Star Wars (2025) #2
SMOKE
After investigating a raid on New Republic supplies, LUKE SKYWALKER, RYNN ZENAT, and their squadron tracked down the pirates responsible to the edges of the Fenril sector, only to be ambushed.
Suffering the loss of one of their own, Luke and Rynn followed a crashing pirate to the surface of the planet only to be attacked by the Nagai survivor upon landing. The mysterious pilot caused an explosion, injuring Luke.
Menawhile, PRINCESS LEIA and MON MOTHMA have continued their appeal to planets formerly under Imperial rule to join the New Republic, only to be rebuffed and threatened by the leader of the PIROSSI….
Writer: Alex Segura
Artist: Phil Noto
Letterer: Vc Clayton Cowles
Colorist: Phil Noto
Cover artist: Phil Noto
Editor: Mark Pannicia
Publication date: June 11 2025
If you were in any doubt the situation is dire, you only have to look at the face of Luke Skywalker on the opening page of issue 2 of the 2025 third volume of Star Wars as he wakes on Fennil after the action of the first issue and strides to his X-Wing, much to the surprise of fellow New Republic pilot Rynn, blasting off into orbit with her in hot pursuit, only to leap to hyperspace with her urging him to head back to Chandrila for medical attention.
His jump takes him to the icy world of Gadrilam, and wrapped up against the elements and leaving R2 in the droid hatch of the X-Wing, we watch as he walks towards the treeline as the final monents of issue 1 are revealed as he leans into his Nagai attacker, and we learn the assailant have him vital information regarding the world of Gadrilam, a contact named Ibo Truddispal and a Jedi artifact before revealing he himself was a rebel and ends himself to cover his tracks with an explosion.
We cut to Chandrila as Mon Mothma and Leia Organa watch a hologram of Rynn, explaining how Luke left at speed, and how she was unable to follow. Leia understands her predicament as Mon turns her attention back to the attack on the New Republic blockade runner in the Fenril sector, and Leia wonders whether or not the situation is the start of their enemies getting into position.
An interesting flashback to Hoth as Luke scours the journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi, looking for clues and finding (in a very Grail Diary manner) information regarding the Crown of Verity, an artifact that enabled the the wearer to be able to see through any lie, but also meant the wearer was unable to speak anything but the truth. Luke is determined to find the crown if it is on Gadrilam, and we see him enter a busy tapcafe, the denizens stoping as he enters the room. He asks there whereabouts of Ibo Truddispal, but the barkeep wants him to leave, and as tensions boil over more Nagai arrive and a fight breaks out that quickly sees his attackers nullified and the one Nagai who has given him assiatance taking him into the forest where Jesrit keads him to the tunnels where she believes Ibo is being held. The woman who’s people attacked Luke aren’t loyal Nagai, and as Luke asks why they are so far from their home she says she wished she knew why, and leaves him at the tunnel as he enters.
He finds the Nagai woman Venk and her cronies inside with their guns trained on Ibo, and as she tosses the crown to the floor Luke uses the Force to catch it, giving her time to end the frail Ibo as she tells Luke how a new age is coming. Suddenly, the Zantarkk Gang (who crossed swords with Valance and Han Solo last issue) arrive, but briefly; Luke makes short work of them, and runs with the crown outside to find Jesrit, but instead he finds only fire…
We’ve certainly hit the ground running with this third volume of Star Wars, although with the presence of the Nagai it really does feel more like part of the first 1977 – 1986 volume. Bringing back the Nagai, first seen in issue #91 of the original run back over 40 years ago in 1984 is a fantastic touch, much like the reappearance of Valance, Ric Duel, Chido, Dani, Jaxxon and other OG Marvel touchstones. In this post-Return of the Jedi era (just like the Nagai were back in that original run) they’re a part of a swelling threat to the New Republic, and with Han, Luke and Leia already very much involved (and Mon Mothma wisely front and center after Andor season 2) it’s attention grabbing and very much follows the Charles Soule storyline of Luke searching for Jedi artifacts, a long run that goes right through to The Last Jedi.
Last but very much not least, another shoutout to Alex Segura for a pacey, galaxy-spanning story and script and Phil Noto who’s artwork really should be used as somekind of template for a future animated show. Imagine that, a Noto-inspired animated show in the post-Jedi era. Tastes like a winner to me.
