This issue felt very much like a segway into something much bigger. I’m going to go ahead and assume that it is, based on the final page. Another indicator was that there was a ton of expositional-sounding dialogue. I know that “exposition” is a dirty word when it comes to creative writing. I used it a lot as a kid, but there was a feeling that I couldn’t get over while I was reading. Now it could possibly not be exposition at all, but instead a kind of setup for the next arc; that’s probably more likely. We all know that Brian Wood is a great writer, which is why I would think twice about saying that he writes exposition, but there was just this unavoidable feeling that I was being set up for something. Of course, that could have been his intention all along, but as we’re told on the last page of this issue, we won’t find out until issue fifteen. In the meantime, we’re going to possibly be told an unrelated story focusing on Vader. We all know that the Star Wars universe is a huge place, with tons of story to tell, but I’m surprised that Brian Wood won’t instead be peppering in this story of the Sith along with the main story. All of the parallel plots are coming to an end. Kell Bircher is a rebel spy, Leia has apparently found a suitable world to serve as the headquarters of the Rebel Alliance, Luke is alone once again, Perla is accepted and taken in by Mon Mothma, and Rogue Squadron’s validity becomes solidified in the Star Wars universe.

I think that I touched on Brian Wood’s script this month pretty well in the intro, but I do want to make a point in saying that I was definitely entertained by the events of this issue and was kept interested in the idea of what may be coming in the near future. I’ve been impressed by every issue of Star Wars so far, but I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. I see us getting closer and closer to the events of The Empire Strikes Back, and that makes me very excited. Also, being a fan of the Expanded Universe, it was cool to see the Rogue Squadron finally become an official proper noun.

There is a lot of dialogue in here, so we don’t really get to see a lot of the fun stuff that we usually do from Carlos D’Anda, but it’s still solid stuff. Vader looked especially awesome. There is something special about how D’Anda shows the light reflecting off of Vader’s helmet. Gorgeous.

There are quite a few really important plot points in this issue, so I really suggest that you pick it up. You’re going to want to be clued in on what you should be expecting from future issues. There is one particular nugget of information on how Leia obtained this new world that you’re going to want to read. Star Wars is and has been a great read. And get ready for “Five Days of the Sith” starting with issue fourteen next month.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Brian Wood Artist: Carlos D’Anda Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $2.99 Release Date: 12/11/13