STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #7, available Wednesday from Marvel Comics, continues Aphra’s latest (and chaotic) run. It appears that she hasn’t learned her lesson about sacrifice for the sake of others. Or the concept of laying low.
At this point, fans of Doctor Aphra are already painfully aware that she is not a character capable of laying low. Even when her life depends on it. As evidenced by her latest series of events – when by all accounts she should probably still be hiding from a certain big bad in her life.
That being said, if there’s one thing that Aphra is good at, it’s being entertaining. Okay, that and turning friends (and more) into enemies. It’s a talent of hers, though probably not one that she’d be willing to brag about.
In Doctor Aphra #7, she’s going to have to rely on one of those friends turned enemies (of a sort) in order to achieve her goal. Well, her latest in a long line of goals. All while still having several bounties on her head. Because, well, she’s Aphra.
The Writing
Doctor Aphra does her best work when she’s under pressure, doesn’t she? Perhaps that will go a long way in explaining some of the events in Doctor Aphra #7. She’s been hired by somebody who by all rights should be her enemy, with the hopes of getting her hands on a shiny piece of tech. That sounds about right, doesn’t it?
Alyssa Wong has written an issue full of sass and quips – in a way that only Aphra can elicit. The inclusion of a favorite character helped to carry the narrative for this story, leaving moments of tension and humor all over the place.
Throw in the thrill of a chase, and building concerns from a secondary plot, and suddenly there’s a whole lot going on in Aphra’s life. Not all of which she’s completely aware of. A fact that will almost certainly change in due time.
The end result is a highly entertaining issue, one that feels surprisingly lighthearted, despite everything else going on. In that sense, this probably is more akin to a set-up issue than not, which leaves readers wondering how it’s all going to play out. (Knowing Aphra, something is bound to go wrong at the worst time possible).
The Art
Once again, the artwork in Doctor Aphra #7 succeeds in being impressive. This series really does nail the whole look of Star Wars as a whole, while throwing in some visual twists that are pure Doctor Aphra.
Minkyu Jung (pencils) and Victor Olazaba (inks) found the perfect balance between action and humor. One moment Aphra has a gun to her face, the next minute she’s laughing it off and portraying that swagger we all know and love.
Rachelle Rosenberg’s help to enhance the entire look, going for a brighter palette to compliment the serious use of tech in her life. There’s a lot to love here, but it’s perhaps the lighting that steals the show.
Finally, VC’s Joe Caramagna’s lettering leaned toward the informative side of things, but it is exactly what this issue called for. With all the scene changes happening all over, it would have been so easy to get lost otherwise. Though Caramagna did run with the excuse to be expressive when sent his way.
Conclusion
Doctor Aphra #7 was another entertaining addition to this series, as she stumbles and schemes her way through a life of crime. This is an issue that many fans will appreciate, if for no other reason than the inclusion of a fan favorite.
