Doctor Aphra comic Annual #2: Winloss and Nokk by Si Spurrier

"Doctor Aphra Annual #2: Winloss and Nokk" written by Si Spurrier, illustrated by Caspar Wijngaard

     Ahhh! This was so good...as all the Aphra comics are, but this one took the cake! I loved the banter between Winloss and Nokk and Aphra was her usual cagey, but wonderful self. Such a fun romp with our favorite archaeologist.

     It looks like this annual issue takes place right after the "Catastrophe Con" story arc (according to Wookieepedia)...so we know Aphra somehow makes it out alive from Accresker Jail and on to do dastardly things per her usual.

     This annual is an intriguing side story about two monster hunters who are hired by Aphra to capture a big beasty. But there's a twist in the works and these monster hunters get blindsided...as did I, the reader. Wham! Oh, Aphra...

     We start off on X3-299-11, a planet beyond the Outer Rim. And it turns out the two monster hunters are looking to be seen in the eyes of King Prana. Yes, the Force Awakens King Prana.

     OMG!! The husband, Winloss, is a human and the wife, Nokk, is a Trandoshan!!! I freaking love it <3 And Nokk is a very pacifistic Trandoshan...doesn't want to harm a fly. She's strictly in the beast hunting business for the capture, not the kill.

Turns out they are after the Shadowfang Beast who is a bioconstruct from the Hundred Years' Darkness...no idea what that is referring to... Regardless, this beast is crazy big and crazy scary!!

     Trivia:

-King Prana has Terrorvores

-Squoxx is King Prana's Twi'lek prime hunter

-Lazy Sully has a Giganism Palace

-Ways to bring down a large beast: Vr'gedian Tranquilizer Harpoon and Electro Cudgels

-Ro Thran caught the Bull Krykna for the Tyn Syndicate

-Trapper Pehk is another beast hunter

     So that was definitely an enjoyable side step from the usual Aphra comics...although I have to say I cannot wait for more Tolvan-Aphra shenanigans. But still, what a fantastic way to put together an annual issue. It doesn't seem to have any connection to the rest of the series but yet manages to include the main character and introduce us to two brand new awesome side characters that I absolutely want more of!! Give us a spin-off mini series of these two loveable sentients!

     I for sure recommend this issue to any Star Wars fan even if you haven't been keeping up with the Doctor Aphra comic series--it is too funny and too fabulous not to read!