The covers: Two covers to pick up before they are buried in the sands of time. Deep within the fallen Imperial Star Destroyer Spectral, Rey goes to her knees to help Sarco Plank up, unaware that a KX security droid is behind her, reaching out a menacing hand to grab her. This Regular cover by Derek Charm brings the reader right into the conflict with this frontpiece. I like the illustration, but the colors are too dark, especially on Rey and Sarco. The Retailer Incentive cover by Jon Sommariva is much better. Ray has her staff up to stop the security droid that’s lurching at her. Both characters are standing among some garbage that consists of several stormtrooper helmets. Behind the pair is Admiral Taz and six stormtroopers beneath the Spectral — ghostly images that look upon what comes of their actions. I like the look of the characters and the coloring is light enough to make them out. Overall grades: Regular B+ and Retailer Incentive A-
The stories: Both stories are written by Scott Beatty. The first tale is the concluding chapter of “Destroyer Down.” The activated KX security droid has found two of Sarco Plank’s men and deals with them, while their leader hides. Meanwhile, Rey is scavenging a Y-wing’s fuel pump. She gives way to a momentary flight of fancy until the KX finds her. She’s soon on the run, escaping thanks to the timely intervention of an unforeseen ally. I really like the objects that are revealed on Page 11 and what a character does to get the droid’s attention — very clever. The way in which the droid is defeated is fantastic, and how it impacts another character on 13 is terrific. I really appreciated the final two panels of the page, and of the story, showing that one character isn’t as alone as they thought. “The Ghost Ship” Part 3 concludes the prequel to “Destroyer Down” with Bak Rychuk surrounded by several stormtroopers. Thankfully, loyal Zeetoo-Zeetoo is sent off by his master on a mission of mayhem. Admiral Traz inserts himself into the proceedings with a KX accompanying him. I always love to see Imperials under pressure and Traz reacts as one would expect and it was delicious. Just when it seems he’s got the upper hand on the final page, the Rebel tells and shows the Imperial that the battle is over. Overall grades: Both A
The art: The first tale is illustrated by Derek Charm who is an outstanding artist and this book only serves to reinforce that opinion. The opening page is a full-paged splash, but looks as though it is two panels split diagonally, but it’s actually one, with Sarco hiding behind a piece of machinery that creates the cut. Very slick. I like the reactions from the pair of stooges in the third panel on the second page when they realize they’be been cornered. Also fun is Unkar’s reaction at the bottom of Page 3. I love Charm’s take on Rey, with her tongue sticking out and her smile as she works on the Y-wing, and I love the devious look on her face in the second panel on 5. Her reaction on 7 is great and the reveal at the bottom of the same page reminds me of a moment from the first Terminator film. The reveal that starts 9 is great, but the character that begins speaking in the fourth panel is outstanding. The element that falls on this character on the next page is great. The characters’ reactions in the middle panel on 11 are wonderful, with the page ending with one individual’s funny face. Jon Sommarvia provides pencils and Sean Parsons inks for the final story. He’s got a thinner line that Charm, with him providing quite a bit of detail on his characters, especially on the human ones, with Rychuk and Traz looking terrific. Some characters don’t look as good the further they are from the reader, with the troopers looking practically gaunt. However, look at how menacing the security droid looks, with it having an almost hunchback posture and its head looking frightful. When the action takes a turn on 4 Traz’s initial reaction is stellar, though the subordinate that follows looks as though he’s from a low budget cartoon. I really like the character witnessing the fall at the bottom of 5 — looks terrific. The fourth panel on 6 looks amazing and the arrivals that end the tale made my heart soar. Overall grades: Both A
The colors: There’s no credit listed for the colorist on the first tale, so I’m going to assume that it’s also Charm. I love the colors of the security droid, with his piercing red eyes being a great hallmark of trouble. Unkar’s sole panel on the third page has him popping out with bright yellows behind him. Colors smartly show off the light Rey has on the right side of her head. Reds consume the backgrounds when Rey is on the run from the KX. The greens on 8 are cool and the blues on 9 and 10 call back to the films. Matt Herms is the colorist on the second tale with Zeet looking neat in orange and violet, Traz looking a fright in blues on red, and the surface of Jakku looking beautiful in oranges, tans, and yellows. Overall grades: Both A
The letters: There’s only one letterer on this issue and that’s Tom B. Long. He creates narration, droid speech, and dialogue (all three the same font), sounds, screams, and whispered text. I prefer to see droids and dialogue have different fonts for their speech and not just a different balloon containing their words. The opening narration is also the same font, again only differed by the shape and color of the box that contains them. There’s a slight error when a transmission begins on Page 9, as it’s not in a different shaped balloon, but is on Page 10. The whispered text is really teeny tiny, but gets across the idea that it’s a hasty whisper. The sounds are exemplary and a perfect match for their actions. Overall grade: B
The final line: A neat pair of conclusions with some exciting and funny moments. It’s neat to see Rey in action before BB-8 rolled into her life. The visuals are terrific, creating some solid thrills, surprises, and laughs. Appropriate fare for the young or old who delight in Star Wars. Overall grade: A-
To order a print copy go to https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/star-wars-adventures-destroyer-down-3/
To order a digital copy go to https://www.comixology.com/Star-Wars-Adventures-Destroyer-Down-3/digital-comic/731301?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy
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