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Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron
Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 4: The Warrior Princess
Rogue X-Wing pilot Plourr is requested to return to her home planet . . . as a princess! When attempting to stop an internal rebellion, the planet's government finds that she may have her own way or running things. When she discovers that the dissenters are led by her long-presumed-dead brother, things go from hot to
thermonuclear!
thermonuclear!
117 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 30, 2022
Star Wars Legends Project #309
Background: The Warrior Princess, released in November of 1998, collects issues #13-16 originally published Oct 1996-Feb 1997. It is the fourth Rogue Squadron story arc. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole and Scott Tolson, and drawn by John Nadeau. Stackpole, of course, wrote or co-wrote this whole series (in addition to many other things), but this seems to be Tolson's only Star Wars credit. Nadeau run of drawing Rogue Squadron comics continues here.
The Warrior Princess takes place 7 months after the Battle of Endor, just over 4.5 years after the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Wedge, Tycho, Wes, and the rest of Rogue Squadron, particularly Isplourrdacartha Estillo (more commonly known as Plourr Ilo). The story takes place on Eiattu 6.
Summary: A long time ago, a princess left her world behind and joined the Rebellion to fight the Empire and restore peace and justice to the galaxy. The similarities between this princess and the one you're thinking of end there. Plourr Ilo is a hard-charging, two-fisted starfighter jockey with Rogue Squadron . . . and she is also, it turns out, the lost heir to the throne of Eiattu 6. Playing princess is the last thing Plourr wants, but if she can't or won't take up the mantle of leading her homeworld, the Empire will be happy to step in in her place.
Review: I read this entire story before noticing the obvious parallels between Plourr and the legends surrounding Anastasia Romanov. It's a cool source of inspiration (and with a far happier outcome than her real-life counterpart), and probably should have been more obvious to me than it was. But also it's good that it isn't belabored by the writers. The story delivers more of what I've come to expect and enjoy from this series: some good action, particularly dogfights, and a cleverly-plotted series of events that unfolds naturally but not predictably, with some great twists thrown in.
Aside from that, this wasn't my favorite story arc. Plourr is a fine side-character, but not that interesting as a central character. Her personal struggle with being reluctant to leave her pilot days behind and take up the duty of leadership felt tiresome and a bit cliché. It's not a character arc I find interesting, and it can make the character seem shallow and whiny. Still, overall this is somewhat redeemed by plenty of other interesting developments and a compelling antagonist. Neither a high point nor a low point.
B-
Background: The Warrior Princess, released in November of 1998, collects issues #13-16 originally published Oct 1996-Feb 1997. It is the fourth Rogue Squadron story arc. It was written by Michael A. Stackpole and Scott Tolson, and drawn by John Nadeau. Stackpole, of course, wrote or co-wrote this whole series (in addition to many other things), but this seems to be Tolson's only Star Wars credit. Nadeau run of drawing Rogue Squadron comics continues here.
The Warrior Princess takes place 7 months after the Battle of Endor, just over 4.5 years after the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Wedge, Tycho, Wes, and the rest of Rogue Squadron, particularly Isplourrdacartha Estillo (more commonly known as Plourr Ilo). The story takes place on Eiattu 6.
Summary: A long time ago, a princess left her world behind and joined the Rebellion to fight the Empire and restore peace and justice to the galaxy. The similarities between this princess and the one you're thinking of end there. Plourr Ilo is a hard-charging, two-fisted starfighter jockey with Rogue Squadron . . . and she is also, it turns out, the lost heir to the throne of Eiattu 6. Playing princess is the last thing Plourr wants, but if she can't or won't take up the mantle of leading her homeworld, the Empire will be happy to step in in her place.
Review: I read this entire story before noticing the obvious parallels between Plourr and the legends surrounding Anastasia Romanov. It's a cool source of inspiration (and with a far happier outcome than her real-life counterpart), and probably should have been more obvious to me than it was. But also it's good that it isn't belabored by the writers. The story delivers more of what I've come to expect and enjoy from this series: some good action, particularly dogfights, and a cleverly-plotted series of events that unfolds naturally but not predictably, with some great twists thrown in.
Aside from that, this wasn't my favorite story arc. Plourr is a fine side-character, but not that interesting as a central character. Her personal struggle with being reluctant to leave her pilot days behind and take up the duty of leadership felt tiresome and a bit cliché. It's not a character arc I find interesting, and it can make the character seem shallow and whiny. Still, overall this is somewhat redeemed by plenty of other interesting developments and a compelling antagonist. Neither a high point nor a low point.
B-
December 1, 2019
This was another satisfying adventure with the pilots of Rogue Squadron. Compared to many of the other stories in the series, this one is a lot more mature, dealing with harder situations and depicting more graphic violence. Plot-wise, there was perhaps a little too much going on, with at least three bearded men with long, dark hair who were nearly indistinguishable. I kept having to flip back through the pages working out who was whom. Apart from that, I enjoyed this one a lot and appreciated the developing characterisations of the pilots. The growing relationship between the Quarren and Mon Calamari is particularly notable.
May 28, 2020
Dark Horse Comics: Star Wars Rogue Squadron issues #13-16. This was a great story about a warrior princess and her past, how she comes back to her home world and deals with it, makes things right. It always kept me slightly off balance so I didn't know what to expect next while reading it. There were quite a few big surprises that were well hidden and took me off guard. Such great writing.
December 27, 2020
This one has the most solid (if rather typical) plot so far - minus a few moments thrown in just so we know who the bad guys are, and not for any logical or in-universe reason. But oh god, the art really drags it down. There are times when the action is hard to follow because of it, and having several characters who look similar in a comic with bad art is terrible idea.
August 1, 2023
I have such a soft spot for this series. In this one, we find out that Plourr is actually a princess! She and the crew go back to her home world to find corruption in the council and with the Empire. Great story and good graphics.
August 28, 2013
I wanted to give it 4 stars but I feel like it deserves 5. This was the best X-Wing Rogue Squadron graphic novel I've read so far on many levels. For one, amazing characterization trumps unlikely occurrences any day of the week, and this novel has a lot of "C'mon, really?" moments, but the amazing plot/story plus amazing character interaction made it awesome. I mean, who knew Plourr was a princess? Now just for laughs I'm going list my that's weird/that's noteworthy moments b/c there are a lot of them:
*I wonder if the newly introduced aliens are going to be the first ones to die like in any comic book?
*The Rogue Squadron are apparently pathetic when it comes to flight simulators but invincible in real battle (it's the EXACT opposite for the empire for some reason)
*Why was one of the PLB regulars tortured for information by a self-serving imperial if she could have just pulled the information from the LEADER of the PLB which she has in her pocket? Was it only a device to characterize Moff Tarvia as merciless and Harren as controlled by Tarvia? I think yes.
*Why does Plourr hate her Uncle, like specifically? I mean I get she thought that he aided the nobles that killed her family but she was mistaken, but WHY was she mistaken? I'd like to know.
*It's SO refreshing to see the cliche of "I hate whoever I'm forcefully betrothed too" not being employed for once, and instead Plourr and her second cousin, Rial, actually growing closer as a couple. Also I like how tough Plourr isn't two-dimensional and actually has opposite sex feelings. Unlike too many stock characters in comics.
*I love the "THIS (insert name of star fighter) is the BEST!" dialogue among the pilots. Something so seemingly trivial truly brings the world of Star Wars to life.
*Does Count Laabann have ANY political tact? Like after years of political maneuvering you'd think he would learn that someone like the captain of the Rogue freakin' Squadron wouldn't betray one of his own for personal gains. Just ridiculous.
*Called it, new alien is killed first.
*Did a pilot and a noble seriously take out TWELVE professionally trained, armored, armed and skilled special ops troops WITHOUT WEAPONS OR ARMOR!?!?!
*Words cannot describe what I feel when I saw Darth Vader, got that? DARTH VADER playing with a kid, like toys and all. I never thought I'd see the day. That... is just... I don't know.
*Wow, I take back my "alien to die first" comment.
*Try yelling "liberation" as a battle cry. It's awkward.
* Wait, getting your hand blown off by a laser bolt from a blaster is all bloody but getting it chopped by the laser blade of a light saber yields a clean cut? What about when Leia got hit by a blaster bolt? She wasn't very bloody.
*I'm glad Luke and Anakin aren't the only characters who merely lose a limb instead of their life.
Overall, I love the Warrior Princess. So many elements make it exceptionally entertaining, engaging, and likable despite quite a few more than weird occurrences. Very good Star Wars writing from Michael A. Stackpole.
*I wonder if the newly introduced aliens are going to be the first ones to die like in any comic book?
*The Rogue Squadron are apparently pathetic when it comes to flight simulators but invincible in real battle (it's the EXACT opposite for the empire for some reason)
*Why was one of the PLB regulars tortured for information by a self-serving imperial if she could have just pulled the information from the LEADER of the PLB which she has in her pocket? Was it only a device to characterize Moff Tarvia as merciless and Harren as controlled by Tarvia? I think yes.
*Why does Plourr hate her Uncle, like specifically? I mean I get she thought that he aided the nobles that killed her family but she was mistaken, but WHY was she mistaken? I'd like to know.
*It's SO refreshing to see the cliche of "I hate whoever I'm forcefully betrothed too" not being employed for once, and instead Plourr and her second cousin, Rial, actually growing closer as a couple. Also I like how tough Plourr isn't two-dimensional and actually has opposite sex feelings. Unlike too many stock characters in comics.
*I love the "THIS (insert name of star fighter) is the BEST!" dialogue among the pilots. Something so seemingly trivial truly brings the world of Star Wars to life.
*Does Count Laabann have ANY political tact? Like after years of political maneuvering you'd think he would learn that someone like the captain of the Rogue freakin' Squadron wouldn't betray one of his own for personal gains. Just ridiculous.
*Called it, new alien is killed first.
*Did a pilot and a noble seriously take out TWELVE professionally trained, armored, armed and skilled special ops troops WITHOUT WEAPONS OR ARMOR!?!?!
*Words cannot describe what I feel when I saw Darth Vader, got that? DARTH VADER playing with a kid, like toys and all. I never thought I'd see the day. That... is just... I don't know.
*Wow, I take back my "alien to die first" comment.
*Try yelling "liberation" as a battle cry. It's awkward.
* Wait, getting your hand blown off by a laser bolt from a blaster is all bloody but getting it chopped by the laser blade of a light saber yields a clean cut? What about when Leia got hit by a blaster bolt? She wasn't very bloody.
*I'm glad Luke and Anakin aren't the only characters who merely lose a limb instead of their life.
Overall, I love the Warrior Princess. So many elements make it exceptionally entertaining, engaging, and likable despite quite a few more than weird occurrences. Very good Star Wars writing from Michael A. Stackpole.
July 1, 2016
I enjoyed the X-Wing series of SW novels and having author Michael A. Stackpole on board to help with the graphic novels gives a sense of continuity. The personalities of the pilots come through - and while anyone who's seen the films knows what Wedge Antilles looks like, it's nice to finally be able to put faces to characters such as Tycho Celchu who is a key part of the X-Wing novels and continued to play a prominent role in the Expanded Universe right through to the New Jedi Order and Legacy of the Force.
My only complaint would be that I found it a little bit difficult to keep track of the competing factions in this story. I know the authors want to create twists, but too many twists risk losing the reader and in a graphic novel, the limited space means less opportunity for speech/expositional text to clarify potentially confusing points. Nonetheless, I look forward to reading the other X-Wing graphic novels that I've managed to collect so far.
My only complaint would be that I found it a little bit difficult to keep track of the competing factions in this story. I know the authors want to create twists, but too many twists risk losing the reader and in a graphic novel, the limited space means less opportunity for speech/expositional text to clarify potentially confusing points. Nonetheless, I look forward to reading the other X-Wing graphic novels that I've managed to collect so far.
July 2, 2017
This addition to the Star Wars graphic novel cannon is a dud. The comic should be interesting, Rogue Squadron has to save the day, a princess in disguise, a world threatened by war and political intrigue, yet in this story all of that amounts to an over-complicated yawn-fest. The story plods along and the writer seems completely unconcerned as to weather people are engaged in the plot or not. It’s a dull story all the way through, not even Wedge’s brief appearances can save it. Micheal Stackpole is given the author credit, but this story has none of the charm or action of his books. I think even the most devoted Star Wars fan could skip this book with no regrets.
August 14, 2013
A great graphic novel that is just reinforcing my new found love for them! The story was good and I really enjoyed immersing myself in the Star Wars universe once more. It had enough twists to keep you interested and the pictures were well done. Think I'll have to go out and get myself some more of these!
June 22, 2010
The funniest of the Rogue Squadron comics, a blast to read and good artwork, too.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews