Doctor Aphra #33: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon, Part II by Simon Spurrier
"Doctor Aphra #33: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon, Part II" written by Simon Spurrier, illustrated by Wilton Santos, Caspar Wijngaard, Andrea Broccardo, Marc Deering, Walden Wong, Chris O'Halloran, Stephane Paitreau
This issue was beautiful in so many ways. We get the ongoing current story line with Tolvan and Aphra's reunion post-Bor Ifrium (note: it isn't pretty but despite my high hopes, I guess it would be wrong of Spurrier to make it any other way) and a storyline back at the beginning of Aphra's life on Arbiflux with her mom. The past story line comes up in sepia tones as a reminder of things Aphra's mom taught her back in the day and, man, is it poignant! There's also the introduction of the Rebel Superweapon and it is glorious!!...if not a bit terrifying. Turns out the Rebels are onto the Emperor's truth (being a powerful Sith) and they have a plan to make it all crash down around him.
We start on Unox where Aphra and Vulaada are confronted with Magna Tolvan (now Captain) and her Rebel strike team! Tolvan reveals what memories Aphra gave her courtesy of the Bor Ifrium and they were in her own words, "I murdered you. A tantrum. A petty, jealous, murderous tantrum. Me." It doesn't take Tolvan long to accept the truth of the situation because even she realizes how ridiculous it would be for someone like her to get murderously upset over something petty. At first Tolvan is super sweet about the whole ordeal (see below), but then things get real in a bad way for poor Aphra.
Then we go back in time to Arbiflux where Aphra is living with her mom. There's a bird that won't leave the little girl alone and she is furious, calling the bird evil. Her mom goes on to say, "There are no goodies and baddies. There's just whoever's tough enough to be in charge of the story today--and even they're just waiting to be knocked over by the next fanatic in line." Which in the Star Wars universe and in reality can definitely be said to be a truth! There are in fact, quite a few wonderful quotes from this interchange between the two. Aphra--"They wouldn't call it the 'Dark Side' and dress all spooky if they really thought they were the goodies!" Aphra's mom--"Look, the whole dumb history of the Jedi is just one purist shouting 'heretic' at another--and cherry-picking what counts as good or bad." And another--"I think evil's just a measure of how much your choices take away other people's." I think both women have really good points! I'm so glad we're getting to look deeper into their relationship. And like I said previously, this conversation plays into Aphra's decision at the end of this issue in a big way!
Turns out the Rebels are on Trading Post Sh'ung-tesk and General Airen Cracken (Chief of Rebel Intelligence) makes an appearance!! The Trading Post is a livestock market (see below--I see a Ronto, a Bantha, a Blurrg, and several Falumpasets--LOVE the diversity!!).
Apparently, Tolvan has been very busy in her new position by foiling three assassination attempts and bringing back two double agents in body bags. Glad to know she has thoroughly transitioned to the other side and is wholeheartedly a part of the Rebellion. I really feel like this was a great move for her character and it deepens who she is so incredibly much!
We find out a bit more about Jedi Master Oo'ob! He went rogue in the aftermath of the Corsair Wars...whatever that is... "He recruited noted crystallist Var-Whill to modify lightsaber tech for more...remote applications"...hence the FarKiller! "The FarKiller can be conjectured to have killed several hundred 'emergent' despots." Definitely a nasty, nasty weapon! Interesting to note, Aphra says you'd need a new lightsaber for each shot of the FarKiller, implying that after using a crystal to fire the gun, the crystal is no longer of use. So where did Oo'ob get all those kyber crystals from?? Hmmm...
What a great way to continue this new arc!! We get ancient Jedi history, developments with some big names in the Rebel Alliance, and the upsetting reunion between Aphra and Tolvan. I'm really liking how this is going so far! But...maybe there's still hope for Aphra and Tolvan to make up???...maybe...guess we'll have to wait and find out...
We start on Unox where Aphra and Vulaada are confronted with Magna Tolvan (now Captain) and her Rebel strike team! Tolvan reveals what memories Aphra gave her courtesy of the Bor Ifrium and they were in her own words, "I murdered you. A tantrum. A petty, jealous, murderous tantrum. Me." It doesn't take Tolvan long to accept the truth of the situation because even she realizes how ridiculous it would be for someone like her to get murderously upset over something petty. At first Tolvan is super sweet about the whole ordeal (see below), but then things get real in a bad way for poor Aphra.
Turns out the Rebels are on Trading Post Sh'ung-tesk and General Airen Cracken (Chief of Rebel Intelligence) makes an appearance!! The Trading Post is a livestock market (see below--I see a Ronto, a Bantha, a Blurrg, and several Falumpasets--LOVE the diversity!!).
Apparently, Tolvan has been very busy in her new position by foiling three assassination attempts and bringing back two double agents in body bags. Glad to know she has thoroughly transitioned to the other side and is wholeheartedly a part of the Rebellion. I really feel like this was a great move for her character and it deepens who she is so incredibly much!
What a great way to continue this new arc!! We get ancient Jedi history, developments with some big names in the Rebel Alliance, and the upsetting reunion between Aphra and Tolvan. I'm really liking how this is going so far! But...maybe there's still hope for Aphra and Tolvan to make up???...maybe...guess we'll have to wait and find out...
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