Review: Star Wars Han Solo & Chewbacca #1

My two favourite characters from Star Wars are back with their own ongoing series. Marvel are currently running the main Star Wars books in the space between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. In doing so they are missing one of the characters that adds a little grounding to all the Jedi have Sith hi-jinks. Back we go then in this new book, back to before A New Hope.

Han and Chewie are relatively successful smugglers and scoundrels under the pay and watchful eye of Jabba the Hut. Now tasked with a simple heist, the pair and joined by Greedo who may be more hinderance than help.

Marc Guggenheim is a comic book veteran of many a comic book series, walks the fine line between homage and coincidence which is certainly a job for a veteran writer. Guggenheim has the luxury of having the movies to play with, including I am pleased to say continuity from the Solo movie, The tone of the book is fine, if a little on the kid friendly side. Dialogue like “it’s thinky time” doesn’t help dispel this idea, though there is a little nod to the “shoot first” conundrum. There is a hugely convenience coincidence which in turn leaves a minor sour taste in my mouth; surely a writer of Guggenheim’s calibre could have found a better method of moving the story forward.

The art is supplied byDavid Messina who has history on licensed books after working on the other “Star” brand, Star Trek. Messina’s strengths include an impressive attention to details; the Falcon look great both the exterior and the interior, with Han taking a more Harrison Solo approach over Alden Ehrenreich; Chewie looks great as does the rest of the cast. Colors are provided by Alex Sinclair who delivers his usual high standards. This book feels liike it belongs in the Star Wars Universe. VC’s Joe Caramagna delivers a classy font that is easy on the eye. Finally, there are a raft of covers; the Alex Maleev is gorgeous and the Adam Hughes cover has a sense of fun about it.

First issue jitters aside, this is a pretty fun book even if the tone of Han seems a little jovial rather than sarcastic. I suppose some of this could be down to the fact that he still has high hopes for the job that gives him “more wealth than he can imagine”. The trick, like other books set mid movies, is not to stray too far from the future that the reader knows is coming, whilst offering something new. Thats may be tricker than trying to pull the ears off a gundark!

Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors 4.5 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Marc Guggenheim
Art by; David Messina
Colors by; Alex Sinclair
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Covers by; Alex Maleev, Adam Hughes & Declan Shalvey
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network