Doctor Aphra (2020) #33
DEAD RINGER
After finding a mysterious Jedi message, Aphra decided to kidnap Luke Skywalker to bring him to the Sason temple where the ancient artifact known as Kythoo’s Bell resides.
Aphra needs Luke, as the Bell only opens for those pure of heart and strong with the Force. After some troubles using the Force, Luke and Aphra were attacked by a terrifying crystalline creature and dropped through the ground into a large pool where Jedi Masters Shaak Ti and Aayla Secura met them with lightsabers drawn….
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Artist: Minkyu Jung
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover artist: Junggeun Yoon
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: June 28, 2023
How do you top an issue that ends with the (presumed) long-dead Clone Wars era Jedi Aayla Secura and Shaak Ti facing down Luke Skywalker and Doctor Aphra? You smartly don’t even try, immediately casting us back to the past with the opening pages of issue 33 as Aayla trains a gaggle of young initiates, summoned by the senior Togruta who tells Secura of the Kythoo Bell, a huge, crystal suspended above the cave that can hold the Force. Shaak Ti speaks of a power that must be contained or destroyed and we hop to the now as Aphra sheepishly addresses the two Jedi before Luke steps in, explaining how their message brought them to the Sason Temple. Aphra tests a theory, reaching out for the blue blade of Shaak Ti, confirming that they Jedi aren’t physical but illusions. Luke looks sad, explaining that he hoped they were real and that he woulnd’t be the lone Jedi he believes he is. Aphra counters, telling him she intends to make Luke the most powerful Jedi the galaxy has ever seen.
They continue their search, the endless corridors not speaking but singing in a note Luke believes is the continuation of an echo from the past. Aphra is her flippant self, Luke far more sensitive than usual about her ‘humour’, throwing a barbed comment about Sana leaving her when she turns on him angrily, making comments about his broken lightsaber and general incompetence, their bickering quickly escalating until suddenly a red, fiery figure lurches out of the crystal, alarming them both as Luke instinctively covers both their mouths. The skull-like figure watches closely, disappearing with a whoosh as Luke and Aphra agree to vacate the area.
We step back once again to the Sason Temple years before as Secura and Ti watch an incoming particle storm, preparing to leave as they ask the youngsters to remain and listen out for the Kythoo Bell – as long as it resonates, all will be well. Secura warns them – should the bell fall silent, leave immedately and never return as Luke and Aphra continue their evacuation in the now, the doctor yanking Luke backwards from a huge pit in front, sharp spikes protruding upwards. Skywalker is less than convinced this is a Jedi temple, despite the evidence that appears to the contrary. He tells Aphra that he didn’t bring up Sana earlier, that was an illusion formed by the crystal walls, and sets to leave before Aphra pulls a blaster on him and orders him to find the artifact for his own good. She explains her logic – Vaders powers have recently gone out of control so if Vader beats Luke, which she believes he would, then who can protect her from the Dark Lord? It’s the usual Chelli Aphra self-preservation logic, and as Luke agrees to continue deeper into the temple they eventually find Kythoo’s Bell, which as Aphra notes is enormous. To get a closer look Luke balances Aphra on his shoulders, and while inside the canopy of the bell she grabs a smaller crystal and suddenly the entire bell collapses to the ground and shatters, the echo stopping as a huge explosion erupts and the withered bones of a creature arises, leaving Aphra to reason that the temple wasn’t for the Jedi but rather a prison.
Another action-packed issue that doesn’t pause for breath as the next major obstacle presents itself. Without the echo to hold the prisoners, it seems Aphra and Luke are in for a torrid time, and with the usual quality delivered by Alyssa Wong, Minkyu Jung, Joe Caramagna and Rachelle Rosenberg we’re hungry to see what happens next.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Wong, Alyssa (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 23 Pages - 07/19/2023 (Publication Date) - Marvel (Publisher)
