Han Solo & Chewbacca #5 - Comic Review

Last we saw Han and Chewie, the Falcon wasn’t where they left it on the planetoid Mallo Tanka. Always one to roll with the punches, Han has an unlikely savior in the crew he abandoned on Galator III in issue #1: Khel Tanna, Akko, T’onga, and Ooris Bynar. Also on board is Greedo, whom Han also abandoned a few issues back on Corellia. After a few payback punches to the face, Solo learns that his crew wasn’t the only one on the hunt for the urn. So it’s back to Antillion, the last place Han saw the urn, where the puzzle pieces of the man who called himself Solo’s father fell into place; he stole the urn and then took off in the Falcon. Thankfully, Han’s distrust pays off as he reveals he placed a tracker on the double crosser. The action ramps up on Paqualis III, headquarters of the Benelex Marshal Service, where the identity of Solo’s possible dad is revealed and a showdown between scoundrels and Marshals takes place. A showdown that isn’t without its share of victims.

Han Solo & Chewbacca #5 has some of the most forward moving plotlines and action packed panels the title has seen thus far. Artist David Messina, colorist Alex Sinclair, and letterer Joe Caramagna get to flex on numerous planets and with a character count the highest we’ve seen since this title debuted. Marshal Vancto remains a standout in terms of character design, and we even get to see him without his gold-plated helmet for the first time, something I wasn’t expecting but thoroughly enjoyed. Cover artist Phil Noto provides the most awe-inducing cover of Han Solo & Chewbacca so far. His composition and color choices alone make this one a stunner, but he also does an amazing job of teasing the storyline inside without giving anything away. Writer Marc Guggenheim brings the separate plotlines together smoothly, keeping the action, humor, and mystery balanced the entire way through. Plus, he includes a fan favorite character in the issue’s final panel that will make readers smile, if not gasp.

Han Solo & Chewbacca #5 races onto comic book shelves today, be sure to keep up with the action and grab your copy today!