Doctor Aphra #35: How Aphra Got Her Groove Back

Unlike the Star Wars self titled series, Doctor Aphra is particularly good at creating a unique and exciting feel to each issue. This one continues that tradition by throwing tons of fun surprised at its audience. Aphra and crew go back and forth, caught up in galactic civil war. The crew starts off with the rebels, seeks out the Empire, almost gets executed by them, and then saved by a different branch of the Empire all in one issue. How does she do it! Having an excellent writer in Simon Spurrier for one. He has helmed the series for over a year, and populated the world of Aphra with tons of unique characters and a few familiar one. And pretty much all of them want Aphra dead, bringing anyone around her down with her.

One of the common conflicts Aphra has is with a string of failed romances. Currently, she is involved with Imperial defector, Magna Tolvan. Tolvan has discovered Aphra’s betrayal toward the Rebel Alliance. Aphra quickly shows Tolvan that the Rebels are planning to kill thousands just to destroy the Emperor, which makes Tolvan begrudgingly let her go. One of the most charming aspects of Aphra is that even while fighting Tolvan, she still manages to flirt with her. She does so honestly, which is why it works so well. She even delivers Han’s answer of “I know” when told “I love/hate you.” This ploy works, and Aphra is then free to contact the Empire and bargain for her freedom from their hunters.

Aphra doesn’t do anything simply or quietly. When she contacts The Empire, she contacts the WHOLE Empire. Sending a hologram message to every Imperial channel, using the Farkiller weapon and her knowledge of the Rebel Superweapon as her bargaining chip to get the pesky Imps off her back. When Vader sees her, he orders her killed. She’s been an almost Luke-sized thorn in his side for a while because she knows of his plot to overthrow the Emperor. Before anything can happen, events shift again as Aphra is spirited away by the Imperial Propaganda division who have forcefully recruited her in their own plot to overthrow Palpatine.

One of the greatest things about their being so much in the way of Star Wars stories is that fun Easter eggs can be strewn throughout newer films, comics, and novels. This issue left a few bonus artifacts hidden in a Imperial Propagana museum. Hera’s family heirloom from Rebels, Darth Krayt’s helmet from the non-canon Legacy series, the skeleton of the Reek beast from Attack of the Clone with its severed tusk, and various other bits and bobs from all over the history of Star Wars are peppered throughout the display. This was kind of like a treasure hint for hardcore fans. The art team did a great job, not only putting them there, but in making sure they look recognizable.