Star Wars: The Force Awakens #3 Review

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Han Solo decides to assist Rey and Finn as the First Order makes nefarious plans.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for The Force Awakens #3.

The Force Awakens #3

Writer: Chuck Wendig | Artist: Marc Laming | Colorist: Frank Martin | Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles | Cover Artists: Mike Deodato & Frank Martin

 Summary

The story resumes in The Force Awakens #3. Rey is forced to think fast in order to rescue Finn from the clutches of a Rathar. She quickly cuts him free by slamming a door on some of the Rathar’s tentacles. The two escape to the bay where the Millennium Falcon awaits. There, Han and Chewbacca fight off the Guavian Death gang. Chewbacca suffers a blaster bolt shot to the arm as they make their getaway. Next, Han Solo bravely, and perhaps foolishly, engages the hyper drive aboard the freighter. Safely aboard the Falcon, Han decides to take Rey, Finn, and BB-8 to see Maz Kanata. However, while she encourages them all to fight the First Order, she refuses to deliver BB-8 to the Resistance. Finn plans to leave the group in his desperate desire to flee from the First Order. Disappointed, Rey begins to hear a pleading voice. She follows the voice to the cellar of Maz’s palace. There she opens a box to find a lightsaber as the issue concludes.

Han Solo Comes Around

After the escape from the Guavian Death Gang, Han brings up that Rey and Finn are refugees. He coaxes BB-8 into showing him the map to Luke Skywalker. Turns out that BB-8 only has a fragment of the map. In the film, Han’s exposition about wondering whether the Jedi and the Force were real was fairly dramatic. However, the comic lacks Harrison Ford’s acting abilities. Therefore, this speech does not carry the same dramatic weight unless you can fill in the blank with your memory. However, the subsequent line, in which Han declares Rey and Finn are getting his helps, comes off much more dramatic. In part this is due to the posture and finger pointing of Han. It’s a nice artistic touch.

The Introduction of Maz Kanata

Having decided to assist Rey and Finn, Han takes them to Takodana. His plan is to drop them off with Maz Kanata. Maz describes the diminutive alien as an “acquired taste.” Also, he believes she is the best bet to get BB-8 back to the resistance. The ancient orange alien woman greets Han, and asks after Chewbacca. However, she refuses to aid in returning BB-8 to the Resistance. She insists Han does it himself.

One of the most notable moments comes when Maz describes “the fight.” She is referring to the fight against the Dark Side. Her words, isolated in a text bubble within a panel of this issue, receive extra attention. The magnitude of those simple words takes on an extra importance. However, Finn refuses her call to action. Despite Maz’s scrutiny, he still wishes to flee from the First Order. This leads to a tearful farewell with Rey.

 The Reveal of Supreme Leader Snoke

The Force Awakens #3 marks the introduction of Supreme Leader Snoke to the comic. As in the movies, he appears via hologram before General Hux and Kylo Ren. Also, these panels reveal that Han Solo is Kylo’s father. I wondered during the movie if they could not have made a more dramatic reveal of that information. Perhaps that could have come to light when Han Solo stepped onto the bridge on Starkiller Base. Of course, that would have required alterations to subsequent scenes. Regardless, after ordering the destruction of the Republic, Snoke discusses the challenge awaiting Kylo. Ren responds that Han Solo means nothing to him now. In the comic, this is more of a plot twist in the movie. This series starts after Lor San Tekka has already been murdered. Therefore, San Tekka never had the chance to deliver the line about Kylo Ren’s family.

Conclusion

Comic storytelling has seen many changes since the 1970s and 1980s. Most of those ways are for the better. Still, I get a feeling of nostalgia when I read the comic adaptation of The Force Awakens. I remember what it was like to read the adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back. Of course, back then, the movie wasn’t as readily available for additional viewings as movies are today. Therefore, the comic book was one of the best ways to relive the adventure. I try to read the comic adaptation through that viewpoint. It helps. While the art in this series has some highpoints, the character likenesses frequently suffer. The reader certainly knows which characters are in each panel. However, the costumes and distinctiveness of the characters lend to that more than character likeness. Overall, this is an enjoyable way to experience The Force Awakens in a different format. That said, there isn’t much in the way of supplementation, and that is what many readers look for in an adaptation today.

 The Force Awakens #3 Favorite Panel

There were many candidates for this issues favorite panel. First, the full page introduction of Maz Kanata was worthy of consideration. Her palace and the denizens within cut a striking scene. Second, Rey descending into the depths of Maz’s palace deserves consideration. These panels further grant character to the palace. However, I settled on the panel where Han offers a pistol to Rey. She says she can handle herself, and he agrees. Although not visually striking, this panel, and those that follow, carries wonderful character interaction. Rey and Han had a developing mentor relationship in the movie. Unfortunately, it was cut short. This panel exhibits some of the concern and warmth Han had for Rey. Of course, he attempted to hide behind a gruff exterior. Anyway, that is this issue’s favorite panel.