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Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016)
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 5: Worst Among Equals
Doctor Aphra - worst among equals! On the run from the law in a massive alien metropolis, Aphra has ten hours to cross the hostile megacity before the bomb implanted in her throat explodes. And don't forget the pack of bounty hunters and crazed cops that are on her tail. No big deal, right? But there's one more wrinkle - Aphra can't stray more than a few paces from her companion without activating the bomb's proximity alert and blowing both of them up. And that companion is Triple-Zero, a sadistic murderous droid who's more interested in Aphra's death than in playing nice... Tune in for a brand-new manic misadventure starring the galaxy's foremost amoral archaeologist! COLLECTING: STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA 26-31
168 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
May 13, 2021
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is a collection that continues the story of Doctor Aphra. In this one, Doctor Aphra and Triple-Zero are linked to each other by proximity bombs. They cannot wander far from each other or they will die. They travel to a planet where they believe a scientist can remove these bombs. This planet is a model for Empire control.
The action in this collection is non stop as we bring in several characters who want Aphra dead as she continues to be on the run with Triple-Zero. This pairing is good for a chuckle even though Triple-Zero is a sadistic droid. I wasn't really on board with the beginning of this collection as it seemed redundant and I was wondering if this series has run its course. The redundancy came about Aphra self reflecting. We have seen this for awhile now and by now the reader gets it. Aphra isn't the best person and she will end hurting the ones close to her. Then the collection moved into territory where her journey with Triple-Zero and the residents of this Imperial controlled planet. I really liked this connection as it shows how actions can have bigger effects than we realize. It was also a nice peek into The Empire and how it controls a planet that is under its control already. Once again the artwork is terrific in this collection.
This was an enjoyable collection that is pedal to the metal throughout. I liked how it was a self contained adventure that has ties with something bigger. It is a nice little message about our actions. I loved the ending and part of me wishes that it was the ending for the whole run. I am interested in where they are going with this run with that ending and I look forward to her adventures.
This is a collection that continues the story of Doctor Aphra. In this one, Doctor Aphra and Triple-Zero are linked to each other by proximity bombs. They cannot wander far from each other or they will die. They travel to a planet where they believe a scientist can remove these bombs. This planet is a model for Empire control.
The action in this collection is non stop as we bring in several characters who want Aphra dead as she continues to be on the run with Triple-Zero. This pairing is good for a chuckle even though Triple-Zero is a sadistic droid. I wasn't really on board with the beginning of this collection as it seemed redundant and I was wondering if this series has run its course. The redundancy came about Aphra self reflecting. We have seen this for awhile now and by now the reader gets it. Aphra isn't the best person and she will end hurting the ones close to her. Then the collection moved into territory where her journey with Triple-Zero and the residents of this Imperial controlled planet. I really liked this connection as it shows how actions can have bigger effects than we realize. It was also a nice peek into The Empire and how it controls a planet that is under its control already. Once again the artwork is terrific in this collection.
This was an enjoyable collection that is pedal to the metal throughout. I liked how it was a self contained adventure that has ties with something bigger. It is a nice little message about our actions. I loved the ending and part of me wishes that it was the ending for the whole run. I am interested in where they are going with this run with that ending and I look forward to her adventures.
April 8, 2020
Dr. Evazon of "I have the death sentence on twelve systems." fame inserts bombs in Aphra and Triple Zero that will explode if they get more than 20 meters apart. To make things more interesting, the bombs will explode in 10 hours. There's lots of twists, turns, and betrayals as the two of them try and make themselves across a city under Imperial control to meet a professor that can defuse the bombs. Spurrier has created a good cast of reoccurring rogues to continually go after Aphra as well. The monster hunting married couple of a human and trandoshan are particularly delightful. Emelio Laiso's art is very expressive. He's a good addition to the book.
January 19, 2021
"And yet this one moment - the one time she didn't stop to calculate and scheme - is the one time she did something heroic."
Oh... oh, wow.
(side note before I get into the meat of this review: Winloss and Nokk are amazing and adorable and I want to see more of them. that is all.)
First off - given the ending of volume 4 of this series, my mind was pretty occupied when I finished that one. But then that thing happened with Aprha and Triple Zero and... I lost focus.
You know the scene in a book or movie where a character says to the MC "Have you forgotten about your father?" and the MC jolts like they've forgotten? I tend to remember stuff like that, so I usually dislike when a character says something like "Remember your girlfriend?" like a reveal because, yeah, of course I remember it!
But the beginning of this book completely got me. Despite how invested I thought I was with Aphra and Tolvan's story... the intensity of the situation that this book began in distracted me so perfectly that I had that moment when Triple Zero asked Aphra about Tolvan. I couldn't believe I had forgotten about her - but this book played with tension so well that I did exactly that. So well done.
This book is pretty far on the side of "weird Star Wars stuff," but by this point in the Aphra series I was very well used to it. And... well, I'll get ot it, but wow did that ending do something.
While reading this, part of me thought that I had fallen away from interest in these characters. I liked Aphra - but Triple Zero was truly terrifying, one of the darkest SW characters ever written - how could I ever root for him, or even for Aphra to open up to him?
But when it was shown that he did care for Beetee still, part of me was moved.
And as the book progressed, I realized that I was never supposed to care for Trip. I was supposed to care for Aphra.
And God, I did. Because, despite everything that she's done, she's just... so sad. She really doesn't have anyone - this horrible, murderous droid is really the only friend she has. And it really says something that everyone that Aphra swindles or captures ends up pitying her in the end.
It took some time, but I'm glad I stayed with Aphra and read her story. Because all of that nonsense, all of that ridculousness, led me here.
And then there's that scene with the quote from the top of this review. I mean... wow.
I never knew the Doctor Aphra comics would become this... beautiful.
And that final scene
Wow, I just... that was so, so beautiful.
I really need to get to the next one because - wow.
Beautiful.
5/5 stars.
Oh... oh, wow.
(side note before I get into the meat of this review: Winloss and Nokk are amazing and adorable and I want to see more of them. that is all.)
First off - given the ending of volume 4 of this series, my mind was pretty occupied when I finished that one. But then that thing happened with Aprha and Triple Zero and... I lost focus.
You know the scene in a book or movie where a character says to the MC "Have you forgotten about your father?" and the MC jolts like they've forgotten? I tend to remember stuff like that, so I usually dislike when a character says something like "Remember your girlfriend?" like a reveal because, yeah, of course I remember it!
But the beginning of this book completely got me. Despite how invested I thought I was with Aphra and Tolvan's story... the intensity of the situation that this book began in distracted me so perfectly that I had that moment when Triple Zero asked Aphra about Tolvan. I couldn't believe I had forgotten about her - but this book played with tension so well that I did exactly that. So well done.
This book is pretty far on the side of "weird Star Wars stuff," but by this point in the Aphra series I was very well used to it. And... well, I'll get ot it, but wow did that ending do something.
While reading this, part of me thought that I had fallen away from interest in these characters. I liked Aphra - but Triple Zero was truly terrifying, one of the darkest SW characters ever written - how could I ever root for him, or even for Aphra to open up to him?
But when it was shown that he did care for Beetee still, part of me was moved.
And as the book progressed, I realized that I was never supposed to care for Trip. I was supposed to care for Aphra.
And God, I did. Because, despite everything that she's done, she's just... so sad. She really doesn't have anyone - this horrible, murderous droid is really the only friend she has. And it really says something that everyone that Aphra swindles or captures ends up pitying her in the end.
It took some time, but I'm glad I stayed with Aphra and read her story. Because all of that nonsense, all of that ridculousness, led me here.
And then there's that scene with the quote from the top of this review. I mean... wow.
I never knew the Doctor Aphra comics would become this... beautiful.
And that final scene
Wow, I just... that was so, so beautiful.
I really need to get to the next one because - wow.
Beautiful.
5/5 stars.
July 27, 2019
"I only know one truth," Luke said. "It's time for [Doctor Aphra] to end."
August 6, 2022
LOVED LOVED LOVED IT
October 3, 2020
This review was originally published over at my blog, The Grimoire Reliquary, as part of my Saturday Star Wars weekly column.
Previous || Next
The good Doctor is back, and running for her life with her dearest pal, the homicidal protocol droid Triple-Zero. The two frenemies are in quite the bind–as soon as they grow further than 20 metres apart, the explosives implanted in their necks will arm, and go ka-BLOOEY!
Grizzly, but what’s a little blood, guts and blown-out logic matrices betwixt friends? Not much at all, I think!
Oh, and I shan’t offer you much in the way of amusing panels, since I borrowed this volume, and the next, from my local library.*
This was an interesting volume, continuing on from the previous paperback, when the human among these two lovely boys popped into Doctor Aphra‘s life and strapped a pair of bombs in her and Trip’s heads. Why would he do that, you ask?
The boys, together from 1977! (Doctor Cornelius Evazan, seated right, with Ponda Baba, seated left.)
This, then, is a struggle for survival on the planet Milvayne, which is built on the notion of law-abiding snitches. It’s not a good place for a psychotic murder-droid to be with; somehow it’s an even worse place for Chelli Aphra. Whether because of the bomb or because of the company, I shan’t say (it’s totally the company) but on the road to freedom, the two cross paths with robotics doctors, Imperials, mercenaries, some old foes come back to life-adjacent existence, and even capture the attention of one Minister Pitina Voor, of Emperor Palpatine’s own cabinet. This last one will be important next week, when I talk about Volume 6, Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon.
Doctor Aphra continues to embrace an irreverent, near-Guardians of the Galaxy tone, which juggles murderous humour with sombre questions of personal morality, loyalty and empathy — to some success.
What I enjoyed most about this volume the most was the character arcs both Chelli and Trip underwent; the antagonistic relationship between droid and archaeologist developed, and was written very well. Aptly named, Worst Among Equals does offer compelling proof as to how shifty a character the good Doctor is, while reminding the reader there’s an ember of decency somewhere deep inside the self-serving exterior Aphra has spent her whole adult life building.
Among my favourite quotes, spoken by Trip to Aphra, is this one:
Trip, doing some psychoanalysis in-between murder.
This also included the second annual story, which introduces a pair of monster hunters, Winloss and Nokk, who make their return as supporting characters with a bone to pick with Aphra.
Read back-to-back with the next volume, I appreciated how much it set up for the thinner sixth volume. I appreciate Spurrier’s writing a little more in this volume than in The Catastrophe Con, which was a weaker trade paperback overall. This one earns that 4/5 star score on Goodreads with ease, where the previous one really struggled.
The line art is by Emilio Laiso (with Andrea Broccardo on issues #31), coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg. The colours are vibrant and inhabit well the aesthetic of the Star Wars universe. I preferred Kev Walker’s rendition of Aphra herself — his sharp lines better fit my image of her. Laiso’s art is more consistent in terms of overall quality; but don’t get too used to consistency in that department — the next trade paperback employs three artists, each one’s style different from the next!
I leave you with this panel:
What better captures Doctor Aphra than this? I know not.
*Support your bloody libraries, folks! Now more than ever.
Previous || Next
The good Doctor is back, and running for her life with her dearest pal, the homicidal protocol droid Triple-Zero. The two frenemies are in quite the bind–as soon as they grow further than 20 metres apart, the explosives implanted in their necks will arm, and go ka-BLOOEY!
Grizzly, but what’s a little blood, guts and blown-out logic matrices betwixt friends? Not much at all, I think!
Oh, and I shan’t offer you much in the way of amusing panels, since I borrowed this volume, and the next, from my local library.*
This was an interesting volume, continuing on from the previous paperback, when the human among these two lovely boys popped into Doctor Aphra‘s life and strapped a pair of bombs in her and Trip’s heads. Why would he do that, you ask?
The boys, together from 1977! (Doctor Cornelius Evazan, seated right, with Ponda Baba, seated left.)
This, then, is a struggle for survival on the planet Milvayne, which is built on the notion of law-abiding snitches. It’s not a good place for a psychotic murder-droid to be with; somehow it’s an even worse place for Chelli Aphra. Whether because of the bomb or because of the company, I shan’t say (it’s totally the company) but on the road to freedom, the two cross paths with robotics doctors, Imperials, mercenaries, some old foes come back to life-adjacent existence, and even capture the attention of one Minister Pitina Voor, of Emperor Palpatine’s own cabinet. This last one will be important next week, when I talk about Volume 6, Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon.
Doctor Aphra continues to embrace an irreverent, near-Guardians of the Galaxy tone, which juggles murderous humour with sombre questions of personal morality, loyalty and empathy — to some success.
What I enjoyed most about this volume the most was the character arcs both Chelli and Trip underwent; the antagonistic relationship between droid and archaeologist developed, and was written very well. Aptly named, Worst Among Equals does offer compelling proof as to how shifty a character the good Doctor is, while reminding the reader there’s an ember of decency somewhere deep inside the self-serving exterior Aphra has spent her whole adult life building.
Among my favourite quotes, spoken by Trip to Aphra, is this one:
Bonding. It’s too delicious.
I imagine–oh!–you see yourself in her[a young girl Trip and Aphra cross paths with, surviving in the underbelly of Milvayne]. Born survivors, unsure whether to flee the tyrants or take shelter under their skirts. I’m afraid I’m not the only one looking in mirrors today, Doctor. You do know she’ll betray you?
If you truly are remotely alike, it’s practically inevitable. Would you like to know the odds?
I have observed you for a long time, Doctor. Monster hunters and mercenaries…lovers and lords…I don’t think you’ve ever met someone you wouldn’t throw to the anoobas to save your skin.”
Trip, doing some psychoanalysis in-between murder.
This also included the second annual story, which introduces a pair of monster hunters, Winloss and Nokk, who make their return as supporting characters with a bone to pick with Aphra.
Read back-to-back with the next volume, I appreciated how much it set up for the thinner sixth volume. I appreciate Spurrier’s writing a little more in this volume than in The Catastrophe Con, which was a weaker trade paperback overall. This one earns that 4/5 star score on Goodreads with ease, where the previous one really struggled.
The line art is by Emilio Laiso (with Andrea Broccardo on issues #31), coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg. The colours are vibrant and inhabit well the aesthetic of the Star Wars universe. I preferred Kev Walker’s rendition of Aphra herself — his sharp lines better fit my image of her. Laiso’s art is more consistent in terms of overall quality; but don’t get too used to consistency in that department — the next trade paperback employs three artists, each one’s style different from the next!
I leave you with this panel:
What better captures Doctor Aphra than this? I know not.
*Support your bloody libraries, folks! Now more than ever.
July 22, 2019
4.5🌟 I've always loved the Doctor Aphra character since Kieron Gillen introduced her in the Darth Vader run. Overall this has been a fantastic run. Volume 4 being the exception. I think Simon Spurrier dropped the ball big time with his first Doctor Aphra volume, however volume 5 offers up an entertaining non-stop thrill ride that is actually comprehensible unlike volume 4 that was an outright mess.
I had fun reading this, and I think that's the point with a read like this. Triple zero (a homicidal protocol droid) is featured in a larger part and I dig his humour, and Spurrier was able to pull off his dialogue well. There are a few new characters featured a couple that hunts/tracks monster beasts joined the fun. Than there's the guy That is wanted in 12 systems. Cornelius Estevan you know the ugly mother f'er that confronts Luke in Mos Eisly Ben Kenobi has to slice his bro's arm off well we get to see he has a major role here. Another quality story to add some deoth to the Star Wars lore. If you are a SW fan you really shouldn't miss out on the marvel storylines. You would be doing yourself a disservice.
I had fun reading this, and I think that's the point with a read like this. Triple zero (a homicidal protocol droid) is featured in a larger part and I dig his humour, and Spurrier was able to pull off his dialogue well. There are a few new characters featured a couple that hunts/tracks monster beasts joined the fun. Than there's the guy That is wanted in 12 systems. Cornelius Estevan you know the ugly mother f'er that confronts Luke in Mos Eisly Ben Kenobi has to slice his bro's arm off well we get to see he has a major role here. Another quality story to add some deoth to the Star Wars lore. If you are a SW fan you really shouldn't miss out on the marvel storylines. You would be doing yourself a disservice.
January 13, 2020
Maybe more of a 3.5/5, but with me and Star Wars titles I’m always happy to round up.
There were three new characters introduced in this volume that I foresee being fun in more stories to come, particularly the unlikely inter-species married couple of monster hunters Vokk and Winloss but also perhaps a new Big Bad in the form of Imperial Propaganda Minister Voor- definitely the kind of shady, unscrupulous manipulator that Mr Spurrier delights in writing.
There were three new characters introduced in this volume that I foresee being fun in more stories to come, particularly the unlikely inter-species married couple of monster hunters Vokk and Winloss but also perhaps a new Big Bad in the form of Imperial Propaganda Minister Voor- definitely the kind of shady, unscrupulous manipulator that Mr Spurrier delights in writing.
June 24, 2022
really sad to be getting closer to the end of this run!! we’re drifting further away from space archeology and much more into moral debates and ethical dilemmas, which i don’t really mind because they manage to do some really fun stuff with the plot
July 24, 2019
Trapped on an unknown planet ruled by the iron hand of the Law and the Empire's propaganda machine, Doctor Aphra's up shit creek without a paddle. Oh, and to make matters worse, if she moves more than 20 feet away from Triple Zero, her murderous ex-protocol droid, she's going to explode. So, uh, what's up, doc?
Aphra's come a long way. Alright, she's still very bad, but she's getting there. She's trying. And this volume really highlights that journey in a way that the preceding four haven't quite managed. There are a lot of mirrors that Aphra comes up against in terms of the characters she encounters, and they illustrate the struggles within Aphra very well, culminating in a final issue reveal that may just turn the series on its head.
Everything else you love about Aphra is here too - evil quipping robots, multiple betrayals, and an entire annual dedicated to introducing two new characters who end up being the turning point of the main story as well. The art in said annual is by Si Spurrier's Angelic collaborator, Casper Wjingaard, while the main series is drawn by Emilio Laiso. Both of them take to the Star Wars universe easily, and it's nice for Aphra to have a consistent(ly good) look on her series now that Kev Walker has well and truly left the building.
Worst Among Equals is a jolly good time from front to back, and Aphra's solo series remains my favourite Star Wars book, bar none.
Aphra's come a long way. Alright, she's still very bad, but she's getting there. She's trying. And this volume really highlights that journey in a way that the preceding four haven't quite managed. There are a lot of mirrors that Aphra comes up against in terms of the characters she encounters, and they illustrate the struggles within Aphra very well, culminating in a final issue reveal that may just turn the series on its head.
Everything else you love about Aphra is here too - evil quipping robots, multiple betrayals, and an entire annual dedicated to introducing two new characters who end up being the turning point of the main story as well. The art in said annual is by Si Spurrier's Angelic collaborator, Casper Wjingaard, while the main series is drawn by Emilio Laiso. Both of them take to the Star Wars universe easily, and it's nice for Aphra to have a consistent(ly good) look on her series now that Kev Walker has well and truly left the building.
Worst Among Equals is a jolly good time from front to back, and Aphra's solo series remains my favourite Star Wars book, bar none.
July 30, 2020
Clunky dialogue and tedious story. The *idea* of each story is fine, but the execution is lacking.
Doing a version of The Defiant Ones (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_D...) is fine. It’s been reimagined time and again, forming the basis of every buddy cop movie ever, reaching its apotheosis in 48 hrs. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/48_Hrs.) But when you pair the most amoral character in Star Wars (Aphra) with the most murderously psychotic droid ever conceived (Triple Zero), one expects more inventive violence and delightful doublecrossing.
Doing a version of The Defiant Ones (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_D...) is fine. It’s been reimagined time and again, forming the basis of every buddy cop movie ever, reaching its apotheosis in 48 hrs. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/48_Hrs.) But when you pair the most amoral character in Star Wars (Aphra) with the most murderously psychotic droid ever conceived (Triple Zero), one expects more inventive violence and delightful doublecrossing.
January 24, 2020
Almost a placeholder volume - The opening Annual is a nice solo but and the way it ties into the longer story line is better than most attempts, but by the end of the whole adventure they authors have only succeeded in resetting the character relationships to where they were a few installments ago, which isn't really growth or progress.
July 13, 2019
Doctor Aphra is back, and once again she just keeps finding herself in worse and worse situations. It seems like no plan of hers will ever go smoothly. But it does make for an interesting read for the rest of us!
Doctor Aphra Vol. 5 is titled Worst Among Equals, and it’s probably my favorite title so far. And in many ways, it fits her relationship with Triple Zero perfectly. This volume has six issues in it, but the first one is going to feel more like a one-shot at first. It does become relevant later. It’s just not told in order.
This volume picks up where The Catastrophe Con left off. Meaning that she’s been connected to Triple Zero – who is no longer all that fond of her – via a set of bombs that will detonate if either one gets too far away from the other. Not exactly an ideal situation, is it?
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Doctor Aphra Vol. 5 is titled Worst Among Equals, and it’s probably my favorite title so far. And in many ways, it fits her relationship with Triple Zero perfectly. This volume has six issues in it, but the first one is going to feel more like a one-shot at first. It does become relevant later. It’s just not told in order.
This volume picks up where The Catastrophe Con left off. Meaning that she’s been connected to Triple Zero – who is no longer all that fond of her – via a set of bombs that will detonate if either one gets too far away from the other. Not exactly an ideal situation, is it?
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
August 27, 2019
Worst Among Equals offers up rollicking, non-stop thrills with occasional doses of pathos and a fine patina of humor, making it perhaps the best volume in the series. Doctor Evazan's implanted proximity bombs in Aphra and Triple Zero, forcing them to remain in constant contact even though Trip would rather see Aphra (and most of humanity) dead. The pair stumble across the city-planet Milvayne, desperate to find a skilled bomb defuser, but instead finding only more and deeper trouble. It's the kind of plot where you'd expect a character to say "well, things can't get any worse" and then immediately be proven wrong.
Aphra and Trip both receive moderate character arcs in this volume, something of a surprise for a series where Aphra has been extremely one-note. Despite the somewhat overwhelming amount of dialogue, I found myself smiling at Trip's insane ramblings more often than not. And Emilio Laiso's art is perfect - a welcome reprieve from the rotoscoping of the main Star Wars series. Oh oh oh, and the Annual issue is a truly fantastic Star Wars short story! Crisp, quick, and packed with fun characters. If this wasn't the fifth volume in the series, I'd say Doctor Aphra readers should start here.
Aphra and Trip both receive moderate character arcs in this volume, something of a surprise for a series where Aphra has been extremely one-note. Despite the somewhat overwhelming amount of dialogue, I found myself smiling at Trip's insane ramblings more often than not. And Emilio Laiso's art is perfect - a welcome reprieve from the rotoscoping of the main Star Wars series. Oh oh oh, and the Annual issue is a truly fantastic Star Wars short story! Crisp, quick, and packed with fun characters. If this wasn't the fifth volume in the series, I'd say Doctor Aphra readers should start here.
October 22, 2020
In volume 5 of Marvel Comic's Star Wars series Doctor Aphra, "Worst Among Equals": we are introduced to husband-and-wife monster hunters Winloss and Nokk, who---like everyone else---get to know and hate the adorable Dr. Aphra; Aphra and psycho droid Triple-Zero are still connected by bombs implanted by evil Doctor Cornelius Evazan and are stuck on planet Milvayne, deep in the heart of the Empire; Aphra's adventures with Trip are, unbeknownst to them, being transmitted across the net as a reality-TV show, one that is quickly gaining popularity with the general population; Aphra is starting to have pangs of guilt and regret about her lifetime of bad choices; some of those bad choices are quickly coming back to haunt her, figuratively and literally, as if she doesn't have enough friggin' problems...
August 18, 2020
This single-handedly made up for Remastered and The Catastrophe Con. Aphra and Trip have been rigged up with proximity bombs that've been rigged to explode in 10 hours or if they are more than 20 meters apart. This is a story chock-full of suspense, and the more vulnerable side of Aphra, and I loved it.
January 25, 2023
This book was wild and a ton of fun! 0-0-0 is hands down one of the best droids in the Star Wars universe and his relationship with Aphra is too entertaining! I really enjoyed this “kill-lock” situation these two found themselves in. While this could be considered a tad bit repetitive through this series, I feel Spurrier tackles similar situations in fresh ways to keep the reader entertained.
December 4, 2024
(4,5 of 5 for an adventure full of twists and a game of chance)
I wouldn't expect Spurrier to keep the bar he set himself, but he can. He put Chelli and Trip together and made them race the time for life, basically turning it into a game show. It was fun, it was an excellent action ride full of tension. And the whole ensemble of characters is solely built of at least morally "grey" ones. It's Disney/Marvel's Star Wars, but it's bloody creative and funny.
I wouldn't expect Spurrier to keep the bar he set himself, but he can. He put Chelli and Trip together and made them race the time for life, basically turning it into a game show. It was fun, it was an excellent action ride full of tension. And the whole ensemble of characters is solely built of at least morally "grey" ones. It's Disney/Marvel's Star Wars, but it's bloody creative and funny.
October 17, 2019
The end of this series?
May 2, 2020
A different writer than the first four books but still, a really good arc. Really helps develop both Triple Zero and Aphra’s characters with a very fun framing device.
February 10, 2020
Coming fresh off the heals of the surprisingly good The Catastrophe Con, this is another comic that I picked up at the end of 2019 with Comixology's sale.
With Simon Spurrier having fully taken writing duties for the Dr. Aphra comic from previous writer and original creator Kieron Gillen, The Catastrophe Con was an invigorating installment that elevated Dr. Aphra's story to the best it had been since Vol. 1: Aphra. "Worst Among Equals" not only outdoes the previous volume, it brings the Dr. Aphra comics to new heights, and is currently my favorite entry for both this series and the Dr. Aphra character entirely.
THE STORY: The first part of this collection is Annual 2. It focuses on a married pair of monster hunters who will play an integral role in the main story. They are hired by Dr. Aphra to subdue a massive alien creature for her boss. The pair constantly bicker on the right method to fell the monster with Aphra providing guidance through its lair via holocall.
After the Annual, we get to the main story. Picking up from Volume 4, Aphra is bonded to her nemesis, Triple 0, thanks to Dr. Evazaan's newest and cruelest experiment yet (at least, as we know it)- if one of them moves too far away from the other, or one of them dies, or after 10 hours, linked bombs that have been implanted (Aphra surgically, and Triple 0 through wiring) will explode and kill them both. They must run through the streets of Milvayne, a world bombarded by imperial propaganda, working together to save each other.
THE BAD(***...?***): There is only one *possible* problem with this comic. But rather than something that I can definitively call a problem, the reaction is going to be different based on who is reading it. Aphra makes a major character decision that will either be seen as amazing development or character betrayal. I think this is going to be a sticking point for other readers and they're either going to love it or they're going to hate it.
On one hand, it's a new direction that adds a level of depth and complexity to Aphra's story that we have yet to see. In these last four volumes, even the better ones, Aphra has mostly had the same unchanging personality and outlook, and now she finally takes a chance to change. Most importantly, the setup is here, and it is perfectly compelling. Her way of thinking is challenged, and the comic takes its time to let Aphra have the chance to reflect on her actions and the person she has become over the course of her entire life. Even if it doesn't sit right in concept I think the foundation has always been there. It just happens to come to the forefront in "Worst Among Equals". Most importantly, Spurrier does well with the execution.
On the other hand, this is a potentially jarring direction to take Aphra and her character arc, completely different from what has been established throughout both her solo comic and Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader comic where she was originally introduced. But I think the bigger issue is that this is a character arc we have seen a million times in Star Wars throughout its 43-year history, in all forms of media, both canon and legends. Aphra's personality and moral code are a big part as to why these comics stand out. She was the perfect character to place in this story about finding weird force-related treasure and encountering the wacky and zany sides of the Star Wars universe. Now, Spurrier seriously rocks the ship and could possibly take this series on a more generic and formulaic course.
Ultimately, though, it's important to keep in mind that I have always said things COULD happen when it comes to the POTENTIAL implications of Aphra's shift. This happens close to the end of this volume, and the comic ends before we get the chance to fully explore the ramifications of Spurrier's choice for the Aphra character. Now that I have actually read Volume 6, I am on the side of this being amazing character progression. However, I will not fault those who don't like it and thinks it completely goes against who Dr. Aphra is supposed to be.
THE GOOD: Despite my one potential problem, I thought everything else works great in Worst Among Equals. And depending on where the next volume goes, there is a good chance that I will truly love this installment.
I was so happy to see Emilio Laiso return to do the artwork again. I have no idea why the artist for this series has flip-flopped throughout volumes 2-5, but I'm happy to see Laiso back even if its just for volume 5. Laiso's art for Worst Among Equals is not just great, its even better than his work in Remastered. Maybe it's because Laiso has a far better story and characters to work with, but he really nails it here. Aphra is able to express more emotion in the panels than she has ever been able too, but Triple 0 gets to be surprisingly expressive too due to the subtle shifts in poses between panels that Laiso pulls off here. He also does a great job depicting the action sequences and the backgrounds as well as the other characters.
The story is filled with edge-of-the-seat tension from beginning to end. Spurrier finds the perfect places to remind you about the time constraints that the characters face, but it doesn't get annoying or overbearing. The pacing for this comic is great, and I couldn't put it down. I was highly engaged for every moment in this comic.
The characters are excellent, including Aphra. Yes, I was originally iffy on the decision she makes towards the end, but whether others end up liking it or not, everything else is fantastic with her. Throughout this entire comic she is forced to confront her past and who she is to her very core, and I found it incredibly riveting. I also loved Triple 0, and this is without a doubt the best his character has ever been. His personality gets some much needed development that makes him a more layered character, Spurrier revealed his full backstory and worked it into a new hook, and most importantly (and most surprisingly), Spurrier makes him FUNNY again. Volume after volume I had gotten so kriffing tired of his humor to the point where I rolled my eyes whenever he tried to tell a joke. And while he did fall back on his "traditional" schtick frequently enough because it's "classic" Triple 0, Spurrier compensates with just as many hilarious lines that change up his comedy for the better. Between new kinds of jokes and actual character development, it was more than enough to compensate for the standard triple 0 gags that almost always get more painful at this point.
The other characters work well too. We often get these cutaways to Dr. Evazaan and Pondo Baba that were very entertaining. Evazaan is deliciously evil and every time we saw him it was fun. I also really liked Winloss and Nokk, the two hunters that were introduced in the annual. That annual, by the way, was awesome- it was entertaining throughout and kept me guessing the whole time. As a married couple, I felt their chemistry but they were also quirky in the most interesting of ways. This carries over to the story being told in Worst Among Equals, where they were interesting as well. Finally, I liked Vulaada Klam and thought she worked wonderfully into the story. She has compelling motivations and makes for a great catalyst that drives Aphra's character arc.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up now that I have finished Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon. While the ending of this volume was putting the series on shaky ground, Spurrier ultimately justifies it in the next volume. I won't go to a perfect 5 though because I can see other people not liking the decisions made here on concept alone.
Regardless though, the execution in "Worst Among Equals" throughout is fantastic. The visuals are gorgeous, the story is exciting, the characters are excellent, the comedic moments are funny, the dramatic moments are poignant, and the rest of the dialogue is on-point.
I've always considered the decision continue Dr. Aphra's story in her own series after Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader run was a good move, but this may be the point where Aphra has finally gotten the chance to make her mark as a truly great new character in canon. And while Volume 6 is not nearly as good as this one, it did follow up this volume in justifying Aphra's major character decision in a satisfying way.
"THE END?" Definitely not.
With Simon Spurrier having fully taken writing duties for the Dr. Aphra comic from previous writer and original creator Kieron Gillen, The Catastrophe Con was an invigorating installment that elevated Dr. Aphra's story to the best it had been since Vol. 1: Aphra. "Worst Among Equals" not only outdoes the previous volume, it brings the Dr. Aphra comics to new heights, and is currently my favorite entry for both this series and the Dr. Aphra character entirely.
THE STORY: The first part of this collection is Annual 2. It focuses on a married pair of monster hunters who will play an integral role in the main story. They are hired by Dr. Aphra to subdue a massive alien creature for her boss. The pair constantly bicker on the right method to fell the monster with Aphra providing guidance through its lair via holocall.
After the Annual, we get to the main story. Picking up from Volume 4, Aphra is bonded to her nemesis, Triple 0, thanks to Dr. Evazaan's newest and cruelest experiment yet (at least, as we know it)- if one of them moves too far away from the other, or one of them dies, or after 10 hours, linked bombs that have been implanted (Aphra surgically, and Triple 0 through wiring) will explode and kill them both. They must run through the streets of Milvayne, a world bombarded by imperial propaganda, working together to save each other.
THE BAD(***...?***): There is only one *possible* problem with this comic. But rather than something that I can definitively call a problem, the reaction is going to be different based on who is reading it. Aphra makes a major character decision that will either be seen as amazing development or character betrayal. I think this is going to be a sticking point for other readers and they're either going to love it or they're going to hate it.
On one hand, it's a new direction that adds a level of depth and complexity to Aphra's story that we have yet to see. In these last four volumes, even the better ones, Aphra has mostly had the same unchanging personality and outlook, and now she finally takes a chance to change. Most importantly, the setup is here, and it is perfectly compelling. Her way of thinking is challenged, and the comic takes its time to let Aphra have the chance to reflect on her actions and the person she has become over the course of her entire life. Even if it doesn't sit right in concept I think the foundation has always been there. It just happens to come to the forefront in "Worst Among Equals". Most importantly, Spurrier does well with the execution.
On the other hand, this is a potentially jarring direction to take Aphra and her character arc, completely different from what has been established throughout both her solo comic and Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader comic where she was originally introduced. But I think the bigger issue is that this is a character arc we have seen a million times in Star Wars throughout its 43-year history, in all forms of media, both canon and legends. Aphra's personality and moral code are a big part as to why these comics stand out. She was the perfect character to place in this story about finding weird force-related treasure and encountering the wacky and zany sides of the Star Wars universe. Now, Spurrier seriously rocks the ship and could possibly take this series on a more generic and formulaic course.
Ultimately, though, it's important to keep in mind that I have always said things COULD happen when it comes to the POTENTIAL implications of Aphra's shift. This happens close to the end of this volume, and the comic ends before we get the chance to fully explore the ramifications of Spurrier's choice for the Aphra character. Now that I have actually read Volume 6, I am on the side of this being amazing character progression. However, I will not fault those who don't like it and thinks it completely goes against who Dr. Aphra is supposed to be.
THE GOOD: Despite my one potential problem, I thought everything else works great in Worst Among Equals. And depending on where the next volume goes, there is a good chance that I will truly love this installment.
I was so happy to see Emilio Laiso return to do the artwork again. I have no idea why the artist for this series has flip-flopped throughout volumes 2-5, but I'm happy to see Laiso back even if its just for volume 5. Laiso's art for Worst Among Equals is not just great, its even better than his work in Remastered. Maybe it's because Laiso has a far better story and characters to work with, but he really nails it here. Aphra is able to express more emotion in the panels than she has ever been able too, but Triple 0 gets to be surprisingly expressive too due to the subtle shifts in poses between panels that Laiso pulls off here. He also does a great job depicting the action sequences and the backgrounds as well as the other characters.
The story is filled with edge-of-the-seat tension from beginning to end. Spurrier finds the perfect places to remind you about the time constraints that the characters face, but it doesn't get annoying or overbearing. The pacing for this comic is great, and I couldn't put it down. I was highly engaged for every moment in this comic.
The characters are excellent, including Aphra. Yes, I was originally iffy on the decision she makes towards the end, but whether others end up liking it or not, everything else is fantastic with her. Throughout this entire comic she is forced to confront her past and who she is to her very core, and I found it incredibly riveting. I also loved Triple 0, and this is without a doubt the best his character has ever been. His personality gets some much needed development that makes him a more layered character, Spurrier revealed his full backstory and worked it into a new hook, and most importantly (and most surprisingly), Spurrier makes him FUNNY again. Volume after volume I had gotten so kriffing tired of his humor to the point where I rolled my eyes whenever he tried to tell a joke. And while he did fall back on his "traditional" schtick frequently enough because it's "classic" Triple 0, Spurrier compensates with just as many hilarious lines that change up his comedy for the better. Between new kinds of jokes and actual character development, it was more than enough to compensate for the standard triple 0 gags that almost always get more painful at this point.
The other characters work well too. We often get these cutaways to Dr. Evazaan and Pondo Baba that were very entertaining. Evazaan is deliciously evil and every time we saw him it was fun. I also really liked Winloss and Nokk, the two hunters that were introduced in the annual. That annual, by the way, was awesome- it was entertaining throughout and kept me guessing the whole time. As a married couple, I felt their chemistry but they were also quirky in the most interesting of ways. This carries over to the story being told in Worst Among Equals, where they were interesting as well. Finally, I liked Vulaada Klam and thought she worked wonderfully into the story. She has compelling motivations and makes for a great catalyst that drives Aphra's character arc.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up now that I have finished Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon. While the ending of this volume was putting the series on shaky ground, Spurrier ultimately justifies it in the next volume. I won't go to a perfect 5 though because I can see other people not liking the decisions made here on concept alone.
Regardless though, the execution in "Worst Among Equals" throughout is fantastic. The visuals are gorgeous, the story is exciting, the characters are excellent, the comedic moments are funny, the dramatic moments are poignant, and the rest of the dialogue is on-point.
I've always considered the decision continue Dr. Aphra's story in her own series after Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader run was a good move, but this may be the point where Aphra has finally gotten the chance to make her mark as a truly great new character in canon. And while Volume 6 is not nearly as good as this one, it did follow up this volume in justifying Aphra's major character decision in a satisfying way.
"THE END?" Definitely not.
January 11, 2020
You would think that pairing Aphra and Triple-Zero in an Escape From New York-style harrowing race against time on an Imperial planet would be rife with excitement, adventure, and all the joy Aphra normally brings. And, well, most of it is there, but there's a level of introspection that weighs down much of the action, as Aphra is asked time and again to examine her personality and tendency to throw people away, and it makes it less fun to be aware of it when she does it. And it also isn't as much fun to see her being run by someone else, rather than pulling the strings herself. The book even provides its own counterpoint, in the collected Annual, where Aphra exists only as a hologram for most of the story (introducing inter-speices couple Winloss and Nokk, who do make an appearance in the main story too), but manages to be more entertaining with less focus.
That's not to say this isn't good; it's a very enjoyable, very dense comic with lots of action, twists, turns, surprises and dialogue between Triple-Zero and Aphra (and some other characters too). It's just not quite as good as the previous volumes have been. That's the problem with setting a high bar - it's that much harder to reach it consistently the more times you go back.
The art is good, providing a lot of action scenes in very readable format, although I was less impressed with the close-ups of Aphra here. But overall, it's still a worthwhile series to read, even if this isn't one of its high points.
That's not to say this isn't good; it's a very enjoyable, very dense comic with lots of action, twists, turns, surprises and dialogue between Triple-Zero and Aphra (and some other characters too). It's just not quite as good as the previous volumes have been. That's the problem with setting a high bar - it's that much harder to reach it consistently the more times you go back.
The art is good, providing a lot of action scenes in very readable format, although I was less impressed with the close-ups of Aphra here. But overall, it's still a worthwhile series to read, even if this isn't one of its high points.
August 8, 2019
The story was great--Spurrier was born to write this sort of conflicted anti-hero. The art was a bit of a mess--not nearly as neat and well-detailed as that by earlier contributors to this series.
April 8, 2020
This volume really focused on character development for both Doctor Aphra and Triple Zero and was more serious than previous volumes, but still had plenty of fun moments.
May 12, 2020
If you are not reading this series you are missing out one of the best Star Wars Story Lines and character.
January 21, 2023
This is the most emotional volume yet, with Aphra's human side and her deep regrets out in the open for a whole planet to see. There is still plenty of betrayal everywhere and several named characters hunting and shooting each other. All good fun and fully deserving of 5 stars.
Aphra and Triple-0 are stuck together because of Evazan who implanted explosives in their bodies and set them to go off if they get too far apart from each other or if one of them dies. Mutually assured destruction indeed. They contact a doctor to remove the bombs, but he triggers a failsafe that begins a 10-hour countdown. Then Triple-0 kills the doctor before Aphra can try to use his voice-activated equipment to extract the bombs. Off they go on a merry, chaotic, but thoroughly enjoyable ride to live another day.
Aphra and Triple-0 are stuck together because of Evazan who implanted explosives in their bodies and set them to go off if they get too far apart from each other or if one of them dies. Mutually assured destruction indeed. They contact a doctor to remove the bombs, but he triggers a failsafe that begins a 10-hour countdown. Then Triple-0 kills the doctor before Aphra can try to use his voice-activated equipment to extract the bombs. Off they go on a merry, chaotic, but thoroughly enjoyable ride to live another day.
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June 13, 2019Rogue archaeologist Aphra was the master to the murderous protocol droid Triple Zero, and then his slave. Now, the two of them are unable to leave each other's presence without activating explosives that have been implanted in them. A ridiculously contrived set-up? Absolutely, and that's admitted in the first issue. But when you've created a book where a maverick ethicist pulling such a stunt, principally for shits and giggles, is a plausible development...well, why not go for it? Hilarity ensues, which is to say, torment and ultraviolence, but the most surprising development is the moment when you first see Trip look genuinely bereft, and not just over missing an opportunity to murder tantalisingly fleshy life-forms. As the story progresses from there, I increasingly sympathise with his outrage at those responsible for all these so-called 'feelings'.
April 25, 2021
Spurrier keeps Aphra’s story fresh and fun with an adventure that sees her trying to escape the deadly shackles a minor New Hope character put on her and a partner last volume, with the unique twist of secretly surveilling her that adds a reality show element to these issues. That idea could be too gimmicky, but Spurrier fits it in naturally such that the meta-audience adds extra laughs and emotional resonance to Aphra’s reckless schemes. There’s also an interesting exploration of Aphra’s past treachery and guilt, plus a cute new mercenary couple looking to get even with Aphra, and the reappearance of a few of the series’s earlier characters. I also love that Spurrier has the Empire’s PR and Propaganda Division play a notable role here, constantly questioning whether to continue applying soft power or switch to explicit martial force.
October 21, 2024
It's sweet to see Aphra and Trip finally confessing their . . . friendship? Lack of willingness to mutually commit murder, anyway. A strong volume with a tight plot, and it has a fairly satisfying ending, which is good because my library has lost volumes 6 and 7 so it might be a while before I'm able to finish the run.
June 27, 2019
A bit too familiar with the themes (Trip wanting to murder everything, Aphra trying to do better but slipping into her rather amoral ways, people out to get her), especially the latter half of the collection. The first issue was fun though, as Doctor Aphra navigates bounty hunters through a Indiana Jones-worthy temple, traps and all.
I hope this is the last we see of those droids.
I hope this is the last we see of those droids.
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