Comic Info
Comic Name: Star Wars (Volume 2)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Stuart Immonen/Simone Bianchi
# of Issues: 6
Release Date: 2016
Star Wars (2) #7 Variant
Reprints Star Wars (2) #7-12 (September 2015-January 2016). Retrieving Obi-Wan Kenobi’s journal, Luke finds himself on different mission to learn more about the Jedi which takes him to the dangerous planet of Nar Shaddaa aka the Smuggler’s Moon. As Luke finds himself trapped on Nar Shadda, Han and Leia are faced by a new wrinkle in Sana Solo…who claims to be Han’s wife. Now with the Empire bearing down on them, Sana, Leia, and Han must work together if they hope to survive, but can Sana be trusted?
Written by Jason Aaron, Star Wars Volume 2: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon is part of the Star Wars relaunch by Marvel Comics after the rights of Star Wars reverted from Dark Horse Comics. Following Star Wars Volume 1: Skywalker Strikes, this volume features art by Simone Bianchi (Star Wars (2) #7) and Stuart Immonen (Star Wars (2) #8-12).
I’m a Star Wars fan at heart but never was a huge fan of the Star Wars comics after Dark Horse took over. The comics were dense and lacked the fun of the original trilogy (but had aspects which were also better than some of the prequels). Marvel’s relaunch of the series poses a chance to redeem the character and streamline stuff but it also runs into problems.
Star Wars (2) #11
A lot of Star Wars history develops in the in-between…aka events that happened between movies. Here, it is evens following the first Star Wars film. This creates a little problem in how can you build suspense for characters you know are going to live and how can you introduce characters that aren’t important in the other films that followed. Luke’s search for answers seems a little out of place because of he doesn’t feel that changed between Star Wars and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back…it always felt like there were more events between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. I know that Sana isn’t going to be important and I know Luke isn’t going to find answers…it is a danger to the interest in the narrative.
That being said, Aaron’s writing is rather solid. He does have a good grasp for the characters and the comics do have some fun (while not going over the top like some of the issues of the original Marvel Star Wars comics). He just has a challenge that can’t be overcome.
The artists are also challenged. They have to do drawings of real actors playing characters. They have to fit in the style of the Star Wars universe and still tell the story. Simone Bianchi and Stuart Immonen both do a decent job in this sense and keep the movie feel.
Star Wars 2: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon is a solid follow-up to a rather solid adaptation. The problem with the series is how far it can be pushed without making you question the validity of the stories or if movies being released currently will someday end-up making the stories in the comics null and void like Dark Horse made Marvel’s Star Wars continuity pointless. Star Wars 2: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon was followed by the Star Wars: Darth Vader crossover series Star Wars: Vader Down.
Related Links:
Star Wars 1: Skywalker Strikes
