting to convince him not to leave the Rebel Alliance. That isn’t the natural assumption to make about Han after A New Hope. Up until his change of heart at the end of the movie, Han was most concerned with getting paid. Chewbacca, Han’s conscience in many things, give him the push he needs in Star Wars #42. When Han laments Leia’s absence and bemoans Ubin’s role as leader, Chewbacca strongly suggests Han should step up and take charge.

Han thinks Chewbacca is crazy. He protests that he no experience as a leader. Although Chewbacca’s retorts are garbled in Shyriiwook, reading between the panels, so to speak, suggests that Chewbacca first responds Han is his leader, to which Han replies they are partners. Chewbacca’s next response is translated later, but he reminds Han that he is the captain. It is all the good Captain needed.

Star Wars #42 – An Issue of Growth

Although there is action in Star Wars #42, this issue is primarily sets up the finale of this story arc coming in Star Wars #43. The infiltration of the crawler provided plenty of opportunities for action, but this issue primarily concerns itself with character growth. Luke’s growth began in Star Wars #41 with his realization that he cannot expect to solve all the galaxy’s problems by becoming a Jedi. That might never happen, and his friends need him now. He begins to put that lesson into action in this issue.

Meanwhile, Han finally accepts that he is a leader. His charisma and take-action personality has also contributed to his leadership qualities. Yet, he always shied away from taking responsibility. Chewbacca gave him the encouragement he needed when Han needed to step up the most.

Even Leia exhibited some growth. When it comes to Luke and Han, she hasn’t always been willing to trust them to do their part. However, even though she has second thoughts at the conclusion of this issue while watching Han lead the Partisans on a vid screen, she tells Threepio they’ll stay at their post. The fact that Queen Trios arrives is almost immaterial.

Kieron Gillen provided the “Big Three” with a transitional story that propels them towards becoming the characters they are in The Empire Strikes back. Star Wars is not a dull title, but it has hung around in time period that has become saturated. In addition, the characters keep doing the same things: the Rebels look for a new base, Luke investigates leads on Jedi training, Han and Leia bicker, etc. This story freshened things up and allowed the characters to actually grow and learn.