Doctor Aphra #2 Review

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In Doctor Aphra #2, the only thing more daunting than the Empire is family.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Aphra #2.

Doctor Aphra #2

Writer: Kieron Gillen | Artist: Kev Walker | Colors: Antonio Fabela | Cover Artist: Kamome Shirahama | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

Star Wars Archaeology Come to Life

Aphra’s past comes for a visit in Doctor Aphra #2. Fresh from the discovery of the revocation of her doctorate, Aphra discovered the reason. Her father leaked Aphra’s dishonesty in acquiring her doctorate. In order to regain her credentials, she must hear her father out and submit to his blackmail. Doctor Aphra #2 promotes other aspects of Aphra’s character while setting up a new adventure. In addition, Kieron Gillen engages in a dash of world building.

The Further Influence of Indiana Jones

Aphra’s introduction back in Darth Vader #3 and the premier issue of Doctor Aphra both demonstrated an Indiana Jones influence. Like the classic archaeologist, Aphra has a problem relating to her father. Indiana always resented his father’s choice to invest his time and interest in thousand-year-old relics. It cost Dr. Henry Jones a relationship with his son and wife.

Similarly, a similar choice by Aphra’s father had even harsher repercussions. Obsessed with an archaeological mystery, Aphra’s father abandoned his family. He dedicated himself to the mystery. As a result, he was unavailable to protect his family. Due to his obsession, Aphra’s father couldn’t protect his family. As a result, Aphra’s mother died defending Aphra from raiders. Now, she predictably has issues with her father.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Aphra comes by her duplicitous behavior naturally. It wasn’t enough that Dr. Aphra’s father was an absentee father. Indeed, he wasn’t above making less ethical choices in pursuing his goals. The most recent example involves his daughter. He needs assistance with his archaeological obsession. He knew Aphra wouldn’t help him of her free will. Therefore, he blackmailed and manipulated her.

His behavior and motivations are surprising given the conclusion of the previous issue. His brief introduction there presented him as a benevolent and ethical man. However, he appears to be anything but that now. Aphra comes by it naturally.

Ordu Aspectu

Aphra’s father blackmailed her attempting to gain her assistance in searching for Ordu Aspectu. It is his obsession and the very one that divided his family. There are multiple accounts of what the Ordu Aspectu were and what happened. Each contributes to the world building Gillen weaves around these characters and the archaeological aspects of the Star Wars universe.

First, there is Aphra’s father’s version. In this version, the Jedi eliminated a sect that sought to prolong life for all. The Ordu Aspectu despised violence. However, a Jedi invasion eliminated many members of the Ordu Aspectu and forced them to activate a device that either doomed them or hid them from the galaxy. Aphra’s father states that some believe the Ordu Aspectu found a higher form of existence. He also believes the discovered the secret to immortality.

Second, there is Aphra’s version. She has a far different understanding of the fate of the Ordu Aspectu. They were not a benevolent sect of the Jedi working for the benefit of all. They were the opposite. In Aphra’s version of events, the Ordu Aspectu were far more sinister. Like her father’s accounting of events, they sought immortality. However, they sacrificed padawans attempting to gain it. In the end, they perished in an explosion.

Third, the Ordu Aspectu might not have existed at all. In fact, the Ordu Aspectu might simply have been a grammatical argument. BT-1 even has his own droid-centric interpretation.

The Archaeologist

Up until now, Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra simply told us Aphra was an archaeologist. Doctor Aphra #2 shows us she is one. As Indiana Jones would tell you, most of archaeology is done in the library. Indeed, Archaeologists aren’t all fortune and glory. Coincidentally, Aphra hasn’t had many opportunities to flaunt her intellect. That changed in this issue. She argued archaeological history and theory with her father. She put her ill-gotten doctorate to work. If issue one of this series made her out to be a fraud, then this issue redeemed her academic credentials. Doctor Aphra is more than an honorific on a certificate.

After the earlier argument, Aphra’s interpretation of the Ordu Aspectu seems the most likely. For one, her father seems fanatical. He chases a fantasy. In addition, Aphra’s interpretation aligns better with what fans know of the Jedi. Plus, if her father’s interpretation were true, that would change most of what fans know of the Jedi, which seems unlikely.

Temptation

Aphra resists the temptation of chasing after the fate of the Ordu Aspectu. However, her father has a trump card to play. There could be a weapon at the heart of the mystery. That is right up Aphra’s alley. Aphra can’t resist that temptation and agrees to join her father’s investigation. Unfortunately, this quest proves far more difficult than he promised. The simple search meets an Imperial sized obstacle. Literally. Aphra’s father takes them to a recognizable temple on Yavin 4. Of course, it is the former headquarters of the Rebel Alliance. Furthermore, it is now overrun by Imperials.

Conclusion

Doctor Aphra #2 should prove to be an important issue. First, it reminds the reader of Aphra’s estranged relationship with her father. Next, it also brings her difficult past back to the surface. More importantly, Aphra proves she is more than just an adventurer. She is a smart and capable academic. She just chose to pursue a life of adventure. Although she escaped from Vader and the Empire, she cannot outrun them forever. This issue promises adventure to come.

Favorite Panel of Doctor Aphra #2

With few exceptions, Aphra has rampaged her way through the pages of Marvel’s comics. Seldom did she have the opportunity for character growth. Readers knew for some time that she had a troubled past with her family. However, she overcame that by not caring about anything but herself. She was out for the money. Now, she has no choice but to confront her father.

That leads me to my favorite panel. Despite the pain her father caused her, and the current difficulty he put her in, she can’t bring herself to harm him. Her realization of that is my favorite panel of Doctor Aphra #2. It isn’t the most brilliant panel in the issue, but it has an impact.