REVIEW: ‘Star Wars #16′ is Prison Break

Jason Aaron never seems to rest his laurels in another intriguing chapter of STAR WARS with Star Wars #16. It starts a new story arc titled REBEL JAIL. Here, it picks up where the first Star Wars crossover, Vader Down, ended. It revolves on the imprisonment of one of Vader’s closest associates in the so-called impregnable inter-galactic prison controlled by the Rebels. On the other hand, a side-story focuses on Han Solo and his favorite vice – gambling.

Strictly speaking, the plot is nothing short of novelty since the concept of being imprisoned in a highly maximum security prison is already being explored numerous times, in comics, movies, and televisions. However, Jason Aaron likes to emphasize the hubris of the jail warden on the prison’s capabilities to the point of bragging that his prison has a special cell for Darth Vader. That uncalled bravado really costs him by the end of this issue, and this is only the first chapter. Noticeable moments here are the brief stand-off between Doctor Alpha and Princess Leia before the former’s complete subjugation, and Luke and Solo’s encounter in the gambling escapade that would easily transition to the next chapter.

Filipino two-hit wonder, Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan, delivers one of the cleanest, most intricately detailed and carefully crafted artwork. Truth to be mentioned here, their collaborative effort here in Star Wars is way more articulated in sequential paneling, dense in illustration, intricate in applying inking and crosshatching, and aesthetically pleasing than their last project, Darth Vader Annual #1. The above confrontation is almost realistic in projection. The gambling moment is actually some of the rare hilarious artistic executions yet, particularly Solo’s. Even some of Yu’s art are minimized to maximum effect, and still looks gorgeous.

[CHECK OUT… Picture Gallery of STAR WARS #16 Signing with Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan]

My gripes here are some dialogue are a bit clunky, if not too verbose; and I am so intrigued on how the interrogators question Vader’s ward since it is only mentioned, not illustrated.

Star Wars #16 presents another amazing collaborative effort by Jason Aaron, Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, and colorist Sonny Gho on how to make a good first chapter even though the plot is nothing groundbreaking.