Star Wars #37 Review

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SCAR Squadron returns to hunt Rebels in Star Wars #37.

This article discusses plot details for Star Wars #37.

Star Wars #37

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

Sergeant Kreel and SCAR squadron return in Star Wars #37. Their target is the Rebellion. Darth Vader has held them in contempt ever since their mission on the Harbinger failed. Now is their opportunity for redemption. To that end, Kreel leads his squad in a vicious assault and hunt for “interplanetary terrorists.” In the process, Kreel signals all-out war against the Rebellion.

The Imperial Perspective

Jason Aaron crafted Kreel and SCAR squadron as the perspective of the Imperial soldier. Kreel sees the Rebellion as nothing more than chaos. The Empire, and more specifically, the 501^st Legion represent order in an otherwise lawless galaxy. To soldiers like Kreel, the Rebellion want nothing more than the destruction of their way of life. At the very least, this is they story Kreel tells the inhabitants of the Horox system.

For certain, the order the Empire provides is brutally enforced. Kreel buys the assistance of the citizens of the Horox system with the beating and murder of their self-appointed overlord. The villagers the overlord harassed for food risked starvation and death at the hands of the overload if they couldn’t provide food. Kreel put an end to that with a shot to the head. It was a summary execution.

Imperial Reverence

Prior to the mission to Horox, Kreel pledged a successful mission to Darth Vader. In fact, he guaranteed the mission with his life and the lives of the members of his squad. Kreel’s meeting with Vader is interrupted by the Emperor. Later, Kreel recounts this meeting to a squad mate. The Emperor embodies, or so Kreel thinks, everything he fights for.

Then Kreel assaults the Rebels they find on Horox III. While he does so, he recites the reasons the Rebels will lose. His recitation is colored by his point of view. To Kreel, the Rebels fight only for the own petty desires. The Empire is the rightful ruler of the galaxy, and they created that order by spilling blood. Certainly the Rebels would counter that all the order in the galaxy is worthless in the face of oppression.

A Lesson from Vader

Star Wars frequently defines Vader by his hate, his hate for himself, and his hate for the galaxy at large. However, in this issue, Vader demonstrates a reverence of his own. The Dark Lord admonished Kreel for his clumsy use of a lightsaber. Later, after threatening Kreel’s life with it, Vader lectures Kreel about the value of the weapon. He states that it was the weapon of a Jedi. Furthermore, a Jedi died with the saber in his hand. That weapon had seen many battles and taken many lives. In other words, it isn’t a toy. It isn’t for the clumsy and unworthy. As a child, Anakin dreamed of the life of a Jedi. He earned his lightsaber. Now, he wants Kreel to prove himself worthy of this blade. Whatever hatred Vader has of the Jedi, it doesn’t extend to their lightsabers.

The Rebel Response

Kreel and SCAR squadron lay waste to the Rebel base they find on Horox III. Then Luke, Leia, Han, Sana, Chewbacca, and the droids arrive. The scene that greets them is “unconscionable.” In addition, SCAR Squadron left them a message. Although Leia wanted to bury the bodies of the Rebels, she realizes they can’t stay there. It would expose them. However, Luke convinces them to cremate the remains in a funeral pyre. The gravity of the war they fight hits home here. They arrived concerned and worried. They left grim and determined.

Concluding Thoughts on Star Wars #37.

Star Wars #37 was the final issue with Jason Aaron as the lead writer. If this issue is his last contribution to Star Wars, he went out with a bang. Kieron Gillen takes over the writing duties with the next issue. Aaron’s last few issues were particularly good. The one-off format lent itself to some spectacular tales featuring Sana Starros, Han Solo, and R2-D2. In addition, Aaron’s opening story arc brought Star Wars comics back in a major way.

The Sand Will Provide

Writers: Jason Aaron & Dash Aaron | Artist: Andrea Sorrentino | Colorist: Lee Loughridge | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: Mike Mayhew | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

Star Wars #37 is an oversized issue. The primary story featuring SCAR squadron comprises the first two-thirds of the book. The last third tells a tale of Tusken Raiders. “The Sand Will Provide” actually describes Tusken philosophy and belief. In short, “the sand will provide.” It provides everything from the Bantha to their enemies. The sand is their benefactor, but also the Tusken’s tormentor. Regardless, the sand isn’t their friend.

Through a clever story, the narrator describes how the sand makes the Tuskens strong. It teaches them lessons. Sometimes those lessons are difficult. Furthermore, sometimes the sand needs a little help. That is where Obi-Wan Kenobi comes in. The old hermit is the narrator of this story, and it is read from his journal. As this is Aaron’s last issue, it might be the last chapter of Kenobi’s journal featured in Star Wars.

Star Wars comics have previously told tales of the Tuskens. Usually, those stories feature Darth Vader. This one does not. Although this story contributes little, if anything, to the overall story, it is still a valuable tale. If nothing else, it provides the reader another opportunity to see Kenobi in action.