Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 - Comic Review

If issue #1 set the table, IDW’s Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 pulls the tablecloth off right from the first panel, and not in the “magic” way leaving all of the plates and cups intact. Yes, the stakes are very clear as we see Han’s old drinking buddy Captain Delia Leighton and her friend facing down the business end of an E-11 Blaster Rifle. It’s clear that ISB Commander Alecia Beck’s hired guns aren’t interested in Delia, but she’s the last one to see Han and Chewbacca, who’ve gotten a head start to find the Rebel spy, Ematt. As I mentioned in my review of issue #1, the city of Motok’s gritty, and watching Han and Chewie zip through the streets is powerfully reminiscent of Han and Qi’ra dodging Lady Proxima’s goons on Corellia in Solo: A Star Wars Story; not an overly contrived or ham-fisted visual reference, but a nice anchor to the larger lore of Han Solo.

Han and Chewie’s conversation in the speeder gives us one of the few relatively quiet moments of this issue, and a good juxtaposition to Han’s “Corellian Graffiti-esque” driving. At their destination, our heroes barely have enough time to exchange pleasantries with an understandably skeptical Ematt before the baddies are on top of them once again, setting the stage for a standoff and a pretty hilarious escape attempt. Taking a pause for just a half breath, our heroes find themselves in low orbit over Cyrkon playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with Commander Beck and her Star Destroyer.

“‘Shut up. I’m trying to be noble.”

Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 is dripping with action, both on the dingy streets of Motok and in space, but these amazing set pieces are equal and complementary to some larger themes at play. For one, Han clearly feels that people (whether long-time acquaintances or new connections) aren’t buying the altruism he’s selling. It’s clear that stings but, in typical Solo fashion, he’d rather not talk about his feelings; he’d rather punch a modified YT-1300 light freighter through them. Sure, you can get the context of what Chewbacca‘s Shyriiwook dialogue is saying through Han’s response, but it’s clear he wouldn’t have any reservations about punching through them as well.

Additionally, the brutality of the Empire and, in particular, the ruthlessness of Beck is on full display. In her mind, the only priority is the objective. Whether you’re friend or foe, you pay the price if you stand in her way. In that vein, she’s a classic Imperial baddy worthy of the grudging respect and fear one would reserve for someone like Tarkin. Good Star Wars tales set during this time period generally and very clearly illustrate the differences between the Empire and the Rebellion, usually by example. Long winded expositions aren’t necessary, and Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run doesn’t have to spell anything out for the reader.

On the contrary, the narrative and visuals provide more than enough, and the art is once again exemplary. As in issue #1, the palpably dusty, rusted tones of Motok are enough to have you reaching for your inhaler. However, the pure action scenes and, in particular, the space battle are what really stand out. Drawing a space battle is not as easy as it might seem, and Ingo Römling and company once again score a perfect hit.

All told, Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run has me hoping for more comic adaptations of new canon novels and, from a selfish perspective, more stories of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Whether live-action or otherwise, it’s clear there’s still an appetite for the Galaxy’s oddest couple of buddies.