Rebel Heist is a new four-part Star Wars comic series, starting today. Told from the point of view of a new Rebel recruit, Rebel Heist #1 (DarkHorse.com profile) gives us a close-up view of Han Solo in action. Spoilers ahead!
Review: The issue starts us off with a chase that as the rookie rebel’s meetup with Han Solo goes south, and the two end up on the run, first on foot, then on speeder bike, then in space. Having been paired with Solo to gain some experience as a rebel recruit, the newbie shares his opinion of Han as he recounts the incident of their escape from the planet and their eventual capture to an interested audience. Using the point of view narrative style, we get some insight into Han’s reputation among the Rebels, as well as a bit of hero worship as Han’s “winging it” style leads them into some close scrapes. There is a bit of a twist at the end, and I won’t give it away, but it is used well.
Matt Kindt (of Mind MGMT) takes his first time writing Star Wars by pumping it full of action, and bringing in a new character gives us a vantage point on the ride — and it feels like we’re in the action, like on Star Tours, thanks to the art (pencils by Marco Castiello, inks by Dan Parsons, colors by Gabe Eltaeb, letters by Michael Heisler). While the drawing of Han doesn’t quite hit Harrison Ford’s younger face, the action scenes catch his fluidity in motion. My favorite panels include Han and the rookie on the speeder bike, coming toward the viewer, and a shot of Han suddenly grabbing one of his stormtrooper captors. The opening page is good at setting the mood, and a little bit of humor is delivered in a couple of places.
Overall, the plot intrigues me as clearly this is all set-up for the heist. Why else would Han intentionally seek to get captured, though his new partner is oblivious to it.
Covers: Besides the Adam Hughes cover (below), there is also a Matt Kindt variant cover (pictured to the right) and an Adam Hughes ultravariant sketch cover.
