In the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin, just after the events of the first Star Wars movie, Princess Leia convinces Han Solo to take on a dangerous mission vital to the Rebellion. The only problem is a hyper-competent Imperial Security Bureau agent with a cybernetic eye called Commander Beck, who's after the same objective.
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler's Run #1 Cover. Credit: IDW
This issue is a nostalgic joyride to the Star Wars universe's sketchiest areas featuring Han Solo in his most scoundrel-ish of modes. Based on a prose novel by Greg Rucka, the adaptation script from Alec Worley is perfect in its period-appropriate handling of characters. Likewise, the artwork presented by Ingo Romling and Edward Gauvin presents a style not dissimilar to an early Matt Wagner, which is intended as a high compliment.
The story takes place largely on the outer rim world of Cyrkon, a dodgy and crime-infested world a long way from the normal influence of the Empire, yet still under its shadow. If you saw the Clone Wars episode "Dangerous Debt," this world might remind you of the Pyke Syndicate's planet Oba Diah, or even the Ring of Kafrene in Rogue One. That kind of visual murkiness is the bread and butter of the franchise and is very enjoyable, especially in how it makes the crisp white uniforms of the Empire.
While this issue is half of a story, it comes to a decent conclusion while leaving the reader enough hook to want the next issue. At the price, this might have been better off just doing the whole thing at once, as it cuts off at a point that leaves its protagonists' status in question. RATING: HONORABLE MENTION.
After the Battle of Yavin, Han Solo and Chewbacca intend to use their reward to settle their debts. But Princess Leia asks them to accept a secret mission for the Resistance. Mortal dangers, traitorous enemies, and thorny situations mark the path of these two heroes of the Star Wars saga. An adaptation by Alec Worley, based on the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo Adventure by bestselling author Greg Rucka (The Old Guard, Stumptown)!
Hannibal Tabu is a writer, journalist, DJ, poet and designer living in south Los Angeles with his wife and children. He's a winner of the 2012 Top Cow Talent Hunt, winner of the 2018-2019 Cultural Trailblazer award from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, his weekly comic book review column THE BUY PILE can be found on iHeartRadio's Nerd-O-Rama podcast, his reviews can be found on BleedingCool.com, and more information can be found at his website, www.hannibaltabu.com.
Plus, get free weekly web comics on the Operative Network at http://bit.ly/combatshaman.
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