Star Wars: Captain Phasma

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1-4

by Kelly Thompson, Marco Checchetto (Illustrator), Andres Mossa (Colour Artist)

What happened to Captain Phasma after Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens? Writer Kelly Thompson (HAWKEYE) and artist Marco Checchetto (AVENGERS WORLD, PUNISHER, GAMORA) expand Captain Phasma's story and reveal how she escaped the destruction of Starkiller Base. It's the stunning lead-in to this winter's blockbuster big-screen Star Wars film, and everything you need to know is right here!

COLLECTING: Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Captain Phasma #1-4.

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Marvel, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2017

About the author

KELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.

Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.

Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.

Reviews

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phasma eliminating her tracks!


This TPB edition collects "Star Wars: Captain Phasma" #1-4.


Creative Team:

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Illustrator: Marco Checchetto


MERCILESS SURVIVOR

This comic book miniseries accounts how Captain Phasma erased her forced involment in the destruction of the Starkiller Starbase, when she had to get down the shields of the said station having guns pointed to her.

Phasma, once she escaped from the trash compactor area, she knew that she had to ensure to delete her entry in the computer system using her personal codes to deactivate the energy shields, and soon before anyone could check it out...

...she eliminate the electronic evidence, BUT...

...an First Order officer already had consulted the info...

...the course of action for Phasma is clear, as always in her life as a survivor...

...the First Officer should be "deleted" too!

Captain Phasma in the middle of the imminent destruction of the Starkiller base, she takes a TIE fighter along with a female First Order pilot, to chase the runaway First Order officer, flying in a TIE fighter too, to avoid that one of her most shameful and incriminating moments, could be widely known...

...and said chase will take Phasma to a hostile world...

..but that's no problem, since it's not her first hostile world!

Phasma will survive...

...not matter how many corpses she has to leave in her bloody path.

[A.J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taking place during the destruction of Starkiller Base at the end of TFA, Kelly Thompson & Marco Checchetto’s Captain Phasma follows one of the sequel's most underutilized characters immediately after she is thrown in the trash compactor by Han, Chewie, and Finn. This comic details her escape from Starkiller, and how she frames another Imperial officer for giving the rebels the access codes to Starkiller Base, which was her doing in The Force Awakens when Han, Chewie, and Finn got them out of her.

This was all over the place in terms of quality. The first and final issues were easily the most consistent, but the middle two issues feel like such a massive waste of time, with Checchetto’s art being the only saving grace for that part. I did like the ending, but it also feels anti-climatic considering what happens to Phasma in The Last Jedi. If you like Kelly Thompson, Marco Checchetto or the sequel trilogy, you’ll probably like this. Everyone else should definitely skip.

[Artemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Last time we saw Phasma, she was shoved in the garbage chute of the Starkiller Base after being forced to lower its defence shields, and not long before the Base was destroyed. This comic shows us how she got out of the chute and off the Base, and what happened to her between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

I like the idea of Phasma, but I wasn't very happy with how she was treated in TFA. The way she was forced to lower the shields and shoved in the chute was humiliating for such a (presumably) strong character. So I really liked the first issue of this comic — she is shown as a smart, calculating person, and after she realises that the fact of her unintended treachery could be easily uncovered, she deals with it with impressive cold-bloodedness.

Unfortunately, after a really good first issue comes some nonsensical story about a planet whose population is terrorised by some giant monsters. It's really boring and completely pointless, and for two out of total four issues the plot just stalls, until in the last issue Phasma finally reaches her goal and gets rid of the last evidence of her betrayal.

During those two issues in the middle we get a couple of curious snippets, though. The first one is sort of a big one: Phasma takes off her helmet, and it's not what most people would expect, especially knowing that in the movies she's played by the brilliant Gwendoline Christie. I don't know how I feel about the revelation, so I will withhold judgement until I see how the actual films will deal with this. The second curious thing is that we see a flashback to Phasma's childhood. It doesn't show a lot, though, and the whole thing will probably be revisited in some other comic or book tie-in, or maybe even in the actual movies, although I doubt that option.

The real star of this comic is Marco Checchetto's artwork with Andres Mossa's colours. They also worked on Shattered Empire, and their artwork was the best thing about that comic, as well. Phasma is a very beautiful book, so at least there's that.

Overall, it's not a particularly good comic, but it's also not as bad as I expected, and it does a decent job of getting Phasma out of a questionable situation. It's not the kind of plot that the actual movie would spend precious screen time on, so at least they explain that stuff in the comic. I think it's worth a read for people like me, who are desperately waiting for The Last Jedi to hit theatres in December. Just don't pay full price for it — better yet, just borrow it from the library or some other place.

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5
Okay, that was a LOT cooler than I was expecting!

spoilers for the new Star Wars trilogy concerning Phasma

First off, the art in here is AMAZING. Even if you don't care about Phasma, I'd recommend picking this up for the art alone. Absolutely stunning.

Captain Phasma is one of those characters of the new movies who was dealt with horribly. Honestly, Finn's whole backstory was dealt with badly, but that's a whole other thing. Phasma was amazing when she showed up - this leader of the stormtroopers, with her amazing armor and chilling voice. Also, having a female Imperial in high command without having purposefully sexy armor was great. However, Phasma didn't do too much in TFA, and did even less in TLJ. Which is a shame because she actually was built up quite well in TFA for future tension with Finn, but that never panned out.

I know that there's a Phasma novel, but I haven't gotten to that yet. I do want to read it, though. There were a couple of panels in this comic that apparently are from the novel, so that should be interesting. What I read from those panels left me with questions.

The premise of this graphic novel is about Phasma going on a mission after the destruction of Starkiller Base to tie up any loose ends that would incriminate her for what she did in TFA. She takes an Imperial pilot with her and heads to this far-off planet to complete her personal mission.

This is where I assume some people were lost - honestly, the stranger elements that slip into these SW graphic novels can sometimes take me out of the story, but this planet wasn't so weird that it felt out of place in Star Wars.

Phasma, as a character, felt very interesting in here, and that was where most of my enjoyment of the book came from. She's ruthless to a point, very clever at getting what she wants, resourceful, and still has pangs of emotion from time to time. That point at the end where she nearly called the trooper girl "Pilot" instead of her numbers was good. Phasma's definitely stronger in here than she is in any of the movies, unfortunately.

I quite liked that, in here, you never see Phasma's face. There was a scene where she changed clothes where I thought for an instant we'd actually see her unmasked, but instead she wears a different helmet for her new outfit. It worked very well.

The ending was rough, honestly. I felt for the characters. My main complaint, I suppose, is that this is a great story about a wasted character. It feels like it did when I read Cobalt Squadron, a book about Rose Tico. If the character themself didn't get a proper resolution in the movies, then it's hard to focus too much on their mid-movie development in books like these. Oh well, I had fun here. 4.5/5 stars.


1/16/22 edit:

I reread this after reading the Phasma novel - and ha, I love that I called Phasma a wasted character in both of my reviews. I stand by the fact that this was a cool graphic novel, though. I like that it follows Phasma directly after TFA, and the detail that Phasma witnessed Rey and Kylo's duel in the woods is great. And, having read the Phasma novel, all of the details about her life before and that flashback scene just HURT. Very well done all around.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the mysterious but underutilized First Order stormtrooper commanding officer from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi gets her very own title. What do we learn about her? Not much, really.

While the artwork is good - there are some excellently detailed two-page spreads, one of which shows squadrons of X-Wings vs. TIE fighters in a dogfight - the shallow main story is essentially one long chase with action scenes. Set between the aforementioned movies, the terse Phasma is on a mission after "the traitorous Lt. Rivas" (as he is repetitively referred to in Phasma's dialogue . . . to the point of annoyance) with assistance only from a lone TIE fighter pilot. The pilot - refreshingly, but not surprisingly, a competent young lady in the formerly male-centric SW universe - was actually the most appealing character in the book. It's just too bad she won't be making return appearances.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a little disappointing, and would be giving it 2 stars if not for the art, because the art is amazing.

This could have been done just as well in a one-shot or annual. There's not much here to have this going for 4 issues (I'm glad it wasn't even longer), because we don't even get much about Phasmas past, which I'm guessing is because that's covered in either the new novel or will be touched upon in the last Jedi.

All for Phasma getting her own book, and knowing about what happened to her between TFA and TLJ. But did we need 4 issues of her hunting down someone who we know she'll eventually find and know the outcome of? And including a planet that didn't really add that much? Am I being too picky? Probably.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit safe. The art is the stand out here. The novel on Phasma contains much more info as probably a better overall story.

[Andreas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that interesting but still a lot more interesting than Phasma in the movies (which wasn't that difficult to achieve to be honest).

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating is 2.5 stars.

This is a short mini series that takes place at the end of The Force Awakens. This tells the story how Captain Phasma survives the destruction of Starkiller Base and her direct actions because of it.

Welcome to this new trilogy's Boba Fett. Let me explain. A minor character that has a small role but for some reason the fandom falls in love with that character. I have no problem with this because this is one reason why this universe is special. Fans loving the many varied characters. But now Captain Phasma has her own solo book with also this collection. She has a following. So far, I am not impressed with this character and maybe this affected my enjoyment of this collection. The artwork as usual was terrific. I do love the artwork in the new run of the comics. As for the story I actually liked the arc for the minor characters more than the main character. It was a nice look into why a group of people might accept evil.

This wasn't the greatest collection because I believe the main character isn't strong enough to carry her own series. It doesn't add much to the overall arc as this is probably left to the upcoming movie.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was a quick one, but was also a great one. The art was very good and for Star Wars books, unfortunately that’s sort of a rare feat. The story though was told very well and supplements the Star Wars story and the sequel era perfectly.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's no big surprise that a graphic novel focused on Captain Phasma is not great. What Phasma teaches Disney is that you can't create new Boba Fetts at will. Also, there's more to a compelling character than just a neat outfit. Given how quickly Phasma is defeated in both of the movies in which she appears, it's hard to take any story about her very seriously.

This story starts with, to me, a kind of confusing setup. The timestamps and different narrations made it hard for me to figure out initially why Phasma was chasing Sol Rivas, and I never understood whether Rivas was intentionally trying to implicate Phasma, or if the whole thing is just coincidence.

From that opening, the story devolves into a typical Star Wars trope: main characters marooned on a hostile planet; no ships or weapons available; must figure out ingenious scheme to succeed. It's not an interesting structure this time, because I couldn't care less about any of the characters involved.

The one nice thing about this book is the artwork. Though it doesn't always make the story as clear as it could be, the art by Marco Checchetto is quite beautiful—some of the best Star Wars graphic novel art and coloring that I've seen.

[Matěj Komiksumec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neurazí ale ani nenadchne je přesná definice téhle minisérie. Phasma je cool postava a mrzí mě, že se na ní tak zapomíná, tady konečně nějaký prostor urve a ukazuje, že to je dost nekompromisní mrcha a moc se mi to líbilo. Naopak příběh jako takový je spíš meh protože je tak hrozně generický, že mě to zas tak neuchvátilo. Na druhou stranu Marco Checchetto je prostě borec, jeho kresbě čím dál více přicházím na chuť a jeho Star Wars mě nikdy nezklamou. Tohle by si měl dát každý koho zajímá jak se rozšiřuje sequel trilogie protože to je hodně zajímavý až bych řekl, že by si Phasma zasloužila mnohem víc.

[Nicis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5? Like, this is probably my least favorite comic so far but still kinds of makes me want to see Phasma alive in EPIX. She's a survivor to her very core and if she's dead it would be quite a disappointment >:C

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escaping the garbage chute before Starkiller Base blows up? Piece of cake!

Covering her tracks and disposing of the only person who knew her role in the destruction of the First Order superweapon? That's where the fun begins.

Phasma must follow the officer who knows her terrible secret, and as always, she will do anything to ensure her survival, much as we previously read in the "Phasma" novel by Delilah S. Dawson.

In fact, the ordeal she must endure in this particular mission, will make her remember her days in Parnassos, before she joined the First Order.

A fantastic miniseries written by Kelly Thompson with superb art by Marco Checchetto.
Extremely recommended, but I must say it's better if you have read the novel before, so you understand why she does what she does, and the references to the novel as well.

[La Espada en la Tinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obligada a meterse en un compactador de basura en El despertar de la Fuerza —sin duda una broma vengativa de Han Solo por lo mal que lo pasó en aquel plan improvisado de rescate de la Princesa Leia en Una nueva esperanza—, la Capitana Phasma no terminó sus días prensada y reciclada cual tetrabrik espacial, sino que su tenacidad se ha visto aumentada gracias a ese vergonzoso acontecimiento sobre el que habría que correr un tupido velo, salvo por un tema importante que ha quedado sin cerrar: todos pensarán que ella es la culpable de la destrucción de la base Starkiller. Es una verdad tan grande como un Destructor Estelar, pero nadie puede enterarse o su carrera en el Primer Orden estará más que acabada, y sin honores.

Lee la reseña completa en La Espada en la Tinta

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Captain Phasma enthält alle vier Bände der US-Ausgabe und somit die komplette Kurzgeschichte um die Antiheldin aus Star Wars: Die letzten Jedi. Zugegeben: Mich hat Phasma ja in den Filmen etwas enttäuscht. Ich habe mir bei einem Charakter, der so groß angekündigt wurde einfach viel mehr erhofft und finde es schade, dass sie und ihre Geschichte so wenig Raum bekommen haben. Das sollte sich mit dem Comic ändern, hoffte ich und wurde dabei leider enttäuscht. Die Story beinhaltet ein Action-geladenes Weltraumabenteuer das durchaus lesenswert ist aber das war es auch leider schon.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mostly exists to explain what happened to Captain Phasma after she was unceremoniously dumped into the trash compactor at the end of "The Force Awakens." The action in the comic is cool but the story ultimately feels pretty inconsequential. Given the way they treated Captain Phasma in "The Last Jedi", that should come as no surprise. If you like Captain Phasma, her novel "Phasma" is amazing and is one of the best of the new canon, IMHO.

[Julia V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun quick read after finishing the Phasma book from the same series. I wanted a bit more because I really fell in love with her character and story line.

Knowing her origin story made this comic a more interesting read for sure. On top of that some of the panels were next level. A few times I just had to stop and marvel at all the colors and details in the cinematic shots. Overall a good read for any fans of the new trilogy.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art really elevated this epic tale of Phasma doing a little CYA after the debacle in Starkiller Base. Best appreciated after reading the novel Phasma, but the reader is by no means required to have done so.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. This was a brilliantly illustrated continuation of a cold-hearted character. Captain Phasma picks up with the sliver plated Storm Trooper right where she was left off in Force Awakens...in the garbage chute. Phasma doesn't let a little trash stop her though...she sees a First Order member barely escape the wreckage and tracks him down to a remote planet alongside a female pilot. She starts a civil war on this planet only to assassinate Rivas and the Pilot and a BB unit...all to hide the fact she's the one who lowered the shields.
Mind blowingly well done in terms of characterization, the rest of the story felt silly and unnecessary now that her character was brushed aside in Last Jedi. I enjoyed this quick read but wish the movies had respected her as much as Kelly Thompson has.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Book I, Part I
CAPTAIN PHASMA
General Organa's Resistance forces have mounted a direct attack on the First Order's most powerful weapon, Starkiller Base.
A small assault team consisting of Han Solo, Chewbacca, and former stormtrooper FN-2187, now a Resistance fighter known as Finn, has infiltrated the base to lower its defense shields.
While Starkiller's planet-destroying superweapon is charging, Captain Phasma is forced at blaster point to lower the base's defensive shields, allowing Resistance forces to attack in full. The trio then forces Captain Phasma into a garbage chute.
Phasma does not intend to stay there long....
This was good, I loved the art and didn't quite realize how brutal Phasma was, and relentless, I feel if she was Force sensitive she would be on Vaders level. The story was a bit predictable in places but it fleshed her character out a bit...3🌟

[Tiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not the best story, but it certainly sticks true to what’s been established about this character through her novel. It’s hard to keep reading stories like these when Phasma is woefully underutilized in the movies. She’s really in business for herself, and I wish we could see this Phasma in the movies.

[Joseph Berrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s really good. Very short but overall really good tie in too the last Jedi loved the planet in this as well. Just a fun read and rec.

[Keith Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phasma - Evil Walks

This is Star Wars excitement at its finest: action, adventure, and imperialistic evil (showing the First Order to truly be the successor to the Galactic Empire). This is the Phasma I want to see on-screen!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Phasma serves to fill in the puzzling gap of Phasma’s story that is left between Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Full disclosure…I’m not fond of retroactively added depth when it comes to multimedia worlds like Star Wars. I find it irritating to have to read a comic for a story that ultimately should have had at least some context within the original media (movie). Phasma’s role in Force Awakens was hyped and almost immediately squandered as she ends up in a trash can (basically)…and people who were looking forward to a female villain on screen (me) were left more than a little disappointed. To see someone who looks and acts badass end up giving in and disappearing for the rest of the movie is disheartening. I suppose this comic aims to fix that In some ways it does, and in others, it feels like it wasn’t enough.

Captain Phasma showcases our chrome baddie’s ability to overcome rather intense circumstances and the cost of what she is willing to do it. It picks up right after the shield goes down (in the movie) and progresses to before The Last Jedi, and Phasma stays busy. It focuses on showing the small chinks in her emotional armor, but also just how hardened she is when it comes to the progression of her goals. I personally love a villain who shows a bit of ruthlessness and Phasma definitely fits the bill. We also get to see a new planet and it’s incredibly harsh eco-system, which is always fun. It also lends to opening up a bit of her backstory, though we get very little of that overall. I expect this is a ploy to get people to buy the full-length novel, Phasma, which is as I said before…annoying.

However, the art is stunning and dynamic and there are so many little details to be had. They definitely have an eye for amazing action sequences and full-page panels.

Overall, it doesn’t feel like a necessary addition to the storyline. Phasma certainly needs the extra detail, but this is a one-shot so much of that detail is still being glossed over. I enjoyed it and I think the art is phenomenal, but I still think our captain deserves better.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Actually I just read issue 1 but this is all that's on goodreads. Kelly is one of my favourite writers and I'm so happy that Marvel hired her to do a Phasma comic. I loved Captain Phasma and thought she was dreadfully underused in the film, so hopefully all the promotion of her before the next film will lead to Gwendoline getting more to do this time!

But I really loved this comic. For one thing the art work was stunning, so much better than what I'd normally expect from Marvel, the layout and the panels were beautiful. So much that as much as I want to know what happens I decided to wait and get the graphic novel because the ads in this broke up the story too much.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry Kelly Thompson, but your version of Phasma just doesn't really do it for me.

I get that maybe Marvel had Thompson on a tight leash, keeping her within the confines of preconceived idea or storyline. And I get that Marvel hasn't exactly been hitting it out of the ballpark with their lead up to The Last Jedi but man, I don't think their attempt to reconcile some of the complaints about Phasma in TFA solved anything with this tie in.

Captain Phasma is a total bore. Aside from parts of the first issue that deal with Phasma covering her tracks for lowering the shields on Starkiller Base, nothing of any importance happens in this 4 part series. It's just the same old alien planet with the same requisite alien inhabitants and the same Star Wars cliches. I gained absolutely no new info on Phasma and only gained more ire and frustration at Marvel continuing to just phone it in and publish such a bland and uninspired comic. I mean, I can't even get upset because it was just so cookie-cutter, so plain, unoriginal and lacked any kind of distinguishing characteristics. At least with Ken Liu's Adventures of Luke Skywalker there was enough stupid moments to point out and actually get mad about. Here though? Nothing!

If you must know about Phasma and how she became the shiny metal, take-no-shit, right hand of General Hux, read Delilah S. Dawson's novel on the titular character. There was more creativeness and real story in one sentence than there was in this entire series.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preciso confessar uma coisa: eu ainda não assisti a nenhum filme da novíssima trilogia de Star Wars, essa feita depois da Lucas Filmes ter sido comprada pela Disney. Meu primeiro contato com esse material foi, portanto, este encadernado da Capitã Phasma, que eu não fazia (e ainda não faço) ideia de quem é. Então não sei se posso julgar ele direito. Acontece que a primeira parte do encadernado e da história é aquele lado ruim das histórias de Star Wars, que é a "guerra de navezinhas do espaço" em que nada acontece fora batalhas e explosões. A minissérie demora muito para engrenar tanto que pensei que poderia ser só isso. Mas quando finalmente a Capitã Phasma e a Piloto entram em contato com o povo planeta que pretendem "ajudar", só ali, percebemos que a tal Capitã não é uma personagem tão plana assim e a história então começa a ficar mais interessante. Mas mesmo assim não deu para entender o contexto da novíssima trilogia de Star Wars feita pela Disney. Pelo menos não através desse minissérie. Então fico receoso em adquirir mais materiais que dizem respeito a esses filmes sem tê-los assistido. Será que vou conseguir entender, ou vai ser como este, que tanto faz como tanto fez?

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am getting excited for Rise of the Skywalker so I am catching up on some Marvel Star Wars comics. This morning's read was Captain Phasma which is set immediately after the events of The Force Awakens. It really shows how ruthless and badass Phasma could be. They should have had more Phasma comics and showcased her skills in the movies.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Villain

This is the Captain Phasma story I’ve been looking for. She’s ruthless; the hero of her own story.

This is why I’ll read anything Kelly Thompson writes.