Doctor Aphra (2020) #23
MACHINATIONS
Kho Phon Farrus, Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros raced to Bar’leth University to get their hands on the fabled Ascendant tech known as the Spark Eternal: an ancient piece of technology that grants Sith-like powers.
After a struggle, Aphra was possessed by the Spark and announced her intentions to track down the rest of the Ascendant tech.
Meanwhile, Sana escaped with Kho and was tasked by Domina Tagge to find and follow Aphra.
But Sana’s going to need help from some old “friends”….
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Artists: Natacha Bustos, Minkyu Jung
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: Vc Joe Caramagna
Cover artist: W. Scott Forbes
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: August 24, 2022
UPC: 75960609724101911
Possessed by the Spark Eternal, Chelli Aphra – already a handful to the galaxy at large – is an even bigger threat, and as we open the 23rd issue we’re greeted by Aphra as she converses with the Archivist aboard Crimson Dawns flagship the Vermillion. Sparring ensues as the twin intellects within Aphra recognise the Archivist as Sava Madelin Sun, an expert on the Sith. With Sava’s name written out of history records, and Aphra an expert slicer, the temptation of working together could be too enticing.
We switch to an undisclosed location as Sana Starros sits down with Magna Tolvan, accompanied by Eustacia Okka, Detta Yao, Korrin Aphra and Kho Phon Farrus. They are appealing to Tolvan for help regarding Aphra, but she is now allied with the Rebellion and waves away any thought of wilfully welcoming Aphra back into her life. Starros appeals to Magna, asking for a personal favour and against her better judgement, Tolvan agrees. As they step back onboard, Detta notices a tracking device on the underside of the hull of the Volt Cobra.
We shift to the Fleeting and Just Lucky as we quickly learn he placed the tracker under orders from Ronen Tagge as he sends the co-ordinates to his team onboard the Conque. He notes that the best way to find Aphra and the Spark Eternal is to follow Sana Starros, and so as the Fleeting approaches the Vermillion – unaware Aphra and the Spark are there – we shift to the colourful beachfront of Birukay and a scene of devastation as dead bodies are strewn across the sand as the Volt Cobra cools its engines. One of the injured points to Kho Phon Farrus, calling her the Archivists apprentice and drawing the circular icon of Crimson Dawn in the sand. She explains the connection, how she was tasked by the Archivist to find the Spark and other Ascendant artefacts, and how the information came from Crimson Dawn. They realise that whatever Aphra is hiding is likely here, and as they approach a clearing a firefight breaks out. We end as they realise the dreadful truth; it’s not Aphra’s prize that awaits them but a trap, and we end with BT and 000 in full holiday mode waiting for their ‘guests’.
One of the commendable elements of Doctor Aphra is how it’s built its own rogues gallery of original and unique characters, spinning off as it did from Keiron Gillen’s original run on Darth Vader seven years ago. The art by Natacha Bustos and Minkyu Jung is attractive to the eye, while the characters are clearly well in the pocket of writer Alyssa Wong. This is it’s own ‘thing’, a Star Wars story that can overlap when required, but stand on its own two feet when required. Star Wars storytelling could do with more adventures within the galaxy separate from larger storylines but steeped in the feel of the sandbox we love so much, so straw beach hats off to Doctor Aphra for doing just that.
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