Our various separated heroes are continuing to have their runs of bad luck On Nar Shadda, Luke has to chase down the thief that made off with his lightsaber. Luke’s chase takes him through a series of good news/bad news adventures. He finally ends up a prisoner of a new foe who has a stunning collection that’s very much of interest to Luke. Unfortunately, his captor intends to add Luke to the collection. It’s not a good day to be an untrained Jedi. 

Meanwhile, on the world that’s so remote it doesn’t even have a name, a several-sided conflict continues. Han and Leia are having a lot of trouble with Sana, a woman claiming to be Han’s wife. Han doesn’t look happy with the situation at all, and Leia is more than ready to walk away from both of them. Unfortunately, the Imperials have arrived, and are more than ready to shoot everyone in sight. The issue ends with an uneasy and very temporary alliance among Han, Sana, and Leia. Meanwhile, R2 has called for help. Mon Mothma is against sending a Rebel force to Nar Shadda, and won’t order anyone on such a risky mission. Fortunately, Luke has friends, and is about to get some backup of the large and furry kind.

Plot: Aaron continues to keep his two plots moving forward nicely, and maintaining the right feel for Star Wars. After the Expanded Universe stories, it’s a mental adjustment to get used to seeing the characters so inexperienced compared to what they become, but it’s being handled well. I’ll give the plot a high 3.5 out of 5.

Art: The art is good. Luke especially looks nice as he uses his fledgling Force powers, and the battle against the Imperials is done well. I’ll give the art a 3 out of 5.

Positives: There’s action, adventure, and it just feels right. Luke makes some understandable mistakes, given his lack of experience at this point. Mon Mothma not being able to send anyone to Nar Shadda makes sense, and so does the volunteer to help our young Jedi. One of the items in the big collection on Nar Shadda seems to hint at a very popular character from one of the Star Wars cartoons, which is cool.

Negatives: Sana has been lurking around a few issues now, and I’d really like an explanation as to why she’s calling herself Han’s wife. I’m sure it will be some weird technicality thing, but this part has been drawing on long enough.

Jason Aaron has been impressing me a lot with his writing. At this point, I’d probably be willing to get any issue with his name on it just on general faith. I’m certainly sticking with this one.

Star Wars #9

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover: Immonen, Von Grawbadger, Ponsor