Star Wars #7

Star Wars #7

Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Inker: Dan Parsons
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Artist: Rodolfo Migliari

Star Wars #7 shakes things up with new locations, threats and unforeseen consequences. The art also takes a shift as Ryan Kelly and Dan Parsons step on board as the new penciller and inker. Furthermore, we’re finally seeing some movement on the various subplots that have been strung out through the series. But will they pay off?

Skuldren: This issue starts out with the Emperor’s arrival on the Death Star. I have to admit, I hadn’t thought about the consequences of Vader leaving his new moff in charge. Vader was sent there in the first place as a form of punishment. Yet rather than taking charge of the administrative duties of the Death Star’s construction, he shirks his duties, puts someone else in charge, and runs off. Obviously the Emperor is a little upset when he finds out Vader didn’t show up for work that day and decided to take a little unannounced vacation. For a moment, I had a flashback of Detours and the “Galactic Mall.”

Yet while the scene is a bit humorous, it quickly turns serious. Acting Moff Birra Seah almost kills herself after being berated by the Emperor. However, Vader steps in to save her life which takes her storythread for a mysterious turn. We know she’s Force sensitive. We know Vader is bristling under the Emperor’s rule. Now Vader is using pawns right under the Emperor’s nose and playing a very dangerous game. She’s shows up later on Colonel Bircher’s ship. What Vader has in mind, I have no idea. But it’s definitely an interesting turn in the story.

Speaking of interesting turns, Luke and Leia end up on Tatooine. It’s kind of an abrupt scene change since readers were given no indication that Luke or Leia planned on going there. There reason for being there is also kept mysterious until almost a dozen panels later. Luke travels all the way to Tatooine to bury the charred remains of Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen. All the times I’ve watched A New Hope, I never realized Luke’s aunt and uncle needed burying. In the words of my co-admin, “the needed time to cool off.”

Geralyn: While they’re at the old homestead, Leia takes the time to let Luke in on the stealth squadron’s other mission – flushing out the unknown spy.  Since that effort’s been to no avail, Luke comes up with another idea.  It may be brilliant or stupid or a combination of both, but it’s very much the Luke who charged into the detention block to save a princess.  This time he wants to take Wedge with him.  And they do succeed with getting on the Devastator…which now has a new lieutenant, Vader’s plant Force sensitive Birra Seah.  And I’m wondering if she’s going to sense out Luke.

Meanwhile, on Coruscant Han and Chewie are making their escape.  It’s actually pretty creative and foreshadows a later scene where they “float away with the rest of the garbage”.  It also doesn’t work.  Just when you think Han and Chewie are going to pull this off, Boba Fett and Bossk show up and fire up there ship’ weapons.  But you know Han, he’s always got a trick up his sleeve.  Which we’ll have to wait for the next issue to see.  And I’m disappointed that the Hound’s Tooth isn’t actually houndstooth.  That would be an interesting paint job.

This issue ends with Leia heading out on her own and ordering Threepio not to tell anyone, no record, no flight logs, wipe the security feeds, and his mind.  You just know this is going to end well.  really that’s not a guess on my part.  Leia says she’s going out to find a safe harbor.  The last line of the issue is literally Next: No Safe Harbor.

Skuldren: I’m going to make a prediction here. First off, C-3PO is the mole who has been leaking info to the Imperials. Secondly, Birra is going to sense Luke in the Force when he’s on Bircher’s ship, and will report this info back to Vader, further fueling his “Skywalker” dilemma. Beyond that, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

Overall, this issue had pretty good art, though not as good as Carlos D’Anda who has been doing the series so far. But keeping Gabe Eltaeb on for the colors helped the transition. The art shift wasn’t as abrupt or shocking as it could have been. Meanwhile, the story is continuing along, the subplots are starting to build up a little steam, and hopefully we’re close to some resolution. After seven issues, I’m ready to find out something, be it who the spy is, what the point of Han’s whole side trip is, what Vader’s agenda is, or just who this Birra Seah is. Some answers would go a long way toward boosting the story.

Geralyn: I thought this issue was a nice pickup from the previous one, and I sense a convergence of heroes coming.  I’m very glad to see Wedge’s inclusion and his continued expanding role.  You darn well know Wedge and Luke are going to get into trouble, and I hope this really brings on a buddy moment for them.  All in all a good issue, and I’m delighting in this bridge between ANH and ESB.  It’s enjoyable to see how these relationships are developing, and I think Brian Wood is doing a very good job of fleshing them out.

Favorite part:  Luke’s realizations on Tatooine as he confronted his old home and buried his aunt and uncle.

Skuldren: We give Star Wars #7 a four out of five metal bikinis.

Reviewed By: Skuldren and Geralyn for Roqoo Depot.