Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Modern Marvel

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1

The 4-issue mini-series Star Wars: Captain Phasma was published in Septermber and October 2017 as part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi branding.  Much like Boba Fett, Phasma received very little screen time during her movie debut but had attracted the attention of Star Wars fans nonetheless.  Early in The Force Awakens, Captain Phasma led a successful First Order Stormtrooper assault on Jakku in search of San Tekka.  Later in the movie, when Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Finn infiltrate Starkiller Base, Phasma is captured and forced to lower the base's shields.  Afterwards, she is unceremoniously discarded into a garbage chute.  This is reminiscent of Boba Fett falling into the Sarlacc Pit in the Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
The first issue of the mini-series takes place during the Resistance assault on Starkiller Base as shown in The Force Awakens.  Captain Phasma frees herself from the trash compactor while the base is being bombarded by Resistance fighters.  Phasma is keeping a log and falsify events to cover up her role in lowering the base's shields.  She access a computer terminal and deletes the records of her transgression and learns Lieutenant Sol Rivas had accessed the files prior to her erasing them, so she adds records to falsely accuse Rivas of the deed.  She then proceeds to chase Rivas with the intent of killing him to cover her tracks.  She misses killing him in the base and follows him outside.  There, she witnesses the lightsaber battle between Kylo Ren and Rey.  She takes another long shot at Rivas before he enters a hangar.  Phasma watches Rivas leave the base in a TIE Fighter and commandeers a TIE Fighter and pilot to pursue him.  Just as the TIE Fighter with the pilot and Phasma enter space, Starkiller Base explodes.

It is clear from this issue that Phasma is a survivor and not necessarily a disciple of First Order doctrine.  Being a captain in the Order is clearly just a job to her and it will be interesting to see her resolves the dilemma she finds herself in.  The writer, Kelly Thompson, was earning accolades for her work on Hawkeye when this mini-series was released and the interior art is provided by the always exceptional Marco Checchetto.

In addition to the standard cover, there are 10 variants/exclusives for the first issue.  There are quite a few good covers to chose from, but if I had to pick a favorite, it is the cover by Mark Brooks which also has a sketch variant.

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
blank variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Skottie Young variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Todd Nauck variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1e - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Funko variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1f - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
movie variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1g - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Paulina Ganucheau homage variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1h - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Mark Brooks variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1i - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Mark Brooks sketch variant
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1j - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Fried Pie exclusive
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1k - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Frankie's Comics/Sad Lemon Comics exclusive

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