Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 2 #4
Showdown with a Sith!
Script by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman
Art by Gabriel Hardman and Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover by Dave Wilkins
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 26, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

Picking up the outstanding groundwork established in the original Legacy series, and creating some new outstanding work of their own, the creative team of Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman continue delivering the goods with the new Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 2, focusing on a descendant of Han and Leia, named Ania Solo.

Unlike Cade Skywalker from the first series, Ania has no formal Jedi training, and is more in the vein of a Han Solo smuggling underworld type of character. Following the gargantuan galactic war with the One Sith led by the formidable Darth Krayt, the galaxy is now run by a new Triumvirate, a conglomeration of multiple governments working together to form a prosperous and peaceful time to come.

The One Sith are shattered, and remnants of the warriors are scattered. One, posing as an Imperial Knight, infiltrates a new communications array construction project; and intercepts Ania and her companions as they interfere in his plans.

Issue #4 resonates strongly with echoes of A New Hope – and feels very much like the sequence of escaping the Death Star. In this case, Ania and her companions are captured and imprisoned. As with all Star Wars tales, it’s inevitable that our heroes will work out a way to escape, but as they do, they are faced with an impossible choice: retreat for assistance and help; or take the Sith Lord head on immediately? It is a choice that will have deep ramifications.

The script by Bechko and Hardman is fantastic. While it does not match the tier by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema in the original Legacy; it doesn’t even attempt to compete – instead, their focus is on developing a new and unique tale following a new character, set in and around the same era. And it’s working especially well at this point. They have huge shoes to fill, but rather than outdo the grand accomplishments, they (rightfully so) zone in on expanding this era of the galaxy.

There are several new characters introduced in this series, and a few of them (I believe) have more elements to them than meets the eye. Ania is obvious, as our main character, has much potential and – most likely like Cade and Luke and Anakin and all the other Skywalkers and Solos – has a destiny as of yet unfulfilled. One more mysterious character is the ancient assassin droid (an IG-88 lookalike) called AG-37. He/She/It speaks less as a droid and more like a being. The characterization is intriguing, and I believe that Bechko and Hardman are leading us to some interesting revelations down the line here.

Hardman takes on the art responsibilities in this series as well, along with colors from Rachelle Rosenberg. I believe I mentioned this in a previous review, but the art team has gone to considerable lengths to establish their own style and piquancy, distancing themselves nicely from the original Legacy series; while paying much tribute to some of the classic Marvel Star Wars comics and comic strips from years gone by. It provides more of a static and hectic feel, helping to establish a quick pace with the plot as well.

Legacy fans and Star Wars fans are going to love this series. It builds on the original, creates its own identity, and is developing a story that is arresting and intriguing. So far so good – and I think even casual fans might enjoy picking this one up, though I’d recommend looking into the previous issues for some context and”¦ well, let’s face it, the overall story is what makes this series what it is. Check it out and enjoy!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5