Jelena’s Review of Han Solo #5

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Writer: Marjorie Liu

Artist: Mark Brooks

Colors: Sonia Oback

Cover Artists: Kamome Shirahama (main cover), Kevin Wada, Mike Del Mundo, Joelle Jones, Cameron Stewart (variant covers)

 

This is it — the dramatic conclusion to the Dragon Void race! Will Han take the trophy? Or be left with the space junk? Our favorite scoundrel’s first miniseries comes to a photo finish!

 

 

When we left our favorite scoundrel at the end of the last issue, he and other pilots in the Dragon Void race were facing the might of the Empire. Additionally, Han Solo had a murderer on board the Millennium Falcon.

 

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As this issue opens, it seems that the race is over. With the Empire on the stage, most of the pilots are prepared to surrender. But, not Han Solo. And just as the things begin to escalate, mysterious Loo Re Anno opens the doors between time and space and lets something in. So far, the new canon presented us with puffer pigs and space whales – purrgils, but now we can add a giant space jelly fish. Whatever the creature is called, it temporarily stops the Imperial forces.

 

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Before the race starts again, Han has to deal with Elomin spy’s murder. In a scene worthy of Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes , Han determines that Bot, Duros spy, is a murderer. When the little guy is incapacitated, U’ll concludes that he was compelled and did not willingly betray the Rebellion.

 

Back in the cockpit, Han has a little heart to heart with Chewie, which propels him to talk to Loo Re Anno. She is determined to win Dragon Void race or die. In a monologue, which should have Lego Watto waving red flags while screaming “Listen, Han!” attached, she tells her story as they approach ancient gate whose function is unknown. Only one pilot will be able to pass through it to the place where the race started, while the others will be stranded and left at the mercy of the Empire.

 

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The race heats up and, against everyone expectations, it seems that Millennium Falcon will win the race. But, at the last moment, Han changes the course allowing Loo Re Anno to pass through the gate and win. To thank him, she brings her people’s fleet and enables all the pilots to pass safely through the gate. Her people weren’t dead after all; they just left the galaxy for the place between space and time. The gate was the only way to them and, thanks to Han, Loo was able to join them. The race has a controversial ending – with all the pilots as possible winners. The commentator asks if they will choose to share the prize and glory or decide on the winner some other day. Considering what we know about Han’s future career, I think we can safely conclude what his answer would be.

 

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With the remaining Rebel spies, Han and Chewbacca safely return to the base. U’ll who acted as a bodyguard was actually in possession of the list Leia needed. Naturally, Leia isn’t too happy with Han because he risked everything for the race, though she recognizes that he did the right thing in the end. And while the two of them resort to their usual bickering, we come to the end of Han Solo miniseries.

 

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Since the sale of Lucasfilm and beginning of new Marvel’s run, we had several gems and a couple of duds. It is good to say that Marjorie Liu and Mark Brooks gave us another gem and about a character that is dear to many Star Wars fans. Liu managed to capture the spirit of Han Solo and her efforts were superbly supported by Brooks’ art. I am especially fond of the way he does his panels, giving Liu’s story dynamics and sense of adventure every Star Wars story needs to have. Sonia Oback’s bright coloring gave life to the rich world of a galaxy far, far away.

 

Han Solo Cast

One of Liu’s contributions to Han Solo’s story is a varied, interesting cast of characters – spies, bounty hunters, racers, aliens and Imperial officers – which shows just how vast the galaxy is. The Story Group continues to expand the world and this time they did it mainly through the character of Loo Re Anno, alien racer, who left us with more questions than answers. We don’t even know the name of her, obviously very advanced, species. Are her ‘witnesses’ Loo’s connection with the Force? And what will they, eventually, become? Will we see her or her species again, even though she said this was their last venture into the galaxy? See, more questions than answers.

 

But, the real star of the comic, of course, is Han Solo. We see the man who is slowly evolving in the face of Imperial oppression, under the influence of his conscience in the form of his fury first mate, people he meets on his adventure and his feelings for one spunky princess and Rebellion leader. Liu certainly has a way with words:

 

But sometimes survival is telling yourself lies until you can’t lie anymore. And then you have to make a choice about who you really are and what’s worth living for. Lies are easier, that’s for sure.

 

Pick up this comic if you haven’t so far. It might be just an episode in our scoundrel’s storied history, but it gives us a clear insight into who he is and who he will be in the future. It’s exciting, beautiful and very, very good. Until we meet Han Solo again, somewhere, sometime, in a galaxy far, far away this is THE END.

 

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Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

Jelena Bidin (LadyMusashi)

Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

One thought on “Jelena’s Review of Han Solo #5

  • November 27, 2016 at 3:48 pm
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    Loved the Han Solo miniseries, top three of Marvel’s Star Wars comics for me.

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