Warning! Spoilers ahead for Star Wars #6!
Star Wars’ obsession with its own past hits a new peak in the latest issue of Marvel’s new post-Return of the Jedi comic series, as Luke Skywalker dons Clone Trooper armor to fight battle droids. Despite being billed as the start of the “sequel” era of the franchise’s timeline, the majority of this issue is consumed by Prequel Trilogy iconography.
Star Wars #6 is written by Alex Segura, with art by Phil Noto. The issue pits Luke, Han Solo, and their ally Beilert Valance against a leftover battalion of Trade Federation droids from the Clone Wars.
What the issue tries to do makes sense, but it ultimately falls flat, because it feels like the Star Wars franchise can’t move forward without circling backward.
Luke Skywalker Puts On Clone Armor To Fight Battle Droids, Proving Star Wars Is Stuck In The Past
Star Wars #6, Written By Alex Segura; Art By Phil Noto; Available Now From Marvel Comics
Star Wars #6 is dominated by the action set-piece of Valance, Han, and Luke in throwback gear fighting an enemy from a preceding generation. It’s a somewhat quixotic creative choice for the highly anticipated series, which is touted as breaking new ground for the franchise, by chronicling the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi.
Putting Luke, in particular, in old Clone armor and having him fight Prequel-era droid soldiers, is the latest evidence that the Star Wars franchise can’t let go of its past. Or, more precisely, it can’t let go of the familiar, out of fear that audiences will reject new and unfamiliar, comic book-only characters, concepts, and stories.
Star Wars #6 has to further Luke Skywalker’s heroic journey as a Jedi by putting him in a position where the parallels to his father Anakin’s character arc are text, rather than subtext. It works, but feels hollow. It’s far from a bad story, but it feels more like Star Wars is in a holding pattern, rather than moving forward.
Luke Skywalker’s Fight Against Prequel-Era Droids Isn’t The Sequel-Era Story Fans Were Looking For
Star Wars Needs To Chart New Territory In ...-ROTJ Comics
The stand-out moment in Star Wars #6 occurs when, briefly, the battle takes on symbolic significance for Luke Skywalker himself, as he’s fighting it. He is conscious of the direct link this provides to Anakin, and he thinks to himself: “Can I avoid the traps and temptations that got my father?“
In this instance, the premise of Star Wars #6 shines through. It feels fitting that Luke would have to confront an echo of his father’s old enemy. It is the next beat in his story, as he strives to chart a different path than Anakin. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fatigue of Star Wars’ increasing inability to escape its own history.
The appeal of the new Star Wars series is the same fundamental appeal that has kept the Extended Universe thriving for decades: the desire for more Star Wars. Part of “more,” though, also means “new.” More of the same is good in certain doses, but to take Star Wars to the next level, this series needs to forge its own identity.
Star Wars #6 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Cast
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Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
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The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Movie(s)
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Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
- Character(s)
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Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren