Dark Droids #1
PART 1
“SCOURGE OF THE DROIDS”
In an effort to stop the Galactic Empire, Lady Qi’ra gambled on a ancient device to disrupt the Sith’ connection to the Force.
She did not succeed…and in the wake of her failure, an ancient and deadly entity was released.
First, it comes for the metal. Then it comes for everything else….
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Luke Ross
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Cover artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Release Date: August 2, 2023
The latest mega crossover event has arrived from writer Charles Soule, and as we race up towards the events of Return of the Jedi it will be fascinating to see just how neatly this ties in with the events of the 1983 film. We open as a droid consciousness coalesces into sentience, aware that while it has been organic in the past, it’s now a droid, and we see a number of familiar droids – R2-D2, 4-LOM, Chopper, 2-1B, and are reminded that no matter how well or badly droids are treated by their masters, they’re all subservient to their organic masters. That is hugely relevant as we learn who and what that consciousness is, or was; the Spark Eternal, and now it’s tasted organic sentience via Miril and Chelli Aphra and is determined not to be subservient any longer.
We cut to the Amaxine Station as an Imperial team gather up all evidence for the Emperor, and we watch as an Imperial KX-security droid spies the small, flat disc that now houses the Spark and picks it up. Taking the Spark back to the Star Destroyer we see it log in to the Imperial network, looking at the schematics of the ISD and noting that there are over 46,000 organics and 2500 droids aboard. The Spark is hungry, and we watch as waste reactor gasses are rerouted to the ventilation system, gassing the crew as droids begin electocuting those who get in their way. The gravity is switched off, docking bays shields opened as crew, cargo and vehicles drift away and we see just how brutal these dispatches have been across the ISD.
We step away from the Star Destroyer to the Colony of the Second Revelation and the droid Ajax as he holds a piece in his hand built from components donated by all the droids in the colony. He is interrupted by another droid and told of the ISD attack, how bloodborn and metalborn were destroyed, and Ajax explains how they are the enlightened, self-aware droids of which there are scant few. He determines that the Spark – the scourge – must be destroyed, to save their way of life as we return to the KX droid on the ISD. It – the Spark, via the KX – has access to sensors across the ship, and scours the Imperial network, finding links, connections and pathways the organic Imperials have yet to discover. It’s hungry and motivated, and we watch as a Lambda class shuttle drops out of hyperspace, dropping off a Mousedroid which floats unseen towards a Nebulon-B frigate as we join Luke, Leia, Mon Mothma, Ackbar and more in the briefing room.
With Crimson Dawn gone, many of their sources are laying low, and information is in short supply. They’re confident the fuse left in the original Death Star by Galen Erso won’t be repeated and we end on an ominous – and familiar note to viwers of The Rise of Skywalker – as C-3PO enters the room, his eyes a purple hue as we realise he’s been taken by the Spark.
A fascinating first issue, and one that’s far more enjoyable and intriguing than it has any right to be. A droid invasion storyline has been teased before, but here with the aftereffects of the long-running Spark Eternal storyline giving us an unexpected sequel of sorts we’re truly off to the races. The potential for chaos and destruction is limitless, and with impressive art by Luke Ross and colourist Alex Sinclair, this is certainly one to watch. As with all major Marvel limited series there are crossovers, and this is no exception (thanks Marvel for the handy index of comics to read and in what order) and we have to hope that these issues not only advance the throughline of this Dark Droids storyline but retain the spirit of the individual titles.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Soule, Charles (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages - 09/06/2023 (Publication Date) - Marvel (Publisher)
