Star Wars #35 Review

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Han Solo once again ponders why he is still working with the Rebellion in Star Wars #35.

This article discusses plot details for Star Wars #35.

Star Wars #35

Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Salvador Larroca | Colorist: Edgar Delgado | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: Mike Mayhew | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

The Reluctant Rebel

Marvel recently explored Han Solo’s relationship with the Rebellion in the Han Solo miniseries. At the conclusion of that series, Han contemplated why he did the things he did. In particular, he wondered why he chose life with the Rebellion over the freedom of smuggling. The conclusion of that series pointed directly to his growing feelings and relationship with Princess Leia and his affinity for the Rebel cause. However, Han Solo wouldn’t be the scoundrel Star Wars fans have come to know and love without bemoaning his inclusion in the Rebellion Alliance. Therefore, is no surprise that Star Wars #35 revisits this theme.

The Only Hope

In a nice homage to A New Hope, Mon Mothma pleads for Han Solo to accept a mission from the Alliance. She even breaks out the “only hope” plea utilized by Leia. Of course, Han isn’t buying it. He believes himself the only sane one around and urges Mon Mothma to get to the point. She appeals to his ego by expressing the need for a smuggler and his unique skills. The mention of smuggling grabs Han’s attention.

However, Mon Mothma reveals the cargo they need him to smuggle. It is Grakkus, the enormous Hutt introduced in Star Wars #9. Readers may recall the Empire apprehended Grakkus on Naboo. Following his arrest, Rebels intercepted his prison transport and liberated him. Now they want hidden weaponry from his safehouse. Despite additional flattery, Han is still reluctant. Then Mon Mothma mentions that this mission will make everyone safer, “Smugglers…and princesses alike.” Han is immediately onto her, but he is also flustered. Despite that, the appeal to Leia’s safety moves Han to accept the mission.

The Devil on Han’s Shoulder

Once aboard the Millennium Falcon, Grakkus wastes little time. He begins offering Han riches if Han lets him go. Han is ready for this. He starts the voyage setting the conditions under which Han will shoot Grakkus. They include almost everything. Unfazed, Grakkus flatters Han and the Falcon and proclaims an affinity between himself and the smuggler. Han resists Grakkus’s temptations until the Empire catches up to them and attacks. Before they engage the hyperdrive, Grakkus disables it and pretends he is unaware of the cause of the hyperdrive’s failure.

The failure of the hyperdrive requires Han and Chewbacca to engage the pursuing TIE fighters. While they evade the Imperials, Grakkus continues persuading Han Solo they are alike and Han should let him go. Grakkus even suggests he can resolve Han’s issues with Jabba. Eventually, Han reaches his limit and informs Grakkus they are turning him over to the Empire. To that end, they land on a nearby asteroid.

Grakkus Makes his Move

The Imperial pilots approach the Falcon and find Grakkus alone on the ship. Grakkus dispatches one pilot with his superior strength and Han and Chewie finish the rest. While Chewbacca begins repairs on the hyperdrive, Grakkus presses Han for an answer to his proposal. Han refuses and Grakkus attacks, destroying his binders in the process.

Threatening the death of Han, Grakkus orders Chewbacca to set course for the world of Teth. That was what Han was waiting for. He triggers an electrical stunning mechanism that disables Grakkus. The Rebellion cleverly hid the stun devices in Grakkus’s leg attachment. Han then confirms this location with General Draven, of Rogue One fame, who monitored everything on board the Falcon. The entire smuggling operation was a ruse. Grakkus fell for it and revealed the location of his safehouse.

Concluding Thoughts on Star Wars #35

Star Wars #35 is a good one-shot issue. The Star Wars series needs more of these. While the story arcs are frequently fun and entertaining stories, they often include a fair amount of filler. However, these one-shot issues maximize the economy of the page. The story of Sana Starros in issue #34 was particularly good. This was a clever follow-up.

This issue goes a long way in establishing Han as a veteran smuggler. Aaron’s writing sold Han’s exasperation with Grakkus. Han’s scheme was brilliant. This issue contained many wonderful moments of humor. Those moments included all the reasons Han might shoot Grakkus. They concluded with Han’s delight in shocking Grakkus repeatedly. Plus, this issue contributes a little more to the saga of Grakkus, who eventually ends up in Megalox prison.

Star Wars #35 concludes with a preview of Star Wars #36. Artoo returns! The little astromech and Threepio have been missing from the pages of Star Wars for months now. That issue is also Aaron’s penultimate issue as the writer for Star Wars.