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Star Wars (2015)
Star Wars, Vol. 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger
Collects Star Wars (2015) #20-25.
Marvel's epic exploration of the Star Wars galaxy continues! Take a walk on the dark side with Sgt. Kreel and an elite group of Imperial soldiers aboard the Star Destroyer Harbinger! It's a nigh-indestructible weapon of war. It's also the target of the rebels' new top-secret plan. Never afraid of defying the odds, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa are determined to make this the Harbinger's last flight! But Kreel and his SCAR Squad specialize in taking down rebels — hard! Let battle commence! Plus: Jabba the Hutt has a problem, and he's hired the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan to solve it. But a certain old hermit of the dune wastes might have a little something to say about it. Then, R2-D2 goes solo!
Marvel's epic exploration of the Star Wars galaxy continues! Take a walk on the dark side with Sgt. Kreel and an elite group of Imperial soldiers aboard the Star Destroyer Harbinger! It's a nigh-indestructible weapon of war. It's also the target of the rebels' new top-secret plan. Never afraid of defying the odds, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa are determined to make this the Harbinger's last flight! But Kreel and his SCAR Squad specialize in taking down rebels — hard! Let battle commence! Plus: Jabba the Hutt has a problem, and he's hired the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan to solve it. But a certain old hermit of the dune wastes might have a little something to say about it. Then, R2-D2 goes solo!
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,532 books1,516 followersJason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
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March 1, 2017
Star Wars as you like to experience it!
I bought this in its single comic book issues, but I chosen this TPB edition to be able of making a better overall review.
This TPB edition collects “Star Wars” #20-25.
This comic book run is set after the events of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” but before the events of “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back”.
Creative Team:
Writers: Jason Aaron
Illustrators: Mike Mayhew & Jorge Molina
Colors: Matt Milla
OBI WAN’S JOURNALS
Owen Lars and I may had our difference over the years, but the man was no coward. Tattoine did not abide cowards.
As in previous arcs, between them, you have the priceless chance to know more about the lost years of Obi-Wan Kenobi aka Ben Kenobi, while in hiding at Tattoine, keeping watch over young Luke Skywalker from afar.
In a previous account, you knew about how Ben beat a group of Jabba the Hutt’s best men to defend Luke’s life, but who did such feat remains a mystery to the crimelord, so he hired Black Krrsantan (the huge Wookie (of black fur) bounty hunter) and since Black Krrsantan’s mama raised no fool, the bounty hunter soon enough deduced that the attack was in some level related to the Lars Farm.
Black Krrsantan captured Owen Lars and started to tortured him, knowing that anybody responsible of the attack on Jabba the Hutt’s thugs would appear to the rescue again, and the massive Wookie bounty hunter would be waiting.
If you read previous volumes in Star Wars and Star Wars: Darth Vader, you may noticed a scar over one eye of Black Krrsantan…
…well, you’ll read here how the angry Wookie got it!
Oh, yeah!
THOSE MEN IN WHITE
That was the day I saw the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. – The day I saw my first stormtrooper.
Kreel is a special forces’ stormtrooper and he is grateful to the Stormtroopers’ Corps and the Empire since he lived in hellhole world watching all his family and friends dying over illegal battle arenas operating on his homeworld, until…
…the Empire and the Stormtrooper came there and they put in order that hellhole world, shutting down the illegal battle arenas and creating jobs for everyone.
Hardly, you can blame him for being happy with the Empire, when you read in new canon books like Aftermath how the idealistic Rebel Alliance didn’t have an idea of how to manage the “liberated” worlds, since without the Empire’s presence, the basic systems (water, power, communications) began to fail, along with suffering again of space pirates and crimelords.
Sergeant Kreel was doing some undercover work for several years (and he learned how to use light sabers meanwhile) and now due his success in that mission, he was able to pick his next assignment…
…Special Commando Advanced Recon Squadron (SCAR Squadron) aka Task Force 99.
An elite special forces of Stormtroopers whom answered directly to Lord Vader.
They do what anybody else in the Empire can’t do.
They are the best in what they do…
…and what they do isn’t very nice.
Aero: Pilot and mechanical engineer.
Cav: Close-combat specialist.
Misty: Sniper and undercover operations.
Mic: Computer & Communications specialist.
Shrap: Demolitions specialist.
Zuke: Team’s muscle and heavy weapons.
And now Sergeant Kreel is the new field leader of this merry killing machine band, and Lord Vader gave them an easy assignment…
…bring alive Luke Skywalker.
Join the Stormtrooper Corps! Meet the Galaxy! Crush Rebel Scum!
GONE IN 60 PARSECS
If anyone else in the alliance dared suggest an idea such as this, I would likely recommend them for psychological testing. But when Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker suggest it… I say… May the Force be with you, and perhaps… a bit of luck as well.
An ally planet of the Rebel Alliance is under Imperial Blockade and its population is starving to death.
The Rebellion already tried to pass over the blockade, three times, without any success.
For Leia dn Luke is clear that they need something strong and massive to make a hole in the Imperial Blockade and…
…what better than an Imperial Destroyer?
So, they just need to steal an Imperial Destroyer (which usually operates with a crew of 2000 hands), do it without Empire’s awareness, and driving it into the blockade, making their way through with sheer ramming force and Ion Cannons’ fire…
…clearly the mission is a peach.
Luke & Leia recruits in their daring mission to Han Solo, Chewie, R2-D2, C3P0, Sana Starros and the X-Wings’ Red Squadron.
However, the Rebel Task Force doesn’t know that the SCAR Squadron is right behind them…
…and if Sergeant Kreel and his team can’t accomplish their primary mission…
…they definitely won’t get back empty-handed!
The Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, both at their best of their games!
I bought this in its single comic book issues, but I chosen this TPB edition to be able of making a better overall review.
This TPB edition collects “Star Wars” #20-25.
This comic book run is set after the events of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” but before the events of “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back”.
Creative Team:
Writers: Jason Aaron
Illustrators: Mike Mayhew & Jorge Molina
Colors: Matt Milla
OBI WAN’S JOURNALS
Owen Lars and I may had our difference over the years, but the man was no coward. Tattoine did not abide cowards.
As in previous arcs, between them, you have the priceless chance to know more about the lost years of Obi-Wan Kenobi aka Ben Kenobi, while in hiding at Tattoine, keeping watch over young Luke Skywalker from afar.
In a previous account, you knew about how Ben beat a group of Jabba the Hutt’s best men to defend Luke’s life, but who did such feat remains a mystery to the crimelord, so he hired Black Krrsantan (the huge Wookie (of black fur) bounty hunter) and since Black Krrsantan’s mama raised no fool, the bounty hunter soon enough deduced that the attack was in some level related to the Lars Farm.
Black Krrsantan captured Owen Lars and started to tortured him, knowing that anybody responsible of the attack on Jabba the Hutt’s thugs would appear to the rescue again, and the massive Wookie bounty hunter would be waiting.
If you read previous volumes in Star Wars and Star Wars: Darth Vader, you may noticed a scar over one eye of Black Krrsantan…
…well, you’ll read here how the angry Wookie got it!
Oh, yeah!
THOSE MEN IN WHITE
That was the day I saw the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. – The day I saw my first stormtrooper.
Kreel is a special forces’ stormtrooper and he is grateful to the Stormtroopers’ Corps and the Empire since he lived in hellhole world watching all his family and friends dying over illegal battle arenas operating on his homeworld, until…
…the Empire and the Stormtrooper came there and they put in order that hellhole world, shutting down the illegal battle arenas and creating jobs for everyone.
Hardly, you can blame him for being happy with the Empire, when you read in new canon books like Aftermath how the idealistic Rebel Alliance didn’t have an idea of how to manage the “liberated” worlds, since without the Empire’s presence, the basic systems (water, power, communications) began to fail, along with suffering again of space pirates and crimelords.
Sergeant Kreel was doing some undercover work for several years (and he learned how to use light sabers meanwhile) and now due his success in that mission, he was able to pick his next assignment…
…Special Commando Advanced Recon Squadron (SCAR Squadron) aka Task Force 99.
An elite special forces of Stormtroopers whom answered directly to Lord Vader.
They do what anybody else in the Empire can’t do.
They are the best in what they do…
…and what they do isn’t very nice.
Aero: Pilot and mechanical engineer.
Cav: Close-combat specialist.
Misty: Sniper and undercover operations.
Mic: Computer & Communications specialist.
Shrap: Demolitions specialist.
Zuke: Team’s muscle and heavy weapons.
And now Sergeant Kreel is the new field leader of this merry killing machine band, and Lord Vader gave them an easy assignment…
…bring alive Luke Skywalker.
Join the Stormtrooper Corps! Meet the Galaxy! Crush Rebel Scum!
GONE IN 60 PARSECS
If anyone else in the alliance dared suggest an idea such as this, I would likely recommend them for psychological testing. But when Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker suggest it… I say… May the Force be with you, and perhaps… a bit of luck as well.
An ally planet of the Rebel Alliance is under Imperial Blockade and its population is starving to death.
The Rebellion already tried to pass over the blockade, three times, without any success.
For Leia dn Luke is clear that they need something strong and massive to make a hole in the Imperial Blockade and…
…what better than an Imperial Destroyer?
So, they just need to steal an Imperial Destroyer (which usually operates with a crew of 2000 hands), do it without Empire’s awareness, and driving it into the blockade, making their way through with sheer ramming force and Ion Cannons’ fire…
…clearly the mission is a peach.
Luke & Leia recruits in their daring mission to Han Solo, Chewie, R2-D2, C3P0, Sana Starros and the X-Wings’ Red Squadron.
However, the Rebel Task Force doesn’t know that the SCAR Squadron is right behind them…
…and if Sergeant Kreel and his team can’t accomplish their primary mission…
…they definitely won’t get back empty-handed!
The Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, both at their best of their games!
July 10, 2017
Rebel sympathisers are starving thanks to a planet-wide blockade by the Empire. Luke and co. plot to hijack a star destroyer to bust through and drop off supplies. The only problem is they have to hijack a friggin’ star destroyer!
Last Flight of the Harbinger is unfortunately the worst volume yet in Jason Aaron’s Star Wars run - which hasn’t exactly been amazing either!
The plot reeks of (shudder) The Phantom Menace. I mean, how the fuck does an entire planet starve because of a lack of supplies?! What, you can’t grow food anywhere on the entire planet’s surface? Then why live there?? It’s just nonsense.
The hijacking itself is surprisingly dull and the interim between that and breaking the blockade is filled with dreariness. Luke and Sana piss about on TIE Fighters to no effect while Han and Leia continue to tediously bicker. Jorge Molina’s art is serviceable but unimpressive.
I did like reading about the elite Navy SEAL-esque Stormtroopers if only to get their perspective for a change. It makes their fight against the Rebels more understandable while making them more human, sympathetic and less one-dimensional which is a different and welcome change of pace. Giving their squad leader a lightsaber though was stupid, included only for the arbitrary and obligatory lightsaber duel that’s in every Star Wars book.
Equally uninteresting is the Obi-Wan issue which tells the story of how Black Krrsantan (the evil Wookiee bounty hunter) got his scarred eye. It’s unnecessary but at least we got to see Mike Mayhew’s transcendent photo-realistic art that makes Tatooine look incredible.
Overall, Last Flight of the Harbinger is one helluva dull read - the Force ain’t with this one.
Last Flight of the Harbinger is unfortunately the worst volume yet in Jason Aaron’s Star Wars run - which hasn’t exactly been amazing either!
The plot reeks of (shudder) The Phantom Menace. I mean, how the fuck does an entire planet starve because of a lack of supplies?! What, you can’t grow food anywhere on the entire planet’s surface? Then why live there?? It’s just nonsense.
The hijacking itself is surprisingly dull and the interim between that and breaking the blockade is filled with dreariness. Luke and Sana piss about on TIE Fighters to no effect while Han and Leia continue to tediously bicker. Jorge Molina’s art is serviceable but unimpressive.
I did like reading about the elite Navy SEAL-esque Stormtroopers if only to get their perspective for a change. It makes their fight against the Rebels more understandable while making them more human, sympathetic and less one-dimensional which is a different and welcome change of pace. Giving their squad leader a lightsaber though was stupid, included only for the arbitrary and obligatory lightsaber duel that’s in every Star Wars book.
Equally uninteresting is the Obi-Wan issue which tells the story of how Black Krrsantan (the evil Wookiee bounty hunter) got his scarred eye. It’s unnecessary but at least we got to see Mike Mayhew’s transcendent photo-realistic art that makes Tatooine look incredible.
Overall, Last Flight of the Harbinger is one helluva dull read - the Force ain’t with this one.
January 30, 2018
Anybody know how to hotwire an Imperial Star Destroyer?
Rebellion sympathizers on a planet are being starved out by the Empire. Luke and Leia hatch a plan to hijack a Star Destroyer so they can use the massive ship to run the blockade and bring relief supplies to them. Stealing the ship turns out to be the easy part as they try to run the damaged vessel with a minimal crew, and an elite squad of Stormtroopers led by Sgt. Kreel have a plan to take the ship back and capture some valuable prizes in the process. Along with that we get another tale from the journal of Ben Kenobi about how he once faced the Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan and lived to tell about it.
Kind of a mixed bag here. The idea of the good guys space jacking a Star Destroyer is a cool one, and that story has a lot of great stuff although I question going to all the trouble of stealing an Imperial ship and not doing anything other than using it for anything other than a battering ram. It’s also fun to see a young Leia, Han, and Luke doing regular-degular missions for the Rebels. My favorite part of the collection was the side story about Kreel’s squad of Stormtroopers taking out a city occupied by Rebels forces because we get to see somebody in the Empire besides Darth Vader be good at their jobs for a change.
The problems once again come when because these are prequels and so we know how things ultimately turn out as well as that certain things can’t happen. The worst of this is the Kenobi story because once again he’s trying to do stuff on Tatooine without giving away that he’s a Jedi because we KNOW that he just hid out there on the down low while Luke was growing up. That’s extremely limiting. The other thing I didn’t care for was all the bickering between Han and Leia because we all know that it’s because they’re in love, but they can’t acknowledge it because it doesn’t happen until Empire Strikes Back so we’re stuck in this zone which even one character acknowledges is extremely irritating.
There’s good stuff here, but just the nature of when this story takes place kind of handcuffs the whole thing.
Rebellion sympathizers on a planet are being starved out by the Empire. Luke and Leia hatch a plan to hijack a Star Destroyer so they can use the massive ship to run the blockade and bring relief supplies to them. Stealing the ship turns out to be the easy part as they try to run the damaged vessel with a minimal crew, and an elite squad of Stormtroopers led by Sgt. Kreel have a plan to take the ship back and capture some valuable prizes in the process. Along with that we get another tale from the journal of Ben Kenobi about how he once faced the Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan and lived to tell about it.
Kind of a mixed bag here. The idea of the good guys space jacking a Star Destroyer is a cool one, and that story has a lot of great stuff although I question going to all the trouble of stealing an Imperial ship and not doing anything other than using it for anything other than a battering ram. It’s also fun to see a young Leia, Han, and Luke doing regular-degular missions for the Rebels. My favorite part of the collection was the side story about Kreel’s squad of Stormtroopers taking out a city occupied by Rebels forces because we get to see somebody in the Empire besides Darth Vader be good at their jobs for a change.
The problems once again come when because these are prequels and so we know how things ultimately turn out as well as that certain things can’t happen. The worst of this is the Kenobi story because once again he’s trying to do stuff on Tatooine without giving away that he’s a Jedi because we KNOW that he just hid out there on the down low while Luke was growing up. That’s extremely limiting. The other thing I didn’t care for was all the bickering between Han and Leia because we all know that it’s because they’re in love, but they can’t acknowledge it because it doesn’t happen until Empire Strikes Back so we’re stuck in this zone which even one character acknowledges is extremely irritating.
There’s good stuff here, but just the nature of when this story takes place kind of handcuffs the whole thing.
September 8, 2020
The Last Flight of the Harbringer is a damn fine story by Jason Aaron.
The first story about Obi Wan on Tatooine and his continued mission to protect Luke is extremely well done. I enjoyed it a great deal. The book then moves on to its name- the Last Flight of the Harbringer. A really good story about a Rebel team (led by Leia and Han Solo) that takes over an Imperial Star Destroyer-the Harbringer.
We are introduced to an elite SpecOps team of Imperial Stormtroopers and they were awesome. I tend to be truly irritated at the spectacular incompetence of Stormtroopers. It never makes any sense why a battalion of these idiots can't seem to wing a mynock, yet somehow they dominate the entire bloody galaxy. Of course when faced with one of two intrepid Rebel trash..the finest assault troops of the Empire descend into a farce of military incompetence. Well with the SCAR team (essentially 2nd generation ARC troops from the CLone Wars) that is no problem. These guys are good. They are what you would expect from a militaristic and ruthless Empire that just happens to be controlled by a Sith Lord. They cut through Rebel trash with the greatest of ease. I especially liked their commander who wields a lightsaber, though he is not Force sensitive.
I will not ruin the rest of the plot-it's worth your time to read it. Especially if you have a fondness for Rebel trash. The artwork is very good and complements the story. So why not 5 stars? Even though I bear little fondness for the Rebellion, I would still have rated it a 5 star. But, honestly, the rampant silliness between Leia and Han was getting on my nerves. The constant bickering and games of one upsmanship aren't bothersome normally, ok maybe a little, but it IS damn annoying in the middle of an emergency. REALLY, REALLY annoying. In a junior-high moment in the midst of serious adult problems. Sorry, didn't like it.
I am also generally no fan of Luke (overrated bastard, IMHO) but he does a very good job in this issue. I enjoyed seeing what he is up too...though the way he is portrayed he is an awful Jedi..not even trained to the level of a Youngling. Understandable since he hasn't met Yoda yet (I'm pretty sure) but still it does emphasize that the main reason Luke lives is because Vader does not want him dead. But hey, Luke still does a bang up job considering his crappy Jedi skills and limited knowledge of the Force or combat. But he IS one hell of a pilot, almost as good as his father.
So great story, good plot, exciting new characters and really good art make this a very good series. Especially for those of you who think the Rebellion is awesome. Oh BTW there is some really shitty story (about 5 pages) about R2D2 and C3PO that was written by an eight year old, illustrated by a 5 year old and geared towards 7 year olds. If this sounds awesome..well..uh...enjoy. If it doesn't (it's not) well feel free to skip this crap. I've found better comic short stories in my bubble gum wrappers.
The first story about Obi Wan on Tatooine and his continued mission to protect Luke is extremely well done. I enjoyed it a great deal. The book then moves on to its name- the Last Flight of the Harbringer. A really good story about a Rebel team (led by Leia and Han Solo) that takes over an Imperial Star Destroyer-the Harbringer.
We are introduced to an elite SpecOps team of Imperial Stormtroopers and they were awesome. I tend to be truly irritated at the spectacular incompetence of Stormtroopers. It never makes any sense why a battalion of these idiots can't seem to wing a mynock, yet somehow they dominate the entire bloody galaxy. Of course when faced with one of two intrepid Rebel trash..the finest assault troops of the Empire descend into a farce of military incompetence. Well with the SCAR team (essentially 2nd generation ARC troops from the CLone Wars) that is no problem. These guys are good. They are what you would expect from a militaristic and ruthless Empire that just happens to be controlled by a Sith Lord. They cut through Rebel trash with the greatest of ease. I especially liked their commander who wields a lightsaber, though he is not Force sensitive.
I will not ruin the rest of the plot-it's worth your time to read it. Especially if you have a fondness for Rebel trash. The artwork is very good and complements the story. So why not 5 stars? Even though I bear little fondness for the Rebellion, I would still have rated it a 5 star. But, honestly, the rampant silliness between Leia and Han was getting on my nerves. The constant bickering and games of one upsmanship aren't bothersome normally, ok maybe a little, but it IS damn annoying in the middle of an emergency. REALLY, REALLY annoying. In a junior-high moment in the midst of serious adult problems. Sorry, didn't like it.
I am also generally no fan of Luke (overrated bastard, IMHO) but he does a very good job in this issue. I enjoyed seeing what he is up too...though the way he is portrayed he is an awful Jedi..not even trained to the level of a Youngling. Understandable since he hasn't met Yoda yet (I'm pretty sure) but still it does emphasize that the main reason Luke lives is because Vader does not want him dead. But hey, Luke still does a bang up job considering his crappy Jedi skills and limited knowledge of the Force or combat. But he IS one hell of a pilot, almost as good as his father.
So great story, good plot, exciting new characters and really good art make this a very good series. Especially for those of you who think the Rebellion is awesome. Oh BTW there is some really shitty story (about 5 pages) about R2D2 and C3PO that was written by an eight year old, illustrated by a 5 year old and geared towards 7 year olds. If this sounds awesome..well..uh...enjoy. If it doesn't (it's not) well feel free to skip this crap. I've found better comic short stories in my bubble gum wrappers.
November 11, 2018
3.5 stars
Rebounding from the kind of dull Vol. 3: Rebel Jail, Vol. 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger opens with two short stories before moving onto the title adventure. It begins with a young Ben Kenobi - plus some neighborly assistance from a pre-teen Luke Skywalker and uncle Owen - battling a ferocious Wookiee bounty hunter (who will NEVER be confused with Chewbacca) sent by Jabba the Hutt.
Next, the SCAR squad of Stormtroopers is shadowed on an assignment - which, unusually, features first-person narration by Kreel, their commander - as they slaughter Rebel troops. It was darker and more war-oriented than the usual 'good guy'-centered SW narrative, and sort of disconcerting with the Rebel forces referred to here as "terrorists," making THEM sound like the villains of the piece.
The title story follows our usual heroes - plus recent addition Sana - on a secret mission as they hijack Star Destroyer 'Harbinger' from the Imperial fleet. Lots of Han / Leia romantic tension and bickering, plus Luke attempting to master his 'Force' abilities, to go with the abundant (blaster shoot-outs and dogfighting galore) action scenes. Maybe not excellent, but still a pretty good tale.
The less said about the pointless, unfunny R2-D2 feature closing the book the better.
Rebounding from the kind of dull Vol. 3: Rebel Jail, Vol. 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger opens with two short stories before moving onto the title adventure. It begins with a young Ben Kenobi - plus some neighborly assistance from a pre-teen Luke Skywalker and uncle Owen - battling a ferocious Wookiee bounty hunter (who will NEVER be confused with Chewbacca) sent by Jabba the Hutt.
Next, the SCAR squad of Stormtroopers is shadowed on an assignment - which, unusually, features first-person narration by Kreel, their commander - as they slaughter Rebel troops. It was darker and more war-oriented than the usual 'good guy'-centered SW narrative, and sort of disconcerting with the Rebel forces referred to here as "terrorists," making THEM sound like the villains of the piece.
The title story follows our usual heroes - plus recent addition Sana - on a secret mission as they hijack Star Destroyer 'Harbinger' from the Imperial fleet. Lots of Han / Leia romantic tension and bickering, plus Luke attempting to master his 'Force' abilities, to go with the abundant (blaster shoot-outs and dogfighting galore) action scenes. Maybe not excellent, but still a pretty good tale.
The less said about the pointless, unfunny R2-D2 feature closing the book the better.
November 17, 2020
“The rebels want you to think they’re fighting for freedom. Don’t believe a word of their lies. I never knew freedom existed until the Empire came. Freedom means law. Freedom means order. All the rebels want is chaos. They think that makes them revolutionaries. I have another word for them. Terrorists.”
I had such a fun time being able to read and have this representation of the Empire. Just, seeing someone that just genuinely believes in what they do and promise and things that everything is better with them.
Especially because everything is starting to tie-up together and paint a bigger picture of the things that have been happening after the destruction of the first Death Star. The first couple of volumes didn't quite relate that much with one another so it's nice to know that I am being told a cohesive story and not just random moments... which doesn't have anything wrong either.
Leia and Han's bantering was so funny in this volume and they were just so adorable, like two overexcited puppies that I couldn't help but laugh a lot just seeing them. It is exactly what I've always imagined would have happened and yet so much more.
Overall, it was fun to see the gang participate in a completely ludicrous and crazy idea that nearly kills them at the same time. It's iconic and just what I want when reading these comics.
“Owen Lars and I may have had our differences over the years, but the man was no coward. Tattoine did not abide cowards. It turned them to ash.”
___________________
Seeing this awesome Storm Trooper unit was really fun.
The last little added part with Artoo was also one of my favorite things from this volume.
RTC.
___________________
I am not done with my Star Wars comic reading and I do hope to catch up at some point. As it is, I'm pretty excited to see what new adventures this volume brings.
Especially to see Obi Wan's unexplored adventures while taking silent care of Luke.
August 8, 2018
Okay at best. The whole plot to steal a star destroyer just didn’t do anything for me. I also didn’t love the art.
April 17, 2023
Reread: 17/04/2023
I really enjoyed reading it this time around more seeing the story of Obi-wan continued and man I love the way he faced off against the wookie and like gave him a scar which is iconic and it showed how Obi-wan was always there to protect Luke and I love it and then the story with the rebels stealing the Star destroyer to rescue people of some planet "Tureen VII" and how that pits them against this "Scar squadron" and Sergeant Kreel, and I like how they are not just some standard Storm troopers but upgraded and that gives them so much personality and pose an actual threat to our rebels and its so fun reading it. Aaron paces this so well with good reveals and character moments and a surprising end.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The first tale is about General Kenobi and his fight with the bounty hunter wookie Black Krrsantan and when he goes after Owen its upto him to save the day and Luke also chimes in and there is a good moment between Uncle and Luke. The next story is about how the rebels have to rescue the people of planet Tureen VII whose planet have been surrounded by Imperials. The rebels need to hijack the star destroyer "Harbinger" and rescue them. First we get the origin of this "SCAR SQUADRON" and its epic and then we have the rebels hijacking the ship and how they save the people of that planet but they have to fight this Scar Squadron and their Sergeant Kreel aka the Gamemaster and that fight is epic and you feel throughout. Plus that fight between Luke and Gamemaster and then Luke as the pilot of the Red Squadron 5 is just epic, some of his greatest moments and that chemistry between Han and Leia! <3! Those love birds tension, weird pranks and moments make this volume one of the best ever! Really enjoyed this action packed issue and Vader might have got a very important droid in the end..
I really enjoyed reading it this time around more seeing the story of Obi-wan continued and man I love the way he faced off against the wookie and like gave him a scar which is iconic and it showed how Obi-wan was always there to protect Luke and I love it and then the story with the rebels stealing the Star destroyer to rescue people of some planet "Tureen VII" and how that pits them against this "Scar squadron" and Sergeant Kreel, and I like how they are not just some standard Storm troopers but upgraded and that gives them so much personality and pose an actual threat to our rebels and its so fun reading it. Aaron paces this so well with good reveals and character moments and a surprising end.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The first tale is about General Kenobi and his fight with the bounty hunter wookie Black Krrsantan and when he goes after Owen its upto him to save the day and Luke also chimes in and there is a good moment between Uncle and Luke. The next story is about how the rebels have to rescue the people of planet Tureen VII whose planet have been surrounded by Imperials. The rebels need to hijack the star destroyer "Harbinger" and rescue them. First we get the origin of this "SCAR SQUADRON" and its epic and then we have the rebels hijacking the ship and how they save the people of that planet but they have to fight this Scar Squadron and their Sergeant Kreel aka the Gamemaster and that fight is epic and you feel throughout. Plus that fight between Luke and Gamemaster and then Luke as the pilot of the Red Squadron 5 is just epic, some of his greatest moments and that chemistry between Han and Leia! <3! Those love birds tension, weird pranks and moments make this volume one of the best ever! Really enjoyed this action packed issue and Vader might have got a very important droid in the end..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2017
A handful of rebels stealing a Super Star Destroyer? Crack Stormtrooper teams with lightsabres? Sorry, but this just isn't my bag, man... The best bit was the R2-D2 backup strip and even that wasn't exactly stellar (pun totally intended).
I think I'm done with Star Wars comics...
I think I'm done with Star Wars comics...
March 3, 2017
The rebels steal a star destroyer! Does it get any better than this? Yes, because the SCAR battalion of elite Stormtroopers come after them and these guys are bad asses. Jason Aaron is writing his heart out with this series. It's so much fun. The art does take a dip in quality a bit as Jorge Molina's art is a bit too cartoony for me.
November 25, 2016
Super-stormtroopers with lightsabers? Han, Leia and Luke stealing a fully crewed Star Destroyer? What the fuck are you smoking, Jason Aaron? Come on, Marvel, end this poor series like you did Vader! It's getting ridiculous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2019
This volume was okay. Short review incoming. The SCAR unit of stormtroopers are badass. Anything with them in this volume worked really well. However, all the stuff with the trinity kind of felt boring and moving from point a to b since we know their faith. Overall another decent at best volume.
August 26, 2020
I have to say, I've been surprised by how much I've liked these books as they've come. I feel like, after a shaky start, they keep getting better.
Side note: I did not like the art style in this volume, though. It was a bit too different from the previous ones and made the characters look a bit strange. But that did not detract from my enjoyment.
Sana was still around, but I think once that whole wife situation was cleared up, she became a more enjoyable character. I liked her best in Rebel Jail, but she has some good moments here. Also, there's a lot of Han/Leia stuff in here. I would've loved that when I was younger, and I still love it now.
This volume was more character-based than plot-based, and that really sold it for me. I had such a great time reading this and cannot wait to continue on with the series. 5/5 stars.
Side note: I did not like the art style in this volume, though. It was a bit too different from the previous ones and made the characters look a bit strange. But that did not detract from my enjoyment.
Sana was still around, but I think once that whole wife situation was cleared up, she became a more enjoyable character. I liked her best in Rebel Jail, but she has some good moments here. Also, there's a lot of Han/Leia stuff in here. I would've loved that when I was younger, and I still love it now.
This volume was more character-based than plot-based, and that really sold it for me. I had such a great time reading this and cannot wait to continue on with the series. 5/5 stars.
March 5, 2017
I thought volume 3 didn't hold the excitement of the previous stories and I was wrong, because this officially drops from everything that made the series good.
What happened? The art, as far as how the characters are drawn, is awful. The storyline is a mess. There are special Stormtroopers who can fly and use a lightsaber. Han and Leia acting like children and having a race on a Star Destroyer to see who is gonna Captain the vessel. Also apparently its a thing now to just hurl yourself into space, no need for any aid or protective gear as long as your breathing is covered.
That short story with R2-D2 is ridiculous! Artoo is smarter than the lost and confused droid they wrote there. That was their way of honoring Kenny Baker? They can do better.
The only parts I liked were with Sana. It's amazing that through this mess her characterization stayed consistent... but not enough for me to up the rating.
What happened? The art, as far as how the characters are drawn, is awful. The storyline is a mess. There are special Stormtroopers who can fly and use a lightsaber. Han and Leia acting like children and having a race on a Star Destroyer to see who is gonna Captain the vessel. Also apparently its a thing now to just hurl yourself into space, no need for any aid or protective gear as long as your breathing is covered.
That short story with R2-D2 is ridiculous! Artoo is smarter than the lost and confused droid they wrote there. That was their way of honoring Kenny Baker? They can do better.
The only parts I liked were with Sana. It's amazing that through this mess her characterization stayed consistent... but not enough for me to up the rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2021
Call me a sucker for space opera, but I had a blast with this one, especially the part that foreshadows a future romance for Han and Leia. I'm excited to see what happens next, especially after the capture of C3P0.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
For some reason this volume stood out to me more than the last few.
The first issue is a beautifully illustrated adventure with Ben Kenobi written and drawn by Mike Mayhew. I really wish I could see more of his work, more often.
This rest of the volume is one long story that introduces the Imperial SCAR Squadron: a group of elite Stormtroopers. Meanwhile, Luke, Leia, and Han set out to help a blockaded planet by stealing a Star Destroyer. It's a mission that seems just right for the characters, something you wish you could see in a movie. There's plenty of action although there was a moment between Leia and Han that seemed out of character.
Molina's art is a little wonky at times, especially with facial expressions. Sometimes the figures look a little weird within the panel, perspective being off or something.
The first issue is a beautifully illustrated adventure with Ben Kenobi written and drawn by Mike Mayhew. I really wish I could see more of his work, more often.
This rest of the volume is one long story that introduces the Imperial SCAR Squadron: a group of elite Stormtroopers. Meanwhile, Luke, Leia, and Han set out to help a blockaded planet by stealing a Star Destroyer. It's a mission that seems just right for the characters, something you wish you could see in a movie. There's plenty of action although there was a moment between Leia and Han that seemed out of character.
Molina's art is a little wonky at times, especially with facial expressions. Sometimes the figures look a little weird within the panel, perspective being off or something.
February 25, 2017
The issue focusing on Scar Squad is really good, largely for the perspective of a faithful Imperial. I like getting an occasional reminder of the motivations of the rank and file. The main story is ok. I like the idea of hijacking a Star Destroyer, but it never really developed into anything fun. And I still don't like the idea of checking in on Obi-Wan in exile on Tatooine now and then. His stories can't be that interesting, by necessity.
May 25, 2017
Goodness, it took me way to long to acquire the most recent volume of Jason Aaron's Star Wars run. I have been pretty good about getting the trade paperbacks as they come out, but between a lack of time and money, this one I just couldn't get right away.
But to be honest, after reading it, it's not like I was missing out on much, as this volume ended up being pretty underwhelming for me. I've actually really enjoyed the comic book run Jason Aaron has done for Star Wars so far that has chronicled the adventures of the Big Three in between A New Hope and the Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes, while flawed, did a pretty good job setting up an intriguing story about Luke Skywalker trying to learn the ways of the jedi in the absence of Ben Kenobi, with a subplot about Han and Leia trying to find a new base for the rebellion. Star Wars, Vol. 2: Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon remains one of my favorite comic story arcs that the Star Wars canon has offered us, and Aaron's contributions to Vader Down helped make that crossover a ton of fun. I even think Star Wars, Vol 3: Rebel Jail is fairly underrated, with some very enjoyable dialogue and fun character moments that helped flesh out Sana Starros and Dr. Aphra.
Last Flight of the Harbinger, however, didn't do a thing for me. I'll absolutely continue on to Star Wars Vol. 5: Yoda's Secret War, but this book has just left me with a slight desire for the series to just end.
THE STORY: The rebel alliance wants to help a starving planet that has been blockaded by the empire, so they send Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Sana Starros to steal an imperial star destroyer called the Harbinger. But a deadly stormtrooper unit called Scar Squadron may have something to say about that, and classic big three shenanigans ensue, but this time with stormtroopers that can actually wreck the floor with rebel scum.
We also get another story from the journal that Ben Kenobi left in his house on Tatooine. Continuing the arc that started with the great drought, Jabba the Hutt wants revenge against Obi Wan Kenobi for meddling with his thugs, so he sends the big brute of a bounty hunter Black Krrsantan after him.
THE BAD: I actually have quite a few problems with this story arc.
The first and biggest problem is the plot, in that I don't think it contributes to the larger narrative of the comic that was set up in the beginning. I know the intent is to bridge the gap between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, but there needs to be an actual story driving these adventures. The first two volumes and Vader Down did a great job establishing the story- Luke was learning the ways of the Jedi, with Han and Leia were helping the rebels find a new planet for their base. The AMAZING Lando comic's main priority was to show how Lando Calrissian got to where he was in Empire Strikes Back, but it was compelling because a story about Lando and Lobot discovering a ship full of artifacts and things going all "Alien" on us. Even Kieron Gillens' Darth Vader comic, before becoming a convoluted mess, established a story about Vader trying to regain the confidence of the emperor. Sure the intent was to show how Darth Vader transitions from his place of losing in the battle of Yavin in Episode 4 to the position of power he has in Episode 5, but it was still driven by the story of battling the emperor's video game bosses to come out on top again.
This though, just feels like a filler adventure that doesn't connect to anything that came before.
My biggest problem by far is the ending, in that it just dissapointed me big time. It just feels like such a missed opportunity, especially with the supposedly menacing Scar Squadron.
I was also underwhelmed by Scar Squadron, and the issue that was dedicated to introducing them. They are a cool concept and I liked the revelation about who their commander was , but they just didn't leave much of an impact when all was said and done. I also think the comic issue they get in this trade paperback is terribly written because of that n-word. Seriously, Jason Aaron? I thought you were well above the use of KRIFFING NARRATION in your writing. But here, it does the same stupid thing that I hate narration for in every single comic I see it in. It is incredibly distracting for the visuals in the panels (which have good artwork by the way), and it TELLS me the story in a dry and bland way instead of SHOW me it and let me experience it in all the vivid color and imagination a comic book can do. I REALLY hope Jason Aaron ups his game with these characters. until then, they are the captain phasma of this comic.
Jason Aaron dropped the ball with Luke Skywalker in this volume. Luke and his journey to become a jedi was the most interesting aspect of the first two volumes and Vader Down. I gave it a bit of a pass in Rebel Jail because the focus was meant to be on a girl power action smash with Leia, Aphra, and Sana, but here the focus came back on the Big 3 together and Luke didn't get any development. He was the same he has been since Vader Down, and that was dissapointing.
I also didn't like the artwork all that much when it came to the character drawings. Jorge Molina's designs for Luke and Scar Squadron looked fine, but his facial drawings for Han, Leia, and that one eyed officer in the beggining looked uncannily cartoonish and I cringed when I looked at them. Thank goodness Marco Chechetto was chosen to work on Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (Star Wars.
THE GOOD: There's one aspect of this comic that makes me glad I purchased and read this trade paperback: The Obi Wan Story.
This third story that chronicles Obi-Wan's life on Tatooine is fantastic. Aside from some narration this was an excellent addition to these journal entries. Jason Aaron has a knack for taking characters that were created by Kieron Gillen and making them better. When Black Krrsantan was introduced in the Darth Vader comics my goodreads pal Sam Quixote called him an "evil Chewie". and... yeah that basically described his character. Krrsantan has played a role in Gillen's follow up comic Star Wars: Doctor Aphra , but he doesn't do anything with the character aside use him as the muscle of the team so he still doesn't go beyond the "evil Chewie" vibe there. However, this issue hints at a backstory and shows how he gets to where you see him in the Vader and Aphra series, making me much more interested in learning more about him. I also think he proved to be an intimidating threat against Kenobi thanks to a fantastically executed fight sequence.
Mike Mayhew of course once again delivers beautiful artwork, and Aaron delivers on great character moments for Obi-Wan, Owen Lars, and young Luke Skywalker.
Aside from the Obi Wan issue, I did like a couple of other things in this volume.
I liked how Aaron tried to show the first moments that would foreshadow the romance that blooms between Han and Leia in Empire Strikes back, and it's actually a pretty good moment.
I also think the artwork for the big battles and fight sequences was pretty good and partially made up for the terrible looking facial designs on some of the characters.
and once again, Scar Squadron while underwhelming in their first outing was cool and I still hope to see them again. I also like how Aaron tied in Showdown on the Smugglers moon to this group.
Finally, Jason Aaron still knows how to accurately portray the characters from the movies, and does a particularly impressive job finding a balance for Luke's skill level with the lightsaber and the force.
THE CONCLUSION: After consistently high quality outings in the flagship comic series of the Star Wars canon, Last Flight of the Harbinger really let me down. While I really loved the Obi Wan entry, the rest of the comic really failed to live up to what has come before in a big way. Scar Squad is an interesting idea and I liked the moment that sparked Han and Leia's romance, but overall the 4th volume of the Star Wars comic is rather mediocre. The story arc is underwhelming and lacking in stakes, and aside from the Obi Wan issue it does much less with the characters than it potentially could have done. I feel like Jason Aaron has lost direction and doesn't really know what to do with the story of this comic series as a whole. Maybe he will find his way, but right now he's just as lost as Luke Skywalker is.
But to be honest, after reading it, it's not like I was missing out on much, as this volume ended up being pretty underwhelming for me. I've actually really enjoyed the comic book run Jason Aaron has done for Star Wars so far that has chronicled the adventures of the Big Three in between A New Hope and the Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes, while flawed, did a pretty good job setting up an intriguing story about Luke Skywalker trying to learn the ways of the jedi in the absence of Ben Kenobi, with a subplot about Han and Leia trying to find a new base for the rebellion. Star Wars, Vol. 2: Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon remains one of my favorite comic story arcs that the Star Wars canon has offered us, and Aaron's contributions to Vader Down helped make that crossover a ton of fun. I even think Star Wars, Vol 3: Rebel Jail is fairly underrated, with some very enjoyable dialogue and fun character moments that helped flesh out Sana Starros and Dr. Aphra.
Last Flight of the Harbinger, however, didn't do a thing for me. I'll absolutely continue on to Star Wars Vol. 5: Yoda's Secret War, but this book has just left me with a slight desire for the series to just end.
THE STORY: The rebel alliance wants to help a starving planet that has been blockaded by the empire, so they send Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Sana Starros to steal an imperial star destroyer called the Harbinger. But a deadly stormtrooper unit called Scar Squadron may have something to say about that, and classic big three shenanigans ensue, but this time with stormtroopers that can actually wreck the floor with rebel scum.
We also get another story from the journal that Ben Kenobi left in his house on Tatooine. Continuing the arc that started with the great drought, Jabba the Hutt wants revenge against Obi Wan Kenobi for meddling with his thugs, so he sends the big brute of a bounty hunter Black Krrsantan after him.
THE BAD: I actually have quite a few problems with this story arc.
The first and biggest problem is the plot, in that I don't think it contributes to the larger narrative of the comic that was set up in the beginning. I know the intent is to bridge the gap between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, but there needs to be an actual story driving these adventures. The first two volumes and Vader Down did a great job establishing the story- Luke was learning the ways of the Jedi, with Han and Leia were helping the rebels find a new planet for their base. The AMAZING Lando comic's main priority was to show how Lando Calrissian got to where he was in Empire Strikes Back, but it was compelling because a story about Lando and Lobot discovering a ship full of artifacts and things going all "Alien" on us. Even Kieron Gillens' Darth Vader comic, before becoming a convoluted mess, established a story about Vader trying to regain the confidence of the emperor. Sure the intent was to show how Darth Vader transitions from his place of losing in the battle of Yavin in Episode 4 to the position of power he has in Episode 5, but it was still driven by the story of battling the emperor's video game bosses to come out on top again.
This though, just feels like a filler adventure that doesn't connect to anything that came before.
My biggest problem by far is the ending, in that it just dissapointed me big time. It just feels like such a missed opportunity, especially with the supposedly menacing Scar Squadron.
I was also underwhelmed by Scar Squadron, and the issue that was dedicated to introducing them. They are a cool concept and I liked the revelation about who their commander was , but they just didn't leave much of an impact when all was said and done. I also think the comic issue they get in this trade paperback is terribly written because of that n-word. Seriously, Jason Aaron? I thought you were well above the use of KRIFFING NARRATION in your writing. But here, it does the same stupid thing that I hate narration for in every single comic I see it in. It is incredibly distracting for the visuals in the panels (which have good artwork by the way), and it TELLS me the story in a dry and bland way instead of SHOW me it and let me experience it in all the vivid color and imagination a comic book can do. I REALLY hope Jason Aaron ups his game with these characters. until then, they are the captain phasma of this comic.
Jason Aaron dropped the ball with Luke Skywalker in this volume. Luke and his journey to become a jedi was the most interesting aspect of the first two volumes and Vader Down. I gave it a bit of a pass in Rebel Jail because the focus was meant to be on a girl power action smash with Leia, Aphra, and Sana, but here the focus came back on the Big 3 together and Luke didn't get any development. He was the same he has been since Vader Down, and that was dissapointing.
I also didn't like the artwork all that much when it came to the character drawings. Jorge Molina's designs for Luke and Scar Squadron looked fine, but his facial drawings for Han, Leia, and that one eyed officer in the beggining looked uncannily cartoonish and I cringed when I looked at them. Thank goodness Marco Chechetto was chosen to work on Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (Star Wars.
THE GOOD: There's one aspect of this comic that makes me glad I purchased and read this trade paperback: The Obi Wan Story.
This third story that chronicles Obi-Wan's life on Tatooine is fantastic. Aside from some narration this was an excellent addition to these journal entries. Jason Aaron has a knack for taking characters that were created by Kieron Gillen and making them better. When Black Krrsantan was introduced in the Darth Vader comics my goodreads pal Sam Quixote called him an "evil Chewie". and... yeah that basically described his character. Krrsantan has played a role in Gillen's follow up comic Star Wars: Doctor Aphra , but he doesn't do anything with the character aside use him as the muscle of the team so he still doesn't go beyond the "evil Chewie" vibe there. However, this issue hints at a backstory and shows how he gets to where you see him in the Vader and Aphra series, making me much more interested in learning more about him. I also think he proved to be an intimidating threat against Kenobi thanks to a fantastically executed fight sequence.
Mike Mayhew of course once again delivers beautiful artwork, and Aaron delivers on great character moments for Obi-Wan, Owen Lars, and young Luke Skywalker.
Aside from the Obi Wan issue, I did like a couple of other things in this volume.
I liked how Aaron tried to show the first moments that would foreshadow the romance that blooms between Han and Leia in Empire Strikes back, and it's actually a pretty good moment.
I also think the artwork for the big battles and fight sequences was pretty good and partially made up for the terrible looking facial designs on some of the characters.
and once again, Scar Squadron while underwhelming in their first outing was cool and I still hope to see them again. I also like how Aaron tied in Showdown on the Smugglers moon to this group.
Finally, Jason Aaron still knows how to accurately portray the characters from the movies, and does a particularly impressive job finding a balance for Luke's skill level with the lightsaber and the force.
THE CONCLUSION: After consistently high quality outings in the flagship comic series of the Star Wars canon, Last Flight of the Harbinger really let me down. While I really loved the Obi Wan entry, the rest of the comic really failed to live up to what has come before in a big way. Scar Squad is an interesting idea and I liked the moment that sparked Han and Leia's romance, but overall the 4th volume of the Star Wars comic is rather mediocre. The story arc is underwhelming and lacking in stakes, and aside from the Obi Wan issue it does much less with the characters than it potentially could have done. I feel like Jason Aaron has lost direction and doesn't really know what to do with the story of this comic series as a whole. Maybe he will find his way, but right now he's just as lost as Luke Skywalker is.
March 7, 2021
This review was originally published over at my blog, The Grimoire Reliquary!
In search of respite from Jason Aaron’s 2015-2018 Doctor Strange run, I’ve at last decided to take once more on the endless, thankless task that is my weekend column, SUNDAY STAR WARS. There will always be some piece of Star Wars media that steals away my attention for forty-five minutes a week, and I like scratching my comic book itch with the veritable legion of franchise comics coming from Marvel. Corporate synergy at its best, amirite?
It has been a little while since I last felt the desire to tackle Marvel’s flagship Star Wars title, but my library has the lot of them, resting in near-mint condition–might as well help myself, right? Thus we come to the star of this post, Jason Aaron’s fourth volume, Last Flight of the Harbinger. The judgement, for those too impatient to read forth until post’s end?
Eeeh, ye. Yeah. ‘Sgood.
Thanks for rea–Not enough? Fine.
I enjoyed Aaron’s work on this volume–the stories he tells are entertaining, and the first issue enclosed in this volume (centering on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s continued efforts to protect Luke Skywalker) is even heartfelt. All the characters sound as they should – Luke is hopelessly naive and heroic, Han buries his loyalty with layers of cynicism, and Leia’s sense of what’s right charts the course for our merry band of adventurers as they enact a dangerous heist and make to break through a dangerous Imperial blockade that’s starving out an entire planet’s worth of inhabitants. These last ones are also rebel sympathizers, and of course that makes it all the more important that the Rebel Alliance come up with some scheme to save them all. In typical Rebellion style, it’s as reckless as it is dangerous – the heist I mentioned has as its end goal the commandeering of a Star Destroyer, while convincing the Empire that said ship, The Harbinger, is thought destroyed.
Even with all this enacted, there’s still plenty of trouble ahead – for one, The Harbinger requires a crew of 2,000 to operate at peak condition and Leia only has a skeleton crew to work with; and when the ship is severely damaged due to the very heist that procured it, fixing it is far more difficult than you (or Chewbacca) might think. And let’s not even get on
Star Wars comics at times have a troubling tonal incongruity – not so with Aaron’s work here. Tense and even brutal at certain times, the story has plenty of lighthearted moments, classically reminiscent of all the Millenium Falcon shenanigans you might love from the original trilogy. Good enough it made me nostalgic for the movies, eager to see them again.
Other miscellaneous thoughts on that account: A really sweet issue showing a competent squad of stormtroopers massacring Rebels before clashing with our adventurers. Good set-up, narrated by an Imperial loyalist whose allegiance you really can’t blame – well-reasoned and relatab, to a point. They’re not exactly relatable bad guys outside of that, but they’ll do, for a team of bucketheads. I also had a fun time seeing one of my beloved Doctor Aphra’s supporting characters pop up in that first issue–the nasty piece of work that is Black Krrsantan (yes, I looked up the spelling), the wookie bounty hunter without scruples.
Great art all around, good on Molina, Mayhew and Eliopolous. Oh, and there was this tiny R2-D2 story at the end of the trade paperback, which did not, in any way, appeal to me. Such is life.
Do support your local libraries, folks! Stick around, like this post, follow the blog–more reviews are, as always, on the way. Oh, and I’ve got a YouTube channel, help me grow? https://www.youtube.com/c/FilipMagnus...
In search of respite from Jason Aaron’s 2015-2018 Doctor Strange run, I’ve at last decided to take once more on the endless, thankless task that is my weekend column, SUNDAY STAR WARS. There will always be some piece of Star Wars media that steals away my attention for forty-five minutes a week, and I like scratching my comic book itch with the veritable legion of franchise comics coming from Marvel. Corporate synergy at its best, amirite?
It has been a little while since I last felt the desire to tackle Marvel’s flagship Star Wars title, but my library has the lot of them, resting in near-mint condition–might as well help myself, right? Thus we come to the star of this post, Jason Aaron’s fourth volume, Last Flight of the Harbinger. The judgement, for those too impatient to read forth until post’s end?
Eeeh, ye. Yeah. ‘Sgood.
Thanks for rea–Not enough? Fine.
I enjoyed Aaron’s work on this volume–the stories he tells are entertaining, and the first issue enclosed in this volume (centering on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s continued efforts to protect Luke Skywalker) is even heartfelt. All the characters sound as they should – Luke is hopelessly naive and heroic, Han buries his loyalty with layers of cynicism, and Leia’s sense of what’s right charts the course for our merry band of adventurers as they enact a dangerous heist and make to break through a dangerous Imperial blockade that’s starving out an entire planet’s worth of inhabitants. These last ones are also rebel sympathizers, and of course that makes it all the more important that the Rebel Alliance come up with some scheme to save them all. In typical Rebellion style, it’s as reckless as it is dangerous – the heist I mentioned has as its end goal the commandeering of a Star Destroyer, while convincing the Empire that said ship, The Harbinger, is thought destroyed.
Even with all this enacted, there’s still plenty of trouble ahead – for one, The Harbinger requires a crew of 2,000 to operate at peak condition and Leia only has a skeleton crew to work with; and when the ship is severely damaged due to the very heist that procured it, fixing it is far more difficult than you (or Chewbacca) might think. And let’s not even get on
Star Wars comics at times have a troubling tonal incongruity – not so with Aaron’s work here. Tense and even brutal at certain times, the story has plenty of lighthearted moments, classically reminiscent of all the Millenium Falcon shenanigans you might love from the original trilogy. Good enough it made me nostalgic for the movies, eager to see them again.
Other miscellaneous thoughts on that account: A really sweet issue showing a competent squad of stormtroopers massacring Rebels before clashing with our adventurers. Good set-up, narrated by an Imperial loyalist whose allegiance you really can’t blame – well-reasoned and relatab, to a point. They’re not exactly relatable bad guys outside of that, but they’ll do, for a team of bucketheads. I also had a fun time seeing one of my beloved Doctor Aphra’s supporting characters pop up in that first issue–the nasty piece of work that is Black Krrsantan (yes, I looked up the spelling), the wookie bounty hunter without scruples.
Great art all around, good on Molina, Mayhew and Eliopolous. Oh, and there was this tiny R2-D2 story at the end of the trade paperback, which did not, in any way, appeal to me. Such is life.
Do support your local libraries, folks! Stick around, like this post, follow the blog–more reviews are, as always, on the way. Oh, and I’ve got a YouTube channel, help me grow? https://www.youtube.com/c/FilipMagnus...
June 14, 2017
3.5 stars
It was cool to see a bad Wookie, even though that story didn't last long. It was also interesting to see things from a stormtrooper's point of view. The art didn't do much for me. (It looked like Luke's aunt was wearing modern clothes.) The story itself wasn't great, but it is Star Wars.
It was cool to see a bad Wookie, even though that story didn't last long. It was also interesting to see things from a stormtrooper's point of view. The art didn't do much for me. (It looked like Luke's aunt was wearing modern clothes.) The story itself wasn't great, but it is Star Wars.
March 24, 2019
Better than the last volume. This run is very hit and miss, but than again I feel this way about most of Aarons work. I believe any SW fan should give this series a try. It's exciting, and any chance to expand the wonderful Lore of this universe is great.
This starts off with another Kenobi stand alone. Set In his time on Taatoine as Luke's silent guardian. Old Ben squares off against Black Krsaantan who you might know from Doctor Aphra series. The art in this issue is awesome top scores in that aspect.
The second issue is from sergeant Kreel pov he ends up leading a special forces Stormtrooper company. This story was actually nice to follow. Kreel and his peeps make an appearances throughout the rest of the volume and are worthy adversaries for the rebels.
The final 3 issues feature high flying space battles and most of the usual cast from episodes 4,5,6. Non stop action would of looked good on the big screen for sure. Some of the plotting is weak sauce, but it's definitely a fun ride.
I'm looking forward to volume 5 next
This starts off with another Kenobi stand alone. Set In his time on Taatoine as Luke's silent guardian. Old Ben squares off against Black Krsaantan who you might know from Doctor Aphra series. The art in this issue is awesome top scores in that aspect.
The second issue is from sergeant Kreel pov he ends up leading a special forces Stormtrooper company. This story was actually nice to follow. Kreel and his peeps make an appearances throughout the rest of the volume and are worthy adversaries for the rebels.
The final 3 issues feature high flying space battles and most of the usual cast from episodes 4,5,6. Non stop action would of looked good on the big screen for sure. Some of the plotting is weak sauce, but it's definitely a fun ride.
I'm looking forward to volume 5 next
February 2, 2017
Fun story about hijacking a Star Destroyer. These are some inventive stories, hampered only by the fact that since they take place between Episodes 4 & 5, we know none of the main cast are ever in any real danger.
November 3, 2018
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
In this volume we have two different stories. The first story concerns Ben Kenobi and his watch over a young Luke. This is only one issue. The main story is the rest of the issues and tells of how the rebels steal a star destroyer in the hopes of breaking through a blockade and deliver supplies to a planet.
I am going to tackle the Ben story first. I loved it and I am loving these single issues that tell a quick story about Ben's time on Tattooine. It is a great look into him trying to hide his identity but still adhere to the Jedi way and help people. As for the main story I really enjoyed the tale. There were plenty of twists to keep the pace going with a nice surprise appearance that I did not expect. The reason I did not give this collection a full four stars is twofold. The artwork isn't the best in this collection. The one thing that I have loved about the new run of comics by Disney is that the artwork has been amazing. This one was a step down but I might have put the bar too high because of previous issues. The second was a sub story between Han and Leia. It was cartoonish (I know this is ironic since this is a comic) but it came off as childish for both characters and was out of place.
I have enjoyed this series in this universe and this continues that tradition. There was some nice character moments for several characters and plenty of action. It also fits in nicely with the overall arc as the rebels continue to do whatever they can for their cause.
In this volume we have two different stories. The first story concerns Ben Kenobi and his watch over a young Luke. This is only one issue. The main story is the rest of the issues and tells of how the rebels steal a star destroyer in the hopes of breaking through a blockade and deliver supplies to a planet.
I am going to tackle the Ben story first. I loved it and I am loving these single issues that tell a quick story about Ben's time on Tattooine. It is a great look into him trying to hide his identity but still adhere to the Jedi way and help people. As for the main story I really enjoyed the tale. There were plenty of twists to keep the pace going with a nice surprise appearance that I did not expect. The reason I did not give this collection a full four stars is twofold. The artwork isn't the best in this collection. The one thing that I have loved about the new run of comics by Disney is that the artwork has been amazing. This one was a step down but I might have put the bar too high because of previous issues. The second was a sub story between Han and Leia. It was cartoonish (I know this is ironic since this is a comic) but it came off as childish for both characters and was out of place.
I have enjoyed this series in this universe and this continues that tradition. There was some nice character moments for several characters and plenty of action. It also fits in nicely with the overall arc as the rebels continue to do whatever they can for their cause.
June 11, 2018
I liked it plenty, but there was some weirdness, as well. Such as, why was Luke wearing a stormtrooper's helmet for several panels in issue 23? It really stuck out at me because some of the art also looked half baked, detail-wise. I guess deadlines are a biotch when putting out a flagship title.
Speaking of flagships, WEBOUGHT A ZOO STOLE A STAR DESTROYER!
I'm not entirely sold on this "Dirty Dozen" gang of Stormtroopers, either. I guess the writer needs to give Our Heroes worthy adversaries, but if the Imperials could really draw on a pool of specialized commandos like this why outsource to ragtag bounty hunters later? But I digress, I'm becoming one of those "this imaginary Universe must conform to my preexisting expectations" kind of guys and I really, really don't want to!
On the whole I think I'll keep going, I hear good things about Vader Down to be sure, but other Star Wars titles are looking brighter and shinier to me now...
Speaking of flagships, WE
I'm not entirely sold on this "Dirty Dozen" gang of Stormtroopers, either. I guess the writer needs to give Our Heroes worthy adversaries, but if the Imperials could really draw on a pool of specialized commandos like this why outsource to ragtag bounty hunters later? But I digress, I'm becoming one of those "this imaginary Universe must conform to my preexisting expectations" kind of guys and I really, really don't want to!
On the whole I think I'll keep going, I hear good things about Vader Down to be sure, but other Star Wars titles are looking brighter and shinier to me now...
December 31, 2016
The issues here felt disjointed. I liked the characters, but the overall plot wasn't great. Definitely not bad, but the weakest of the series so far.
April 4, 2018
I'm becoming less and less enamored with this series. At least this was a step up from Vol 3.
October 16, 2019
Just great!
April 6, 2017
The stakes are meant to feel really high in this volume of Star Wars as the Rebellion runs afoul of the SCAR Squad of Stormtroopers, but unfortunately it doesn't feel very high stakes at all.
The idea of the SCAR Squad is interesting - an elite group of Stormtroopers who are actually good at their job - but aside from their leader Sergeant Kreel who was also in the previous arc, they are pretty much interchangeable and forgettable. I hope they're being set up as recurring foes rather than just a one-off, because the idea has potential but instead we're left feeling a bit short changed (plus Darth Vader has to show up again because of course he does). These five issues are drawn by Jorge Molina, who is basically like Olivier Coipel without all the delays so that's a huge win.
There's also another installment of the Journal Of Obi-Wan Kenobi which is pretty thanks to Mike Mayhew's pencils but holds little substance otherwise since we all know Owen, Luke, and Ben aren't going to get killed. That's the problem with setting stories in a universe like this; the stakes have to be more than just 'how are our heroes going to get out of this one?' when we already know that they're going to be fine.
Oh, and there's an R2-D2 back-up from issue #25 which is basically R2 running into things for 10 pages and isn't funny, which is a shame since Chris Eliopoulos' comic strips are usually worth a few chuckles.
I do appreciate that Sana Solo is still around, she's great.
The idea of the SCAR Squad is interesting - an elite group of Stormtroopers who are actually good at their job - but aside from their leader Sergeant Kreel who was also in the previous arc, they are pretty much interchangeable and forgettable. I hope they're being set up as recurring foes rather than just a one-off, because the idea has potential but instead we're left feeling a bit short changed (plus Darth Vader has to show up again because of course he does). These five issues are drawn by Jorge Molina, who is basically like Olivier Coipel without all the delays so that's a huge win.
There's also another installment of the Journal Of Obi-Wan Kenobi which is pretty thanks to Mike Mayhew's pencils but holds little substance otherwise since we all know Owen, Luke, and Ben aren't going to get killed. That's the problem with setting stories in a universe like this; the stakes have to be more than just 'how are our heroes going to get out of this one?' when we already know that they're going to be fine.
Oh, and there's an R2-D2 back-up from issue #25 which is basically R2 running into things for 10 pages and isn't funny, which is a shame since Chris Eliopoulos' comic strips are usually worth a few chuckles.
I do appreciate that Sana Solo is still around, she's great.
September 22, 2019
In Marvel “Star Wars” volume 4: “Last Flight of the Harbinger”: In a follow-up to the excerpt from Obi Wan’s journal, Jabba hires Black Krrsantan, the infamous Wookie bounty hunter, to put an end to Obi Wan’s chivalrous deeds, and Uncle Owen soon changes his views on Obi Wan’s overprotectiveness of Luke; a bad-ass platoon of Imperial stormtroopers known as SCAR (Special Commando Advanced Recon) is introduced; the Rebels have successfully captured and taken over a Star Destroyer, but the celebration may be short-lived, as SCAR decides to stow away...
Another awesome volume, most especially the conclusion of the Obi Wan story written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Mike Mayhew.
I dig Scar Squadron, and something tells me that we won't be seeing the last of them anytime soon.
Another awesome volume, most especially the conclusion of the Obi Wan story written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Mike Mayhew.
I dig Scar Squadron, and something tells me that we won't be seeing the last of them anytime soon.
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