The Road to Episode Infinity: September 2019

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Age of Resistance Review

Finn in “Infestation”

FN-2187 has always been the Stormtrooper with a heart of gold. He just isn’t cut out for servicing the First Order- never really rising above sanitation jobs. When FN-2187 is ordered to wipe out an “infestation” of innocent creatures on the planet which became Starkiller Base, he is presented with a moral quandary: To follow orders or suffer consequences. We probably know what Finn would do, but FN-2187 isn’t Finn yet.

Captain Phasma in “Fallen Guns”

If FN-2187 is an incompentent trooper who feels compassion, Phasma is his polar opposite.

Phasma is a survivor. She survived her homeworld, a nuclear ravaged sphere where only the strong could endure. She survived the First Order, eliminating rivals such a Brendol Hux. But survival isn’t Phasma’s only strength. She is also smart, determined, calculating, and cold.

In this comic we get an idea of just how cold Phasma can be. A woman who feels no love towards other beings. She holds no friends nor family. In this comic, we also get tiny glimpses of Phasma without her helmet- not her whole face, but a bit more than we got in “The Last Jedi”.

Poe Dameron in “Fight or Flight”

“I belong to the stars”. This piece of sentiment uttered by Poe in this issue sums up his character pretty nicely. Poe is, indeed, an ace star pilot, who was almost written out of “The Force Awakens” in its opening act. When actor Oscar Isaac told director JJ Abrahms that he wanted to stick around for a bit, Poe Dameron became one of the most important characters in the Sequel Trilogy. Poe Dameron belongs in that trilogy, he belongs to that trilogy, he simply belongs.

This story tells a tale of Poe Dameron before he joined the Resistance, before Black Squadron, when he was still a pilot in the New Republic. Poe is the commander of Rapier Squadron. When a passenger ship tries to fly off with stolen New Republic data, Poe leads a mission to hunt down the ship. But what Poe finds at the end of that mission might be more than he bargained for.

General Hux in “Marooned”

Armitage Hux grew up in the shadow of his father, Brendol. Brendol often saw his son as nothing more than a weakling, but Brendol’s contempt for his son was also his downfall. Armitage eventually conspired with Phasma to assassinate Brendol. And in the end Armitage became what his father feared he could never become. Armitage became strong and powerful. Armitage rose up and stood toe-to-toe with the New Order’s highest leaders including Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren. Armitage became a general.

In “Morooned” Hux ends up stranded on a backwater planet with one of his least favorite people, Kylo Ren. Hux is not a great warrior. In some ways he is as weak as his father always feared. But what his father could never see is that Armitage has other virtues. Armitage knows how to play politics. And it is this intellect that keeps him alive that helps him thrive. It is something Kylo Ren could never understand. Kylo is too much like his father, Han Solo- while Armitage is more like Kylo’s mother, a diplomat.

But unlike Leia, Hux has too much hate inside of him. Hux lives, ultimately, for revenge. Hux helped eliminate his father, Brendol, but there are still others in the First Order that need dealing with. Anyone who harmed him, anyone who shamed him, anyone who looked at him wrong. These people will also be dealt with, because Arimatge Hux fights suffering with more suffering.

Rose Tico in “My Hero”

“My Hero” takes a look at the backstory of the Paige Sisters: Who they are, Where they came from, Why they hate the First Order. I think this might have been explored in the book “The Last Jedi: Cobalt Squadron” but that book was pretty boring for me and I don’t remember much of it. Like so many other beings in the Galaxy, Rose and Tico lost their homeworld to greed and corruption. The planet was taken advantage of by the “First Order” just as countless worlds have been exploited by The Empire, by The Trade Federation, by The Hutts, by the Pyke Syndicate, by Crimson Dawn, by the Black Sun. Organizations and Political Bodies. Classicism and Capitalism. Pure and simple Greed. That is what these sisters are fighting against.

At the end of this tale General Leia Organa tells these two sisters, “There have been enough young lives lost to anger and I’ve lived long enough to make a lot of evil people very miserable.” Sometimes change is only possible by outliving and outlasting the past generation. By being a thorn in their sides. By simply continuing to exist. As Rose famously quips, “That's how we're gonna win. Not by fighting what we hate. But saving what we love.”

Supreme Leader Snoke in “Fail. Or Kill It.”

One of the biggest complaints about “The Last Jedi” is that Snoke was killed before the audience learned much about him. But one could also say the same thing after seeing “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. Indeed, we don’t know Palpatine’s backstory (or even his name) until the prequels came out 15 years later. Some fans even complain that they shouldn’t have to read books to find out more about Star Wars mythology. That every mystery should be explained onscreen so they don’t have to use imagination or context clues to fill in the gaps. Anyway… if your biggest fear is learning more about Snoke in a comic instead of a movie, you don’t have to worry about this comic. We don’t get much.

In “Fail. Or Kill It” Snoke takes his apprentice Kylo Ren to Dagobah to face his demons. Kylo’s struggle has always been his connection with his family including his Uncle, Father and Mother. He has always struggled to bury the past and give himself fully over to the Dark Side. Snoke has always seen this weakness in Kylo Ren and means to destroy it. Perhaps the most interesting tidbit in this comic is that Snoke has a certain amount of respect for Luke Skywalker (or at least the amount of power that Skywalker possesses.) In Snoke’s words to Kylo “If I had your uncle by my side instead of you, the Galaxy would have been mine a long time ago.”

Rey in “Alone”

As long as Rey can remember she has been alone. And then suddenly she wasn’t. From a back-planet scavenger to a sword-wielding hero- It is a story as old as the oldest stories. Rey follows the Hero’s Journey, as Luke Skywalker did before her. Perhaps that is why so many traditional Star Wars fans do not accept the new trilogy. They are not ready for the torch to be passed. And yet the characters are. Han, Luke, and Leia all guide Rey on her journey from Scavenger to Hero.

There isn’t much story that can be told between Rey’s experience on Starkiller Base and Rey’s arrival on planet Ahch-To. However “Alone” attempts to tell that tale anyway. Rey comes across a junkyard planet looking for a spare part to repair a damaged “Millenium Falcon”. Although a trap has been set for her, Rey is prepared. Afterall, junkyard planets are her specialty. In addition to danger and adventure, Rey discovers confidence and courage (also a Firespray-31-class patrol and attack craft). In this small side journey Rey discovers her path. Her story.

Kylo Ren in “Out Of The Shadow”

“The Rise of Skywalker” comes to cinemas this Winter and most fans want to know, What will happen to Rey and Kylo Ren? I think it is those two characters that really captivate fans of the new era. Abrams has a lot of work to do to wrap up the storylines for multiple characters but I think there’s a chance that when Kylo Ren’s arc wraps up, it will be ultimately a more satisfying than Vader’s arc. That might sound like heresy, but my justification is that Vader spent the entire original trilogy in a mask. We never saw his face until the closing scenes of “Return of the Jedi”. I don’t think audiences ever considered Vader’s character arc until the final moments of Episode VI. And for many fans, Hayden Christianson’s Anakin Skywalker was not as satisfying or believable as they were hoping it to be. Adam Driver is different, I think. I believe most fans love his portrayal of Kylo Ren and if Abrams can wrap up his story in a satisfying way the character could become a cinema classic.

In the comic “Out of the Shadow”, Kylo Ren arrives on the planet of the Bethany species in Wild Space. Years earlier, a grandfather that Ren never met stood on the same planet hoping to conquer the gargantuan Bethany species. However Vader failed and Ren hopes to prove himself by accomplishing what his grandfather could not. Also there’s a Zillo Beast!

Maz Kanata in “Maz’s Scoundrels”

Somewhere in Wildspace, Maz Kanata has recruited Han Solo and Chewbacca to help take down a Devaronian crime lord. Han, Chewie, and Maz storm the crime lord’s ice palace with a wheeled ground vehicle (a rarity in the Star Wars universe). Once in the castle, Maz and her team do their thing and recapture a particular object from Star Wars lore.

Amilyn Holdo in “The Bridge”

Amilyn Holdo from planet Gatalenta was an apprentice senator in her youth. Holdo was often recognized by her brightly colored hair which she would dye using flora such as the Morogian Snap Plant. Holdo joined up with the Rebellion in the early days of the Galactic Civil War. Many did not take Holdo seriously due to her off-kilter personality and stylistic choices. However, those around her would eventually learn that she was more than she appeared. Despite the whimsical exterior Holdo was also a capable, confident, and deadly naval officer. And she was never someone to be underestimated.

BB-8 in “Robot Resistance”

In the Star Wars galaxy, droids are often seen as useful servants- but rarely valued for their full potential. Most droid owners sought to control droids through restraining bolts and memory wipes. Without memory wipes, machines could develop personality or new ideas which could hold them back from completing the work for which they were built. However, some droid owners found that there were advantages to allowing droids to form a personality, even if it meant that the droids didn’t always follow every command.

The relationship between BB-8 and Poe Dameron has always been more than that of a Master and Servant. BB-8 is as resourceful as R2-D2 and as brazen as L3-37. BB-8 can see a life for himself beyond servitude and wants the same for all of droid kind. Resistance, afterall, is not just for the biological life of the universe, but for mechanical life as well.

Dark Horse Comics (Link)

Dawn of the Jedi Dawn of the Jedi

Tales of the Jedi Tales of the Jedi

Knights of the Old Republic Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Republic Star Wars: Republic
Dark Times Dark Times
Empire & Rebellion Star Wars: Empire & Star Wars: Rebellion
Brian Wood's Star Wars Brian Wood's Star Wars
Dark Empire Dark Empire
Crimson Empire Crimson Empire
Invasion Invasion
Legacy Vol. 1 Star Wars: Legacy
Vector Star Wars: Vector
Legacy Vol. 2 Legacy Volume 2
Infinities Infinities
The Star Wars The Star Wars

Star Wars Tales Star Wars Tales

Marvel Comics

Original Marvel Comics Original Marvel Comics
Star Wars #108 Star Wars #108
Alan Moore's Star Wars Comics Alan Moore's Star Wars Comics

Han Solos Vs. Space Crocodile Han Solo vs. Crocodile in Space

Marvel's New Star Wars Line Catching Up With Comics

Age of Republic Age of Republic
Age of Rebellion Age of Rebellion
Age of Resistance Age of Resistance

Star Wars #1... Again Star Wars #1... Again
Ewoks in Comics Ewoks in Comis
Who is Doctor Aphra Who Is Doctor Aphra

The Last Jedi Expanded Universe The Last Jedi Expanded Universe
Who is Jaxxon Who Is Jaxxon

IDW Comics
Tales from Vader's Castle Tales from Vader's Castle

Return to Vader's Caslte Return to Vader's Castle

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Astromechs Ranked

#12
R2-KT

As far as origin stories go, R2-KT may have one of the most interesting in all of the franchise. R2-KT was named after Katie Johnson, the young daughter of Albin Johnson (the founder of the 501st Legion fan organization). When Katie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Albin and the R2-D2 Builders Club created a pink astromech droid to stay with her by her bedside. Since then R2-KT has been used to visit children's hospitals and when the droid appears in merchandise the proceeds always go to charity.

In Star Wars canon R2-KT appeared in two theatrical Star Wars films including the 2008 Clone Wars film and “The Force Awakens”.

#11
R3-A2

Careful viewers will notice R3 units all over the original trilogy. There are a couple aboard the Death Star 1 and a couple more on Hoth. The R3 series was similar to the R2 line but the transparent dome gave the droid more sensor range and showcased its newly updated Intellex V CPU.

One notable example of the R3 line is R3-A2 who can be seen in the Hoth Echo Base in the film “The Empire Strikes Back”. R3-A2 was released in a 2003 Battle of Hoth multipack, in the 2009 “Build a Droid” series, and as a Lego Minifigure in 2016.

#10
R2-Q5

R2-Q2 served the Galactic Empire aboard the Death Star II. Allegedly the droid thwarted a plan by IG-88 to infiltrate the second Death Star. Since “Return of the Jedi” the droid has appeared in several video games including “The Force Unleashed”.

R2-Q5 has a sleek design which includes a black and bronze color scheme. In 2008 R2-Q5 was released as part of Sphero’s robot line-up.

#9
CB-23

During the events of the TV series “Star Wars: Resistance”, CB-23 replaces BB-8 as Poe Dameron’s astromech unit, while while BB-8 was stationed on the Colossus with Kazuda Xiono. CB-23 has a red and blue color scheme and a femanine personality. Though BB-8 was originally jealous of CB-23 they later became friends and Poe Dameron even referred to them as “Love Droids”.

#8
R4-P17

R4-P17 was Obi-Wan Kenobi’s astromech during the Clone Wars. Fans of “Attack of the Clones” wondered how an astromech was able to fit into the thin wings of a Jedi Starfighter and apparently they don’t. Instead the “Attack of the Clones” version of R4-P17 is just a dome that is integrated (built right in) to Jedi Starfighters. This explains why R4-P17 never left Obi-Wan’s ship in Episode II.

When astromechs became compatible with new Jedi starfighters during the Clone Wars, R4-P17 received a full body. However during “The Battle of Coruscant”, R4's dome was torn apart by a buzz droid, effectively killing her.

#7
R1-J5

R1-J5 served as a member of Team Fireball, a racing team on the Colossus refueling platform. On the outside R1-J5 looks like a heap of junk. Many of his innards are exposed and his friends and teammates called him “Bucket”. “Bucket” always wears his Team Fireball racing helmet and feels “naked” without it.

A “Bucket” lego minifig released in 2019. A 3.75-inch action figure version of “Bucket” was packaged with Jarek Yeager, also in 2019.

#6
BB-9E

During the war between the First Order and the Resistance, BB-9E served aboard the starship Supremacy. The First Order, like the Empire before them, believed droids should be kept docile with frequent memory wipes. Therefore BB-9E had a cold and calculating personality. BB-9E was perceptive and shrewd and alerted the crew of the Supremacy of the infiltration of Resistance agents, Finn & Rose.

During the production of “The Last Jedi”, BB-9E was nicknamed BB-H8 as in “BB-Hate”.

#5
R5-D4

There are many legends built around the droid R5-D4. Some claim that R2-D2 deliberately sabotaged his motivator (see Star Wars Radio Drama, 1981). Others claim R2 managed to convince R5 to sabatage his own motivator so that R2’s mission could be fulfilled (see From a Certain Point of View, 2017). Still others claim that R5 is a force sensitive droid named Skippy who used the force to blow his own motivator (see Star Wars Tales 1, 1999). The truth is probably R5-D4 just had a bad motivator and the Jawa’s were trying to pull a fast one on the Lars Family.

R5-D4 apparently survived his motivator explosion and is set to appear in the TV series “The Mandalorian”, later this fall.

#4
BT-1

BT-1 assassin droids looked like common astromechs, but packed some surprising punches. Some have even nicknamed them “Blastromechs”. The idea of blastromechs go all the way back to the 2003 MMORPG game “Star Wars Galaxies”.

The specific BT-1 on this list served Lord Vader and Doctor Aphra during the Galactic Civil War. BT-1’s partner was 0-0-0 a psychotic protocol droid. Together, they represented a “Darkest Timeline” version of C-3P0 and R2-D2.

BT-1 first appeared in the comic series “Darth Vader” and later in “Doctor Aphra”, its spiritual sequel. A 6’’ version of BT-1 was released as part of Hasbro’s Black Series in 2019.

#3
C1-10P

C1-10P is a stout, often ill-tempered astromech nicknamed “Chopper” by his friends. He belonged to Hera Syndulla, who found him as a young girl. Chopper was a member of the crew of the Ghost early in the formation of the Rebellion. Chopper survived the war, along with Hera Syndulla.

Chopper played a lead role in the TV show, Rebels. His design is based on early sketches of R2-D2. His personality is brusk when compared to most astromechs. Dave Filoni once said that if R2 is the family dog, then Chopper is the family cat. Chopper also had a cameo in the film “Rogue One”.

#2
BB-8

BB-8 is Poe Dameron’s orange astromech who fought for the Resistance against the First Order. BB-8 is remembered as being extremely loyal and having a good judge of character.

“The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams first conceived of BB-8 when he drew a sketch on a napkin. Though the droid was a puppet on the set of “The Force Awakens”, Sphero later built a fully functioning model.

#1
R2-D2

R2-D2 served as a maintenance droid for the Royal Starship of Naboo. He later became a favorite droid of Queen Amidala and she continued to employ his service as a senator. Later, R2 served Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, who had a secret relationship with Amidala.

For many years after the Clone Wars, R2 was employed aboard the Tantive IV which served the Royal House of Alderaan, (which was secretly a part of the Rebel Alliance.) Princess Leia, the Alderaanian princess, gave the droid a mission to hunt down a Clone Wars general. It was on this mission that R2 met Luke Skywalker who he would have many adventures with, including destroying the Death Star. Years after the Battle of Yavin, Luke Skywalker disappeared causing R2 to feel abandoned, yet the two were reunited shortly before the death of the old Jedi.

R2-D2 is portrayed by Kenny Baker in the Original Trilogy and Prequels. He is portrayed by Jimmy Vee in the sequel trilogy. R2 has appeared in nine Star Wars films, with the upcoming “Rise of Skywalker” being his tenth.

Honorable Mention:
R4-I9

I felt that I should include an R4 model on my list and R4-I9 is a good candidate. The droid was owned by the Imperials and was assigned to the first Death Star. Many have mistaken R4-I9’s color scheme as black, although it is actually a dark blue.

Though the same model was used when filming the Yavin Rebel base scenes, officially this is a different R4 unit named R4-D6.