Synopsis: THE END FOR THE NEW REPUBLIC?! LUKE, LEIA, HAN and VALANCE struggle to reunite and help their Nagai allies fight for freedom! A shocking death as a hero falls at the hands of the ZANTARRK STORMTROOPERS! A villain’s desperate, final gamble puts everything the NEW REPUBLIC stands for in peril! Can an ancient JEDI RELIC rescue our heroes from certain death – or doom them?
The Story
Picking up from the previous issue, Reyna Oskure has captured Rynn Zenat and Jesrit. Rynn has been gravely ill, with it revealed last issue that Oskure has somehow been feeding on her life force. Elsewhere, Han Solo and Valance lead the charge to rescue Rynn and Jesrit, but first they must locate Luke Skywalker, who is searching for an ancient Jedi relic capable of forcing the truth from Oskure.
While Han, Valance, and Luke pursue their respective objectives, Leia Organa dispatches New Republic reinforcements to deal with the blockade over the Nagai homeworld. The rescue effort turns brutal when Bastion is shot dead, forcing Han to press on regardless. In orbit, New Republic forces arrive and warn the Fenril that Nagi is now under Republic protection, with their Zantarrk leaders confirmed dead.
As events reach their climax, the heroes converge at Oskure’s ship. Rynn fights back as Luke duels Oskure, losing his lightsaber to her claws. Buying precious seconds with a mind trick, Luke manages to lock the Crown of Verity onto Oskure, stripping her of the ability to lie and blunting her powers. Cornered, Oskure activates a failsafe and, compelled by the Crown, claims she sabotaged the junk fleet the Nagai were forced to build, ensuring ultimate victory. Luke believes her, and the cliffhanger lands hard.
Artwork
Phil Noto once again delivers solid artwork throughout the issue. One standout moment comes when the New Republic X-wings arrive and surround the Fenril ships, firmly warning them to stand down. I particularly loved how the visual composition guides the reader’s eye across the page as the squadron leader delivers the warning, reinforcing both the authority of the moment and the sudden shift in power. It’s confident, cinematic storytelling through art alone, and it works beautifully.
Overall
This is a great penultimate chapter to the opening story arc, and that final reveal delivers a genuinely jaw-tightening cliffhanger heading into the finale.
- Covers9.0
- Story9.6
- Artwork9.8
- Lettering9.4
- Colours9.8
Although I don’t think they would do this, I’d like to see a comic where canon Luke, Han and Leia visit the World Between Worlds and meet Jaina and Jacen Solo. Great review Ian.