This week, Marvel Comics’ run of Star Wars in the post-Empire Strikes Back era comes to a close with Star Wars #50. This epic oversized issue touches on multiple eras, takes advantage of one of Marvel Comics’ coolest locations, and features all the classic characters in a story that could easily be adapted into a movie. It’s a fantastic send-off from Charles Soule and Madivek Musabekov.
Star Wars #50 begins with Luke Skywalker entering Ben Solo’s hut in the Jedi Temple. Luke tries to teach Ben a lesson by telling him about an adventure he had while Han Solo was frozen in carbonite. To say the adventure was epic would be an understatement. It also features a mysterious weapon and a scene where the entire crew is forced to make a difficult choice.
The scene between Luke and Ben is impactful thanks to the recent film and because we know how it plays out. Given that Luke is a teacher and this story is canon, it’s exciting to see Ben’s darkness unfold. Musabekov captures Ben’s subtle anger well, and even if Luke doesn’t fully see it, we as readers know it’s the start of something. It’s a well-constructed subplot that weaves in and out of the main adventure.
It’s fun to watch this period in Luke and Ben’s lives.
Credit: Marvel
The adventure takes Luke and R2 to Ghazian, the very planet where Luke went on his vision quest in Star Wars #20. The issue is exceptional, combining sci-fi concepts not often seen in Star Wars. Luke’s lessons continue on the planet, as he uses mushrooms on the surface to connect mind-to-mind with ancient Jedi and other creatures.
Every good adventure story has a MacGuffin, and Luke and friends plan a heist at an Imperial stronghold that ultimately forces them to make a tough choice. There are a lot of cool scenes to see, from Lando chatting with an Imperial employee to Luke dodging a TIE fighter bomber. If there was a checklist of things I wanted to see in Star Wars, this issue would definitely have it. Palpatine’s involvement would be on that list.
There’s something incredibly cool about ancient Jedi and Sith relics, and the one revealed in this issue is no exception. Their incredible power suggests that our heroes could totally win the battle against the Empire, but it will come at a dire cost. It’s a solid lesson for Ben, and a powerful one that’s fitting for Star Wars.
Overall, Soul expertly ties together various aspects of Star Wars into an entertaining story that would have been a great start to an episode 5.5 script. My only complaint is that the ending isn’t all that impactful, but this is a story set between known events.
Star Wars #50 is a fantastic story that feels complex and convoluted, but upon completion the moral is clear and the outcome is compelling: Soul captures different eras beautifully while adding to the larger canon.
Star Wars Episode 50 is basically Episode 5.5
Star Wars #50
Star Wars #50 is a fantastic story that feels complex and convoluted, but upon completion the moral is clear and the outcome is compelling: Soul captures different eras beautifully while adding to the larger canon.
It has all the hallmarks of a Star Wars story.
It’s a neat tie-in to Luke and Ben’s relationship at the Jedi Temple.
Musabekov does a good job of portraying the character and acting the character.
The end, in a way, never seems to begin
