Age of Republic: Padme Amidala: "Bridge" by Jody Houser

Age of Republic: Padme Amidala: "Bridge" written by Jody Houser, illustrated by Cory Smith, Wilton Santos, Walden Wong, Marc Deering, and Java Tartaglia

     While not as good as the Count Dooku, Jango Fett, or Anakin issues, I still enjoyed this one very much. It had a solid plot and explained everything that needed to be explained. Everything made sense and the story flowed quite well. Also, Padme got to be a bada** which is a look that always suits her fabulously. We even got "screen" time from two of her handmaidens, Dorme and Motee. Okay fine, it was pretty great...
     According to Wookieepedia, this issue takes place toward the end of Season 4 of "The Clone Wars"--after the kidnapping of Palpatine plot during the Naboo Festival of Light with Obi-Wan undercover and the Grievous attack and annihilation of the Nightsisters, and before Asajj joins the bounty hunter crew led by Boba Fett on the planet Quarzite.
     We meet Motee who walks in on Anakin and Padme kissing to which they first are startled (see below) but then Padme reassures her husband that Motee understands discretion. Anakin's reaction makes it seem as if this has never happened before and I'm curious how much Padme's handmaidens know about their relationship. Later, Dorme and Motee discuss the situation and Dorme gets in a zinger, "Our lady is many things. But subtle, she is not. The Jedi, even less so. Perhaps that's why they get along so well." Haha! She really does have a point though--Padme is not one for demure shyness at all! Dorme then goes on to reassure her fellow handmaiden that they must allow Padme her happiness with Anakin. Motee responds with, "I suppose all we can do is hope that it doesn't end badly." How sad!!!! It ends so badly but with a deep seated hope in the form of babies Luke and Leia *heart*.

     Padme lies to Anakin about where she's going on her mission!! She says it's not only because he can be protective but also because he's too close to the Chancellor!! Woah, good insight, girl. She's told no one except Dorme and Motee the true mission because it turns out she's going to a neutral system to try and sway them to the side of the Republic. The Chancellor and the Senate tend to be of the mind that all neutral systems should be ignored and any aid or reaching out should only be done with those who are already Republic members. Hence her reluctance to share her actual goal. Makes perfect sense. (See image below of unphased bada** Padme reassuring Dorme before they leave Coruscant).

     Then our crew of three arrives on Clabron to enact some diplomacy. Turns out Grand Minister Stin of the Clabronians actually reached out to Padme first...interesting. Second Minister Tarmin meets them at the front door of the landing pad but refuses them entrance because of the danger that lies in wait, even though the three Naboo are already being attacked by a bounty hunter as they desperately try to gain entrance!!! This bounty hunter turns out to be Lis Mohles, a wanted criminal, and I have no idea what species she is. See her pictured below. As the story progresses, bad things happen and Padme finds herself against a wall--negotiations are not going the way she had envisioned. Still she tries her best to regale her desire for peace and justice above all else and even goes so far as to say, "I have to believe that the Republic will emerge from this war more united than ever." Well...she's not wrong...

     The Clabronians are super cool looking!!! They're either purple or pale yellow with long dog-ear-like flaps hanging down all around their heads and what look like barnacle openings forming a trail vertically down the center of their heads. Really awesome design! See image below.

     Goodness gracious, the piece at the end of the comic on Padme's character written by Brie LaVorgna caused tears to roll down my face. It was such a heartfelt article and my favorite line was, "From her compassion to her strength of character, Padme is every inch the hero both of her children are." *tear* I am definitely not one to shy away from proclaiming that Leia inherited her bada**ery from her Mama. And Luke's conviction to always fight for the greater good is very reminiscent of his Mama as well.
     So, great character design, tons of action, Padme-style diplomacy, and beautiful artwork of Padme pulling off being a bada** with aplomb all make for a super enjoyable tale. Oh! And the name is perfect too--Padme's attempting to build a bridge of diplomacy to a neutral planet! How cool is that?? I lied...I loved it...