"Star Wars #15: War of the Bounty Hunters: Friends and Enemies" by Charles Soule

"Star Wars #15: War of the Bounty Hunters: Friends and Enemies" written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Ramon Rosanas and Rachelle Rosenberg

It appears that this series is back to focusing on the search for the rest of the Rebel fleet, which is good because I did feel like that storyline was left dangling. The connection to "War of the Bounty Hunters" on the other hand, is seen in the very last few panels as Luke makes contact with Leia who is on Jekara where carbonite encased Han is being held by Crimson Dawn. Earlier in the issue, Luke has a vision of Vader shooting down the Millennium Falcon over the first Death Star, a vision he interprets as meaning Vader will soon arrive on Jekara for the auction. Dun, dun, dun,...wait...we already knew Vader shows up. Well, that saps the excitement out of the reveal. I guess there are some negatives with this type of cross-media storytelling. I mean, just mathematically you're eventually going to be "spoiled" on another issue in the event. But I do prefer to look at being spoiled narratively as learning fun backstory. So, I'll go with it.

Note: On Jekara we see Leia, Lando, and Chewie being confronted by none other than Boba Fett!! And he's out in the open with no disguise at all. That man is crazy!! But we do know he makes it out alive so maybe he's arrogant for a reason?? I mean, he did escape the Sarlacc pit... Also, this means that the mysterious clone in the hooded robe from "Doctor Aphra #12" most likely isn't Boba. So who in the world is it?!? Just this one panel (see below) in this issue has me now excited for the next issues of two series simultaneously--"Star Wars" and "Doctor Aphra." You know the crossover style is working when that happens!!

The Fourth and Seventh divisions of the Rebel fleet (the divisions that we have been following in this series) are still working on getting the whole gang back together. Numerous Rebel divisions are still in hiding and I'm not just talking about small off-shoots of the larger Rebellion. I'm talking even High Command is missing. But...there may be hope yet!!

Evaan Verlaine, Wedge Antilles, L'ulo Lampar (the only one in an A-wing), Freyta Smyth, and Mart Mattin (nephew of Commander Jun Sato from "Rebels"!!) make up Starlight Squadron (they're still missing Shara Bey, something that's deeply affecting L'ulo in particular--the Duros knows the Rebellion needs a win of some kind...). On the squad's mission for this issue, they bring Luke along for the ride as they scout potential hiding spots of the other divisions of the Rebel fleet. 

Starlight Squadron (+ Luke) arrives at Ab Dalis (location of the Rebels' Rendezvous Point Lambda-Four and site of the Second Emergence of pieces of the Legacy Run during the High Republic Era) in the Outer Rim where it turns out the Eleventh Division of the Rebel fleet is currently hiding...and unfortunately, currently under Imperial assault! One of the Rebels on the ground is making consistent radio calls trying to get help and Luke hears the message. But, as Colonel Chouch says, what good are 6 X-wings and 1 A-wing against a large Imperial ground force and a Star Destroyer?? Well, one of the other Rebels responds with, "Colonel...these aren't just any pilots. They've got Wedge Antilles...and Luke Skywalker." Excited, another Rebel chimes in with, "The Heroes of Yavin? How about you stop talking to them and get them down here?!" Haha! So much pressure!! I mean these guys are expected to go up against a flipping Star Destroyer and win. Luckily, one of the Rebels on the ground has a trick up their sleeve. 

Then we're introduced to the hovering Imperial Star Destroyer--the Ultima II--goodness does it look imposing over the desperate Rebels! An Imperial Lieutenant recognizes Starlight Squadron once they arrive and asks if they should report the squad's presence to Commander Zahra. When are we going to see her again?!? I was really hoping she would become the main Imperial foe and get a lot more "screen" time than she's been getting. Especially with this issue introducing a brand new Imperial, Admiral Kalaxo (see below). Why do we need another Imperial officer with a name? ...well...the issue's ending answers this question in itself. Let's just say that the trick up the Rebel's sleeve was knowledge of unstable geology below the Star Destroyer (see below). So I guess all in all, I'm glad it wasn't her lol. But I am VERY happy that she was mentioned, making it clear that Soule hasn't forgotten about her in the grand scheme of things!

Things are starting to look up for the Rebellion at the end of this issue as a couple of surprise Rebel higher ups turned out to be with the Eleventh Division!!!! L'ulo can feel the hope starting to bubble back to the surface. The Rebellion just might have a chance after all...

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Marie E. Wilson a.k.a. @AliaMorgaine