REVIEW: ‘Star Wars,’ Issue #14

Published by Marvel Comics, Star Wars #14 is written by Charles Soule and continues the story for War of the Bounty Hunters, a crossover event that takes place in between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Soule is joined by artist Ramon Rosanas, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and letterer Clayton Cowles. In Star Wars #14, the search for Han Solo continues as the Rebel Alliance receives news on the location of the former smuggler. The only problem is, so does the rest of the galaxy. 

Previously in Star Wars #13, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca attempted to follow up on a lead on Nar Shaddaa where they hoped to find Boba Fett who had taken Han Solo on Cloud City during the event of The Empire Strikes Back. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful but received transmission to return back to the Rebel Fleet immediately. 

Star Wars #14 opens with General Leia Organa experiencing a vision of Han Solo being freed from his carbonite prison. Leia snaps back to the bridge of the Milliemn Falcon with the rest of Rebel’s heroes in tow. She insists that the time to get Solo back is now and as they have received information on his exact location.

While not necessary reading to understand the plot in Star Wars #14, readers learn in War of the Bounty Hunters #1 that the infamous bounty hunter is no longer in possession of Han Solo. Rather, Solo has been taken by the resurgent Crimson Dawn and its seemingly new leader, Qi’ra who was first seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The exposition from Star Wars #14 clears up most of the details easily enough for the reader as the Rebels are now included in Crimson Dawn’s plot. 

Crimson Dawn has invited all of the criminal syndicates from across the galaxy to an auction for Han Solo. The Rebels employ the help from the only man in the Rebellion with deep connections to the once forgot organization, Lando Calrissian. Readers of the series will remember that Calrissian’s relationship with the Rebellion is strained given his secret dealing with Jabba the Hutt and the near loss of his dear friend Lobot at the hands of the Talky. Nevertheless, Lando is resigned to help Leia and Chewbacca on their search but not only to help Han Solo but to complete his deal with Jabba as well. The rest of Star Wars #14 plays out the Rebel’s attempt to attend the Crimson Dawn auction without getting blown out of space in the process given the nefarious nature of those gathered.

The previous issue of this series had a much bigger focus on action and fast-paced panels. Since Star Wars #13, the series has taken a slower pace as it enters the War of the Bounty Hunters event. The art from Rosanas continues to be more static than in previous issues but still provides the focus on facial expressions and mannerisms that make the dialogue in every panel really hit home. The stakes continue to be raised in this series and readers truly benefit from the portrayal of the intensity of conversation between characters.

Ultimately, Star Wars #14 is what I hoped the prelude in Star Wars #13 would have been. Where Star Wars #13 felt like just a story serving the crossover event, Star Wars #14 felt like an issue in a series that fans have come to love. Weaving in past storylines like the effects of Leia’s encounter with Commander Zahra, Lando’s schemes, and the Talky ground readers in the stories that have made this series so great while still bringing them into a giant crossover event. As the commander of this crossover event, I trust Soule to wrap up these various storylines in a way that is satisfying as his other work as the event continues.

Star Wars #14 is available wherever comics are sold.