Review: Luke and Leia Uncover an Imperial Base in Dark Horse Comics’ Hyperspace Stories #2
The Rebellion is in full swing with the second issue of Hyperspace Stories from Dark Horse Comics. Written by Cecil Castellucci and illustrated by Megan Huang, this issue follows the legendary Skywalker twins on a mission for the Rebellion.
The Hyperspace Stories comics tell individual stories spanning different eras, and this one delivers a light-hearted yet suspenseful mission for Leia and Luke. The two make their way toward the sparsely populated Banas system in the hopes of setting up a monitoring outpost in the region or to find out if there is heavy Imperial activity. With luck, they also hope to find locals sympathetic to the Rebel’s cause. As the story usually goes with the Rebellion, the mission doesn’t exactly go according to plan.
Spoilers ahead…
The second installment of Hyperspace Stories launches with Luke escorting Leia to Banas in hopes of establishing a monitoring outpost. It’s clear Leia is pleased with Luke’s presence for the mission but frustrated with the Alliance’s overprotective nature of her. Despite his insistence, it’s only because of her vast importance to the galaxy at large, she thinks she can take care of herself just fine. It may have been a short back and forth, but it’s important to note this is a feeling we see from Leia throughout many Star Wars stories. She is willing to take any challenge head whether it’s a diplomatic problem or one involving a blaster. Being frustrated by people being overprotective of her is a familiar storyline as well.
Banas is a seemingly desolate and icy world with a sparse population. Leia and Luke land their shuttle and immediately set out to get as much information on this small town as they can. During their initial sweep through they notice some villagers with an interesting type of ore, they don’t recognize. Thinking little of it they continue on until they stumble into a full-fledged Imperial Operation. The Alliance intel was wrong, and the Imperials in the area have found their ship and are searching them out.
Desperate for time, the two of them lay low in a shop with shelves upon shelves of random items and spare parts. At first, the owner of the shop seems to be fairly abrasive. After a show of kindness and a hefty number of credits, the shopkeeper, who we later learn is named Halorum, offers them a hiding space under a massive pile of carpets. The two of them camp out under the mess until Halorum is able to convince the Imperials to leave.
Before the rush to hide, Leia and Luke shared a moment worth discussing. Leia stumbled upon a Wookiee toy doll. It reminded her of a night on Alderaan when her father had a lively Wookiee guest. Moments like this remind the reader of just how much Leia has lost in service to the Rebellion. Her fight for freedom has meant giving up everything, and she reminds Luke this war is about “remembering home, to cherish and give hope and honor to those that we’ve loved and lost.”
With Imperials on their tail, the two heroes attempt to make their way through a treacherous mountain pass. Halorum warned them of the danger of crossing this way, but it was a chance they had to take. Waiting for them on the other side is Halorum’s cousin Moular who will help them get safe passage out of the system. Through the bitter cold, whipping winds, and slippery steps they climb. They climb and climb in their attempt to make it out of Banas alive.
It turns out the elements were not the biggest problem they faced. The two find an entire Imperial mining operation tunneling and drilling to get their hands on the same ore they spotted back in town. While getting a closer look it’s discovered this ore will be a critical resource for miniaturizing magnets and components, giving the Imperial fleet an advantage in the contests to come.
In their haste to get out to safety, the Imperials spot them. Blasters begin to fire, and the chase is on. Leia and Luke realize their best chance is to split up. One of them has to make it out of here alive. One of them has to warn the Alliance.
The two each evade the Imperials in the night in their own stealthy ways. The predators of the planet ended up serving as a fateful distraction in their desire to kill the trespassers on their land. Bruised, battered, but not broken, Leia arrives at the station where Moular is waiting. She believes Luke to be dead, and her heart is heavy. She begins to mourn for him.
But just as she does so none other than Luke Skywalker cockily tramps his way down the landing pad of the ship and beckons her on board. The mission, while turbulent, is ultimately a success. They uncovered an Imperial plot, made some allies in the region, and of course, coming out alive certainly helps.
Rating: 7/10
And with the end of this issue of Hyperspace Stories, we got a look at the cover for the third. An adventure with Finn and Poe is on the horizon, and I can’t wait!
Finding ways to nonchalantly incorporate Star Wars quotes into 8th grade classroom, Tyler lives and breathes Star Wars. His morning tradition is sending the latest number in the countdown for different Star Wars projects and loves engaging in uplifting Star Wars dialogue. If you are passionate about Star Wars you can follow him on Twitter at TyBrad5.
