Doctor Aphra: Remastered

This third volume of Doctor Aphra continues the blend of action, humor and moral ambiguity that makes her such a compelling character.

Gillen and new writer to the series, Simon Spurrier (Coda), turn several story elements on their heads to keep the reader guessing and Aphra on her toes! Aphra now takes orders from assassin droid Triple Zero, leaving Aphra in an especially precarious position, as TZ has no attachments or particular regard for the sanctity of life. She’s instructed to complete a near impossible mission: retrieving the assassin droid’s earliest memories from the Empire. Triple Zero’s commitment to violence, and playing with Aphra’s mind, is one of the most delightfully disturbing aspects of this book, and I am here for it.

Most of the arc dedicates itself to the memory heist, a plot which, like the Mandalorian’s heist episode, introduces us to some new characters – most of them quirky, with a particularly delightful odd couple. Gillen and Spurrier give each crew member space for their own backstories and charming weirdness, and also waste no time in giving Magna Tolvan some sympathetic backstory too.

A new art team, penciller Emilio Laiso and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, brings consistently gorgeous art that fits right in with the other two volumes, and the Star Wars universe at large. This volume is quite a bit darker than the other two volumes, as Aphra is pushed to make even more morally ambiguous decisions, and the art does a great job heightening the suspense and sometimes discomfort of Aphra’s actions while bringing more aliens, droids and giant spaceship scenes to life.

Because of this aspect – our lovable archaeologist who no longer skirts the grey, but dives right into it, and swims right up against something darker – the creative team keeps the spotlight on Aphra, even with a large injection of secondary characters, and leaves her in a different, and not necessarily better place. Where most middle volumes in a long series will start to drag, this feels like an important part of her story arc, and not at all a waste of time.

spoilers. Aphra finds some romance too, as she and Tolvan begin a dance of attraction to one another, being pulled apart by their different allegiances, and intentionally double crossing, shooting at, and saving one another. Here, I’m a bit torn. On one hand, Gillen and Spurrier could have actually taken some time to develop their relationship. All we see is the two of them quickly progressing from attraction into spending a night together. I’m not saying the two have to put a ring on it first, but it’s hard to be invested in a relationship that’s only based on attraction, some flirting and a few kisses. At the same time, perhaps Aphra and Tolvan’s personalities – as well as their positions squarely on opposite sides of the war, and the “we might get shot any second” world they occupy – led them to make this choice perfectly in-character, without second thought to an actual *relationship.*

We’ll see how it develops. Regardless, it’s so nice to see a queer relationship in Star Wars; it’s at least being treated respectfully by the creators, even if they aren’t women. All the romantic scenes, including the morning-after one, are done very well.

I’m really enjoying the series and looking forward to volume four.