Luke and Leia Channel the Swiss Family Robinson in Marvel’s Star Wars #33

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by Salvador Larroca

 

  • The Hero of the Rebellion & the Princess of the Revolution!
  • Luke and Leia finally get some time alone.
  • Unfortunately, it’s stranded on a desert island.

 

 

SPOILERS AHEAD

 

 

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, SCAR Squadron kidnapped C-3PO (Star Wars #25) and R2-D2 ran off to save him (Star Wars #26). Since then, Luke studied Ben’s journal, learned about a certain master’s mission (Yoda) and effectively ended it. He then ran off on an adventure with Doctor Aphra only to be kidnapped by the Force-vampire and learn what Jedi are not. Now, we can look forward to three one-shots – this one and the two forthcoming about the Star Wars underworld, featuring Lando and Sana (issue #34) and Han and Chewie (issue #35). I’m sorry, C-3PO, no one except R2-D2 cares about you. I am joking, but we will have to wait until issue #36 to find out what R2 will do.

 

As the issue opens, we find Luke and Leia on a mission, running from the unknown enemy (later we learn that it was a routine supply run gone wrong). After Luke flies through a nebula, which Leia thinks was entirely Han’s influence, they are forced to land on a planet mostly covered with water and end up on a desert island. The story is told through Leia’s eyes and we find out that our Princess has forgotten many near-death experiences, but she vividly remembers moments when she truly lived and that she considers this adventure one of those moments.

 

 

The sudden freedom from all the responsibilities brings out the adventurous spirit in Leia. Without the means to send the message to the Rebellion, the two friends are stuck with each other which provides them with moments of pause and reflection and us with the insight into their pasts and personalities. The Princess and the farm boy might have more in common then they thought.

 

 

Luke and Leia are forced to employ their skills attained in their past lives and make compromises in order to survive. But, forced vacation cannot last for very long. The Empire arrives on the planet and the two rebels discover that they are not as alone as they believed – the planet is inhabited after all, only not on the land.

 

 

Unwittingly, Luke and Leia had brought danger and destruction to the alien world. Being who they are, they feel it is their responsibility to dispatch the Imperial forces from it.

 

I never knew I wanted to see the Imperial walker emerging from the ocean until this comic issue. You can’t help wondering how it would look on screen and in motion. But, I am happy Larroca gave us this image.

 

 

Using Luke’s fledgling Jedi and Leia’s childhood skills, but also abilities they gained on the island, they manage to defeat the Imperial forces. Using the AT-AT parts, they are able to repair their ship while they leave the rest of it to their new found friends.

 

 

It is a small victory in the midst of the great war. But as Leia says, to finish that war, the Rebels will need all the friends they can get. And some of them are very smooth.

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this little side adventure with Luke and Leia. It was a peaceful interlude after several crazy issues and events and it acted as a balm for both the characters and this reader.

 

Because of her involvement in the galactic affairs, sometimes it’s easy to forget that Leia is the same age as Luke (twins, duh!). But, this is a young adult with all the burdens of the Rebellion on her shoulders who recently watched the complete annihilation of her world. We know that Leia would have never left those responsibilities willingly, so to see the misfortune provide her with some ‘down’ time was a pleasure. We get a little insight in what Leia was like as a child and what she might have become if the war never happened. She would still be our take-charge Leia, but perhaps a little wilder and more joyful. Her reflections about Alderaan are truly heartbreaking. But, in spite of that heartbreak, Leia still sees the future and, above all, hope for the galaxy.

 

Considering that the two still have no idea they are brother and sister, Jason Aaron expertly sidestepped the possible implications of the two young people, alone on a desert island and gave us moments of true intimacy. The friendship between the two young people becomes deeper and more meaningful. They have to lean on and trust each another and the skills that reflect their past lives. The losses they suffered, the hardships they survived and the hope for a better future bring them closer. While it is always great to see our heroes win, somehow the fact that they unknowingly brought the danger to a peaceful world and managed to leave it peaceful made this victory special. I would love to see more Luke and Leia adventures further down the timeline.

 

I was never enamored in Larroca’s hyper realistic art style though I appreciate his depiction of action and some more intimate moments.

 

The last panel takes us to Coruscant and the protagonists of the next issue – Lando and Sana. Considering the timeline, I wonder if Lando is already Baron Administrator of the Cloud City or if that fateful card game has yet to happen. Also, is Sana on Coruscant doing business for herself or the Rebellion? We will learn soon, in…

 

 

THE NEXT ISSUE:

Star Wars #34

 

  • Two issues featuring tales of the Star Wars underworld!
  • First, Sana and Lando join forces on Coruscant to swindle some credits!
  • Then, Han and Chewie go back to smuggling…for a Hutt?!

 

 

+ posts

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.

19 thoughts on “Luke and Leia Channel the Swiss Family Robinson in Marvel’s Star Wars #33

  • July 6, 2017 at 9:20 pm
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    Spending time alone at last on a standard desert planet. Kinky shit indeed! Now you know why Kylo Ren was so quick to get Rey strapped into that chair so fast.

    • July 7, 2017 at 4:12 am
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      Hate to say that my thoughts kept wandering to That Place as I read this. It’s only a one-shot, but the two were stranded on the island for 3 WEEKS, just the two of them, with no indication/hope of rescue…?

      Anyway, cool to see the Shoretroopers show up. This confirms that in canon the Shoretrooper uniform is still in use after the destruction of the Scarif facility.

      • July 8, 2017 at 8:02 am
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        Not gonna lie, the thought crossed my mind as well, and although it’s pretty weird and gross knowing that they are related.

        The two at this point in the story have no idea that they are related. I still believe that Leia always kind of viewed Luke as just a really good friend though up until she found out she was his sister. Even in ESB when she kisses Luke, she only does it to spite Han and make him jealous.

  • July 7, 2017 at 12:26 am
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    Iskalon 2.0

  • July 7, 2017 at 2:06 am
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    Hopefully things are improving, I’ve nearly given up on this comic book that started out so well. I think they should make the leap to post Empire Strikes Back soon.

    • July 7, 2017 at 4:14 am
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      Yeah for a while there it seemed like too many issues of “Luke reading from Obi-Wan’s journals so let’s flashback to those days” stories. lol

      • July 10, 2017 at 3:19 am
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        No. I enjoyed those. Every arc set in “modern times,” has been executed extremely poorly. They all have these awesome hooks, but for whatever reason Aaron can’t seem to write a climax to save his life. It’s either over the top ridiculous, or it’s the opposite and underwhelming. I hope he gets taken off the book soon.

  • July 7, 2017 at 4:29 am
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    Shoretroopers show up. So is this the first confirmation that this Stormtrooper uniform is still used by the Empire after the destruction of the Scarif facility?

    • July 7, 2017 at 5:55 am
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      I’m pretty sure it’s the first, I could have missed some book reference, but I don’t think so,

      • July 7, 2017 at 11:16 am
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        On a related note, maybe this further confirms that the Shoretrooper uniform is meant for water exposure. It’s for beach invasions or trudging through swamps, lakes, rainy environments, etc. (but probably not for underwater swimming). (Perhaps this was explained in the Rogue One Visual Dictionary. I haven’t read the entry on Shoretroopers.)

        There were promo and publicity shots of regular Stormtroopers walking through the beach, but I don’t recall any regular Stormtroopers on the Scarif beach in the final cut of the movie.

        It’s a specific detail, yes, but I’m trying to figure the practical reason why the Shoretrooper uniform exists, other than for looking cool and selling more action figures.

      • July 7, 2017 at 4:27 pm
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        The tank troopers were in the Han Solo comic I believe, but I think this is the first post R1 appearance of the shore troopers. I’m glad to see them. They’re armor has replaced the scout trooper as my new favorite Imperial armor.

  • July 7, 2017 at 5:28 am
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    Since the siblings share that kiss in TESB prior to the big sibling reveal, would it be acceptable for a similar kiss to be written into the new canon for a book, comic, or video game that takes place pre-ROTJ?
    I wonder if there was ever any thought to removing the kiss from TESB for the special edition. If Lucas could do it all over, would the EMPIRE kiss still be in the movie?
    I think they should leave it as it is because obviously those 2 innocent siblings had no idea. However, if they leave it in, should it not then give new canon creatives the freedom to write something comparable pre-ROTJ if they so choose.
    Did Lucas simply just not know that they would be siblings until after TESB was released?
    If so, it’s amazing that something like that happened in the OT. Could you imagine something like that happening today in the ST or in another franchise?
    Hey Captain America, Black Widow is your sister. Yes, the Black Widow that you kissed on the escalator. (Maybe a great, great niece or maybe she was frozen, too!)
    Hey Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley is your brother!
    Hey Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy are both your sisters!

    • July 7, 2017 at 5:54 am
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      That ESB kiss was more to show it to Han – the nerfherder – than out of Leia’s great desire to kiss Luke. And they’ll never touch Lucas’ movies as he left them – that is pretty clear by now..

      Luke did get a peck on the cheek for good luck in this issue, but, more importantly, it is not compulsory for a guy and a girl to have sex if they are alone, even on a desert island. 😉

      • July 7, 2017 at 11:08 am
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        But there’s Luke’s reaction to Leia’s kiss: Leaning back acting as if he’s da man.

    • July 7, 2017 at 11:07 am
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      >>Could you imagine something like that happening today in the ST or in another franchise?<<

      Game of Thrones? lol

      • July 7, 2017 at 3:01 pm
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        Without incest, that show would be pure sh**.

    • July 7, 2017 at 3:06 pm
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      Lucas didn’t know they were siblings until writing ROTJ.

      • July 7, 2017 at 6:35 pm
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        Pretty sure he did know, otherwise who is the other Yoda spoke of when Luke left for Bespin

        • July 7, 2017 at 7:46 pm
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          I know for a fact he didn’t know because he has said as much. It’s well-documented.

          The “other” Yoda spoke of was going to be a new character, safely hidden across the galaxy, still Luke’s sister, though. She would be also training to be a Jedi.

          The reason for that line of dialogue was to give the audience uncertainty that Luke would survive the duel.

          When it came time to do ROTJ, they didn’t have enough time to introduce a new characters, so they just made it Leia.
          Most of Star Wars was made up as it went, same as today. Not a lot was planned from the start (almost nothing, actually).

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