Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #1 Review

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The most famous scoundrel in all of Star Wars introduces comic readers to the world of Batuu and Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #1.

Warning: This article contains plot points for Galaxy’s Edge #1.

Galaxy’s Edge #1

Story: Ethan Sacks | Art: Will Sliney | Color: Dono Sánchez-Almara with Protobunker | Lettering: VC’s Travis Lanham | Cover Artist: Rod Reis | Production Designer: Anthony Gambino | Assitant Editor: Tom Groneman | Editor: Mark Paniccia

It is no secret that the latest land to join the Disney theme parks in North America is themed for Star Wars and called Galaxy’s Edge. Both Star Wars and Disney parks fans have long known that world Galaxy’s Edge takes place on is Batuu and the specific outpost is called Black Spire. As the opening dates for the theme park additions draws closer and closer, Lucasfilm has released more and more tie-in material. One of the earlier examples was Thrawn: Alliances. In that novel, Anakin and Padmé had adventures with Thrawn that included time at Black Spire Outpost. Now, Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney give readers another looking at the latest galactic hotspot in a story featuring Han Solo, Chewbacca, some residents of Black Spire Outpost and others in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #1.

The War is On

Of particular note is that the war between the First Order and the Resistance is on as Galaxy’s Edge #1 commences. A clawdite male named Remex is busy buying his lunch in the alley’s of Black Spire when a First Order shuttle arrives. The First Order is lead by Lieutenant Agnon and he commands a squad known as Red Fury. Their mission is the subjugation of Resistance operatives believed to be hiding in the outpost, and the First Order vows to burn the whole place down if needed to smoke them out.

A Visit to the Local Black Market

Remex is on Batuu on the type of business that requires access to the black market. He is joined by Kendoh, a human woman, and Wooro, an aqualish male (think Ponda Baba’s species). Dok-Ondar, the proprietor of Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, might just have a lead on what they need, and they intend to find out. However, their initial meeting with the Ithorian is a framing device for a story about Han Solo and Chewbacca in Galaxy’s Edge #1. Kendoh and Wooro’s meeting with Dok-Ondar is interrupted when the pair notices that Dok-Ondar has a small sarlacc in a tube. Dok-Ondar can’t resist telling the story of how he came into possession of the sarlacc.

How Dok-Ondar Got His Sarlacc

With an introduction out of the way, the story of Galaxy’s Edge #1 shifts to how Han and Chewbacca acquired a sarlacc. The Ithorian hired them to get one from a Dr. Genzhor on the planet I’vorcia Prime, a nature preserve. In short, Han and Chewbacca let their guard down just long enough for their contact’s former assistant to try and steal the Millennium Falcon, which had clearance codes needed to escape the planet. Before their adventure is done, Han and Chewbacca fight off a gang of Dowutins, and avoid a pack of young sarlacc monsters, which are surprising mobile before they grow and put down permanent roots.

Their adventure on I’vorcia is fun. With multiple sarlacc monsters residing in pits, it is a nice callback to Return of the Jedi. The smaller sarlaccs behave like the worms from Dune crossed with the face huggers from the Alien franchise.

Back to Business

With his story out of the way, Dok-Ondar returns to business with Remex and his crew. Although Galaxy’s Edge #1 doesn’t say explicitly what it is that Remex and Kendoh are looking for, it is a weapon. In addition, it is a weapon that Dok-Ondar refuses to traffic in. Once Remex, Kendoh, and Wooro leave, his assistant asks how it is even possible anyone could be looking for this weapon as it was lost years ago. The preview of the next issue suggests that this mystery weapon is a lightsaber. Exactly whose lightsaber and which lightsaber is still a mystery.

Final Thoughts on Galaxy’s Edge #1

Ethan Sacks and Will Sliney, who provided the art for the Solo comic adaptation, provide an intriguing look at Batuu and Black Spire Outpost in Galaxy’s Edge #1. Although most of the story takes place on another planet, Black Spire really comes off as a haven for smugglers and scoundrels. It is the type of place that should have whatever you want if you are willing to pay the right price. Images in this issue reflect the designs of Black Spire that Disney’s Imagineers have released to the public so far. A fair amount of world building is accomplished in just one issue. It is also fun to know that Black Spire is the type of place that Han Solo frequented back in the day.

There is obviously more story to tell. Beyond their introduction, the First Order did nothing else in this issue. Plus, Remex released a droid to spy on Dok-Ondar after their proposal was rejected. Furthermore, the Resistance spies the First Order suggested were present never showed up unless those spies were Remex, Kendoh, and Wooro. That is entirely possible as Remex is unsettled when he notices their shuttle and quickly changes his appearance. Star Wars fans have a lot of tie-in material to Galaxy’s Edge to look forward to. Galaxy’s Edge #1 is just the tip of the iceberg as Lucasfilm prepares Star Wars fans for the most ambitious Star Wars project in decades.