Can you hide from the Empire? – review of the comic book “Star Wars – Escape”, vol. 12

We’re slowing down

The previous volume of the Star Wars Comic series, entitled Hope Dies, left us in a less favorable position for the Rebellion. By treason from the most unexpected side, nearly the entire Alliance fleet is destroyed in an ambush by Darth Vader. Epic and cinematic scenes filled the frames, and readers finished reading with great expectations. Will Escape fulfill them? Certainly, fans of continuous action should prepare for a moment of respite. The famous trio Luke, Leia and Han, forced into hiding by the Empire, slow down a bit in this volume of the series. This does not mean, however, that the comic is completely devoid of fireworks, because we can expect quite a lot of these, especially at the end of the story.

Team Scar is stealing the show

The comic shows us what will happen if the explosive three of the most important heroes of the rebellion lock themselves in one place without the possibility of continuing the fight. Luke, Leia and Han are isolated on the planet Hubin, from where they cannot get out for the next few months. The creators present us with an interesting picture of how each of the characters reacts differently to a specific prison. For example, Han Solo is finally resting, enjoying a moment free from stellar conflict. Luke Skywalker, in turn, is unable to sit still until he wears it in order to return to the fight against the Empire. A very interesting, different look at the most famous heroes of the Resistance. The image of stormtroopers who come to the sleepy planet Hubin can be given a huge plus in the comic. They are no longer the pathetic soldiers unable to hit the barn door. Team Scar sent by the Emperor are commandos, competent, ruthless, and effective. Each member of this team has their own personality and skill set, and their cadres are the highlight of this release.

Spoiler already on the frame

As a minus, you can give a great, by the way, cover. So what is its defect if it is so good? It contains a powerful spoiler. The fireworks that I mentioned at the beginning of the review are the arrival of the envoys of the Empire with a stormtrooper capable of fighting with a lightsaber. I understand that the promise of a duel with the young Skywalker will raise the comic book sales, but it also spoils any surprise that comes from this clash. The sleepy, slow plot of The Escape at the very end changes completely, but the view of the setting reveals this before you even start reading.

The two cartoonists are too different

The difference in the quality of the drawings can also be a bit annoying. Two artists are responsible for the volume, Angel Unzueta and Andrea Broccardo. The former took up the illustrations during the heroes’ stay on Hubin. The author’s attachment to the fact that comic book characters resemble actors playing them in movies is a huge impression. The faces in the frames are almost identical, Luke looks like Mark Hamill, Leia like Carrie Fisher, Han like Harrison Ford. The illustrations by Broccardo are worse, and the difference is visible to the naked eye, especially in such a close juxtaposition with the works of Unzueta. Until one would like to stay on Hubin.

Holidays ended with fireworks

The story of Star Wars Comics, Escape is really good, although it definitely loses pace compared to the previous volume of the series. The heroes get a kind of vacation, which, however, at some point is interrupted by envoys from the Galactic Empire. Thanks to this, we have the opportunity to get to know the big three Rebels even more, but also the action for which we love Star Wars so much . It’s good! Only this cover …