Star Wars (2020) #12 - Comic Review

Check out the review of the previous issue before moving onto my review for Star Wars (2020) #12!

Waiting in escort frigate The Redemption, Rebel member Kes Dameron can do nothing but wander the halls waiting and hoping that his wife Shara Bey contacts him after being left stranded on an Imperial Star Destroyer during Starlight’s last mission. Seeking out a place of comfort to him, an open bay on the frigate with a massive viewport of the surrounding space, Kes ends up finding Leia in a similar mood as she stares off into the unending distance. Having both been looking for peace and quiet in this tense lull they come to the realization that they could also benefit from each other’s company as they hopefully wait for good news. Kes confesses he comes to this location often to talk to a holo recording of his young son, Poe Dameron, and Leia uses this moment to ask about how Kes and Shara met. Kes recounts a thrilling tale of gambling, racing, and finding love despite the odds. In response, Leia tells a story of her own of a moment she remembers of really appreciating Han. During their stint on Hoth, a reactor is just minutes away from destroying the whole base, and the only logical thing to do is to evacuate. Fortunately for the Rebels, Han Solo often surpasses normal logical thoughts and comes up with a plan to save the day! All while this smaller and more intimate moment between friends and Rebels is happening, someone else is hard at work trying to contact the Alliance any way they can.

The heart and soul of the Rebellion is love and hope and writer Charles Soule absolutely nails these themes in Star Wars (2020) #12. Soule all but stops the action and plot to tell two tales of these main characters and small, yet momentous, events in their lives with the people they love. Both of these tales are told with beautiful detail and character moments that really drive home how beautiful and poignant the galaxy is, even during times of a Galactic Civil War. Kes’s story is short and sweet, but really shows the beauty behind the risk and chance involved with how he and Shara met and fell in love, perfectly encapsulating their story and characters. Leia’s story puts into perspective just why she loves Han, perfectly stated in a quote of admiration she gives stating that “Han Solo’s a smuggler because he likes it, but he’s a rebel because he’s Han Solo.” Soule’s personal look into these four characters in this issue really showcases his love for Star Wars and his talent for creating wonderful and deep character driven moments in what should be a time of sorrow.

Along with this beautiful writing we have some equally beautiful artwork by both artist Ramon Rosanas and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg. Rosanas absolutely kills it with the expressions throughout this issue which is especially important here as most of the story is about smaller emotional moments. Between the wonder and happiness on the faces of two future lovers, the look of fatherly love on Kes’s face as he gazes at the holo of his son, and the tense moments on Hoth between Leia, Han, and Chewie, each of these moments are perfectly captured on the faces of every character by Rosanas. The colors here are quite stunning as well, especially during the Hoth moments with the gorgeous and intimidating greens of the near exploding reactor room as well as the colorful betting houses of Galator III and the vibrant vehicles in the Crestrace!

In the midst of a tense and nearly hopeless moment of reprieve, Kes and Leia find time to take a deep breath and reminisce about love and happiness during the time of war. Make sure to take some time of your own and head to your local shop to pick up Star Wars (2020) #12 today!