Shattered Empire strikes back.
By Joshua Yehl
And just like that, Star Wars: Shattered Empire rebounds back to the same high quality as the first issue. The previous chapter felt rushed, and given how this issue ends, it leads you to believe that a longer story was squeezed into a four-issue mini-series. The other Star Wars comics are all at least five issues, so why shortchange the most enticing one that leads into The Force Awakens? Whatever the reason, it’s too late to worry about it now; all we can do is soak up the entertaining war story and gorgeous art while it lasts.
Greg Rucka has put Shara Bey and Princess Leia in quite the predicament. Even if the idea of weather satellites covering Naboo in Category 10 hurricanes is less in line with Star Wars than it is Captain Planet, watching the two women work together, along with the Queen of Naboo, to try to save the day shows off Rucka’s knack for natural chemistry and sharp plot twists. There’s even a nice little nod to The Phantom Menace sure to tickle any reader’s nerdy bone.
Marco Checchetto returns to form with page after page of captivating battles on both the ground and in space. His storytelling has a wonderful flow to it that builds as the panels go — you can feel a rush of energy as you reach each big moment. His character work is strong especially in Leia’s “cold” moment in the Theed hangar bay. There are a few instances where a facial expression doesn’t quite look right, but that’s a minor quibble for an overall great looking issue.
Star Wars: Shattered Empire returns to the greatness of its first issue, delivering an entertaining issue with sharp plot twists and fun character dynamics. The art is strong in this one, filling the reader with a rush of energy as battles are waged on the ground and in space. All that, plus a neat Phantom Menace reference, make this a fine penultimate chapter to Shattered Empire.
