The roll-out to Rise of Skywalker includes this Marvel Comic limited series. The comic is written by Ethan Sacks who wrote the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge limited series. It introduced the shapeshifter Remex and his leader, Kendoh, who happen to have a cameo here. This is a weakness to bring over characters to readers who have not read the earlier series. The art is by Luke Ross who worked on the adaptations of The Force Awakens and Thrawn for Marvel. The cover is by Marco Checchetto which is connects over the series. It features the trio of General Leia, Admiral Acbar, and Rose Tico next to the Millennium Falcon and Rey facing a beastie. It has the classic Star Wars opening featuring the title “An Old Hope.” The comic opens on the planet Tah’Nuhna. It features the icy palace of the centipede-like Tah’nuhna as narration explains that they are peaceful. The soft green of the ice world is reflected in the cover’s colors. Then, we get the appearance of the Finalizer and First Order Star Destroyers above the planet!
The Tah’Nuhna ruler pleads for the neutrality of the planet and General Hux notes that a Resistance transmission was traced there. The Star Destroyers fire their cannons on the planet, snowtroopers blast survivors, and TIE bombers unleash the power of the First Order. The loss of innocents without a Resistance response shows the situation between the two powers. Also, it returns General Hux as a threat instead of a Last Jedi goofball. The ruler tries to send an emergency call, but is cut off by the explosions. Watching in horror is Lieutenant Connix. She rushes over in a breath mask to the Resistance Camp, a series of diamond-shaped domes, on Anoat, the garbage planet. She sees in the command center General Leia with C-3PO and R2-D2 to inform her about the destruction. Threepio notes that the Tah’Nuhna gave them supplies after Crait (in Last Jedi). There is a General Jonato, who looks husky with a mustache, who says that Anoat’s pollution has hidden them. Also, he suspects that the First Order will track them to the planet. They need more for their war effort against the First Order.
General Leia explains that Vi Moradi is looking for a base, she is of course on Batuu, Galaxy’s Edge. Snap Wexley, the pilot, is looking for ships. Finn and Poe are searching for weapons. General Leia gives the order to ready the Millennium Falcon. General Jonato argues against Leia risking herself. She asks Rose, Threepio, Artoo to join her on the task. Leia also needs a pilot. So we shift to massive Anoatian Pit Beast facing Rey with her staff and breath mask. It looks a bit like the Reek from Attack of the Clones, but with a fanged face instead of horns, so very Star Wars. The creature is vicious and Rey is just able to get away from it. Rey tries to use the Force to bring heavy machinery down on it. A few pieces strike it and Rey says she is having trouble focusing. She converses with the beastie and tries to use the Force to connect with it, but fails. It is chased away by the appearance of the Millennium Falcon. This is interesting where we find Rey, an encounter with a creature, but no hints at the Skywalker part of the title. General Organa meets with Rey and explains they don’t have a mission, but a “task.”
This shifts to the Wayward Comet Refueling Station where Finn is being knocked down by a brawler. BB-8 is there and Finn is thrown back into the fight. Poe, disguised in a robe, sends BB-8 to help with the struggle. This part of the comic is colored pink from the cantina light. In silhouette while the fight continues, Poe tells Finn that he has found weapons on the moon of Avedot. A woman informs Finn’s presence on a comlink and her face shifts. The information is sent to General Hux on the Finalizer. The lieutnenat relaying the information is shocked at the appearance of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren. He follows the lead of the informant and Hux is also shocked by the supreme leader. The Millennium Falcon lands on Dac City, the Mon Calamari homeworld of Mon Cala. Leia mentions an “old debt” which must refer to Admiral Ackbar. They do not get the reception they may be expecting! There are some good moments here that bring us up to date before Rise of Skwalker. In my experience, I think the material before the movie, doesn’t spoil it.
Three Lightsabers out of Five!
#JourneytoRiseofSkywalkerAllegiance, #EthanSacks, #LukeRoss, #MarcoChecchetto
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