Star Wars #22 (2020)
Crimson Dawn is everywhere.
Shara Bey, after infiltrating the Tarkin’s Will, has been captured by the Empire’s Commander Zahra. The Rebel Alliance’s Sergeant Kes Dameron plans a rescue mission to save Shara from the Empire’s clutches.
Meanwhile, Leia Organa and the Rebels are welcoming a suprise guest on Home One…
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover artist: Carlo Pagulayan
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: April 13, 2022
As Shara Bey is being tortured for information by series villain Commander Zahra, the Rebels receive a surprise visitor in the form of Crimson Dawn leader Qi’ra. The unspoken tension between Qi’ra and Leia is palpable and this is the one time Han would be glad that he’s in Carbonite! Qi’ra comes bearing gifts wrapped in murky and self-serving motivation that the Rebels, in their desperation, arn’t in any position to turn down. Meanwhile Kes Dameron and Starlight Squadron channel their inner Jyn Erso and launch and unsanctioned rescue mission for Shara which has the potential to hinder the Rebels next moves as they use Qi’ras gifts to plan the restoration of the Alliance and the end of the Tarkin’s Will.
Oh boy! I could read a whole book about Leia and Qi’ra trying to one-up each other without mentioning a certain smuggler. The strength and complexity of these women is a testament to the Star Wars we have today. They both command vast armies and the respect of their peers and have the fortitude to put their duties and responsibilities before any personal heartache. Qi’ra’s character and motivation remains questionable but it seems to be more on the side of compassion, as much as the parameters of being the leader of a galactic crime syndicate will allow anyway. This could all prove to be somewhat of a misdirect, which wouldn’t be surprising as I strongly doubt she’s the same Qi’ra that we saw in Solo after training under Maul for years.
Chewbacca isn’t forgotten as we see him exorcising his rage in the training room, using the training droids to mentally take down Jabba’s rogue’s gallery and rescue Han. It’s a nice character moment as these series’ can sometimes forget the emotional state our heroes would be in after the traumatic events of the movies. Of course Chewie would be reeling from Han’s capture and showing this demonstrates Soule’s respect for the characters. Similarly Chewbacca’s apparent resentment towards Qi’ra for the events of Solo and War of the Bounty Hunters is fitting. Soule gets these characters like almost nobody else and his work with Chewbacca here, Luke’s post-Empire trauma and everything with Lando is such smart writing.
Zahra remains an interesting antagonist as she leads the charge against the remaining Rebel division in what seems will be the climactic battle of the crossover. The division being the one where Cadeliah is hiding means this will be somewhat of a convergence point for at least a couple of the crossover titles. I may have my timelines a little mixed up however because Bounty Hunters 22 has Cadeliah placed with Crimson Dawn but I suppose the next few issues will tell that tale. Zahra also earns 50 more evil points as she uses the life of infant Poe Dameron as leverage for the rebel secrets his mother Shara holds. Nasty stuff indeed.
Sequels and Claudia Gray fans rejoice as this issue introduces the polarising Amilyn Holdo to the series and sets her up to be the alliances liaison with Crimson Dawn. It’s great to see the character being placed throughout the timeline in this way, making her sacrifice in The Last Jedi all the more meaningful.
Star Wars #21 @ ForbiddenPlanet.com
