Star Wars #21 Review

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Star Wars #21 is a Star Wars story told from the other perspective.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars #21.

Star Wars #21

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Jorge Molina | Colorist: Matt Milla | Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos | Cover: David Aja

The Imperial Soldier’s Tale

Star Wars is a story that is told primarily from the view of the Rebels. Therefore, the story usually focuses on Luke Skywalker’s perspective. If not Luke, then Princess Leia Organa. And if not Leia, then Han Solo. Occasionally, the story takes a break from the “big three” to tell the tale of Obi-Wan Kenobi, as he toiled in the desert in his quest to protect Luke. To be fair, Darth Vader also has had some panels to tell his story. However, he hasn’t been the featured character in Star Wars. He has his own title. It is dedicated to telling his story of his quest to reclaim his rightful position as the Emperor’s enforcer and apprentice.

The story of the Stormtrooper has largely been left untold. With the reset of the Star Wars canon, the story of the rank and file soldiers that make up the Imperial army has largely been lost. The closest readers have come to getting that story is Lost Stars, a novel by Claudia Gray. Even that novel doesn’t feature the Stormtrooper. It focuses on a couple that go through the Imperial Academy and are destined to be pilots and officers. This all changes with issue twenty-one of Star Wars.

The Imperial Reputation

Stormtroopers of the original trilogy era have a bad reputation. They are held in the same esteem as the “red shirts” from Star Trek. They wear armor that leaves much to be desired. It never stopped one of them from dying. And they die by the score. They are inaccurate with a blaster. When one shot Princess Leia on the Forest Moon of Endor, it was hard to say whether it was skill or luck. They are poorly trained. Watch any episode of Rebels that has a Stormtrooper. They are easily fooled by common tricks and tactics. As an army, those Stormtroopers are ineffective. Look no further than the Battle of Endor where they were slaughtered by Ewoks for proof of that. This book works to establish a new reputation.

A New Breed of Stormtrooper

The Special Commando Advanced Recon (SCAR) troopers are featured in issue twenty-one. The SCAR Troopers are unlike any Stormtrooper previously seen. They take the initiative. The Stormtroopers of the original trilogy were not much better than a basic droid. They went where directed, and they fired where aimed. The SCAR Troopers think for themselves. These troopers are ruthless. They survive behind enemy lines. This issue is their introduction set against the pursuit of Rebels.

To defeat their prey, they use blasters, cannons, jetpacks, heavy rifles, knives, and other instruments of destruction. They charge right through obstacles and destroy the enemies that get in their way. They are more durable and determined than the average trooper. These soldiers are not to be taken lightly.

An Imperial Perspective

This story is told through the perspective of Sargent Kreel. He is not new to Star Wars. Kreel first emerged in the arena on Nar Shadda in the service of Grakkus the Hutt. He posed as the game master for the Hutt and instructed Luke as he prepared to enter the Arena. All along, he reported to Darth Vader. After Luke escaped, Kreel helped bring down Grakkus.

This issue tells how Kreel came to be a stormtrooper. His home world of Chagar IX was a brutal place. The poor fought for the entertainment of the rich. Kreel believed, of course, that he would die in the fighting pits. Then one day, Stormtroopers arrived. They brought the rule of the Empire with them, too. The Empire established order. Kreel signed on with the Empire as soon as he was old enough. He has been fighting Rebels ever since.

Kreel views the Rebels very differently than most fans. He doesn’t believe the Rebel lies. They claim to fight for freedom, but their definition of freedom is Kreel’s definition of chaos. To Kreel, a survivor of Chagar IX, freedom means law and order. It also means security. To Kreel, Rebels are nothing but insurgents against order. Thus, they are terrorists.

The New Sargent

Kreel is the new leader of this squad of SCAR troopers (also known as Task Force 99). He is still proving his worth to the squad. Up until this mission, he was an outsider in this tight knit unit. Kreel manages to prove his worth, and he also has a surprise for his fellow troopers. He has some special skills he picked up in the arena on Nar Shadda. In fact, he has a secret weapon. He has his own lightsaber. Once this weapon makes its debut with the squad, he seems to win over his fellow troopers.

Conclusion

Jason Aaron seemingly wanted to introduce some advanced troopers that had credibility. Mission accomplished. Task Force 99 fights a brutal battle and overcomes all manner of obstacles in their fight with the Rebels. During their battle, they take some blows and casualties. However, it makes them seem all the tougher. Consequently, Task Force 99 is likely going to feature prominently in the upcoming story arc. If Aaron need a competent Imperial antagonist, then he risked the average Stormtrooper suffering from their reputations. With this issue, Task Force 99 established itself as a credible opponent. Luke, Leia, Han, and the rebels have a formidable adversary on their hands that doesn’t rely on Darth Vader or Boba Fett.

Star Wars #21 Favorite Panel

Jorge Molina takes over the art with Star Wars #21. He doesn’t disappoint. The battle between the SCAR Troopers and the Rebels is breathtaking. His troopers are very cool. For a favorite panel, I chose the full page panel in which they descend from their shuttle. Every detail of this panel screams that these are not troopers to be taken lightly. Not in the least.