Writers: Charles Soule
Art: Andres Genolet
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 7th, 2022
Last issue, set at an unspecified time before ‘Return of the Jedi’, two Imperial double agents working for Crimson Dawn (the criminal underworld organization) and stationed on the second Death Star (code named Second Sun), kill an Imperial Major and escape with their children, hoping to reach a Rebellion outpost with information on this new Death Star. Star Wars #27 continues their story, a harrowing tale of two agents trying to stay ahead of Imperial forces, that shows Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian weren’t the only heroes during the Age of Rebellion.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Star Wars #27 Review.
The Story
Star Wars #27 starts immediately after last issue, with Crimson Dawn agents (and married couple) Melton and Bevelyn, along with their two children, escaping the second Death Star in a hijacked Imperial shuttle. What follows is a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride of a book, as the they try to convince the Rebellion that they’re legit, even as Imperial TIE Fighters pursue them at every point they hyperspace jump to. In some cases, they fight back against TIE fighter squadrons, and if you know anything about Imperial shuttles, they are NOT built for combat! I don’t think I’ve ever read a Star Wars tale like this, where regular people (not Jedis, Princesses, Smugglers or Bounty Hunters) and their contributions to the fight against the Empire are the focus.
As the pursuit continues through the issue, we watch Melton and Bevelyn argue, embrace, even laugh at moments. They’re a refreshingly simple married couple who volunteered to work for Crimson Dawn so they could take a small part in sticking it to the Empire, but end up becoming a very huge part of it. I love these two characters, they felt very genuine and grounded in the midst of this massive space opera. You could place this couple and their kids into any good sitcom, and they’d fit right in.
The only thing I love more than Jedi lightsaber duels in Star Wars tales are the dogfights, and we get a couple of good ones here.
The Rebellion is obstinately skeptical here, it’s not one of their better moments, as they take their time double-checking and triple-checking the couple’s distress message, trying to determine if it’s genuine, even as the couple continue running for their lives. Come on, guys, try trusting someone for a change. Ultimately, the story ends up in the last place you’d expect, and ends on a hopeful cliffhanger.
The Art
Andres Genolet’s art on Star Wars #27 captures the Star Wars feel, especially during the space sequences, where the TIE Fighters are drawn with motion lines, making their speed almost palpable. The panel layouts are pretty standard, but the story flows at a great pace, and the two main characters are drawn with a wonderful gamut of emotions throughout the issue.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars #27 is a gripping story of two normal people caught in the middle of the conflict between the Rebellion and the Empire. The issue is action-packed and thrilling from beginning to end, as we watch them try to stay ahead or standoff with the Imperial fighters relentlessly coming after them. A great issue!