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