Han Solo # 1-5 Written by Marjorie Liu.
Art by Mark Brooks; Dexter Vines; Sonia Oback; Matt Milla; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.
Star Wars # 8-12 Written by Jason Aaron.
Art by Stuart Immonen; Wade Von Grawbadger; Justin Ponsor; & Chris Eliopoulos.
Collection Cover Art by Stephanie Hans.
SUMMARY:
In 2016, Marvel Comics released writer Jason Aaron’s Star Wars # 7-12 (from 2015) as a trade paperback entitled Star Wars, Volume 2: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon. Writer Marjorie Liu’s complete 2016 Han Solo five-issue mini-series was subsequently released in a trade paperback format in 2017. Come 2018, Marvel Comics compiled these two unrelated storylines into a 232-page hardcover simply titled Star Wars: Han Solo. The only issue not included is Star Wars # 7, which sets up Luke Skywalker’s adventure apart from Han & Leia’s covert scouting mission.
Set several weeks after Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope, Captain Solo has uneasily dodged freelance smuggling gigs considering that he and Chewbacca are hot on the Empire’s Most Wanted list, not to mention Jabba the Hutt’s infamous bounty. Prodded into a secret assignment by Princess Leia, Han & Chewbacca go undercover entering an illegal galactic race known as the ‘Dragon Void.’ Essentially, it’s any hotshot pilot’s dream to win the ultra-dangerous Dragon Void (let alone survive it). As far as most of the elitist competition is concerned, Han Solo is a nobody; worse yet, just a lowly smuggler with seemingly nothing to lose but his life.
Against the galaxy’s hottest racing talent, the Millennium Falcon’s crew must evade the Empire’s scrutiny while retrieving three Rebel spies, all targeted by an unknown mole bent on murder. It’s up to Han & Chewbacca to protect their passengers from this assassin lurking among them. In this five-part adventure, will Han’s pride or his conscience ultimately determine a rescue mission’s outcome vital to Rebel intelligence?
Picking up after Star Wars # 7 (also set in this same post-New Hope timeframe), Han & Leia find themselves in a tense stand-off with a vengeful mercenary, Sana Starros, who claims to be Han’s estranged wife. Trapped in a nebula on a remote planet by the Empire, Leia & Han uneasily make a truce with the snarky Sana to escape with their lives.
Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker’s search for long-lost Jedi secrets takes him (with Artoo-Detoo) to Mar Shaddaa – the Smuggler’s Moon. Seeking passage into Coruscant (the Jedi Temple), Luke is taken captive by the ruthless Grakkus the Hutt. The young Skywalker (and his vintage lightsaber) are deemed the new prizes of this Hutt’s extensive Jedi artifact collection.
Forced into arena combat by Grakkus and a mysterious handler, an inexperienced Luke faces a gauntlet of gladiatorial challengers. Learning of Luke’s predicament, Chewbacca & See-Threepio, along with Han, Leia, and a reluctant Sana converge on Mar Shaddaa to rescue him. Standing between them and Luke is the Empire; Grakkus and his bloodthirsty minions; as well as the vile bounty hunter, Dengar. Against an intergalactic horde of enemies, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia must resort to unexpected weaponry to save their friend’s life. The truth of Han & Sana’s marriage years before is subsequently revealed.
Elsewhere, Darth Vader continues his obsession with uncovering the identity of the rookie Jedi, who participated in the recent Battle of Yavin.
Notes: Both individual books are available digitally, as is this combined title.
REVIEW:
Visually, this book is a welcome gem, in terms of its high-caliber artwork. The main characters consistently resemble the actors, especially as it’s made easy to imagine Harrison Ford playing out these stories. As for the plotting, frankly, neither one rates as an absolute must-have for Star Wars afficionados, but readily ‘above-average’ is a fair assessment. In Marjorie Liu’s Han Solo, formulaic ‘Cannonball Run’-like elements hit the plot’s target justifying the art squad’s stellar effort. Even if there are virtually zero surprises, Liu’s racing/espionage caper still takes readers on an entertaining ride.
Jason Aaron’s action-adventure, at a minimum, offers the intriguing sequence of Han, Leia, & Chewbacca standing back-to-back wielding lightsabers in arena combat. The introduction of Sana Starros is also a fun treat, along with Han & Chewbacca’s face-off with Dengar.
Perhaps the best bit of dialogue comes from a mortified See-Threepio, upon his translation of the growling Wookie’s reply that ‘we’ means that he will be accompanying Chewbacca to help save Luke. Speaking of which, the necessity for Luke’s friends having to suddenly come rescue the impulsive young Jedi is this tale’s only off-note. Aaron should have depicted either Han and/or Leia expressing some justifiable exasperation at Luke’s foolish journey – for some semblance of reality.
Ultimately, readers get a dynamite Star Wars double-feature from Marvel Comics, even without Star Wars # 7 to better introduce the Smuggler’s Moon storyline. With that in mind, Han Solo’s Marvel/Disney exploits are off to a rousing start.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The original covers and their variants are reprinted as full pages. The Han Solo cover artists consist of: Lee Bermejo (Issues # 1 & 3); Tula Lotay (Issue # 2); Olivier Coipel (Issue # 4); and Kamone Shirahama (Issue # 5). Interspersed throughout this book, Issue # 1’s variant artists are: John Cassady & Paul Mounts; Mike Allred & Laura Allred; Scott Koblish & Nick Filardi, and John Tyler Christopher.
Issue # 2’s variant duo is Mike Allred & Laura Allred. Issue # 3’s variant team consists of Declan Shalvey & Jordie Bellaire, plus a separate cover from Michael Walsh. Issue # 4’s variants are supplied by artists Stephanie Hans; Kirbi Fagan; Jamal Campbell; and Dustin Nguyen. Issue # 5’s variants are provided by artists Mike Del Mundo; Joëlle Jones; Cameron Stewart & Matthew Wilson; and Kevin Wada.
The Star Wars # 8-12 cover artists are the team of Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Justin Ponsor.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
