MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]
STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Chris Sprouse and Karl Story; Will Sliney, Marc Deering and Karl Story
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Giuseppe Camuncoli with Elia Bonetti; Mike McKone with Guru eFX
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2019)
Rated T
“Princess Scoundrel”
Princess Leia is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series. In fact, her rescue is what forces Luke Skywalker to answer the call to adventure in the original 1977 Star Wars film (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope or simply, Star Wars: A New Hope).
Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books: Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance. This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras: Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (“Princess Scoundrel”) is one of the first two releases in the Age of Rebellion series (along with Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Grand Moff Tarkin #1). It is written by Greg Pak. The story is drawn by two art teams: Chris Sprouse (pencils) and Karl Story (inks) on pages 1-12 and page 20 and Will Sliney, Marc Deering and Karl Story on pages 13 to 19. The story is colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham. “Princess Scoundrel is set sometime between the events depicted in The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode V) and Return of the Jedi (Stars Wars: Episode VI).
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (“Princess Scoundrel”) finds Leia and Chewbacca, the longtime Wookie partner and friend of Han Solo, aboard the Millennium Falcon. They are one their way to rescue Han, who has been captured by the galactic crime lord and gangster, Jabba the Hutt, when they get a call from the Rebel Alliance. A rebel craft has been shot down over the Outer Rim planet of Arkanis. Who needs rescuing but Lando Calrissian, the man who is responsible for Han's current state of affairs. Now, to rescue him, Leia must play a game of bounty hunters.
First, I have to say that I think that Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 would make a better miniseries than it does as a one-shot, but I guess it is best not to encourage Marvel Comics when it comes to Star Wars miniseries. Still, in this twenty-page story, writer Greg Pak composes what is an interesting depiction of the relationship dynamics between Leia and Lando. Pak also offers a compelling game of deception involving Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca and the infamous bounty hunters, Boushh and Bossk.
The art, produced by two teams for this comic book, is beautiful. I think the second team does a good job producing art that looks like that of the first team. The art especially captures the visual appearances of the characters as we expect them to look (like the actors that originally portrayed them) and also creates the exotic environments and landscapes we expect of a Star Wars world.
Tamra Bonvillain's gorgeous colors are perfect for a Star Wars comic book, and I have to be honest. I always think that Bonvillain's colors are gorgeous. Travis Lanham's lettering and effects are also excellent; he is seems like a just-right letterer for Star Wars, too.
I would like more of Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1. In fact, once again, let me say that I wish it were a miniseries.
7.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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