Star Wars # 32: I’m All Alone, More or Less

The last two issues of this series have offered a fresh and interesting scenario for the Star Warriors to endure. They are hopelessly lost in No-Space with no chance of return. The world they now adventure in plays by different rules of time and space. The barrier is an unescapable space anomaly. This chapter shines hope onto the situation through sheer determination. If Leia Organa were a Greek god, she would be the god of hope and determination. Interestingly enough, she plays more to the background. She trusts her people and know they will accomplish their goals, which they aim to do. Interesting as this is, it is total plot armor. They absolutely will get through. Readers know they exist back in real space at some point to continue on to Return of the Jedi. It will be no surprise. However, this story manages to still be interesting and serves to only proves how resourceful a small band of rebels would have to be to eventually topple an empire. That has tremendous overall narrative power.

The bizarre No-Space setting is not the only off-the-wall thing about this issue. The bantha in the room must be addressed, Holdo and Lando getting close. This was not only a surprise reveal in the last issue but that actually fills in some holes in Star Wars lore. In The Last Jedi, Holdo is very dismissive of Poe Dameron and does not trust him. In short, she treats him like a scoundrel. Lando could have been the spark to ignite that flame in her. The one thing Lando does well, as does Doctor Aphra to be blunt, is to enchant someone and then disappoint them royally. That does not happen in this issue, but the foundation is set. In the meantime, the two seem to be enjoying their new friendship.

There isn’t a lot to say about the art or colors out of the ordinary. It is certainly good quality and rich, but that’s par for the course in this series. The real place where this chapter shines is the writing, in particular the narrative portrayals of the main characters. In fact it outshines what is very good art and coloring. Lando is charming and shifty. Leis is a leader who is fair. Chewbacca is a mechanical genius. Luke is adventurous and duty-bound. Its smacks of classic “Star Wars” yet in a strange setting. The characters feel so recognizable that readers may wish that Han, Threepio, and Artoo were there to join in. The issue also gives the characters a clear goal and path toward an escape, which will be ever so necessary to wind down this story arc.