Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1 is the first comic book I had to buy online and read digitally through Comixology. While this is the start of the second volume of the Doctor Aphra series, and though I have not yet read the first volume nor the story she was introduced in the Vader comics, the backstory of her previous stories are simple enough to read about that it's easy to get into this comic without reading the past ones. The Marvel series started out with Aphra, an archeologist with a keen interest in the Jedi being hired by Darth Vader right after A New Hope only to then be betrayed by him and faking her death to escape. Her first volume deals with Aphra getting her life back together and helping out a Wookie bounty hunter in finding those who hurt him. This first issue of the second volume, set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, begins with Aphra and her crew, which include the bounty hunter Wookie and assassin Just Lucky, stealing from the Empire as it empties what's left of the Rebel base in Hoth. After Aphra is paid for what she found in Hoth she's told about an ancient and mythical artifact that is impossible to obtain due to a curse surrounding it. Aphra accepts the job but needs the help of another archeologist that she studied with, along with her droid, due to her greater knowledge of the artifact. At the same time, the head of a powerful crime family sets out after Aphra and her crew due to a previous run in. Even with a lot of stories before this one, Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1 is very fresh and manages to give out enough information without needing to go back all the time. The characters are all interesting, rounded, and each have their own personalities that at time clash with one another. Writer Alyssa Wong does an amazing job at setting up what the following issues will focus on, something very different in Star Wars than what you see in the films. The focus on archeology is interesting as it's something you never see discussed by even the most beloved characters. Though even with great writing, some of it is bogged down in this issue by the overuse of exposition. Combining Marika Cresta's artwork and ink with Rachelle Rosenberg's coloring gives very detailed and at times beautiful images. The opening fight in Hoth is one great example of showing the many artists' abilities whether through close ups or wide shots. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1 is a great start to a new volume without bogging the reader down about needing to know what happened before and getting them to keep reading. Over all: 100%
Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
2. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
