Star Wars: Han Solo-Imperial Cadet collects the five issue mini-series of the same name, written by Robbie Thompson with art by Leonard Kirk and additional inks by Daniele Orlandini and Cory Hamscher. It also includes the one-shot Beckett written by Gerry Duggan with art by Edgar Salazar, Marc Laming, and Will Sliney.
Synopsis
Han “Solo” enrolls in the Imperial Navy’s flight program so he can someday return to the planet that he’s already on and rescue his girlfriend. Joke’s on him, though, because she’s played by Emilia Clarke, which means she is going to end up turning evil anyway. Chump. Anyway, it turns out the highly regimented and thought controlled military of a tyrannical government isn’t much for his smart mouthery and shenanigans. Who knew? How is he going to get through this? As the man himself would say, “Hey, it’s me”.
Review
Han attempts to withdraw from his classes at the academy
When I first saw some of the preview images for Han Solo: Imperial Cadet, I thought it looked like it would be a fun romp but probably little more. I was mistaken. HS: IC is fun, and there is certainly some romping that goes on. To the best of my recollection, at no point does anyone wear a romper; so, if you’re looking for something like that, move on. There is real depth to this story of Han Solo’s entry into the Imperial military and his early flight training. It opens with the familiar scene on Corellia as young Han is separated from Qi’ra and vows to return for her someday. It turns out that growing up as a thieving street urchin isn’t the best preparation for joining a strictly disciplined organization that views you as nothing more than an expendable asset. Han finds himself at odds with superiors and peers as his exceptional piloting skills are eclipsed by his cocky and smart-mouthed disregard for protocol. Brief flashbacks to Han’s adventures on Corellia show how he came to be such a good pilot. After leaving Corellia, his focus on getting back to Qi’ra never wavers, but Han quickly decides the best way to achieve his goal is not to complete his training but to simply steal a TIE fighter and desert.
Han, Nico, and the Dree brothers
At the academy on Carida Han meets other prospective Imperial pilots Hanina Nico, brothers Lyttan and Tamu Dree, and a no-nonsense Alpha type named Valance. Hanina has joined the service because she sees the need for order in the Galaxy; but, like Han, she also has someone she cares about back home. She is fairly disdainful of Han until she begins to see that his scorn for Imperial service is overshadowed by his desire to do right by his friends. During a combat mission on Qhulosk, Han foregos an opportunity to desert in order to back up his squad mates. He goes even further when he mounts an against orders rescue of Valance, of all people, after his TIE crashes during the fight. Throughout all of this, we see a Han Solo who, while he doesn’t have an ounce of loyalty to the Empire, cannot help but do the right thing when it comes to his comrades. It’s a Han who still believes in something besides himself; who hasn’t succumbed to the “what’s in it for me” cynicism that I think we are meant to believe overtakes him when he watches Qi’ra fly away from him at the end of Solo. The things we see Han do in Imperial Cadet foreshadow that turn he makes at the end of A New Hope. It’s the Han whose instinct to cut and run is undercut by a sometimes dimmed but never darkened need to do the right thing. The art in the series is pretty good, more “serious” looking than the cover art (by a different artist, David Nakayama) would lead one to believe. I can’t say that Han looks exactly like Alden or Ford, but I feel like the spirit of the character is captured.
Notes
Valance after his crash and rescue
Also included in this collection it the one-shot special “Beckett”. It’s an action packed and fun story featuring Beckett, Val, and Rio. Who doesn’t want that? My only real complaint is that it’s three chapters are done by three different artists. The final artist, Will Sliney, isn’t bad overall; but I really did not care for the way he drew Beckett’s face. Other than that, it’s a very enjoyable story and adds value to this trade paperback.
The story takes place 13 BBY. It does NOT end with Han getting kicked out of flight training. Valance is injured severely in his crash, but still mostly human, and transferred to the infantry.
Comic Pack Wish List:
Han Solo in Imperial cadet uniform, Hanina Nico.
Score:
Thoroughly enjoyable; it’s got some laughs, and a lot of heart. 4 Skulls.
