What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016)
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 1: Aphra
Collects Doctor Aphra #1-6.
Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If the Dark Lord of the Sith ever learns of her survival, he’ll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it’s time for a return to what she does best. With droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One in tow, she’s off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim — and everywhere in between. Aphra’s got debts to pay, after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some bounty hunters…and just about everyone else in the galaxy!
Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If the Dark Lord of the Sith ever learns of her survival, he’ll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it’s time for a return to what she does best. With droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One in tow, she’s off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim — and everywhere in between. Aphra’s got debts to pay, after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some bounty hunters…and just about everyone else in the galaxy!
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2017
335 people are currently reading
2128 people want to read
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,472 books1,907 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews
September 13, 2022
An accessible Star Wars comic for people who don't have a Ph.D. in Lightsaber Mechanics or know what Luke's midi-chlorian count was.
However, I think if you do have tons of Lucas-lore tucked away in your brain, it would probably only make this comic better. I'm pretty sure I missed some of the inside jokes as this is only the second Star Wars comic I've ever read in my life.
But I'm ok with that.
Aphra is this somewhat amoral archaeologist who seemingly owes a lot of the wrong people money and favors. She's not necessarily evil, but she doesn't mind doing bad things. An Indiana Jones with very loose code of conduct.
And her sidekicks are two murderous droids and a killer Wookiee.
I don't know any of these characters so I may be missing a lot, but they all made me laugh.
This was fun, humorous, fast-paced, and interesting.
I'd read this just as a fan of sci-fi comics even if there were no Star Wars involved. In fact, I'd heard good things whispered about this for years but it was the fear of Star Wars that kept me from picking it up. And I don't mean that in some sort of I hate Star Wars way, just that I don't have much knowledge beyond the basics.
Recommended!
However, I think if you do have tons of Lucas-lore tucked away in your brain, it would probably only make this comic better. I'm pretty sure I missed some of the inside jokes as this is only the second Star Wars comic I've ever read in my life.
But I'm ok with that.
Aphra is this somewhat amoral archaeologist who seemingly owes a lot of the wrong people money and favors. She's not necessarily evil, but she doesn't mind doing bad things. An Indiana Jones with very loose code of conduct.
And her sidekicks are two murderous droids and a killer Wookiee.
I don't know any of these characters so I may be missing a lot, but they all made me laugh.
This was fun, humorous, fast-paced, and interesting.
I'd read this just as a fan of sci-fi comics even if there were no Star Wars involved. In fact, I'd heard good things whispered about this for years but it was the fear of Star Wars that kept me from picking it up. And I don't mean that in some sort of I hate Star Wars way, just that I don't have much knowledge beyond the basics.
Recommended!
April 11, 2018
The doctor is in!
The story is set after the events of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” but before the events of “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back”. This TPB edition contains from the title of “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” #1-6 in its new Marvel Canonic run.
Creative Team:
Writer: Keiron Gillen
Illustrator: Kev Walker
Cover: Antonio Fabela
WALKER, LARROCA IS NOT
Well, my first shock with this TPB was that the artwork wasn’t close to the astonishing cover by Antonio Fabela, and not even Salvador Larroca that was the artist responsible to visually introduce Dr. Aphra in the first volumen of Darth Vader.
Kev Walker’s artwork isn’t that bad, but certainly wasn’t as good as in other Star Wars titles of the new Marvel Canonic line, that I have been buying.
YOUR (NEW) FAVORITE ROGUES
Dr. Chelli Lona Aphra is one of the hottest new characters that risen from the new Marvel Canonic line, and here, you’ll started to learn about her past and what’s next for her after faking her “death” to avoid being hunted by Darth Vader.
Archeology is just grave robbing with fancy paperwork.
Dr. Aphra is a rogue archeologist and an expert about droids. Here, you’ll learn how tricky was the way that she got her Archeology Doctorate, and it’s not that she wasn’t smart enough to get it in an honest way, but she had a bad calling for thesis and her mentor hated her, so…
…the Aphra’s way will have to be!
She isn’t alone in her new adventures, since she kept the droids that she got due Vader’s assistance: 0-0-0 (Triple Zero) (a protocol droid who enjoys (a lot!) to torture) and BT-1 (Bee-Tee One) (a blastomech with a deceptive look of regular astromech).
Also, there is Black Krrsantan (a very effective bounty hunter Wookie of dark fur) that since Aphra hasn’t paid him all that she is in debt to him, he opted to accompany the merry band.
All aboard in the Ark Angel II.
IMPERIAL WANTED… AGAIN
Dr. Aphra faked her own death to avoid being hunted by Darth Vader but she keeps messing with Imperial Forces, so while her exact indentity hasn’t being revealed again, she is gaining a new Imperial hunter…
Meet: Captain Magna Tolvan
Capt. Tolvan have some cybernetics improvements in her neck and part of the head. She was in charge of the security in the Imperial base at Eadu (and if you have watched Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), you may guess that that isn’t looking any good in her Imperial military record.
Tolvan isn’t in position to argue about her next Imperial mission, so she is assigned to check up Yavin 4, after the Rebellion abandoned that planet, in case of any Intel left behind or any clue of their next whereabouts.
Tolvan knew that that mission was a punishment, since finding any relevant Rebel thing there was extremely scant…
…but she will have more than she would ever imagined when good ol’ Doctor Aprha and her merry band of rogues will provoke havoc there…
…since Aphra has been forced (to avoid losing her doctorate forever) by someone too close to her to give assistance in a mythical hunt of a extremist Jedi-related sect from ancient times even older than the beginning of the Old Republic!!!
And…
…you can bet that they won’t stay too long on Yavin 4!!!
The story is set after the events of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” but before the events of “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back”. This TPB edition contains from the title of “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” #1-6 in its new Marvel Canonic run.
Creative Team:
Writer: Keiron Gillen
Illustrator: Kev Walker
Cover: Antonio Fabela
WALKER, LARROCA IS NOT
Well, my first shock with this TPB was that the artwork wasn’t close to the astonishing cover by Antonio Fabela, and not even Salvador Larroca that was the artist responsible to visually introduce Dr. Aphra in the first volumen of Darth Vader.
Kev Walker’s artwork isn’t that bad, but certainly wasn’t as good as in other Star Wars titles of the new Marvel Canonic line, that I have been buying.
YOUR (NEW) FAVORITE ROGUES
Dr. Chelli Lona Aphra is one of the hottest new characters that risen from the new Marvel Canonic line, and here, you’ll started to learn about her past and what’s next for her after faking her “death” to avoid being hunted by Darth Vader.
Archeology is just grave robbing with fancy paperwork.
Dr. Aphra is a rogue archeologist and an expert about droids. Here, you’ll learn how tricky was the way that she got her Archeology Doctorate, and it’s not that she wasn’t smart enough to get it in an honest way, but she had a bad calling for thesis and her mentor hated her, so…
…the Aphra’s way will have to be!
She isn’t alone in her new adventures, since she kept the droids that she got due Vader’s assistance: 0-0-0 (Triple Zero) (a protocol droid who enjoys (a lot!) to torture) and BT-1 (Bee-Tee One) (a blastomech with a deceptive look of regular astromech).
Also, there is Black Krrsantan (a very effective bounty hunter Wookie of dark fur) that since Aphra hasn’t paid him all that she is in debt to him, he opted to accompany the merry band.
All aboard in the Ark Angel II.
IMPERIAL WANTED… AGAIN
Dr. Aphra faked her own death to avoid being hunted by Darth Vader but she keeps messing with Imperial Forces, so while her exact indentity hasn’t being revealed again, she is gaining a new Imperial hunter…
Meet: Captain Magna Tolvan
Capt. Tolvan have some cybernetics improvements in her neck and part of the head. She was in charge of the security in the Imperial base at Eadu (and if you have watched Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), you may guess that that isn’t looking any good in her Imperial military record.
Tolvan isn’t in position to argue about her next Imperial mission, so she is assigned to check up Yavin 4, after the Rebellion abandoned that planet, in case of any Intel left behind or any clue of their next whereabouts.
Tolvan knew that that mission was a punishment, since finding any relevant Rebel thing there was extremely scant…
…but she will have more than she would ever imagined when good ol’ Doctor Aprha and her merry band of rogues will provoke havoc there…
…since Aphra has been forced (to avoid losing her doctorate forever) by someone too close to her to give assistance in a mythical hunt of a extremist Jedi-related sect from ancient times even older than the beginning of the Old Republic!!!
And…
…you can bet that they won’t stay too long on Yavin 4!!!
December 29, 2018
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
Shady space archaeologist Doctor Aphra has finally managed to quit working for Darth Vader without ending up dead. Now along with her two murderous droids and the fierce Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan she’s just trying to find precious artifacts to sell so she can pay off debts she owes. However, her business plan gets delayed when her archaeologist credentials are revoked thanks to a person from her past. To get back in business Aphra will have to outwit Imperial forces and track down the mythical resting place of an ancient sect related to the Jedi.
Aphra is the best new creation in these Star Wars comics, and this title focusing on her was a lot of fun. My major gripe about this line of Marvel comics has been that by setting it between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and concentrating on the major players from the movies that it's impossible to do real drama or tell us a story of importance since we already know how it all ends. By doing this we get to follow exciting new characters in the familiar universe without knowing what comes next.
It’s also liberating to get a story about a genuine scoundrel who has no allegiance to the Rebellion or the Empire. Aphra is solely out for herself doing her own thing which provides the opportunity to introduce other characters and concepts we haven’t seen before. Plus, she’s just an entertaining character as an anti-hero surviving by her wits and stubbornness. And her droids really want to torture and murder people which I continue to find hilarious.
Shady space archaeologist Doctor Aphra has finally managed to quit working for Darth Vader without ending up dead. Now along with her two murderous droids and the fierce Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan she’s just trying to find precious artifacts to sell so she can pay off debts she owes. However, her business plan gets delayed when her archaeologist credentials are revoked thanks to a person from her past. To get back in business Aphra will have to outwit Imperial forces and track down the mythical resting place of an ancient sect related to the Jedi.
Aphra is the best new creation in these Star Wars comics, and this title focusing on her was a lot of fun. My major gripe about this line of Marvel comics has been that by setting it between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and concentrating on the major players from the movies that it's impossible to do real drama or tell us a story of importance since we already know how it all ends. By doing this we get to follow exciting new characters in the familiar universe without knowing what comes next.
It’s also liberating to get a story about a genuine scoundrel who has no allegiance to the Rebellion or the Empire. Aphra is solely out for herself doing her own thing which provides the opportunity to introduce other characters and concepts we haven’t seen before. Plus, she’s just an entertaining character as an anti-hero surviving by her wits and stubbornness. And her droids really want to torture and murder people which I continue to find hilarious.
August 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
A comic about a rogue mercenary “archaeologist” who faked her death to escape the clutches of Darth Vader? This was a nice introduction to the many many volumes featuring this character.
Color me intrigued enough to check out the novelization of this strong female with questionable morals sometime soon!
A comic about a rogue mercenary “archaeologist” who faked her death to escape the clutches of Darth Vader? This was a nice introduction to the many many volumes featuring this character.
Color me intrigued enough to check out the novelization of this strong female with questionable morals sometime soon!
January 3, 2018
Basically the Darth Vader book without Darth Vader. Kieron Gillen spins Dr. Aphra off into her own book and she brings, BeeTee, Triple Zero, and Black Krrsantan along for the ride. All of the fantastic quipping and underhandedness is still here with our two murder droids, as is Aphra's snark. After faking her death over in the Vader comic, Aphra is back to pilfering archaeological treasures to auction off to the highest bidder. Then her dad shows up and blackmails her into helping to go after his "holy grail". The book is a lot of fun and what you've come to expect from a Marvel Star Wars book. Kev Walker's clunky style fits in very well to the Star Wars universe.
October 15, 2024
Refreshing for Marvel to try something new with Star Wars, focusing on an original character with an Indian Jones-esque sense of comedy. Kieron Gillen is a smart writer, and although this work isn't as great as his say recent X-Men, it's been fun to read while browsing this new SW canon ~
July 26, 2017
Have you, like many of us, found yourself watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and thinking "You know what would make this better? If we put it in space with an Asian female protagonist and skipped the womanizing?".
If you answered yes, this book is for you.
If you answered yes, this book is for you.
May 5, 2022
More Doctor Aphra and Co. is always a good thing. This Volume takes more than a few nods to the Indiana Jones series, as Aphra ends up working with her estranged father to dig into a mystical myth he's been chasing his whole life. Things go poorly, as expected, with Aphra and her droids and Black Krrsantan facing up against imperials, gangsters, and ancient intelligences. Aphra's dark humor goes a long way, as do BeeTee and TripleZero's quipping, which never seems to get old. There's an action sequence in the middle of this that is equal parts comedy and over-the-top action that was a joy to read. The relationship between Aphra and her father doesn't work quite as well, and the MacGuffin they're on the hunt for didn't ever quite connect with me; nor did its final resolution. But everything around the central plot and new relationship is a sharp and witty as ever, and the art does a great job portraying almost everything (the final antagonists were a little unclear because of art choices, where color was more important than form). All told, I definitely enjoyed it, and recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Aphra from the Darth Vader series. This isn't a great place to start with the character, but it's a trip you'll want to take if you've already met her.
August 12, 2017
The breakout character of Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader run gets her own (well-deserved) ongoing comic, bringing along all of your other favourite new characters like murderous droids BeeTee and Triple-Zero, and Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan in an archeological adventure that puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both the Empire and...her father?
I love Aphra as a character - she's exactly the kind of snarky that Gillen writes so well, and seeing him play with a character on the darker side of the moral compass is a very refreshing change. BeeTee and Triple-Zero continue to steal the show at every turn, and I like how Gillen not only dances around the continuity of the Star Wars movies but his own storytelling back in Darth Vader too.
Aphra is very unpredictable, but she does have a heart (somewhere?), and the mystery that she and her father reunite to solve isn't one of the usual Jedi myths and legends, with an even more unexpected resolution too.
Kev Walker's art is perfectly suited for this kind of story - he goes full force into all of the alien environments and crazy space aliens, and his blocky style is great for all the space battles and droids that show up too. Even with an inking assist in the later three issues, he never misses a beat.
I'm always here for a Kieron Gillen penned book, but Doctor Aphra proved why she deserved to have her own book ten times over during his Darth Vader days, and continues to do so here.
I love Aphra as a character - she's exactly the kind of snarky that Gillen writes so well, and seeing him play with a character on the darker side of the moral compass is a very refreshing change. BeeTee and Triple-Zero continue to steal the show at every turn, and I like how Gillen not only dances around the continuity of the Star Wars movies but his own storytelling back in Darth Vader too.
Aphra is very unpredictable, but she does have a heart (somewhere?), and the mystery that she and her father reunite to solve isn't one of the usual Jedi myths and legends, with an even more unexpected resolution too.
Kev Walker's art is perfectly suited for this kind of story - he goes full force into all of the alien environments and crazy space aliens, and his blocky style is great for all the space battles and droids that show up too. Even with an inking assist in the later three issues, he never misses a beat.
I'm always here for a Kieron Gillen penned book, but Doctor Aphra proved why she deserved to have her own book ten times over during his Darth Vader days, and continues to do so here.
April 23, 2025
Dr. Aphra and her crew of killers!
January 9, 2023
With this collection “Dr.” Aphra comes into her own and we see her “on the run” from so many including creditors, victims and, particularly, Darth Vader. Her training as an archeologist has facilitated her criminal activities and it isn’t a surprise that she is interested in Jedi artifacts. Gillen has created a “Through the Looking-Glass” version of the standard Star Wars team with criminal counterparts to Chewbacca, R2D2 and C3PO. Gillen’s sense of irony and the often sarcastic dialogue is what held my interest. The artwork is interesting and often imaginative. Aphra is an unusual addition to the Star Wars universe.
Thanks to my GR friend Diz for sharing his enthusiasm with me.
Thanks to my GR friend Diz for sharing his enthusiasm with me.
October 9, 2017
I don't have time for a detailed review, but, I will say that I liked the story and artwork in this comic book omnibus. What I didn't like was the title characters immodest dress at times and the occasional profanity.
March 27, 2019
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to know who Doctor Aphra is, being a Star Wars fan and all, but I had no idea who she was before reading “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 1: Aphra”.
Written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Kev Walker and Marc Deering, “Aphra” is, obviously, set in the Star Wars galaxy. The title character is a cute (Asian-looking, although clearly the Asiatic race does not compute with the Star Wars galaxy as it is set in a galaxy far, far away from Asia), bouncy, trouble-making rogue archaeologist. Think Indiana Jones meets Peter Quill (a.k.a Star-Lord from “Guardians of the Galaxy”) only in a girl form, and you basically have Aphra.
The plot is pretty much besides the point, although it has something to do with something called an “Ordu Aspectu”, which, according to legend, was integral to both the ancient Order of the Jedi and the Sith. Aphra’s dad, also an archaeologist, has been searching the galaxy for it for his entire life, and he’s close. Of course, the Empire wants it too, so it’s a race against time to see who gets to it first.
Yeah, so, if you just replace “Ordu Aspectu” with “the Holy Grail” or “The Ark of the Covenant” and “the Empire” with “Nazis”, you basically have an Indiana Jones movie, set in space.
Nothing wrong with that, mind you. Just don’t expect originality in this comic series.
Overall, it’s silly good fun, which is what one would expect and hope from a Star Wars series.
One of the coolest aspects of the series is the artwork. Beautifully inked by Walker and Deering and colored by Antonio Fabela, the series clearly pays homage to the legendary French comic book artwork of Jean Giraud, more famously known as Moebius. Not ironically, Moebius’s artwork was one of the main visual inspirations for George Lucas in his design of the original 1977 “Star Wars”. So, it comes full circle...
As silly and pointless as this series is, I will continue to check out future issues of “Doctor Aphra”.
Written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Kev Walker and Marc Deering, “Aphra” is, obviously, set in the Star Wars galaxy. The title character is a cute (Asian-looking, although clearly the Asiatic race does not compute with the Star Wars galaxy as it is set in a galaxy far, far away from Asia), bouncy, trouble-making rogue archaeologist. Think Indiana Jones meets Peter Quill (a.k.a Star-Lord from “Guardians of the Galaxy”) only in a girl form, and you basically have Aphra.
The plot is pretty much besides the point, although it has something to do with something called an “Ordu Aspectu”, which, according to legend, was integral to both the ancient Order of the Jedi and the Sith. Aphra’s dad, also an archaeologist, has been searching the galaxy for it for his entire life, and he’s close. Of course, the Empire wants it too, so it’s a race against time to see who gets to it first.
Yeah, so, if you just replace “Ordu Aspectu” with “the Holy Grail” or “The Ark of the Covenant” and “the Empire” with “Nazis”, you basically have an Indiana Jones movie, set in space.
Nothing wrong with that, mind you. Just don’t expect originality in this comic series.
Overall, it’s silly good fun, which is what one would expect and hope from a Star Wars series.
One of the coolest aspects of the series is the artwork. Beautifully inked by Walker and Deering and colored by Antonio Fabela, the series clearly pays homage to the legendary French comic book artwork of Jean Giraud, more famously known as Moebius. Not ironically, Moebius’s artwork was one of the main visual inspirations for George Lucas in his design of the original 1977 “Star Wars”. So, it comes full circle...
As silly and pointless as this series is, I will continue to check out future issues of “Doctor Aphra”.
September 1, 2020
I have to preface - I will never love Star Wars spin-offs as much as the original content.
The movies are everything to me. But The Mandalorian, as great as it was, couldn't hold that sway and emotion over me that the original ones do. I ugly sobbed severely after (and during) TROS, but The Mandalorian couldn't evoke those kinds of feelings from me.
A friend recommended this series to me (Eva B, aka the coolest person to talk to), and I can say I honestly might not have read these books if not for her. I do like the Vader comics and the ones following movie characters, but this series entirely follows a character not from the movies. Aphra's cool, but I didn't find this book incredible. I think I will like the series more as it progresses, but for now this one rests at 3/5 stars.
The movies are everything to me. But The Mandalorian, as great as it was, couldn't hold that sway and emotion over me that the original ones do. I ugly sobbed severely after (and during) TROS, but The Mandalorian couldn't evoke those kinds of feelings from me.
A friend recommended this series to me (Eva B, aka the coolest person to talk to), and I can say I honestly might not have read these books if not for her. I do like the Vader comics and the ones following movie characters, but this series entirely follows a character not from the movies. Aphra's cool, but I didn't find this book incredible. I think I will like the series more as it progresses, but for now this one rests at 3/5 stars.
September 24, 2017
A typo in the opening crawl??? Does anybody who publishes Star Wars books even care anymore??
Anyway.
An adventuring archaeologist, with a father who has spent his whole life obsessively pursuing a single artifact. They go on an adventure together, bickering all the while because of the younger archaeologist's bitterness about the father-child relationship, and end up finding the father's "holy grail"--which turns out to be very dangerous, and not at all what the father had hoped for all those years. All during this adventure, they're pursued by soldiers of the ruling fascist regime.
Is this the wrong Lucasfilm franchise?
Yes, it's Star Wars--sort of. Doctor Aphra originally appeared in Marvel's Darth Vader graphic novel series, and she was a fairly clever foil for Vader. That series fizzled out by the end, but Aphra lives on, for some reason. She had already used up most of her appeal in the Vader series, and now it feels to me a little wearying to watch an anti-hero being endlessly and pointlessly anti-heroic. There's no character development or motivation here: if you like Aphra's quipping, you'll enjoy this series. If not, you'll feel that it's a longer book than it is.
There's a flashback of an ancient Jedi cult thing, and I never understood what exactly was going on. That and the rest of what happens in this book seem more like the old Marvel series than the new canon.
Star Wars publishing really needs some quality control. And editors. (I'm available.)
Anyway.
An adventuring archaeologist, with a father who has spent his whole life obsessively pursuing a single artifact. They go on an adventure together, bickering all the while because of the younger archaeologist's bitterness about the father-child relationship, and end up finding the father's "holy grail"--which turns out to be very dangerous, and not at all what the father had hoped for all those years. All during this adventure, they're pursued by soldiers of the ruling fascist regime.
Is this the wrong Lucasfilm franchise?
Yes, it's Star Wars--sort of. Doctor Aphra originally appeared in Marvel's Darth Vader graphic novel series, and she was a fairly clever foil for Vader. That series fizzled out by the end, but Aphra lives on, for some reason. She had already used up most of her appeal in the Vader series, and now it feels to me a little wearying to watch an anti-hero being endlessly and pointlessly anti-heroic. There's no character development or motivation here: if you like Aphra's quipping, you'll enjoy this series. If not, you'll feel that it's a longer book than it is.
There's a flashback of an ancient Jedi cult thing, and I never understood what exactly was going on. That and the rest of what happens in this book seem more like the old Marvel series than the new canon.
Star Wars publishing really needs some quality control. And editors. (I'm available.)
June 12, 2018
Really cool story thus far. I'd seen her appear in a Vader story and thought I'd check it out. Alot of fun with her team and adventure. Perfect blend of humour and action. Will be insisting to see if this can hold up as the story continues. Star Wars stories can always be hit and miss so it was great to have s refreshing new story.
July 26, 2018
A very odd ball set of characters. Doctor Aphra comes across as a Laura Croft in space. Love her crew. I plan to check out the next volume of Doctor Aphra's adventures. It is a big Star Wars universe, there should be many different stories out there.
February 6, 2021
Dr. Aphra is a book with a lot of heart, extremely modern and strangely it gives Star Wars a very fresh flavor. The Aphra story is what the franchise needs to reach a wider audience and I will not be surprised if a tv show of hers appears soon.
Basically Aphra is an irreverent archaeologist accompanied by some evil (and funnier) versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO and a mercenary Wookiee, how could this concept fail?
This volume is summarized as follows: Aphra who was believed dead has returned and that only means that her debts are also alive and she has to pay, quickly... these facts lead her to an adventure planned by her father in search of the remains of an ancient Jedi cult but everything gets though when they face an imperial army...
I want to emphasize that this book is very well done, the personalities of each character stand out a lot and give credibility to the story, the work they did with the droids and the Wookiee is what I liked the most, I really want to check the next volume!
I'm unfortunate enough to have read this book without having read Vader's first, but I still really enjoyed it and loved the characters!
Basically Aphra is an irreverent archaeologist accompanied by some evil (and funnier) versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO and a mercenary Wookiee, how could this concept fail?
This volume is summarized as follows: Aphra who was believed dead has returned and that only means that her debts are also alive and she has to pay, quickly... these facts lead her to an adventure planned by her father in search of the remains of an ancient Jedi cult but everything gets though when they face an imperial army...
I want to emphasize that this book is very well done, the personalities of each character stand out a lot and give credibility to the story, the work they did with the droids and the Wookiee is what I liked the most, I really want to check the next volume!
I'm unfortunate enough to have read this book without having read Vader's first, but I still really enjoyed it and loved the characters!
August 28, 2017
This was a lot of fun! I hadn't realized the Doctor Aphra character was a spinoff from the Darth Vader comics, which I haven't read, but personally I think I followed it fine. I just had a tiny bit of "ooh is this supposed to be an ~intentionally mysterious backstory~ thing or did this just happen in a comic I haven't read?" problem, but it didn't cramp my enjoyment. She's a really fun character and I like this kind of Star Wars-adjacent heist-y adventure. Plus, bonus, nice to have canonically queer characters in the Star Wars universe!
July 4, 2020
Aphra je pro mě jedna z nejlepších postav nového kánonu a kvalitu si z Vaderovi řady přenesla i do té své. Gillen píše super wannabe Indiana Jonese. Jediný u čeho mám problém (jako u většiny Star Wars titulů) je kresba, až na reálie se mi to moc nelíbilo.
Jinak jde o svěží akčňák a vůbec bych se nezlobil dostat s Aphrou i nějaký podobný seriál.
Jinak jde o svěží akčňák a vůbec bych se nezlobil dostat s Aphrou i nějaký podobný seriál.
July 26, 2017
Interesante. Veremos cómo se desarrolla, pero si lo hacen bien pueden dar muchos detalles de los antiguos Jedis y Siths en el nuevo canon.
December 26, 2019
Indian Jones in the Star Wars universe.
Pretty much. Sorta.
Whatever...its really good.
Pretty much. Sorta.
Whatever...its really good.
May 5, 2020
Read in honor of May the 4th, 2020
The debut series of rogue archaeologist, Miss - sorry, Doctor Aphra, was forgettable, even though I like the character, a lot. I always want to see more women in the Star Wars universe - and queer women in the Star Wars universe, what a concept! (though it was very much tossed in at the end) - but Aphra's debut series didn't make much of an impression. (I did meet her for a hot second in Star Wars, Vol. 3: Rebel Jail, but as a minor character.) Aphra first debuted in Darth Vader's series also penned by Kieron Gillen, as a minor character in Vader's employment, but now she's free and able to pursue her life's work: stealing and profiting from ancient artifacts.
Aphra is like a Star Wars version of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, (wrote this then learned Gillen used Indy as inspiration), who shares Han's snarkiness and comfort in the gray area between hero and villain. Aphra feels like a natural character in the Star Wars universe and she's got a lot of potential. Gillen gives her a strong voice and it's truly unclear whether she's altogether good or bad. The way we learn Aphra is queer leaves no room for questioning it, but is also subtle enough that it's just one of many aspects about her, which is so necessary these days.
(And I just have to mention, again, she's one of very very very few queer women, and women of color, in Star Wars so it's kind of a big deal. Though it would have also been nice if the creative team was one or more of those things - maybe eventually they will hand it off.)
But the plot goes sideways with her father and a confusing mythology story that seemed too big and important for one trade, but also wasn't given a whole lot of time. This is where the book lost me. Even though Gillen gives lil boop and her dad time to (predictably) work things out, it doesn't feel like her story when it's primarily about her dad's life's work. Aphra's compatriots, Black Krrstantan, Beetee and Triple Zero had some nice quips, but I had trouble getting beyond how they're just an inverted image of Chewie, Artoo and Threepio. Finally I wasn't crazy about the art, which had more than a few sloppy panels, and didn't bring any "wow" moments, especially from the fight scenes, that really elevated the early volumes of Aaron's Star Wars title.
I'll still give volume two a shot. Until then, I'll dream of a time when a queer woman of color's creative team isn't all white dudes...over seven volumes. Sheesh.
The debut series of rogue archaeologist, Miss - sorry, Doctor Aphra, was forgettable, even though I like the character, a lot. I always want to see more women in the Star Wars universe - and queer women in the Star Wars universe, what a concept! (though it was very much tossed in at the end) - but Aphra's debut series didn't make much of an impression. (I did meet her for a hot second in Star Wars, Vol. 3: Rebel Jail, but as a minor character.) Aphra first debuted in Darth Vader's series also penned by Kieron Gillen, as a minor character in Vader's employment, but now she's free and able to pursue her life's work: stealing and profiting from ancient artifacts.
Aphra is like a Star Wars version of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, (wrote this then learned Gillen used Indy as inspiration), who shares Han's snarkiness and comfort in the gray area between hero and villain. Aphra feels like a natural character in the Star Wars universe and she's got a lot of potential. Gillen gives her a strong voice and it's truly unclear whether she's altogether good or bad. The way we learn Aphra is queer leaves no room for questioning it, but is also subtle enough that it's just one of many aspects about her, which is so necessary these days.
(And I just have to mention, again, she's one of very very very few queer women, and women of color, in Star Wars so it's kind of a big deal. Though it would have also been nice if the creative team was one or more of those things - maybe eventually they will hand it off.)
But the plot goes sideways with her father and a confusing mythology story that seemed too big and important for one trade, but also wasn't given a whole lot of time. This is where the book lost me. Even though Gillen gives lil boop and her dad time to (predictably) work things out, it doesn't feel like her story when it's primarily about her dad's life's work. Aphra's compatriots, Black Krrstantan, Beetee and Triple Zero had some nice quips, but I had trouble getting beyond how they're just an inverted image of Chewie, Artoo and Threepio. Finally I wasn't crazy about the art, which had more than a few sloppy panels, and didn't bring any "wow" moments, especially from the fight scenes, that really elevated the early volumes of Aaron's Star Wars title.
I'll still give volume two a shot. Until then, I'll dream of a time when a queer woman of color's creative team isn't all white dudes...over seven volumes. Sheesh.
June 29, 2018
So yeah, I'm panning a Star Wars property. In their secret lair, beneath Space Mountain, the overlords of the House of Mouse are planning a most unfortunate fate for me.
I felt that there are two (2) major problems with this work.
First, Aphra is OP. Some recent critiques of the Star Wars franchise would attribute this to Mary Sue writing and/or SJW shenanigans. I diverge from this view in that I believe that the problem arises from the origin of the character. You see, Doctor Aphra was created as a sort of foil for Darth Vader in the Darth Vader series which chronologically precedes the Aphra series. The Vader run follows our favorite sith psychopath as he fights to maintain his position after Scooby and the gang blow up the Death Star. If Vader loses his position he's a dead half man, so this is Darth "crush people to death against the ceiling, with his mind" Vader fighting for his life. Consider the level of BAMF at which one must exist to hang with "Man on a Mission" Vader. Yet, Aphra somehow survived to get her own series. Here's the rub, how do you create a satisfying opponent for someone who survived that level of Vader? Where do you go from here? Gansters and imperial officers, c'mon.
Second, the writer seems too proud of his lit degree, to write subtle and interesting foreshadowing. To demonstrate how ham fisted and self congratulatory this book can be, the name of the maguffin is "RUR". Yep, if you read sci-fi, it's that level of obvious, but the author read a play in college so it's genius.
In conclusion, skip it. There is some good work in that "galaxy far far away", but this isn't one of them.
I felt that there are two (2) major problems with this work.
First, Aphra is OP. Some recent critiques of the Star Wars franchise would attribute this to Mary Sue writing and/or SJW shenanigans. I diverge from this view in that I believe that the problem arises from the origin of the character. You see, Doctor Aphra was created as a sort of foil for Darth Vader in the Darth Vader series which chronologically precedes the Aphra series. The Vader run follows our favorite sith psychopath as he fights to maintain his position after Scooby and the gang blow up the Death Star. If Vader loses his position he's a dead half man, so this is Darth "crush people to death against the ceiling, with his mind" Vader fighting for his life. Consider the level of BAMF at which one must exist to hang with "Man on a Mission" Vader. Yet, Aphra somehow survived to get her own series. Here's the rub, how do you create a satisfying opponent for someone who survived that level of Vader? Where do you go from here? Gansters and imperial officers, c'mon.
Second, the writer seems too proud of his lit degree, to write subtle and interesting foreshadowing. To demonstrate how ham fisted and self congratulatory this book can be, the name of the maguffin is "RUR". Yep, if you read sci-fi, it's that level of obvious, but the author read a play in college so it's genius.
In conclusion, skip it. There is some good work in that "galaxy far far away", but this isn't one of them.
April 13, 2019
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is about a character that we first met in the limited series run about Darth Vader. She gets her starring role in this comic and she is basically an archaeologist that has several outstanding debts. I would liken her to a cross between Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
In this one, Doctor Aphra goes to sell some items that she has discovered. There is a problem though as she is no longer a doctor and therefore she cannot sell the items for their value. This problem leads into an expedition with her father and their relationship is strained. (what is with this universe and daddy issues?).
I said she was part Indiana Jones and this collection reminded me a lot of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Obviously, there is the father and child archaeology connection but also the issue of the father neglecting the child during childhood because they were obsessed with finding a long lost item. That being said, I did enjoy this collection even if it "borrowed" from the previously mentioned movie. I wasn't a fan of her character with her time with Darth Vader but she won me over with her own series. She has issues and she plays both sides of the coin but you do end rooting for her. The artwork wasn't the best but it is more than passable. Plus the inclusion of the two murder droids is a big positive.
This collection surprised me and it I am glad I gave this a try. I do like the idea of exploring this galaxy for lost items considering the vastness of this galaxy and its long history. I would recommend this series and I look forward to the next collection.
This is about a character that we first met in the limited series run about Darth Vader. She gets her starring role in this comic and she is basically an archaeologist that has several outstanding debts. I would liken her to a cross between Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
In this one, Doctor Aphra goes to sell some items that she has discovered. There is a problem though as she is no longer a doctor and therefore she cannot sell the items for their value. This problem leads into an expedition with her father and their relationship is strained. (what is with this universe and daddy issues?).
I said she was part Indiana Jones and this collection reminded me a lot of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Obviously, there is the father and child archaeology connection but also the issue of the father neglecting the child during childhood because they were obsessed with finding a long lost item. That being said, I did enjoy this collection even if it "borrowed" from the previously mentioned movie. I wasn't a fan of her character with her time with Darth Vader but she won me over with her own series. She has issues and she plays both sides of the coin but you do end rooting for her. The artwork wasn't the best but it is more than passable. Plus the inclusion of the two murder droids is a big positive.
This collection surprised me and it I am glad I gave this a try. I do like the idea of exploring this galaxy for lost items considering the vastness of this galaxy and its long history. I would recommend this series and I look forward to the next collection.
June 3, 2020
Dr. Aphra is a chaotic neutral space archaeologist lesbian, and if that doesn't sound like a good time to you, we can't be friends.
This was my first foray into New Canon* that wasn't a movie or TV series, and I had a good time! The art and writing are consistently enjoyable throughout, and I liked Aphra; she is a relatively rare female example of the "lovable asshole" character type, and I am very much here for that, but I can see where she could be an acquired taste**.
Love her murder droids very much, also. Truly the real MVPs.
Very much recommended to Star Wars fans of all sorts, or, you know, fans of chaotic neutral space archaeologist lesbians.
*@ Disney: if Star Trek can do multiple timelines, you can too, you fucking cowards EDIT: hey wait, they do that shit with Marvel all the time. DISNEY LET ME HAVE THIS
**That being said...I can't help feeling......that there's something about her.......that makes some people.......more likely to dislike her.....can't quite put my finger on WHAT exactly, B U T 👀
This was my first foray into New Canon* that wasn't a movie or TV series, and I had a good time! The art and writing are consistently enjoyable throughout, and I liked Aphra; she is a relatively rare female example of the "lovable asshole" character type, and I am very much here for that, but I can see where she could be an acquired taste**.
Love her murder droids very much, also. Truly the real MVPs.
Very much recommended to Star Wars fans of all sorts, or, you know, fans of chaotic neutral space archaeologist lesbians.
*@ Disney: if Star Trek can do multiple timelines, you can too, you fucking cowards EDIT: hey wait, they do that shit with Marvel all the time. DISNEY LET ME HAVE THIS
**That being said...I can't help feeling......that there's something about her.......that makes some people.......more likely to dislike her.....can't quite put my finger on WHAT exactly, B U T 👀
July 8, 2017
I bought the first two of these as comics then decided to wait for the graphic novel. It was nice to read it all one go. The most important thing was THEY OUTED DOCTOR APHRA!!!!!!!!!!! Cause I'd been hoping for awhile, cute evil archaeologist, but Star Wars being so short of queer characters it wasn't expected. But just a few lines at the end changed that! YAY!
There was also a story about long ago evil Jedi and missing artefacts which was enjoyable! Really looking forward to reading Aphra's new gothic adventures with Luke when that gets released as a graphic novel. It is nice to have star wars comics again!
There was also a story about long ago evil Jedi and missing artefacts which was enjoyable! Really looking forward to reading Aphra's new gothic adventures with Luke when that gets released as a graphic novel. It is nice to have star wars comics again!
April 19, 2024
Actual rating, closer to 4.5 stars.
Following up from Aphra's appearances in the Darth Vader and Star Wars comics, her first solo comic is a good starting place that reintroduces the character to new readers. I am still a big fan of her dynamic with the droids and Black Krrsantan, and the addition of her father makes for an interesting team for this adventure. I enjoyed the focus on her past, and her role as an archeologist. I also really enjoyed the art style for this issue, especially in comparison to the more realistic but less engaging art of some of the other SW comics. Overall, definitely looking forward to seeing more of this comic run.
Following up from Aphra's appearances in the Darth Vader and Star Wars comics, her first solo comic is a good starting place that reintroduces the character to new readers. I am still a big fan of her dynamic with the droids and Black Krrsantan, and the addition of her father makes for an interesting team for this adventure. I enjoyed the focus on her past, and her role as an archeologist. I also really enjoyed the art style for this issue, especially in comparison to the more realistic but less engaging art of some of the other SW comics. Overall, definitely looking forward to seeing more of this comic run.
January 11, 2020
Ano, ano, ano. Tohle jsem od SW chtěl. Vtipné, akční, zábavné - Uncharted ve vesmír se "záporáky" v hlavní roli. Samotné pátrání po pokladu je dost uspěchané, ale jinak skvělé. I otravní droidi z Vadera mě tady bavili a Gillen se je naučil psát.
"Ne, nemůžeš toho člověka zapálit, musíme být nenápadní."
"Beep"
"Ne, uhoření opravdu není přirozená smrt."
---
Na druhé čtení musím jít o půlhvězdičku níž. Zábavnost a hlášky zůstávají, vyvrcholení příběhu v chrámu je ale až příliš rychlé a Impérium nevyužité. Přesto rozhodně doporučuju, jeden z lepších SW komiksů.
"Ne, nemůžeš toho člověka zapálit, musíme být nenápadní."
"Beep"
"Ne, uhoření opravdu není přirozená smrt."
---
Na druhé čtení musím jít o půlhvězdičku níž. Zábavnost a hlášky zůstávají, vyvrcholení příběhu v chrámu je ale až příliš rychlé a Impérium nevyužité. Přesto rozhodně doporučuju, jeden z lepších SW komiksů.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews