I have this on the Dark Horse app, which doesn't have the page numbers in it, so I'll be going off the app # if cite anything.
In the Empire's Service
Written by Michael Stackpole and drawn by John Nadeau. Dave Nestelle did colours. The art is detailed and wonderful (I LOVED page 20); the script is wordy. There's a two-page spread at the start where the newbies (Xarcece, Dar, Standro & Avan) are meeting the other Rogues and there was so much going on that I wasn't sure which panel was the next in line.
My only issue with the art is that Isard looks a bit odd, and OLD.
There is a new Chief Tech on the squadron named Koyi Komad. I like that she had been getting her degree in hyperspatial physics (which sounds so cool)...but she needed to leave. That doesn't bother me; what bothers me is that it was the line "this beats waitressing." Um. I didn't realize a physics major could either be a waitress or go back into technician work.
Then there's a dig about theorizing from her and it rankles me.
I'm glad Soontir is here and that Stackpole does a great job showing that he is an awesome pilot, and a man with strong values who believes in the core of the Empire. He doesn't trust all of the politics, but he is a true man of the Empire, more willing to save his people than kill the Rebels at any cost.
The Rogues and the 181st Squadron meet at Brentaal IV in the Bormea Sector, hich is also where Chandrila is. Tycho and Wedge have stories of Fel that all but Plourr takes seriously. Even with Wedge backing the info up, she doesn't respect Fel's abilities (until she experiences them). I had to laugh though, when it was mentioned that Fel was so good that Vader modified his TIE and his sims so that Soontir would stop vaping him.
Mph. On page 61, Tycho mentions to Wedge that they don't let themselves get emotionally invested in new recruits. It's so true. It's sad, but it has to happen at times.
Sate Pestage is more intelligent than I remember.
As a math person, I squeed when the bomb was found to be counting down in binary, not base 10.
Making of Baron Fel
Another Stackpole/Nadeau/Nestelle comic. I really enjoy Nadeau's work and Nestelle's colouring. The explosions were spectacular in this.
As a teen, Soontir had long hair, which was hilarious. But then he was forced to save his family's honour by joining the Carida academy. His grades earned him salutadictorian; his flying earned him a place in the 37th squadron. Really, the 6/37th, but I don't understand the separations. Anyway, he helped his captain (who had the Temp-Flu) with a mission, which earned Fel the rank of Captain. He chose to stay with the 37th another year before training at the Academy. Biggs, Hobbe and Tycho were all under his lead (seeing them bald is just insanely odd). Their deflection caused Fel to go to the 181st which was called the worst. That, to me, is just odd since the 181st has pretty much always seemed to be tip-top.
Derricote was in the 181st, and Soontir's guidance in the squadron got Derricote to a high position. Through the 181st, he met Wynessa/Syal. Their honeymoon was GORGEOUS. Later on, Soontir proves his understanding of things by knowing that Thrawn came up with "Vader's" plan for Derra IV.
At the end, Soontir explains he turns to the Alliance (Wedge) to find his wife.
Family Ties
Stackpole and Nadeau still wrote/pencilled, but Perry McNamee did colours. The change isn't bad. There was more snark in here, which was great. I love when the Rogues joke with each other. There was a BEAUTIFUL 2-page spread of Coronet. I did feel that Plourr was drawn as overly built. I also don't fully understand why she didn't go back to her home world.
The beginning was very moving, with the Rogues at a funeral/memorial. The names weren't given with the images, so I believe it was Avan who asked Wedge "Why didn't you let us know you had a babe for a sister?"
Yup, he deserved the slap :P
The Rogues (in disguise) head to Corellia to look for Syal for Soontir. They get caught up in an issue where Ajai Fel's son was kidnapped. She's forced not to tell where Syal is because "The Fels look out for family." Soontir's brother has complete confidence in blood (and in-laws). They also deal with Corsec…Corran! Haha, that was great.
The end was great with Plourr's rescue and with the possibility of Corran being a future Rogue.
Masquerade
Written by Stackpole, coloured by Nestelle…but drawn by two people not Nadeau. The story was good (and funny), with Tycho and Winter admitting their feelings for each other, Han and Chewie helping the others (and I forgot Han knew Soontir), and with the search for Syal (I don't know if they all know her as Syal Antilles. They may only know her as Wynessa Starflare).
The art was iffy. The colours were great, but a lot of the images looked "soft." Han looks very young and faces in general look malleable. The way Wedge stands and moves his hand at times looks very awkward. However, I did enjoy the fact that the panels were different shapes and sizes. It added to the crazy adventure of the story.
Also, the image of Ysanne Isard on page 203 was amazing.
Tycho and Winter are so adorable.
Isard learns of Soontir's betrayal, though he's two-timing another Imperial. She also thinks of the Lusankya which made me grin. There's a slight bit on how Soontir needs to find Syal but it's mainly about Pestage turning form Isard.
Mandatory Retirement
Ah, Stackpole, Nadeau and Nestelle. The art is more realistic and just as vibrant as before. The cover art was beautiful.
The character names were given at their first entrance, save for a few minor ones. One of them was Fey'la, who is just as annoying as he is in he novels. His "xenophobic" arguments are highly irritating.
Ackbar gets the Rogues together while they're really enjoying some down time. Their mission's to get Sate Pestage before Isard does…even though he's not xenophobic but xeno-HATING. His reactions to things are disgusting. The mission backfires, but Intisam (Mon Cal) and Nrin (Quarren) show and verbalize that it IS possible for their species to get along. Nrin's reaction to Intisam's death is absolutely heartbreaking. We see him break down on page 330 - the art is beautiful but the image is devastating.
I really liked the names and call signs around a vibrant battle on page 333.
The end was fast-paced, bittersweet, and hectic.
My question is WHERE IS SYAL AND WHY DON'T THEY GET HER?!?!
I hope to finish that arc of the story at some point in the future. I hope it was completed elsewhere.
That question makes this more of a 4.8 stars