REVIEW: ‘Star Wars,’ Issue #13

Published by Marvel Comics, Star Wars #13 is written by Charles Soule, joined by artist Ramon Rosanas, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and letterer Clayton Cowles. This issue serves as the prelude story for the six-month-long War of the Bounty Hunters event that will crossover multiple Star Wars comic books. Throughout the series, readers will join our heroes on the hunt for Han Solo that takes place in between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Star Wars #13 brings readers through the Rebel’s first mission to find out where Boba Fett is hiding everyone’s favorite smuggler. 

Star Wars #13 opens with Luke Skywalker deep in Jedi training within the Rebel fleet in deep space. His dismantling of Jedi Training Droids is interrupted by C-3PO and R2-D2 who have information about Elphrona. The mention of this Outer Rim planet immediately made my ears perk up as it has been mentioned multiple times in Star Wars media. It is the location of a now ancient Jedi outpost from the High Republic Era seen in Light of the Jedi, where Luke found his lightsaber, and where Kylo Ren would track down students of Luke in the future. The conversation about this planet is short-lived, as Chewbacca makes an appearance with something of his own to discuss with Luke.

Chewbacca brings news of a Boba Fett sighting to the young Jedi which prompts our four heroes to head to the nefarious Nar Shaddaa. On the smuggler’s moon, the Rebel’s meet up with the Wookiee Sagwa. Readers may remember this slender Wookiee from Solo: A Star Wars Story. With the help of Han Solo, Chewbacca was able to free Sagwa from the spice mine on Kessel. Writer Soule has been an expert in tieing in other lore and this is a perfect example. It is awesome to see a minor movie character make an appearance in an event this big. With the help of Sagwa, our heroes investigate the sighting of Boba Fett. Their questions quickly turn into a battle as a host of nerdowells ambush the Rebel’s before they are able to get any real answers.

The Star Wars #13 plays out the altercation with the smugglers on Nar Shaddaa. I have issues with how Star Wars #13 takes away from the storyline that has been building with the rescue of Shara Bey. But I can appreciate many of the notes through the issue. Given the placement of the story, it is safe to assume that our heroes are able to escape. While artist Rosanas’s style isn’t as animated compared to other Star Wars comics, there is still beauty in the stillness of the panels. The way that Luke ignites his lightsaber behind his back as he is being confronted by the smugglers is done so well, as it portrays where Luke is at his journey as a Jedi following The Empire Strikes Back while still being intimidating. Further, writer Soule is able to weave in so much lore into the story that I find myself wanting to go back and dive into other Star Wars media.

Overall, Star Wars #13 does its job as the prelude for this War of the Bounty Hunters event. Readers have a jumping-off point for how the initial search for Han Solo begins while reintroducing characters like Sagwa back into the fold. Personally, Star Wars #13 doesn’t make me any more or less excited about the event. Recent issues of the series have been focused on some lesser fleshed-out characters. The addition of Luke into this story seemed more akin to setting up future issues of the series with his quest to understand the Force and Jedi more. I hope to see more of Chewbacca leading the charge in future issues in this event, especially with the addition of characters like Sagwa. Coupled with Leia’s story about Solo in Star Wars #12, it is clear why there would be such a massive effort to save the former smuggler.

Star Wars #13 is available everywhere comics are sold.