What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Wars: Han Solo (2016) #1-5+
Star Wars: Han Solo
Everyone's favorite scoundrel goes Solo! Han is given a top-secret undercover mission for the Rebellion: rescuing a group of informants and spies! His cover for the assignment? The biggest and most infamous starship race in the galaxy, the Dragon Void! A tournament he has dreamt of winning his entire life. With a chance for glory square in his sights, can Han keep his mind on the mission? Or is failing Leia worse than losing his chance? Place your bets for the ultimate space race! Our money's on Han and the Millennium Falcon - after all, it's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! Plus, a face from Han's past returns...right when he and Leia don't expect it! Who is Sana, and what's her relationship to Mr. Solo? COLLECTING: HAN SOLO 1-5, STAR WARS (2015) 8-12
232 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie M. Liu
322 books4,299 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Marjorie Liu is best known for her fiction and comic books. She teaches comic book writing at MIT, and she leads a class on Popular Fiction at the Voices of Our Nation (VONA) workshop.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
Ms. Liu is a highly celebrated comic book writer. Her extensive work with Marvel includes the bestselling Dark Wolverine series, NYX: No Way Home, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. She received national media attention for Astonishing X-Men, which featured the gay wedding of X-Man Northstar and was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Ms. Liu also wrote the story for the animated film, Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which was produced by Marvel, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Madhouse Inc.
Her newest work is MONSTRESS, an original, creator-owned comic book series with Japanese artist (and X-23 collaborator) Sana Takeda. Published by Image in Fall 2015, MONSTRESS is set in an alternate, matriarchal 1920’s Asia and follows a girl’s struggle to survive the trauma of war. With a cast of girls and monsters and set against a richly imagined aesthetic of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS #1 debuted to critical praise. The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the longer than typical first issue was “world-building on a scale rare in mainstream comics.”
Ms. Liu is also the author of more than 19 novels, most notably the urban fantasy series, Hunter Kiss, and the paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have also been bestsellers on USA Today, which described Liu “as imaginative as she is prolific.” Her critically praised fiction has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, for THE MORTAL BONE (Hunter Kiss #6), and TIGER EYE (Dirk & Steele #1). TIGER EYE was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.
Liu has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, MTV, and been profiled in the Wall Street Journal.com, Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker, appearing on panels at San Diego Comic Con, the Tokyo Literary Festival, the New York Times Public Lecture series, Geeks Out; and the Asian American Writers Workshop. Her work has been published internationally, including Germany, France, Japan, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
Ms. Liu was born in Philadelphia, and has lived in numerous cities in the Midwest and Beijing. Prior to writing full-time, she was a lawyer. She currently resides in Boston.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 5, 2019
May the 4th be with you 😉
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
July 1, 2025
Good stories great artwork!
Read
July 30, 2018I wish I'd realized sooner that this was all content I had already read elsewhere.
October 10, 2018
Reprints Han Solo vol 1 and a Star Wars volume I already read.
February 17, 2019
This was OK probably the weakest Marjorie M. Liu story I've read. Brooks art is solid some creative panels it gets the job done but wasn't really standout. I didn't really enjoy the plot much, but there were some interesting side characters I've never come across in the SW universe.
I planned on reading showdown on smugglers moon shortly and have the tpb from the library so I will read it shortly anyways even Though it was included in this volume.
This is definitely not a must read, but Solo fans might enjoy
I planned on reading showdown on smugglers moon shortly and have the tpb from the library so I will read it shortly anyways even Though it was included in this volume.
This is definitely not a must read, but Solo fans might enjoy
July 3, 2018
Leer el cómic de Han Solo es regresar a nuestra infancia, siempre. Dicho lo cual, no puedo dejar de comentar que pese a que la historia que cuenta Marjorie Liu es interesante, no deja de saber a poco; una pequeña historia que se alarga demasiado y que es tan autoconclusiva como irrelevante para la trama general de la saga.
Si acaso el detalle de la viñeta final, más fanservice que otra cosa.
Si acaso el detalle de la viñeta final, más fanservice que otra cosa.
August 13, 2018
Kind of a nothing book. Just your standard space story with real no crazy implications. Predicted the traitor pretty early on. If youre a massive Star Wars fan you'll probs read it. If you only read occasional Star Wars novels I'd skip it.
January 18, 2021
I wasn’t quite ready to leave Han Solo and gang yet - - - after my reread of Last Shot, and this was a fun comic compilation of a 5 episode arc. A mission for the rebellion and a space race, and Han coming to terms with the new emotions he’s feeling and denying.
January 2, 2020
Great fun. Gorgeous art and a few fun adventures.
September 20, 2018
I discovered you can free graphic novels with your prime membership, and as I have a week's trial (again) for £1 I thought I'd load up! I loved marjorie's Monstress series so thought I'd see what she did with Han. It was a story of him on a mission for the rebellion. Though I was a little unclear what exactly the mission was, why did he go undercover in the race? What was the purpose. I think part of why I didn't like it much was it reminded me off Han off racing in the Leia book when he should have stuck around to help her. But this was filled with great aliens. Just overall a bit too much action for me. I think reading things on the phone detracts. You can zoom into the individual panels, but doing that you loose the layout of the page which is so important for comics.
May 16, 2018
This book contains two stories. The latter story was also published in oversized format in the Marvel Star Wars oversize hardcover volume 2. So it was repeat material for me. The first story has to do with Han and Chewbacca racing in one of the biggest space ship races in the galaxy while also working something for the Rebellion. It was a fun story and the characterization was decent with solid artwork. I do love the covers, including variants, being included.
June 13, 2018
Both the story and art were better than I expected. I read this mini-series in the individual issues. Some of the depictions of Han Solo on the cover art are spot-on, very realistic.
The story is compelling and has a good flow across the five issues. There's even a little bit of a morality play in the proceedings. Definitely worth a read.
The story is compelling and has a good flow across the five issues. There's even a little bit of a morality play in the proceedings. Definitely worth a read.
February 13, 2019
Especially enjoyed the first book in this collection and the adventures of Chewie (and Han too, I guess :P) during the timeline of the original trilogy. The artwork is absolutely wonderful!
September 4, 2019
How about I take this volume apart and tape the pages all over my wall?
September 28, 2019
Contains 2 stories, art of the first one is very CGI, not "alive" but the second one is better. The plot, characters etc. are mediocre. If you like Star Wars it's entertaining.
December 8, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the two story arcs contained in this book. Action, humour and the romantic tension between Han and Leia. Great fun!
January 3, 2020
*Disclaimer: I only read the Han Solo issues. This volume includes Star Wars Issues #8-12 (which I've already read in the regular Star Wars Comics)*
Challenge Completed: A Comic Book
I am a major Star Wars geek and I do have to mention that I was not too crazy about Rise of Skywalker (that is a whole different conversation for another day) but when I saw that I had to read a comic book, I immediately knew it was going to be a Star Wars comic from my bookshelves.
If you haven't read the Marvel comics of Star Wars, I have to say that it is a fantastic way to explore more of the Expanding Universe and the folklore that is Star Wars. Star Wars and Vader comics are the most exhilarating story arcs to explore at the moment and I wait till they are released in Hardcover to own. The miniseries I would say is a hit/miss for the moment.
This comic book deals with Han Solo (shocker) and takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Han is conflicted with the new sense of change since he helped the Rebel Alliance destroy the Death Star. He does not want to be a hero working for the Rebels but his days of being a smuggler leave a weird after taste in his mouth. Lucky for him (or unlucky depending on pov), Leia asks him to embark on a mission that will bring both the hero/smuggler into one. Will he succeed especially when it deals with a space race where the winner receives $$$?
Overall I have to say that at times this comic book was predictable in terms of the villain and how the ending gets resolved. I felt it was too quick of a resolution and then you have to realize these miniseries have been 5 comic issues so of course, they tend to have a quick wrap up of an ending. I can see the argument as to why was this comic book was made in the first place but in the grand scheme of things especially with Star Wars, it is important to have these small moments where it teaches these iconic characters how to become the hero that we know and love.
This one was important in teaching Han Solo about the power of teamwork. Han Solo is extremely set in his ways and just because he helped the Rebels defeat the Death Star does not equate that automatically he jumps on board with the Rebel Alliance. I enjoyed the artwork and could hear Harrison Ford's voice at times throughout so I feel Marjorie M. Liu was able to tap into who is Han Solo. If you haven't read Smuggler's Run I highly recommend you check it out in case you want more Han Solo and Chewbacca adventures!
Challenge Completed: A Comic Book
I am a major Star Wars geek and I do have to mention that I was not too crazy about Rise of Skywalker (that is a whole different conversation for another day) but when I saw that I had to read a comic book, I immediately knew it was going to be a Star Wars comic from my bookshelves.
If you haven't read the Marvel comics of Star Wars, I have to say that it is a fantastic way to explore more of the Expanding Universe and the folklore that is Star Wars. Star Wars and Vader comics are the most exhilarating story arcs to explore at the moment and I wait till they are released in Hardcover to own. The miniseries I would say is a hit/miss for the moment.
This comic book deals with Han Solo (shocker) and takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Han is conflicted with the new sense of change since he helped the Rebel Alliance destroy the Death Star. He does not want to be a hero working for the Rebels but his days of being a smuggler leave a weird after taste in his mouth. Lucky for him (or unlucky depending on pov), Leia asks him to embark on a mission that will bring both the hero/smuggler into one. Will he succeed especially when it deals with a space race where the winner receives $$$?
Overall I have to say that at times this comic book was predictable in terms of the villain and how the ending gets resolved. I felt it was too quick of a resolution and then you have to realize these miniseries have been 5 comic issues so of course, they tend to have a quick wrap up of an ending. I can see the argument as to why was this comic book was made in the first place but in the grand scheme of things especially with Star Wars, it is important to have these small moments where it teaches these iconic characters how to become the hero that we know and love.
This one was important in teaching Han Solo about the power of teamwork. Han Solo is extremely set in his ways and just because he helped the Rebels defeat the Death Star does not equate that automatically he jumps on board with the Rebel Alliance. I enjoyed the artwork and could hear Harrison Ford's voice at times throughout so I feel Marjorie M. Liu was able to tap into who is Han Solo. If you haven't read Smuggler's Run I highly recommend you check it out in case you want more Han Solo and Chewbacca adventures!
August 15, 2019
This story picks up right after the destruction of the Death Star in “A New Hope” where Han is still a reluctant hero and tells people, “I’m just a nobody smuggler. And I like it that way.” But something does happen to him between now and the beginning of Empire Strikes Back. Liu fills in the gap with this mini-series and gives actual insight beyond his surface-level motivations.
“You create walls. You manufacture rules. You live a small life, while lying to yourself that you’re as open and free as the stars. You tell yourself the reason is survival. Good reason, right? But sometimes survival is about telling yourself lies until you can’t lie anymore. And then you have to make a choice about who you really are and that’s what’s worth living for. Lies are easier, that’s for sure.” With this bit of internal dialogue, Liu takes Solo to a new place for me and makes the character far more complicated in the scope of the movies. This alone makes the 5-issues worth reading.
“You create walls. You manufacture rules. You live a small life, while lying to yourself that you’re as open and free as the stars. You tell yourself the reason is survival. Good reason, right? But sometimes survival is about telling yourself lies until you can’t lie anymore. And then you have to make a choice about who you really are and that’s what’s worth living for. Lies are easier, that’s for sure.” With this bit of internal dialogue, Liu takes Solo to a new place for me and makes the character far more complicated in the scope of the movies. This alone makes the 5-issues worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2019
I liked this a lot better than some of the other Marvel Star Wars titles I have read. The first story was a fun race/heist style yarn that moved, well, fast. The second I enjoyed even more as it brought the whole gang together for a big rescue mission. The only bad part? Luke gets kidnapped by one of the Hutts and has to fight what amounts to a cyborg-Rancor creature. Um, really? The parallels to Return of the Jedi just make me yawn. It's this kind of laziness that really drags down all the Marvel Star Wars titles for me.
Also, bounty hunter Dengar makes an appearance. Here's an idea. Dengar wears this ridiculous-looking bandage on his head. Why introduce him with the bandage? I mean, I get that's how we recognize him. But what if he gets the bandage *after* his big fight with Chewbacca? Didn't anybody think of that? It's so obvious. Another neat little detail made canon: How Dengar got that stupid- looking bandage on his head.
Also, bounty hunter Dengar makes an appearance. Here's an idea. Dengar wears this ridiculous-looking bandage on his head. Why introduce him with the bandage? I mean, I get that's how we recognize him. But what if he gets the bandage *after* his big fight with Chewbacca? Didn't anybody think of that? It's so obvious. Another neat little detail made canon: How Dengar got that stupid- looking bandage on his head.
August 21, 2018
I'm not sure what I was really expecting here. There were two parts to this collection: 1. Han has to enter a crazy space race and bring back three Rebel spies, one of which is a mole, to Leia. Lots of hamming it up occurred during this one. 2. Han has a wife (?!), but maybe not (haha) and the threesome of Leia, the wife (??), and Han must rescue Luke from a member of the Hutt family. Honestly, I'm not sure why any of this occurs. It's supposed to take place in between Empire and ROTJ, but none of it fits in anywhere. Bonus: Dengar makes an appearance! Light reading, but tread carefully. This one's kind of a sleeper.
May 5, 2020
There are two story arcs featured in this omnibus, both featuring Han Solo!
The first is about the Dragon Void race. Will Han stick to the plan or will his ego get the better of him? Will he and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon win the race?
The second has three groups of people (Han and Leia, Chewie and C-3PO, and Luke with R2-D2) converging at one location, the smuggler planet. Everyone is looking for Luke who happened to be looking for some Jedi artifacts and ended up in an arena fighting for his life.
The artwork for both stories is beautiful and I thought they captured the action very well, as well as, getting the likeness of Han in several different angles.
The first is about the Dragon Void race. Will Han stick to the plan or will his ego get the better of him? Will he and Chewbacca in the Millennium Falcon win the race?
The second has three groups of people (Han and Leia, Chewie and C-3PO, and Luke with R2-D2) converging at one location, the smuggler planet. Everyone is looking for Luke who happened to be looking for some Jedi artifacts and ended up in an arena fighting for his life.
The artwork for both stories is beautiful and I thought they captured the action very well, as well as, getting the likeness of Han in several different angles.
July 4, 2023
So, this oversized hardcover collects the 5-issue miniseries Han Solo by Marjorie Liu. It is a great read - Liu is fantastic and she writes Han very well. It manages to be interesting and exciting, even though the events are set between episodes IV and V of the classic Star Wars movies.
It just reminded me how great of a writer Liu is and I plan to start re-reading Monstress soon.
The hardcover also collects issues 8-12 of Jason Aaron's Star Wars run. They are fun, they read like a wonderful blockbuster. But I have to say they feel a bit pointless... More on that later, when I finish Aaron's Star Wars Omnibus :D
It just reminded me how great of a writer Liu is and I plan to start re-reading Monstress soon.
The hardcover also collects issues 8-12 of Jason Aaron's Star Wars run. They are fun, they read like a wonderful blockbuster. But I have to say they feel a bit pointless... More on that later, when I finish Aaron's Star Wars Omnibus :D
April 3, 2019
The whole second half is included within the Star Wars Omnibus v.1, and the Han Solo story within the first half isn't anything to write home about.
The premise--Leia enrolls Han in a race that happens to traverse 3 planets that house 3 Rebellion spies--is flimsy and the characters don't really have any motivations. There's no backstory for one of the more intriguing characters, the alien who's the last of her race, and the race itself was tremendously stupid.
The art was fantastic, however.
The premise--Leia enrolls Han in a race that happens to traverse 3 planets that house 3 Rebellion spies--is flimsy and the characters don't really have any motivations. There's no backstory for one of the more intriguing characters, the alien who's the last of her race, and the race itself was tremendously stupid.
The art was fantastic, however.
April 29, 2021
This is only a review for the Han Solo #1-5 and not Star Wars #8-12. I’ll read those in order later, but this was fantastic!
Han Solo feels so true to himself here. The art is wonderful and when it pulled back it served for some really epic and fun panels, even creative general layouts as well. The story is super fun, and explores a section of the Star Wars universe I found really interesting and compelling. All of the twists and turns were very satisfying and it felt very true to what I enjoy and love out of Star Wars.
Han Solo feels so true to himself here. The art is wonderful and when it pulled back it served for some really epic and fun panels, even creative general layouts as well. The story is super fun, and explores a section of the Star Wars universe I found really interesting and compelling. All of the twists and turns were very satisfying and it felt very true to what I enjoy and love out of Star Wars.
October 2, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this but to be fair, I'm a sucker for anything Han Solo. This was gripping enough to keep me reading it. I often could hear Harrison Ford's voice as I read this series because the dialogue was very fitting. The artwork was consistent and awesome. What I appreciated was that this didn't contain anything too edgy which means I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a middle school kid.
October 21, 2022
First a warning to fellow fans: FYI This volume includes a reprint of the material from Star Wars: Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon (Star Wars, #2).
However, everything in this collection is fun, fun, fun. If you love the good 'ol days of Star Wars when it was Luke, Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the droids, you'll love this. I was able to relive the days when my favorite pastime was curling up with the latest Marvel Comics installment of Star Wars.
However, everything in this collection is fun, fun, fun. If you love the good 'ol days of Star Wars when it was Luke, Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the droids, you'll love this. I was able to relive the days when my favorite pastime was curling up with the latest Marvel Comics installment of Star Wars.
July 7, 2018
Han is sent on a mission to pick up three Rebel spies and *gasp* *shock* *horror* one of them is a traitor. This isn't so much about that but more why Han is the way he is: a gruff smuggler who says he doesn't care but actually does. The nice art by Mark Brooks makes up for a so-so story by Marjorie Liu.
October 9, 2018
Better story, even if the idea of Han Solo the smuggler competing in a galaxy wide glamour race pushes my suspension of disbelief.
Another reason I’m happy to be getting these from the library is that they these collections with other Star Wars comics. If you purchased the bound collections you’d end up with a lot of repeats.
Another reason I’m happy to be getting these from the library is that they these collections with other Star Wars comics. If you purchased the bound collections you’d end up with a lot of repeats.
July 20, 2019
I loved this graphic novel. It combines part of the Star Wars early line containing a big part of Solo's story, but also includes of course, the full Han Solo limited series. I was happy to go back and read these after so many years, that it was more enjoyable with more of the timeline mapped in my head. I really love the artwork in these and the stories in it are really great!
August 28, 2019
I mean, I enjoyed it, but the part I really liked I'd already read (Han Solo #1-5)! The second part (Star Wars 2015 #8-12) was good, but I def felt like it was missing something... even for a comic book. The end needed a resolution. But the illustrations were great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews