Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 is leaps and bounds more enjoyable than the previous issue was. Where the first issue felt colorless and dull, the conclusion of this two-issue story makes great use of contrasting color and is packed with great action. Han and Chewie are on a crucial mission for Princess Leia to rescue a Rebel Lieutenant from Imperial overwatch. They are just about to break him free of the planet when the Empire, led by Commander Alicia Beck, corners them.
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Beck remains a not entirely interesting character. Her design is enjoyably reminiscent of the early Star Wars ongoing series from 2015 with her cybernetics. But ultimately, for an ISB officer, she doesn’t inspire much fear. But, what she does cause is several great action sequences. Whether on the run or in a firefight, watching Han, Chewie, and Lieutenant Ematt in near non-stop action was fun in this issue. The dogfight at the end of the issue was well depicted both visually and in the dialogue. I was left wanting to see more of some of the non-Han and Chewie characters, especially since this adventure was pretty run of the mill for them, but the lack thereof wasn’t a deal-breaker in this issue.
The illustration in Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 felt better as well. While the characters may have been basically the same, seeing them in action more this issue made the drawing stand out better against the dull backgrounds. The Millenium Falcon looked a bit weird but still totally recognizable. As far as colors, the backgrounds are still mostly beige, but that’s no fault of the colorist. The world is just covered in dust. I was able to enjoy some great moments of contrast, whether from the characters’ clothing or vehicles they’re driving. The splashes of blue helped make the panels visually appealing rather than dull as the previous issue felt. The lettering is also totally swell; easy to read with a font befitting a Star Wars story.
One moment towards the end of the issue gave me both joy and aggravation as a Star Wars fan. This moment will be obvious when reading but would be a bit too much of a spoiler to explain in detail. It results in a cool moment of explaining a certain peculiarity about the way tractor beams work. But, it also leads to an extremely un-Imperial decision that left me a bit soured as the story ended almost immediately afterward.
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 is by far a more enjoyable conclusion to its story than the first issue. The ceaseless action is quite enjoyable, and the contrasting color moments make the book more visually appealing. The story is thin, and so are many of the characters, but the action and a cool lore bit certainly redeem this issue.
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 is available wherever comics are sold.
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2
TL;DR
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 is by far a more enjoyable conclusion to its story than the first issue. The ceaseless action is quite enjoyable, and the contrasting color moments make the book more visually appealing. The story is thin, and so are many of the characters, but the action and a cool lore bit certainly redeem this issue.
