Comic Talk: Doctor Aphra #8

Prerequisites: 

Doctor Aphra was introduced in 2015 in the comic Darth Vader #3. The character was created to be sort of a Vader sidekick or at least someone for the Dark Lord of Sith to talk to. By 2016, "Doctor Aphra" launched as the first ongoing Marvel Star Wars comic with a female lead. In 2020 "Doctor Aphra" was relaunched with a female writer of Asian decent.

Who Wrote This?

Alyssa Wong has been the lead writer on Doctor Aphra since it's relaunch in 2020. 

Characters:

Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra is an archeologist who often finds herself on the wrong side of... well... everyone. The Empire, the Rebels, various crime syndicates and even those she loves.

Sana Starros is a freenlancer who has had past relationships with both Han Solo and Chelli Lona Aphra.

Both characters were introduced in 2015 in order to round out the classic era with some women of color. The two have good chemistry and anytime they are in the same room it is guaranteed to be exciting.

Why Should I Read It?

Aphra is simply a fun character and the comics which she stars in are also fun. She's a little bit like a female Jack Sparrow. She is constantly finding her way out of various situations where people want her captured or killed. And sometimes she even raids a tomb or two.

What's Next?

Later this year I will be examining the crossover event "War of the Bounty Hunters"

Comic Talk: Bounty Hunters #10

Few Star Wars fans know the name "Valance the Hunter". He is an obscure character from Marvel comics of the late-seventies. Though one largely forgotten Valance is becoming more and more prevalent in Star Wars media. 

Valance now has his own line of Marvel comics titled "Bounty Hunters", which is one of the five ongoing Marvel Star Wars titles.

Prerequisites: 

Beilert Valance has appeared in the miniseries "Han Solo: Imperial Cadet" and "Target Vader". Both of these series introduce the character into the Disney Universe.

Who Wrote This?

Ethan Sacks has contributed to Star Wars a few times in the last couple of years including the comic series "Galaxy's Edge" and "Allegiance".

Characters:

"Star Wars: Bounty Hunters" features all of the hunters who appear in "The Empire Strikes Back", but Valance is the main character. Valance is a tough anti-hero who is also extremely dangerous. The creators are definitely give out "Terminator" vibes and its worth noting that the character of Valance predates the Terminator.

Why Should I Read It?

Who doesn't love Bounty Hunters? They have always been the coolest characters in Star Wars. They aren't heroes or villains. Hunting bounties is just a way to make a living: a dangerous job in a dangerous galaxy.

What's Next?

Next week I take a look at Doctor Aphra #8

Comic Talk: Star Wars #12

In 2019 Marvel wrapped up their comic series which took place between "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back". After all- there is only so much ground you can cover between the Death Star and Hoth. When the comics relaunched in 2020, all the new comic series were set between "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi". This includes the main "Star Wars" line as well as "Vader", "Doctor Aphra" and "Bounty Hunters".

It may be a surprise then that Han is featured on the cover of Star Wars #12. He should be frozen in carbonite and absent entirely from this series. However Marvel has never had an easy time writing out "the smuggler with the heart of gold". In 1982 (whilst Han was still frozen) Marvel brought back Captain Solo via flashback for "Star Wars Annual 2: Shadeshine!" and Marvel pulls a similar trick here. Leia is dealing with Han's absence and recounts a memory from her past.

Prerequisites: 

Because of the flashback nature of this comic, readers really do not need to know much to enjoy this single issue. However Star Wars #12 is really the 87th issue of Marvel's main "Star Wars" line. There is benefit in knowing what is going on in the wider universe of the Marvel Star Wars comics. This includes limited series such as "Shattered Empire" and "Lando".

Who Wrote This?

Charles Soule is becoming a big name in Star Wars expanded media. His first contribution to the franchise was the "Lando" limited comic series back in 2015, but as of 2021 Soule is running the main Star Wars comic line and he recently topped the New York Times Bestseller list with his novel "Light of the Jedi".

Outside of Star Wars, Soule has written for Marvel franchises such as Daredevil, She-Hulk, Death of Wolverine, and he penned the Oni Press series "Letter 44".

Characters:

This tale centers on two characters. Princess Leia Organa and Kes Dameron (father of Poe Dameron). Both of their loved ones are captured behind enemy lines. Kes tells Leia the story of how he met his wife Shara Bey. Leia, in turn, tells Kes a previously untold tale of Han Solo's adventures on planet Hoth which gives insight to Leia's love and respect for the smuggler.

Why Should I Read It?

There's a lot going on in the first 12 issues of the new Star Wars line. Luke has a new lightsaber, Leia has a new nemesis, and Lando is acting shady. Furthermore, the four comic series that take place in the aftermath of "The Empire Strikes Back" are about to collide in a crossover event called "War of the Bounty Hunters". This crossover event will lead directly into a mini-series which is also penned by Charles Soule. If there was ever a time to be into Marvel's Star Wars comics, this is it!

What's Next?

Next week I take a look at Bounty Hunters #10

Comic Talk: The High Republic Adventures #2

Science Fiction is in the middle of a renaissance of sorts in which female characters are dominating the genre. Strong female leads have been part of Sci-Fi since at least the 80s when Sarah Connor and Ellen Ripley dominated the Box Office. In the 2020s however Science Fiction is practically defined by women.

Disney introduced Rey as the lead character of their tent-pole trilogy and put Jyn Erso in the center of the first spin-off film. Doctor Who now has Jodie Whittaker's "Thirteenth Doctor" behind the controls of the Tardis. Marvel's "Wandavision" is the first true Marvel Universe TV show with Elizabeth Olson proving her acting chops.

What's more is that Black Females are beginning to break through as well. Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham leads Star Trek Discovery to new worlds. Jo Martin was introduced as the first black Doctor Who. And Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau is the coolest new MCU super hero.

And now in the High Republic sub-franchise everything is female led. From Avar Kriss to Vernestra Rhow to Keeve Trennis, females are at the center of this series. In "The High Republic Adventures" Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala solidify the fact that females will be at the center of the Star Wars franchise moving forward. And the franchise is all the better for it.

Prerequisites: 

This story exists within the larger framework of "The High Republic" sub-franchise. To really get a handle on the plot, the villains, and the stakes- adult fans might want to check out the novel "The Light of the Jedi" or "The High Republic" comic series from Marvel. Kids, however, are probably not going to care about how this series fits into the larger mythos of Star Wars- they will just want to enjoy the ride.

Who Wrote This?

Daniel Jose Older is has been working on Star Wars stories since 2017 including his novel "Last Shot" which tied in with the film "Solo".  Outside of Star Wars, Older is known for his "Shadowshaper Cypher" young adult series.

Characters:

Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala are the leads here. Lula is an established Jedi where Zeen is a force user who must hide her powers because of the religious sect she grew up in. Beyond the leads we have a variety of interesting characters including Krix Kamerat, who feels betrayed by Zeen's sudden revelation that she can use the Force. Yoda is also a strong character in the pages of this series because we get to see the Jedi Master at the height of his life. He is Grand Master of the Jedi Order at a time when the Order truly represents a beacon of hope for the Galaxy.

Why Should I Read It?

I think the relationship between Zeen and Krix is the most interesting part of the series. Two best friends suddenly find themselves on the opposite sides of the same war. This theme is featured in "Lost Stars" by Claudia Grey and in "Resistance" Season 2. But it is also found at the very heart of every Star Wars Trilogy. Luke & Vader. Obi-Wan & Anakin. Rey & Ben Solo.

In a world where your favorite aunt might also believe in the QAnon Conspiracy Theory, this theme is very timely. 

What's Next?

Next week I take a look at Star Wars #12 by Charles Soule