In Review: Star Wars (2020-) #40 – DROID DISASTER!

Synopsis: DROID DISASTER! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! The worst has happened. LOBOT, one of the greatest heroes the REBEL ALLIANCE has ever known and close friend to semi-reformed scoundrel LANDO CALRISSIAN…is lost. Lando returns to the Rebels to ask for their help… …but can he convince them he’s not a TRAITOR?

The Story

Having barely escaped from Tatooine. Lando and the ancient talky droid make their way back to the rebel fleet. However, while they make their journey. The talky droid reminds Lando of all the lies he has told in order to try and save his friend Lobot, which does not go down well. In a flashback scene on Alderon, we see a younger Lobot asking Lando how he is able to lie so convincingly and carry on conning the same people over and over. Lando tells his friend that every grifter needs one honest person in their life to keep them honest and to Lando. Lobot is an honest person who knows all his secrets.

As they arrive at the rebel fleet. Lando tells Leia about finding Hand on Tatooine and tries to recruit her to help him save his friend Lobot. Initially, Leia is reluctant but after a bit of convincing, she agrees to help him.

The Artwork

Like with the previous issue, Madibek Musabekov continues to do some great work. I loved the various micro-expressions on Lando’s face at the start of the book where Talky Droid was listing all the lies that Lando had told in order to save his friend. At one point it looks like Lando is about to explode and punch the old protocol droid in the face, which would be rather painful. This opening segment is beautifully juxtaposed with the flashback sequence on Alderon where Lobot is pretty much having the same conversation with his friend.

The panels toward the close of this issue where Lando, Luke, Chewie and Leia land on the droid planet are great. The artist does a great job of generating an eery sort of feeling about a planet that is devoid of people.

Overall

Another solid issue that does a brilliant job of continuing the story. I can’t wait to see how all of this plays out.