Star Wars #36 Review

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Artoo invades a Star Destroyer to free Threepio. An impossible task, right? Not so fast.

This article discusses plot details for Star Wars #36.

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

R2-D2 and C-3P0 disappeared from the pages of Star Wars since issue twenty-six. The Imperial SCAR squadron has him in its clutches. Then the Rebellion rebuffed Luke’s request for a rescue with the explanation that Threepio was just one droid. However, Artoo didn’t accept that. He commandeered an X-Wing and set out on his own rescue mission. That was the last these two appeared in Star Wars. Until now. The droids are back as Artoo executes his rescue plan aboard a Star Destroyer in Star Wars #36.

Not a Standard Droid

It is no secret that Artoo is an exceptional astromech droid. Despite that, Star Wars #36 features technical specification for astromech droids throughout the panels. For instance, one such panel describes the R2 series astromech as “a utility droid designed for starship maintenance,” and therefore, “it comes with a variety of appendages.” It is also not an adaptive unit designed for problem solving.

Artoo uses the reputation of a standard astromech to his advantage. Once aboard the Star Destroyer, he implements his plan, and fools the Imperial officers and stormtroopers into thinking some sort of lethal assault droid invaded the ship.

The role of droids is an ongoing theme in the various Star Wars comics. Sometimes, they are described as a common item of which nobody takes notice (poe 8). At other times, their bravery and sacrifice are noted and commended. For example, Poe notes Threepio’s role in bringing down the Empire in Poe Dameron #9.

Regardless, Star Wars is replete with extraordinary droids. Of course Artoo and Threepio are the classics. However, BB-8 from The Force Awakens and K-2S0 from Rogue One are more recent examples. The galaxy’s view of droids is inconsistent.

Artoo’s Assault

Taking advantage of an astromech’s anonymity suits Artoo just fine. As the Imperial officer in charge of the Star Destroyer frantically has stormtroopers hunt for a battle droid of some sort, Artoo manipulates the ship’s systems. Some squads are sent to the wrong place. Other squads ambush them. Still other squads fall prey to the ship’s automated defense systems. Artoo proves he is anything but a standard droid. This part of the issue was simply fun. Eventually, Artoo locates Threepio, and the pair escape on Artoo’s commandeered X-Wing.

Vader Takes the Field

Despite his best efforts, the Imperial Officer in charge of the Star Destroyer fails to hide Artoo’s assault from Darth Vader. The Dark Lord finally becomes cognizant of the rescue mission and takes his TIE Fighter after Artoo and Threepio. Vader attempts to discover who is piloting the X-Wing but detects no life aboard. Therefore, he rightfully concludes that a droid pilot is in charge. The best part is when he concludes the droid was well trained by…someone. Of course, Vader himself gave Artoo guidance. From their assault on the Federation’s battleship in The Phantom Menace to the Battle of Coruscant in Revenge of the Sith, Anakin and Artoo flew many missions together. Furthermore, Vader previously flew against Artoo during the trench run in A New Hope. That the two former friends are now adversaries is something of a tragedy.

The Cavalry Arrives

Even though Artoo and Threepio put up a valiant fight against Darth Vader, they are no match for the Sith Lord. Never fear though as Luke, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and Sana all arrive in the nick of time. Somewhere during his adventure, Artoo sent a message back to Luke and the Rebels. They arrived in the Millennium Falcon, the Volt Cobra, and an X-Wing and attacked Vader from behind. Han even manages to remark, “Shooting Vader in the back never gets old,” thus proving he truly is a scoundrel and neatly tying this fight to Battle of Yavin.

This conclusion is mostly satisfying. However, it is somewhat inconsistent. When Threepio initially went missing, Luke desperately wanted a rescue mission. Han and Leia refused. A mission against Darth Vader and the Empire was out of the question then. Now, they were more than happy to rush to Artoo and Threepio’s aid even though they knew where Artoo was and what the opposition was they faced. Maybe they had a change of heart.

Concluding Thoughts on Star Wars #36

Star Wars #36 continues a strong run of one-off issues by Jason Aaron. The Sana Starros story from issue 34 and the Han Solo story from issue 35 were some of the most satisfying stories of Star Wars. If there is a complaint with this issue, it is largely that the Rebels get the better of Darth Vader again. The Dark Lord risks becoming a Saturday morning cartoon villain. In other words, his continued defeat at the hands of the heroes waters down the actual threat he poses. The last second rescue also seemed a little convenient for the story especially considering that they caught Vader unaware again. Regardless, Artoo creating chaos and taking advantage of his anonymity made for a fun story. The next issue brings back the SCAR squad for an assault on the Rebels base of operations in what is Aaron’s last issue of writing Star Wars.