Han Solo #3 Review

2.2K

Are Han and Chewie racing against a traitor and the Dragon Void Run?

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Han Solo #3.

Han Solo #3

Writer: Marjorie Liu | Pencils: Mark Brooks | Inks: Dexter Vines | Colors: Sonia Oback | Cover Artist: Lee Bermejo | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Summary

Han Solo never backs down from a challenge. In fact, one of the surest ways to get him to do something is to tell him he isn’t capable. Princess Leia took advantage of that quirk of Han’s personality. In the face of Admiral Airen’s doubts, Han protested that he could carry out the Rebellion’s mission to retrieve Rebel spies. He would go undercover during the Dragon Void Run. At each stop of the intergalactic race, he would retrieve a spy. However, the Rebellion appears to have an Imperial spy in their midst. Bounty hunters and Imperials seem to have inside knowledge on the Rebels plans at every turn.

At the first stop on the Dragon Void Run, the Empire intercedes in the race. An Imperial officer arrests all surviving pilots. This appears to end the race. Meanwhile, Chewbacca retrieved the first spy from a local cantina. The rescue of the spy was not without incident. A bounty hunter attacked, but Chewy and the spy escaped.

The Imperial Intrusion

The Empire arrests the pilots under the excuse that the race is a disruptive event. Furthermore, it incites unrest.  It is difficult to say whether the Imperial officer making this decision was legitimately attempting to suppress unrest or if he was just throwing Imperial weight around. He insults both Han Solo and Loo Re Anno in turn. He certainly seems like the type the enjoys a good power trip.

Fortunately, the race sponsors cut his antics short. They note that the all the fueling depots in the sector are sponsors of the race. The Empire will need those fueling depots in order to refuel their Star Destroyer. The Imperial office wisely comes to the conclusion that since the race has already begun, there would be little harm in allowing it to continue.

The Imperial Spy

The race sponsors inform the racers that the clock is ticking once they are freed. The next stage has begun. They then waste little time returning to their ships. As Han and Chewbacca prepare to resume the race, the spy Chewbacca retrieved, a Duros named Bot, outlines his suspicions of an Imperial spy. He isn’t at liberty to identify other Rebellion spies, but he is convinced an Imperial mole exists. More specifically, one of the remaining spies must be the mole feeding the Empire information on their locations. The only alternative would be for Princess Leia to be the spy, and nobody believes that.

The Next Stage of the Dragon Void

The next stage is not about reaching the finish line the quickest. Instead, the pilots must maintain a speed of “150 vee-nauts” while traversing a debris field. This stage is an endurance test because crossing the debris field will take approximately twelve hours. If they fall below the required speed, then they are disqualified from the race.

Han notes that their mission has an advantage. As a courtesy, any pilot that is disqualified can still fly on to the race planets. Therefore, they no longer need to place themselves at risk during the race. They could simply get disqualified by falling below the required speed and then cruise through the rest of the mission. This is clearly what Han’s passenger wants. However, Han wouldn’t dare dream of it. He has his pride. Of course, he intends to continue to participate in the race.

A Favor Repaid

Han and Chewbacca engage the Falcon and begin the grueling twelve-hour stage of the race. It isn’t easy. Watching the race from afar, Princess Leia notes that he is a fool. He doesn’t need to engage this hazardous environment to complete the mission. Han just can’t help himself. Chronologically speaking, this stage of the race is a preview of the Falcon’s escape from the Empire through the asteroid field in The Empire Strikes Back. Leia’s opinion of Han’s foolishness here can only be outdone by his flying there.

Nearing the end of the stage, the Falcon strikes some debris. Inevitably, the ship begins to lose speed. Just when their hopes appear lost, Delan Vook, the Pantoran pilot that took advantage of the Falcon as cover in the previous issues, lends a hand. Vook launches a cable that tows the Falcon back up to speed. Han avoids disqualification. Afterwards, Vook declares them to be even. Vook took Loo Re Anno’s speech about honor to heart after all.

An Hour to Rest, Refuel, and Repair

At the completion of this stage, the pilots are permitted to land for an hour. It is suggested that they rest, refuel, and repair. Han leaves Chewbacca to see to the Falcon’s needs. Meanwhile, he trudges out in the wind to find their waiting spy. After a little assistance in getting rid of the race’s cameras, Han retrieves the spy. However, when they get back to the Falcon, a surprise is revealed. Their new addition is a giant alien cat. He has a score to settle with Han and Chewbacca. The issue concludes as he declares his (or her) intentions.

Han Solo #3 Conclusion

Marjorie Liu’s story continues to impress in Han Solo #3. Han is working through a crisis of identity. He struggles with whether he is a member of the Rebellion or an independent smuggler. If he is a Rebel, then at some level, he has to take orders. If he is a smuggler, then he makes his own rules. The problem with that is he really isn’t fighting for anything bigger than himself.

The Dragon Void Run represents Han’s struggle. The Rebellion gave him a mission: retrieve their spies. It is primary. However, Han wants to win the race. He also wants to impress Leia. These seem like conflicting goals. He thinks he can achieve both. It remains to be seen if he is forced to choose, what will he do? Will he abandon fortune and glory for service to the Rebellion and Leia? Given where he ends up, that would be the safe bet.

Han Solo #3 Favorite Panel

Mark Brooks’ art successfully compliments Liu’s writing. Everything works. Brooks’ depiction of Han Solo is perhaps the best in all of Marvel’s Star Wars offerings. For this issue’s favorite panel, I choose a fairly innocuous picture of Solo as he sets about retrieving the next Rebel spy. Something about this panel just says “Han Solo.” Perhaps it is Han’s subtle confidence. He needs to find a Rebel spy, so he finds the Rebel spy. He knows just how to get the spy’s attention. Brooks did a great job illustrating it.

Han Solo #3