REVIEW: Han Solo #1

Writer:  Majorie Liu

Artist:  Mark Brooks

Colors: Sonia Oback

Letters:  VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover:  Lee Bermejo

Review: Art Bee

A long time ago, in a state far, far away, Star Wars comics were one of my favorite books to get at the 7-Eleven about eight blocks from my childhood home in Dover, DE. During those days, Marvel was producing those comic books, and they were very exciting. Shortly after I moved to Indiana, Dark Horse started producing Star Wars comics (1991). These were not so good. Fortunately for us Star Wars fans, Marvel is back in the saddle.

Last year, with the start of several comic titles, Star Wars re-launched with Star Wars and Darth Vader titles. These comics pick up where Episode IV left off and provide Rebel and Imperial activities respectively.

This brings us to Han Solo #1. After the destruction of the Death Star, Solo has left the ranks of the Rebellion and resumed his life of smuggling. At least he is trying to do some smuggling, but it seems he has gotten timid about taking any job. You would think it would be welcome news that Princess Leia and the Rebellion have a great job for him and the Millennium Falcon. Unfortunately for Han, it is just the Falcon in which they are interested.

After a heated debate (featuring some expected name calling between Leia and Han) Solo, Chewbacca, and the Millennium Falcon are in route to an undercover mission with unexpected cover.

Like all of the other Star Wars titles, this one is taking off with a bang! This issue is very exhilarating and my hope is that the series keeps up with the excitement. One of the things these Star Wars comic books from Marvel are doing is giving the reader credit for having actual knowledge of the characters and storyline. This is not typical of Marvel. On all of their other titles, they seem to want to re-educate the reader about every 18 months.

The artwork presented in this issue is above average, and detailed to the point of being too busy. The work is good, though. The colors aid the details by allowing them to be shaded into themselves.

My only complaint about the comic book is directed to Joe Caramagna, the letterer. On page 11, the lower left panel, Princess Leia states, “One of the most notorious, dangerous race in the galaxy.” Did you notice it? It should be “races” with an “s”. This little typo spoiled the scene for me, because I had to stop to be sure I was reading it properly. Mr. Caramagna needs to be sent back to grade school as well as editor Jordan D. White. This should have been caught before printing.

Even though I have dropped every other Marvel title on my pull list besides the Star Wars titles, I am glad they are doing a great job with the this line. If Marvel starts trying to reboot these over and over again, these comics will hit the chopping block too.