Star Wars #37: Lando Down

Star Wars #37 is the first installment of the Dark Droids storyline that runs through the Star Wars titles for the next few months. This issue picks up from the end of Dark Droids #1 as Lobot is infected due to being part cybernetic being.The character Lobot is a bit one-dimensional. He is less a man and more a robot. He was once a human with a personality, but the synaptic implants he now endures have robbed him of that. For years he has exists as Lobot, mindless cyborg who assists Lando on Cloud City with day to day tasks. Lando once considered this man a great friend, but he has now been taken over by his implants. Lando has, so far, protected his friend and even joined the Rebellion with him. To be short, Lando has protected this guy for years, even from the Rebellion. However, With the new developments in droids all over the galaxy, Lando’s bestie is in trouble. He has unwittingly activated Rebel starships!

Up until; now, Lando has tried to shelter his friend, never wanting him to become a pawn of the Empire. Lando has gone as far as to use Lobot’s unique abilities to help the Rebellion. However, at the same time he has also lined his pockets with protection from Jabba by selling him valuable Rebel info. He is the truest definition of a double agent. Yet, he does believe in the Rebellion. He has done great work, and even Leia now trusts him. Now its up top him and him alone to find a solution to his friend’s current state. That solution lies in a disgraced droid  within Jabba’s Palace.

The art and colors are great in this issue, but they both take a huge backseat to dialogue. This issue uses a great device of self-narrative through Lando simply talking to Lobot to portray his innermost thoughts. Lobot is merely the device for which his feeling are known. He divulges his thoughts and how much he does indeed want to protect his bestie as well as to no betray the Rebellion. The story and dialogue dominate in this issue, even giving reader a treat at Leia admitting she does trust Lando after all. That is a surprise to everyone, including Lando. As good as this issue is in returning to Lando’s main concerns from much earlier in the series, it also opens up a new mysterious chapter for him.