"Doctor Aphra (2020-) #4, Fortune and Fate, Part IV: The Deal" by Alyssa Wong

"Doctor Aphra (2020-) #4, Fortune and Fate, Part IV: The Deal" written by Alyssa Wong, illustrated by Marika Cresta and Rachelle Rosenberg

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Before I begin discussing the story itself, I wanted to bring your attention to this issue's cover, art by Valentina Remenar, which is beyond gorgeous! The swirly effects of the colors are very reminiscent of the way everybody's mind is going a little crazy in the Lost City of Vaale. And Aphra with her windswept hair, looking on intently while holding the glowing ring is super intense, begging the reader to find out what's inside the comic's pages... 

As for the story itself, it was certainly enjoyable, in the sense that it moved the story forward, but there weren't really any new surprises in this issue and Aphra didn't exactly end up in super dire straits. Sure it ended with a cliffhanger, but not the kind of cliffhanger that leaves you with your jaw on the floor and eyes wide. In regards to next issue, I find myself more asking, what is Aphra's plan to get out of this dangerous situation she's put herself and her crew in? Instead of, oh no what's going to go wrong next?! Perhaps the difference is that Aphra has agency in her current situation. She knows what she's doing and she's being purposeful with her actions. It's not the usual bad, crazy things keep happening to her as a consequence of her unfortunate decisions shtick that we all know and love. Which in a sense is uplifting to see for this character--she gets to, in some way, be in control of the situation for once. But I'm getting ahead of myself, let's talk about this issue, #4, first!!

At the end of the opening "crawl" we get reminded of the difficult situation Aphra and, well, part of her new crew are in, "Unfortunately, Detta's double-crossed Aphra. Oh, and so has Just Lucky! It's a bit of a mess..." Hahaha!! I love how the "crawl" is so matter of fact about the ridiculousness that is Aphra's life. So the only crew she has left on her side are Eustacia Okka, Black Krrsantan, and Eustacia's droid TA-418. Just Lucky stands with his thugs in the room above where he's trapped Aphra and crew and he has the Ring of Fortune. Detta is stuck down below, wrists tied up in rope, with Aphra and crew and she obviously doesn't have the Ring of Fortune. So at this point, it appears Just Lucky won out in the double-crossing game...but will that last??

We learn more about the mysterious realities behind the Lost City of Vaale as Aphra's crew makes their escape through the garbage chute and into the sewers. Aphra notices the walls have started pulsing and wonders if she's going crazy. But Eustacia makes an observation, "I had my droid run tests on the bone matter comprising the city. It's alive. And it's singing, emitting frequencies that target our brain waves. As it grows, it mutates and affects its surroundings, spreading its song. The Rings of Vaale didn't drive the people of Vaale mad--the living city did. It was designed to--the Architects' greatest security system gone rogue." Essentially, the Lost Architects of Vaale have become part of the city, their visages frozen in horror for eternity. It is incredibly creepy and incredibly disturbing (see below).

Once Aphra and crew exit the Catacombs, all goes to hell. Remember that Ronen Tagge is the backer behind Just Lucky and remember that the disgusting man destroys what ever he can't have... Well, he bears that out in epic fashion in this issue! Not going to tell you what happens here except to say that it was a jaw on the floor moment!

Just Lucky and his thugs arrive at Canto Bight with the Ring of Fortune for Tagge, but the vicious man is none too pleased that not only did he only get one of the two rings, but he also wasn't brought Eustacia Okka to witness the Rings' destruction--he wanted to watch the horror on her face as the subjects of her life's work were disintegrated before her own eyes. I mean, this man is a piece of work, cruel, arrogant, and despicable in the nastiest of ways. 

In a heartwarming yet super sad turn of events, we discover why Just Lucky joined up with Tagge--it has to do with his gambling brother Pak. From the images we see of the two siblings, it appears Just Lucky has a lot of love for his brother and will do anything to help him (see below). So I can understand his teaming up with such a terrible man, but do the ends justify the means in this case?

I don't want to give anymore away, but I do want to mention the High Republic ship Aphra and crew come across on Dianth (the planet where the Lost City of Vaale is located). It is gorgeous (see below)!! Crazy the number of places Lucasfilm publishing is able to throw in mentions of and references to the High Republic in preparation for next year's publishing initiative. So far it all works for me and I find it enticing, but others may find it random and confusing. Oh well, guess we'll have to see once the initiative gets started!! 

As hinted at in the second paragraph above, this issue leaves off with Aphra about to make a deal...Will Aphra be able to get her crew out of this situation alive?? Will she be able to acquire the Ring of Fortune for herself?? Where is the Ring of Immortality?? Will Tagge end up with both and become the most powerful being in the galaxy?? We'll have to wait until next issue to find out!!