Star Wars #18 Review: Rebel Jail Part 3

By D. Goodman | Apr 29, 2016

In chapter three of Rebel Jail in Star Wars #18, things begin to get worse before they get better for both the readers and the characters.

Star Wars #18
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan
Colored by Sunny Gho
Published by Marvel Comics

Last time in Star Wars: As Leia and her team of unlikely allies in Sana Starros and Dr. Aphra try in vain to save lives in Sunspot Prison, their mysterious enemy continues to increase the body count while blaming the whole ordeal on Leia herself.

Thus far reading “Rebel Jail”, the latest arc from Marvel’s flagship Star Wars title, I feel like I’m on a roller coaster at times. Part One was a disappointment on every level, with bland art and storytelling despite an interesting premise. Then in Part Two things improved dramatically, as Leinil Yu’s art improved and the plot had a great twist that put the whole story in a new perspective.

Now we have Part Three in Star Wars #18 and once again, I came away feeling like it was a huge missed opportunity and a great example of why decompressed storytelling doesn’t work.

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In terms of the art, Yu’s work continues to get better the more time he spends with the cast. It’s a marked difference from Part One and even the pacing has improved, with the art having a dynamic sense of flow that feels like it leaps from panel to panel. Yu gives the sequences that take place on Sunspot Prison a nice sense of tension and almost claustrophobia that works exceedingly well.

No, the problem I have with Star Wars #18 has more to do with the writing than the art. Two things bothered me about the issue, which is surprising considering how much I have enjoyed Jason Aaron’s work on the title so far.

First, nothing really happens. We learn a tiny bit about Leia’s adversary, see him kill a bunch of people and watch as Sana and Aphra fight. Sure, we get the revelation that Sana and Aphra know each other and watching the two of the argue back and forth is kind of fun, but it’s not enough to sustain a 20-page comic book.

I have never been a fan of decompressed storytelling and this is why. For four bucks I expect a comic I can walk away from and feel like I got something out of it. I didn’t feel that way when I finished Star Wars #18.

And second, the issue ends with Han and Luke arriving just in time try and save Leia and her crew. Normally that would be fine, but it’s beginning to become a pattern with this series. Character A goes on a mission with Character B, the two get in trouble and need help. Characters C and D arrive to save the day and the band is all back together once again.

You could use the above formula to describe any of the Star Wars arcs to date. If Aaron wants readers to stay engaged, he may want to think about shaking things up and maybe doing something different. There’s only so many times I can enjoy the same story before I become bored.

That all being said, I cannot wait to see who this mysterious enemy is with ties to Leia and her past. It has been one of the best aspects of the arc thus far and I’m hoping for a great payoff.

Related Story: Star Wars #17 Review: Rebel Jail Part 2

The Bottom Line: Star Wars is still a great series and one I would never think of missing, but I think some changes may be in order. Issues with more going on and mixing up the formula would go a long way to making the book much more enjoyable. If we’re lucky, “Rebel Jail” will end on a high note and make the arc worth our time.