Tweet
Released by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: Apr. 09, 2014
Settling in a bit on their new home-base planet of Arrochar it's the rebels that are playing the odd-man-out. Wedge is trying to sell the local experienced pilots on training in old ships but they're having none of it. Leia, working on maintaining their X-wings, gives him some advice but then is called before her betrothed, Prince Kaspar, yet again. He and the other royals are none too pleased with her rank neutrality and want her to be a more proper princess. And Luke, having been grounded after acting out when he discovered Leia's engagement, gets a new assignment, with the local rangers in the the dangerous Arrochar mountains.
Luke earns the respect of the rangers by hacking it out on their arduous trek. Making camp at nightfall, he learns that most Arrochars aren't on board with this whole “joining the Alliance†thing. But Luke warns them of the dangers of the Empire and the slavery and subjugation that would bring. They become sympathetic to each other's causes even if neither really wants the other there at the moment.
Meanwhile, an automated Empire ship appears out of nowhere above the planet. It appeared to have a failing in navigation and just needs new coordinates to take back off. Han and Chewie take the Falcon to investigate while Leia does so with C3PO in her own ship. They don't find anything of note but are suspicious of such a coincidence. But 3PO gives the ship what it needs and it leaves their space so they, too, return to the planet. However, it may have left something behind that is indeed more sinister…
Brian Wood continues to excellent craft a story of the time between the films here, one full of its own suspense that lives solely in that time, free of the later revelations in the story. It's a tricky job but he fills this world with enough compelling storylines and characters as to make it properly immersive and hold those other elements at bay, respectfully. Stephane Crety's artwork continues to dazzle as well, in vivid, lush detail in nearly every single panel.
