Remember when you were little and you were faced with a situation that you so desperately wanted to solve yourself but then got so far in over your head that someone has to call in the adults to fix your mess? Well, that’s what Aphra faced at the end last week’s Summer Comics Binge as Triple Zero has called in Darth Vader to help bring the Rur under control. But was that his real intention?
Cover by Airi KamiyamaWritten by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Kev Walker and Marc Deering
Colored by Antonio Fabela and Edgar Delgado
Lettered by VC’s Joe CaramangaCollects Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #9-13, Annual #1.
Aphra’s back with a brand-new plan that’s guaranteed to pay! There’s just one teensy problem… it involves surrounding herself with some of the galaxy’s biggest baddies. And they don’t like the not-so-good doctor’s tricks! Her mission to make quick credits by auctioning off an ancient Jedi artifact will start well… and end badly. And that’s just when a dark figure from Aphra’s past decides to make an appearance! Plus, a solo focus on Aphra’s Wookiee shadow, Black Krrsantan! Find out why this beastly bounty hunter is as frightening as they say… and then some!
One of the things I wanted as I started my way through this series was to learn more about Aphra’s associates: Black Krrsantan, Triple Zero, and BeeTee. And while I didn’t mention it last week, we started to learn a little bit more about two of those three, along with more about the Doctor herself.
When we last left things, they were certainly getting out of hand. The droids were the ones that installed the Rur inside a droid, letting him loose to wreak havoc. Now, Aphra herself finds out the depth of their deception with the reveal of all the levels of their blackmail: the rogue droid with the Rur, the person behind Vader’s re-appearance. Apparently they didn’t enjoy their (somewhat) legitimate business relationship and wanted to embrace the darkness once more. Aphra is a benevolent boss, and without a hint of negotiation (except for “please don’t kill me”) she lets them loose. Even Black Krrsantan deserts his associate (somewhat) taking off of the space station with the Xonti Brothers, auction guests and his former captors. This leaves Aphra behind to clean up the mess which she does by . . . fleeing the scene? It’s an odd choice, but a smart one, as she realizes she’s in over her head. Let the bad guys pummel themselves to a certain death (for at least one of them).
The Star Wars films give us the most beloved of sidekicks: R2D2 and C3P0, Chewie, BB-8. They’re loyal, they’re kind, they’re intelligent, they’re charming. To see the comic take this concept of the sidekick and turn it somewhat on its head with a betrayal is refreshing, adding a new level of dimension to these characters. I imagine if I read the previous “Star Wars: Darth Vader” series (2021 Summer Comics Binge, anyone??) I might have more of an understanding behind Triple Zero and BeeTee’s actions. For now, I’ll enjoy the twisting of trope and eagerly wonder what’s next for these two. They left Aphra with a promise to meet again, and do not leave on bad terms . . . but when they do meet again, will the same be said?
Another twisting of trope and expectation was where issue #11 left us: Darth Vader in the picture. One would expect that master and former associate would come face to face shortly thereafter, but she’s watching from the sidelines. What does that tell us about the current state of their relationship, as well as Aphra’s own maturity and growth after striking out on her own? That the allure of the Dark Side that took away her droids isn’t going to take her again. Early on in issue #12 she figures this is all a lesson for her, and the specifics of that lesson become clear.
Black Krrsantan also leaves Aphra behind, deciding to escape with the Xonti Brothers. It’s not a random choice of travel companion; one of issue #13’s final scenes shows the Brothers in some of training — training that they had inflicted on the Wookie first. At last, the pieces start to come together about just why Aphra is so scared of him.
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This final scene also explains just why the “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Annual” #1 is positioned here at the end of the trade, even though it was released halfway through this arc (August 23, 2017), right after issue #11 (August 9, 2017). I imagine this release schedule at the time added some context to that final scene, but in retrospect, it almost feels like it spoiled the story. With the tease here of captive becoming the captor, I’m now even more intrigued. (The benefits of reading retrospectively and in trade!) What did these two men do to Krrsantan that brings him back for revenge? Will he get his revenge?
All these revelations are also moments that add to the character of Aphra. What we have seen in this arc is not Aphra the action hero, but Aphra the negotiator, Aphra the benevolent, Aphra the middle manager, Aphra the rational. She didn’t beg and plead for any of her companions to stay and help, respecting their autonomy even if they don’t have the greatest of intentions. This may lead you to question her judgment of character, but in the next moment she knows to call out barbaric behavior when she sees it: the Shadow University dean’s torture by Yonak and Sutha.
Aphra may also have some slippery morals, but she is also a woman of her word, saving the artifacts on the Dean’s ship and returning them to their homes of learning when the smoke clears. Well, most of them, anyway.
Remember when I said three weeks ago how important these multiple facets are to good characterization and a compelling story? Still very much on point here, and done in a way that doesn’t bore the reader. Gillen uses “show don’t tell” to reveal the layers of these personalities to great effect. The more we get to know Chelli Aphra, the more we realize just how grey she is. And in our Star Wars world that can be very black or white, that middle ground is entertaining indeed.
Much of the hallmarks and high points of the artwork in past issues is on display here, so there’s not much to be said that hasn’t been said already. However, I do love the cover of issue #12. Aphra’s face reflected in Vader’s helmet shows just how still the two are connected. I’m looking forward to exploring more of this complicated relationship conflict in future issues.
By the end of this arc, each emerge victorious in their own way, but as usual with Aphra, it’s going to be a short lived one.
Next week we’re going to take a look at “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Annual” #1, and learn just why Black Krrsantan is such a menacing Wookie.
If you want to read along with me this summer, you can pick up the single issues or trades of “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” at your local comic shop (be sure to social distance, wash your hands, and wear a mask, or even better, order your comics online for curbside pickup or delivery!), or digitally via Comixology Unlimited or Marvel Unlimited. As of this writing, all 40 issues of the series are available on Marvel Unlimited, and issues #1-25, and #28 (along with volumes 1 – 4) are available via Comixology Unlimited.
