Dark Droids: D-Squad #2
“CLASH OF THE DROIDS”
The SPARK ETERNAL has merged with an ancient droid intelligence to become something new and terrifying.
This SCOURGE is corrupting droids on both sides of the GALACTIC CIVIL WAR.
Among them is the protocol droid SEE-THREEPIO. Under the control of the Scourge, Threepio attacked his friend and counterpart ARTOO-DETOO and jettisoned him from the Rebel flagship, ”Home One”.
Following rumors of a “homicidal protocol droid,” Artoo has traveled to the planet of Gallios—only to find the murderous droid TRIPLE-ZERO….
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Salva Espin
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Colorist: Israel Silva
Cover artist: Aaron Kuder
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: October 25, 2023
If ever there was a droid who has both a knack for finding trouble and saving the day it’s R2-D2, and here in the opening panel of issue 2 of D-Squad we see our intrepid astromech face-to-face with 000, the homicidal protocol droid made famous in the pages of Doctor Aphra. He’s clearly in no mood for games, and while his proclivity is for flesh – much like the Scourge tearing through the galaxy – he’s not beyond taking on fellow droids. Artoo explains the situation, one 000 is aware of as his counterpart BT-1 is acting even more murderous than usual, and after laying out the landscape of the Scourge issue Artoo persuades 000 to help BeeTee in return for helping Threepio, who is similarly afflicted.
They follow the screams and find the rampaging astromech deep in battle with a cyborg assailant, and ponder on the best way to cure BeeTee of the Scourge. Artoo suggests electrocution, and they locate an engine works with a view to drawing the hell droid out. Artoo is the bait, and soon BeeTee is airbourne, firing rockets at Artoo who scurries away, dodging blasts before launching a tow cable that connects with BeeTee and drags him off-course, smashing into the ground. It seems he is down and out, but quickly he cuts the cable and races towards Artoo, only stopping when 000 races in on a podracer, the power couplings that hold the two powerful engines in place connecting with BT-1 and shutting him down.
000 is reminded of his pledge to help Artoo with the ‘Threepio problem’ when none other than IG-88 enters the room, there to collect the bounty on both 000 and BT-1. BeeTee reminds Artoo he can’t help him rescue Threepio if he’s captured, and Artoo causes enough of a distraction for BeeTee to attack IG-88, only for the murder droid to be blasted by the bounting hunting droid. Artoo is given little choice in helping IG-88, and as they leave with the two droids dragged along they are stopped in their tracks by 4-LOM, who has no interest in co-opting IG-88’s bounty on 000 and BT-1 but in taking Artoo. We roll out as the cyborg who was battling BT-1 earlier arrives, guns in hand to end another interesting issue.
It seemed redundant to have a spin-off mini series from another mini-series, one that already crossed over with four ongoing titles, but clearly there’s plenty of story to tell and so far D-Squad has earned its keep. Focusing on the droids has been a neat touch, giving motivation to the hero – and villain – characters we know so well. More enjoyable than expected, and while not being essential reading it certainly adds extra layers to a crossover that’s turned out to be more expansive than many expected.
