Star Wars #40 Review

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The Partisans and the Empire raise the stakes on Jedha in Star Wars #40.

This article discusses plot details for Star Wars #40.

Star Wars #40

Writer: Kieron Gillen | Artist: Salvador Larroca | Colorist: Guru e-FX | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover: David Marquez & Mathew Wilson | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

The Rebellion’s purpose in sending Han, Luke, and Leia to Jedha was the recruitment of the Partisans. The Empire renewed their interest in Jedha, and consolidation of any forces opposing the Empire became a necessity for the Rebellion. Therefore, the Rebel mission is a success so far. However, Luke found an opportunity to further explore the Force with the assistance of a Guardian of the Whills. After the Rebels score an early victory, the Empire raises the stakes in Star Wars #40.

Conflicting Philosophies of War

In Star Wars #39, the Empire escalated their kyber recovery efforts when Queen Trios and General Kanchar unleashed an orbital drill (also known as a drill citadel) on Jedha. Readers know the Empire already began construction of their second Death Star, but the Rebellion is still in the dark. Luke, Leia, Han, and the Partisans agree this drill must be destroyed. Therefore, they concoct a plan.

Despite Luke’s recognition of the importance of Jedha and what is at stake, his ideals still stray from those of Benthic Two Tubes, the Tognath successor to Saw Gerrera. When he and Luke infiltrate the Queen’s citadel, Luke objects to Benthic’s lethal means of subduing the guards. He further objects when Benthic executes the officers that lower the Citadel’s shields. The resolution of this disagreement awaits a future issue, but clearly Luke’s willingness to work with the Partisans has boundaries.

The Empire Raises the Stakes

Shortly after Luke and Benthic bring down the shields, a contingent of Partisans charge the citadel.  Han and Leia finish off the mining platform with a barrage of torpedoes from the Millennium Falcon. The Rebels have an apparent victory. However, the Empire has another trick up their sleeves.

Queen Trios and her people specialize in mining. The citadel, although formidable, isn’t their best tool for stripping a planet or moon of its resources. After General Kanchar chastised her for the failure of the citadel, Trios introduced him to the Leviathan. This behemoth is a Continent-class crawler used for offworld excavations of low gravity moons. Trios tells Kanchar, “It peels the mantle wonderfully.”

Star Wars #40 is not the only recent piece of Star Wars content to feature this type of technology. In the “Crawler Commandeers” episode of Rebels, Kanan, Ezra, and the rest of the crew commandeered a mining crawler in the process of strip mining Lothal. In both cases, the Empire proved they were not above decimating a planet for the resources they need.

Lei’s Flashback

Upon their return to the Partisans’ base, Chulco, the Guardian of the Whills in training, asks Luke to accompany him as he completes a pilgrimage to the Cult of the Central Isopter. There, Chulco hopes to find clarity in the fog of confusion that obscures the Force. Luke agrees to join him.

Leia lashes out at Luke for his irresponsible decision. She believes their mission to be more important than this pilgrimage. To illustrate her point, she tells Luke about her father’s final words to her on Yavin IV. Bail Organa tasked his adopted daughter with retrieving Obi-Wan and taking the Death Star plans to where they needed to be. Leia doubted she was capable. Bail responds to her doubts by telling her how much he trusts her and by telling her that there was nothing she couldn’t deal with. This filled in a nice hole from Rogue One.

The Voyage to the Chasm

Luke and Chulco’s pilgrimage is fraught with danger. On their way, the intensity of the heat increases. Luke and Chulco sense a “desecration in the Force.” Chulco then remarks it draws lost souls to the heart of the darkness. If as on cue, a giant sand slug surfaces and attacks them. There is a danger, however, the extent of the danger is a little unclear in the panels of this issue. Regardless, Luke distracts the slug with his lightsaber, and possibly with the Force. Once the slug is on top of him, he slaughters it with his lightsaber.

It isn’t clear this was necessary. Chulco states the slug was distempered by the darkness. What exactly that means is uncertain. The slug didn’t appear to pose a threat to anyone. It isn’t clear that it was a matter of life and death for Chulco and Luke either. Despite the uncertainty, Luke slays the creature, and the silver lining is that he wasn’t crushed doing so.

Some clarity in this section of the issue would have been appreciated. Were Luke’s actions of the dark side? Like the slug, was he influenced by the desecration of the Force? Or, was he really acting out of self-defense. It is hard to judge.

The Journey’s End

At the end of their journey, Luke and Chulco find the Cult of the Central Isopter. Their presence is menacing. Luke senses a difference in the Force that he doesn’t recognize. The cult responds that it is the same Force, and Luke is the same person. In addition, Luke and Chulco will join them in the “shadow of death.” Luke answers them that they are just there to talk. However, the cult says otherwise as this issue concludes.

Concluding thoughts on Star Wars #40

The “Ashes of Jedha” story arc brings together elements from a variety of Star Wars stories ranging from the films, including A New Hope and Rogue One, the television shows, such as Rebels, and other stories from the Marvel comics. Up until this story arc, the Rebellion largely fought for survival. Now, the Empire raises the stakes. Although the Rebellion might not understand what the Empire is up to, Star Wars fans know the construction of a second Death Star has begun. Their actions on Jedha foretell more sinister things. In addition, this issue raises the stakes in the Force. What untold dangers await in the desecration of the Force for Luke and his companions? Can Jedha survive this catastrophe? “The Ashes of Jedha” has many mysteries to resolve.