Star Wars: Doctor Aphra – Chaos Agent #1: There Must Be Somewayoutta Here, Said The Jedi To The Thief

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra – Chaos Agent #1 kicks off the next chapter for Dr. Chelli Aphra in the post Empire Star Wars era as the New Republic begins as chronicled in Alex Segura’s main Star Wars title. This issue doesn’t miss a beat letting readers know Aphra’s status quo following her brief cameo in The Battle For Jakku trilogy series.

After standing trial on Chandrila and released under Supervised Release and promising to turn over a new leaf, Aphra returns to her old tricks and even gets her parole officer to give her an assist which leads to her once again getting off easy thanks to Luke stepping in and vouching for her and requesting her assistance in search and acquiring a relic, the seller claims can allow anyone to harness and control the Force.

Cherish Chen, in her inaugural Star Wars story, captures Aphra’s morally questionable nature and tenuous and storied past with Luke well. Chen shows that she understands the relationship and the way these two play of of each other both privately and in public situations. While the issue uses the “good cop who wants someone who thinks they are bad do good ” trope, it is done in a way that feels natural and the exact opposite of the relationship Aphra had with Vader in the past.

The art in the book is good and the color work helps set the mood for the series going forward. The inking of the facial features is a bit heavy at times, but overall is well balanced throughout the issue.

It will be interesting to see where this series takes Aphra and if Luke will be a regular character ( since his adventures are unfolding in the main series) or if any of the characters that were part of her former series make appearances.