A comiXologist recommends…
STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #11
This week’s issue of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (issue #11) was so great! Part III of the Enormous Profit story arc, this week’s story sees major changes in the dynamic of the whole series. Triple-Zero and Beetee, the scary but funny killer droids who have been reluctantly complying with Aphra (but slowly working to subvert her) have finally found their way around the restrictions she’s placed on them. Now they’ve unleashed mayhem in the form of a killer ghost-Jedi-robot.
A couple of issues ago, Triple-Zero, the homicidal C-3PO, took advantage of one of Aphra’s poorly worded commands and set a plan into motion that would take them out of her service and free them to kill indiscriminately once again. While Aphra’s been distracted by trying to auction off her Jedi Holy Grail to the galaxy’s most unsavory and struggling with the moral and historical implications thereof, the droids have contacted Vader, hijacked the ship’s weapons and set the angry Jedi ghost loose on the buyers. Aphra spends this issue running and gunning with bodies falling all around her before the shoe finally drops.
The Doctor Aphra series has gone from Indiana Jones-like “historical” action/adventure to a heist story to a high-class tale of criminal intrigue. This issue, more than the previous issues, feels like classic Star Wars, with its over-the-top blaster fire, comedic dialogue, dismembered limbs, and untrustworthy aliens. It’s funny, exciting, and has severe and lasting consequences. It moves quickly and leaves the reader wanting more. Top notch story-telling!
Perhaps the best part of this issue is how it sets up the next issue. It seems like all the seeds that writer Kieron Gillen planted throughout this series are blooming. Aphra’s been adventuring around the universe making terrible and powerful enemies. Now, backed into a corner, with all her former allies turned against her, she faces the scary consequences of her actions. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds and how/if she gets out of this one.
Jonah Chuang is a Technical Account Manager at comiXology. He hopes one day Doctor Aphra makes a cameo in a Star Wars movie or maybe get her own movie.
STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #9
Aphra’s back with a brand-new plan that’s guaranteed to pay! There’s just one teensy problem…It involves surrounding herself by some of the galaxy’s biggest baddies. And they don’t like Aphra’s tricks!
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #29
NEW STORY ARC: Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too many to fit in the scant time I have remaining, so what’s a girl to do? The party’s over. The party never ends. A hangover that just won’t go away opens IMPERIAL PHASE (Part II). Heaven help us all.
559 | Chrissy Williams + Kieron Gillen on #WicDiv →
Bonus episode!
Primary topic this episode: @chrissywilliams and @kierongillen! Other topics include what the heck an editor actually does, getting it out of Kieron’s brain and getting people to understand it, being a wrangler, shifting styles for other artists and specials, script flavors, seducing artists, choosing the specials, Hickmania, editing with the benefit of hindsight, poetry influencing Chrissy’s editing, poetry + comics, taking the quiz, and what they’re reading!
STAR WARS: THE SCREAMING CITADEL #1
“THE SCREAMING CITADEL” — PART 1 Rebel pilot and rogue archaeologist wander side by side into the darkest shadows of the galaxy as Luke Skywalker reluctantly teams up with Doctor Aphra! The Doctor makes Luke an offer he can’t afford to pass up…one that leads him to a very rare gathering at the heart of the infamous Screaming Citadel. Will Luke find what he’s looking for? Can Aphra be trusted? Or will they both wind up victims of the Citadel’s Queen?
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #28
END OF STORY ARC. “IMPERIAL PHASE (I),” Part Six. and sex and drugs and rock and roll and sex and drugs and rock and roll and sex and drugs and end.
Favorite cover of the week?
Gotta be coverboy Baphomet on THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #27, written by Kieron Gillen, art and cover by Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson
IMPERIAL PHASE (I), Part Five: Sex and drugs and rock and roll and sex and drugs and rock and roll and sex and drugs (cont.).
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #25, by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson
“IMPERIAL PHASE (I),” Part Three. The comic that says, “What could possibly go wrong?” and then looks at the camera and stares until we all start crying releases another issue.
A comiXologist recomends…
DOCTOR APHRA #1 by Kieron Gillen and Kev Walker
I am usually not fond of expanded universes. More often than not, the expanded universe goes off the rails. Concepts, philosophies, and ideals that are presented in the source material often fall to the wayside as less developed elements come into play. Doctor Aphra #1 appears to be on a different course.
Coming off the heels of the Vader series, Doctor Aphra #1 follows the eponymous character into her life and her specific world. Aphra is not a hero, in fact she is cold-blooded and ruthless. I like villains, so this was welcome. So much of the story felt familiar; the call-backs, the set-up, even the team. It all feels and reads like archetypal Star Wars. This familiarity will certainly speak to fans.
What this series does especially well is to provide a different perspective. Much like the upcoming film, Rogue One, Doctor Aphra #1 shows a different character in a different place. It is fun to see someone who is more self-serving/Imperial-aligned than the usual scoundrel-with-a-heart. The Rebellion has been done SO much, we know the names of the characters who take out the trash on the light Rebellion cruiser that was in some of the background shots in Return of the Jedi. Yeah, the Empire are the bad guys, but delve into that more. Give us a new take in this rebooted universe.
Doctor Aphra #1 is doing that- so here is to hoping it continues on that journey.
Dane Cypel would much rather be in Starfleet than the Imperial Navy, but we all know being on any kind of spaceship would be worth it.
New this week – THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #24 by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson!
“IMPERIAL PHASE (I),” Part Two – It’s January 1st. Happy New Year. For a WicDiv-ian value of happy.
Three graphic novels you may have missed last week!
DARTH VADER VOL. 4: END OF GAMES, by Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larroca, and Edgar Delgado
Darth Vader has been secretly pursuing his own agenda, but now it is time for the End of Games. As Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information, it seems that Vader may have passed his master’s tests. But even after finding favor in the eyes of the Emperor, the Dark Lord’s schemes may yet prove his undoing. While killer droids Triple-Zero and Beetee wreak havoc in their own homicidal adventure, the Empire’s dreadnought The Executor moves closer to launch. But Vader faces tumultuous battles with the cybernetic Cylo — and himself! Lost in visions of the Force, is he now more machine than man? Or can he fight his way back from the brink to see his missions and machinations finally come to fruition? The imperial march of the dark side reaches a crescendo! Collects Darth Vader #20-25.
AMERICAN MONSTER VOL. 1, by Brian Azzarello and Juan Doe
In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals–nobody knows him–or do they? It’s impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man’s intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town’s impression of the man changes, and he’s seen as a hero…until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn’t there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he’s just getting started.
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE, by Matt Wagner, with Brennan Wagner
Legendary creator Matt Wagner returns to both write and draw an all-new tale for the first and most famous of all pulp heroes, The Shadow! Following his critically-acclaimed work on The Shadow: Year One and Grendel vs. The Shadow, Wagner once again lends his masterful talents to unveil “what evil lurks in the hearts of men”, joined by talented colorist Brennan Wagner. For years, Margo Lane has served as The Shadow’s faithful friend and companion, the closest and most intimate of all his many agents. But when will that proximity to The Shadow’s dark and violent world take its ultimate toll on her? And what effect will his lover’s loss have on the driven and brooding Master of Darkness? A powerful and resonant tale in the sort of pulse-pounding pulp style that only Matt Wagner could deliver!
Also includes Matt Wagner’s 8 page story from The Shadow #100.