Star Wars: Princess Leia (2015) #5

Star Wars: Princess Leia (2015)

by Mark Waid, Terry Dodson (Artist)

Last stand in the name of Alderaan! The rebel Princess leads her people against the Empire! The conclusion to Leia's most personal mission!

Genres: Comics, Star Wars, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels, Fiction

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why can't more female characters be like Princess Leia?! Seriously. This woman is a complete badass, and she does it all with the brains of a strategist and diplomat, and a heart full of compassion and courage. She's aware of her skills, humble enough to admit her mistakes, and determined to follow through with her promises. She certainly has the dignity of a princess, but she's more than willing to get her hands dirty and take on her fair share of enemies in a fight (hand-to-hand and with guns). She's authoritative and she has a sense of humour, teasing and playful when she sees fit. I absolutely adore her.

And really, that's all the review I need to give. Take a character as well-written as Leia and I'd be happy to follow her on any adventure, from negotiating the political landscape, to stabilizing the survivors of Alderaan, to beating up muggers in a dark alley. The way her character plays off Evaan's character makes things all the more entertaining because of their different preferred approaches to situations. It's delicious.

Evaan Verlaine may not be the title character, but she sure deserves the attention she gets. A more rule-driven, stern, and equally capable counterpart to Leia, their gradually building friendship is pure delight to watch. Her character development makes me smile.

And the art! Oh! The Dodsons just melt me.

Is it too much to hope for more solo adventures for Leia in the future? This series is one of my favourites. Get it. Read it. You'll love it. Well... You'll love it if you love great female protagonists who support each other, but also call each other out on things when necessary.
Ugh, I need to stop before I lose complete control of my fangirling.

READ PRINCESS LEIA!!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice side adventure for our Princess as she tries to find what is left of Aldereen's populace scattered amongst the stars and unite them to start again. Of course, there is danger and betrayal from both with in and out as she embarks on uniting this scattered tribe without a homeland.

[XA · Rating 5 out of 5]

«We answer rage with wisdom. We answer fear with imagination. We answer war with hope. Alderaan lives.»

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this miniseries, but the story would have benefited with a few more issues so it didn't seem so rushed at times. I really hope we get another Princess Leia miniseries in the future, or even a spinoff series about the Alderaanian refugees under Evaan's leadership.

[Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great finale to the min-series.

We start with Evaan swooping in to save captive Leia and joining the rest of the ship who are Alderaanian citizens gathering to help her.

They know that they will not be able to defeat the empire forces that have gathered, including a star destroyer without more firepower.

However, they refuse to go down without a fight and Leia gives a rousing pre-battle speech, which convinces a group of part-Alderaanians who had be put off by her envoy in the previous issue to jump in and save the day.

In the end, they defeat the Empire ships and then everyone decides to disperse again, but know they know who they are.

Instead of forming a new nation, like I thought they would, they end up having more of a reunion battle before kicking out again.

This was a great way to close the book. It was a nice little story that now officially sit in Star Wars mythology. I can dig this Leia.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leia gives a rousing speech about Alderaan, and R2-D2 saves the day by broadcasting it to people who become her allies as a result and arrive to defeat the imperial forces. The thread concerning Tace and Tula is also quickly shrugged away as though it were not that important. Overall, I think that this is the strongest issue of the miniseries, which I rate 3.4 as a whole.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent conclusion to the mini-series!

[Ash Obenstine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection. I want more ;-;

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This surpassed my expectations and gave me a deeper appreciation for Leia. I'd call that a win.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good conclusion to mini-series. Enjoyed the action, but did not like the relative ease in which Alderaanian forces took down a star destroyer.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, the artwork was amazing and the story arc was a bit lacking. Even so, I liked it overall and it's kind of a shame that the mini-series that is this comic has come to an end.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little mini-series and a perfect read after seeing the new Star Wars last night. I loved the primarily female cast of characters and female-driven plot.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

OVERALL PRINCESS LEIA SERIES REVIEW:
She's 19, she just lost her home planet, her parents are dead, she was captured by the Empire, escaped the Empire, and coordinated the attack that destroyed the Death Star. She is Leia and she is unstoppable. Picking up where "A New Hope" left off, this series explores what this daring princess does now that she has a moment to think. Rather than shut herself in a room and break down and cry, Leia assumes the responsibility of the last living leader of Alderaan. Determined to rescue any Alderaanian survivors before the Empire catches them, she defies a Rebellion general's orders in order to preserve what remains of her home world's culture. Does she care that there is a bounty of her head? No. Does she care that some of her living subjects question her every decision? No. Is she going to let anyone get in her way as she undertakes this daring mission. NO!
She may be a princess but she is no damsel in distress.

[Elwin Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I liked it!" - 3.5 star rating, with a round up to a 4.

This is probably the #1 'come-back' when it comes to Star Wars comics.

Starting off barely scraping by with 2 star rating, then climbing its way up .5 each issue, coming together with a very well done ending that leaves the reader walking away feeling good, more connected with Alderaan/Princess Leia, and a level of finality one rarely gets from even a book, let alone a comic.

Very well done.

[Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish Mark Waid would return and do another Leia run. This story was so good and yet far too short. The artwork and the writing were fantastic - very true to the original trilogy while also introducing us to characters not included. We need more Leia comics!!

[Ceejay Cartuneo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Have to say, out of all the expanded literary works, this is my favorite. You had me at Princess Leia, but the writer and artist kept me. Wonderfully written by Mark Waid, and Terry Dodson the perfect choice to Illustrate!

[Derek Neveu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole storyline did an excellent job capturing the spirit of a Princess Leia, but the story as a whole lagged and was lacking something to make it memorable.

[Daftfader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some nice art in this issue. It was the first issue where Leiareallylooked like herself. Still some odd art choices like wave wineglasses. The ending was satisfactory

[Matthew Bane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm kind of glad it's over because it really wasn't that great

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess leia with the help of the survivors of Alderaan fight back against the evil empire!

[Gergő Király · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 - Finally great issue! The presentation just lacks so much for me

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this last issue was rushed with both the art and the story which does not make sense because this issue was pushed back a week.

The first couple pages of this issue, the art that is so bad that it seems it was not even fully colored. I understand that they are in the dessert, but it still looked way to white in scenes. The drawings looked rushed and were not as good as the last issue.

The story is rushed and clique with Princess Leia uniting and saving everyone with a speech. The fact that someone else becomes the princess does not make sense because they still call her Princess Leia in Empire Strikes back, its fine if this becomes an honorary title, but I personally do not like someone else becoming the hope of the Alderaan survivors, it makes this whole 5 part mini series pointless because she is the one that brings them together.

Despite this disappointing ending I still recommend the series.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent conclusion to an okay miniseries revolving around Princess Leia. The writing wasn't bad, but the artwork just didn't do it for me. Whereas Star Wars and Darth Vader capture the universe and characters well, this one appears to have too much Disney reflected in it. Leia is a great character that kicks ass. While she still displays her competence and prowess here, it's not nearly as awe-inspiring as one might hope. She felt dumbed down to a child's perspective instead of demonstrating the battle-hardened leader she is.The ending was also over-the-top cliched for my liking. Here's hoping the Lando miniseries lives up to my expectations.

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

- It was an okay ending to the series, but it was VERY convenient.

- I'm not exactly sure how this whole series fits into the timeline. I get where it starts, but what about all the other stuff Leia had to do? How does this fit in?

- I'm glad the Alderaan people are extinct. I hope they can find a new planet to inhabit.

- Overall, it was okay, but I wouldn't really recommend it. I'd say stick with Star Wars and Darth Vader. This was a weird side series.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leia: “We will defend ourselves.
But we won't land one more blow than necessary.
We are not our enemy.
We are Alderaan.
We answer rage with wisdom.
We answer fear with imagination.
We answer war with hope.
If one life with a single drop of Alderaanian blood survives, Alderaan survives.
If one life with a passion for Alderaanian creativity survives … Alderaan survives.
And we are, each of us, important.
And whatever happens, I bow to ALL of you … and to our FUTURE.”

- - -

[Solace Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of this was a full circle that was well played. I would love to see this play into the new movies.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un buen final.

SPOILER
Ya me quedo más tranquila al ver que la Estrella de la muerte no fue el final de todos los alderanies y que ahora han podido reunirse :P