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Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca #1
Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca, Vol. 1: The Crystal Run, Part One
The galaxy’s best buddies star in a hair-raising adventure from the days before they joined the Rebellion! Loveable rogue Han Solo and his Wookiee partner-in-smuggling, Chewbacca, set off on a heist for none other than Jabba the Hutt — and this time, the Rodian bounty hunter named Greedo is working alongside them! It’s supposed to be a nice, straightforward job. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, how about a reunion with the very last person Han expected to see? When the target safe is cracked, you won’t believe what’s inside! Plus, celebrate the galaxy’s favorite holiday with a collection of festive tales from all across the saga of Star Wars. Happy Life Day!
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022) 1-5, Star Wars: Life Day (2021) 1
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022) 1-5, Star Wars: Life Day (2021) 1
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2022
17 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Marc Guggenheim
943 books174 followersMarc Guggenheim grew up on Long Island, New York, and earned his law degree from Boston University. After over four years in practice, he left law to pursue a career in television.
Today, Guggenheim is an Emmy Award–winning writer who writes for multiple mediums including television, film, video games, comic books, and new media. His work includes projects for such popular franchises as Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Star Trek, and Planet of the Apes.
His next book, In Any Lifetime, coming from Lake Union Publishing on August 1st.
Guggenheim currently lives in Encino, California, with his wife, two daughters, and a handful of pets.
Keep up to date on his latest projects with LegalDispatch, a weekly newsletter where he shares news and notes about writing, comics, and the entertainment industry.
Today, Guggenheim is an Emmy Award–winning writer who writes for multiple mediums including television, film, video games, comic books, and new media. His work includes projects for such popular franchises as Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Star Trek, and Planet of the Apes.
His next book, In Any Lifetime, coming from Lake Union Publishing on August 1st.
Guggenheim currently lives in Encino, California, with his wife, two daughters, and a handful of pets.
Keep up to date on his latest projects with LegalDispatch, a weekly newsletter where he shares news and notes about writing, comics, and the entertainment industry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 13, 2023
This is the first collection of an ongoing series. In this one, Jabba wants Han to retrieve an item. It doesn't go to plan. Basically, this is your planned heist with various team ups that does not go accordingly.
This was a nice introduction to this series. I liked it but I was not blown away by it. The heist with Han Solo is a little overdone in this galaxy by now so it was nothing new on that plot. I did like the inclusion of various characters from the movies and other comics. The sub plot is what I did enjoy. We delve into Han's past and how it ties into the present. I hope we explore this a little more. I enjoyed the artwork especially the likeness to the main character. There is a bonus issue that is a collection of short stories. I did not like this at all. I was probably going with a 3.5 rating until this issue. It was a weak tie in at best. The artwork was not very good as every Wookie looked like wet rugs. And they just had to tie it in with the High Republic series. That is not a series that I am enjoying and when I saw that tie in I moaned a little. I get it Disney. You are putting your eggs in that basket right now but not everything has to do with it.
I thought the author captured Han Solo and Chewbacca perfectly. One really could get a sense of their characters from the movies. And this collection did hint at something bigger. That sums up what I think about this series. It has potential and I will read the next collection to see if it lives up to it.
This was a nice introduction to this series. I liked it but I was not blown away by it. The heist with Han Solo is a little overdone in this galaxy by now so it was nothing new on that plot. I did like the inclusion of various characters from the movies and other comics. The sub plot is what I did enjoy. We delve into Han's past and how it ties into the present. I hope we explore this a little more. I enjoyed the artwork especially the likeness to the main character. There is a bonus issue that is a collection of short stories. I did not like this at all. I was probably going with a 3.5 rating until this issue. It was a weak tie in at best. The artwork was not very good as every Wookie looked like wet rugs. And they just had to tie it in with the High Republic series. That is not a series that I am enjoying and when I saw that tie in I moaned a little. I get it Disney. You are putting your eggs in that basket right now but not everything has to do with it.
I thought the author captured Han Solo and Chewbacca perfectly. One really could get a sense of their characters from the movies. And this collection did hint at something bigger. That sums up what I think about this series. It has potential and I will read the next collection to see if it lives up to it.
June 18, 2023
The galaxy’s greatest duo (not Rocket and Groot, although they are pretty awesome, too) finally have their own comic book!
The adventures of Han Solo and Chewbacca are memorialized by writer Marc Guggenheim and artist David Messina in the first volume, “The Crystal Run, Part One”.
In this volume, set prior to the events of “Episode IV: A New Hope”, when Han and Chewie were still smugglers for Jabba the Hutt: Jabba sends the duo on a mission to Corellia, Han’s home planet, which unleashes a flood of memories; Han is reunited with his long-lost dad, although he suspects that the old man may not be exactly who he claims to be; after ditching Greedo, Han et al. flee to planet Antillion, but the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan is waiting for them to take Solo’s (maybe) dad, who is a wanted criminal; Han and his team stage a daring rescue, but Han and Chewie get captured and thrown into the slammer, where they meet an old friend…
Also included is a silly little story set on Life Day…
Guggenheim/Messina’s Han Solo & Chewbacca is fun if not fantastic. It’s good enough that I’ll read the next volume.
The adventures of Han Solo and Chewbacca are memorialized by writer Marc Guggenheim and artist David Messina in the first volume, “The Crystal Run, Part One”.
In this volume, set prior to the events of “Episode IV: A New Hope”, when Han and Chewie were still smugglers for Jabba the Hutt: Jabba sends the duo on a mission to Corellia, Han’s home planet, which unleashes a flood of memories; Han is reunited with his long-lost dad, although he suspects that the old man may not be exactly who he claims to be; after ditching Greedo, Han et al. flee to planet Antillion, but the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan is waiting for them to take Solo’s (maybe) dad, who is a wanted criminal; Han and his team stage a daring rescue, but Han and Chewie get captured and thrown into the slammer, where they meet an old friend…
Also included is a silly little story set on Life Day…
Guggenheim/Messina’s Han Solo & Chewbacca is fun if not fantastic. It’s good enough that I’ll read the next volume.
December 8, 2022
An ok Han Solo and Chewbacca book. The book contains five issues of this series and a life Day book that is a collection of short stories.
I like the main story of double cross, but I think it goes too far with triple and quadruple crosses. Han and Chewie are tasked with retrieving an item for Jabba the Hutt. The trouble is most of the Syar Wars Underworld is tasked with retrieving the same object or just get Han. Not sure which.
A decent story with good artwork, a bit over done though I do like that Han is shown to actually planning things and following through with them. I also like the bit of continuity to a character in the Crimson Dawn series. The book also contains varient covers throughout the book.
I like the main story of double cross, but I think it goes too far with triple and quadruple crosses. Han and Chewie are tasked with retrieving an item for Jabba the Hutt. The trouble is most of the Syar Wars Underworld is tasked with retrieving the same object or just get Han. Not sure which.
A decent story with good artwork, a bit over done though I do like that Han is shown to actually planning things and following through with them. I also like the bit of continuity to a character in the Crimson Dawn series. The book also contains varient covers throughout the book.
January 25, 2023
It's been like 9 months since I wrote a Goodreads review, so why not get back on track by doing what I do best...reading subpar Star Wars comics.
Like most of the Star Wars comics over the past year, this was not very compelling. The trope used for the plot twist is blindingly obvious from the jump. It makes no sense with any of the other established canon. It tried to be funny but isn't really. It's not very exciting, which sucks for a Han and Chewie book.
The final issue in the collection does manage to drum up some adventure but it's not worth the 4-issue setup.
Will the next volume manage to ratchet up the sense of cosmic adventure? Probably not but we all know I'll read it anyway.
Like most of the Star Wars comics over the past year, this was not very compelling. The trope used for the plot twist is blindingly obvious from the jump. It makes no sense with any of the other established canon. It tried to be funny but isn't really. It's not very exciting, which sucks for a Han and Chewie book.
The final issue in the collection does manage to drum up some adventure but it's not worth the 4-issue setup.
Will the next volume manage to ratchet up the sense of cosmic adventure? Probably not but we all know I'll read it anyway.
December 29, 2022
Most all of the Star Wars comics that are running right now are between ESB and ROTJ, but this one takes place pre-ANH, and covers some of the adventures of Han and Chewie as they act as smugglers for Jabba the Hutt.
Highlights:
- After completing a job with a crew of some of Jabba's other smugglers, Han and Chewie are asked to pair up with Greedo to obtain an urn full of the ashes of Jabba's archrival. One snag... the job is on Corellia, so Han is going home...
- Chatting with a guy at a bar one night, Han finds who he believes is his Dad (though he has doubts like we do...) and he offers to help with the job. He knows just enough to give Han enough reason to believe.
- Doing the job requires breaking into a safe in a secure room. They handle it with all the swagger and fun that Han usually would, but the safe is empty. Still not trusting Greedo, Han, "Dad", and Chewie take the Falcon and follow the trail to Antillion, where there should be a buyer who now has it.
- Upon investigation on Antillion (and getting the Empire involved to get people out of the way), they find the urn, but are attacked by Black Krrsantan. Chewie vs Krrsantan is freaking awesome!
- When all is said and done: 1) "Dad" has taken the Falcon and been captured by Marshal Buck Vancto, a Corpo lawman, for interrogation, and is exposed to be Corbus Tyra (still his Dad? Unknown); 2) Han gets rescued by Greedo, who has joined up with the crew from the beginning of the Volume; and 3) Chewbacca has been arrested and ends up on the Prison Planet of Gulhadar in a cell with Maz Kanata?
So glad this is only Part 1! Going to be a great ride when I can read the rest.
Strong recommend. The playfulness of Han and Chewie, combined with all the action, makes this an excellent read.
Highlights:
- After completing a job with a crew of some of Jabba's other smugglers, Han and Chewie are asked to pair up with Greedo to obtain an urn full of the ashes of Jabba's archrival. One snag... the job is on Corellia, so Han is going home...
- Chatting with a guy at a bar one night, Han finds who he believes is his Dad (though he has doubts like we do...) and he offers to help with the job. He knows just enough to give Han enough reason to believe.
- Doing the job requires breaking into a safe in a secure room. They handle it with all the swagger and fun that Han usually would, but the safe is empty. Still not trusting Greedo, Han, "Dad", and Chewie take the Falcon and follow the trail to Antillion, where there should be a buyer who now has it.
- Upon investigation on Antillion (and getting the Empire involved to get people out of the way), they find the urn, but are attacked by Black Krrsantan. Chewie vs Krrsantan is freaking awesome!
- When all is said and done: 1) "Dad" has taken the Falcon and been captured by Marshal Buck Vancto, a Corpo lawman, for interrogation, and is exposed to be Corbus Tyra (still his Dad? Unknown); 2) Han gets rescued by Greedo, who has joined up with the crew from the beginning of the Volume; and 3) Chewbacca has been arrested and ends up on the Prison Planet of Gulhadar in a cell with Maz Kanata?
So glad this is only Part 1! Going to be a great ride when I can read the rest.
Strong recommend. The playfulness of Han and Chewie, combined with all the action, makes this an excellent read.
August 26, 2022
Yes! We want more Han and Chewie! This graphic novel is a great start to what could be a great new line of Star Wars comics, featuring our favorite scoundrels. This volume was a great story that takes us back to Corellia and involves some shady characters with shady motives and I AM HERE FOR IT.
April 20, 2023
The Crystal Run offers a generally enjoyable Han Solo and Chewbacca heist adventure, even if you can see all the wheels turning in the background. Namely, we meet Han Solo's dad pretty early on in the book, which, y'know, would be a pretty huge reveal for a random comic series *hint*.
The author gives Han the appropriate level of cocky luckiness, though other characters (the other title character, for example) don't get much to do. The heist follows the predictable course: it works and then it doesn't and then it works again and then it doesn't again. Cliffhanger ending! This is only "Part One," after all. The artwork is serviceable! Han looks good, Wookie fights look bad.
Another perfectly fine Star Wars comic. If you've read one, you've read them all. Skip the aggressively stupid Life Day issue at the end, though. It'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
The author gives Han the appropriate level of cocky luckiness, though other characters (the other title character, for example) don't get much to do. The heist follows the predictable course: it works and then it doesn't and then it works again and then it doesn't again. Cliffhanger ending! This is only "Part One," after all. The artwork is serviceable! Han looks good, Wookie fights look bad.
Another perfectly fine Star Wars comic. If you've read one, you've read them all. Skip the aggressively stupid Life Day issue at the end, though. It'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
May 20, 2023
This was a fun little adventure. I'm very interested to pick up the next volume, especially because of the ending. Also there was an Ewok, and that makes me very happy :)
July 30, 2024
Lovely art, perfectly fine story, but nothing compelling enough to make me rush out and pick up volume 2.
December 26, 2022
8-2 BBY
This graphic novel is the first part of The Crystal Run containing Han Solo and Chewbacca issues 1-5 as well as the "Life Day" special issue. This is set before Han meets Luke and Leia, featuring a job given to him by Jabba to acquire an urn containing the ashes of one of his enemies. There are a few catches. The urn is worth a huge chunk of credits. The urn is in the possession of an extremely rich and well-protected aristocrat. Oh, and Greedo is tasked to join Han and Chewie or the deal is off. Han meets someone he doesn't quite expect, which is interesting as well. Could this heist be the lead-up to his shoot-out with Greedo in A New Hope? It will be interesting to see where this tale, leads, that's for sure!
"Life Day" is a stand alone that takes place 31-34 ABY in which Han is trying to make Chewie's day special, as it is a hope-filled family holiday celebrated on Kashyyyk. Han and Chewbacca both have their own families at this point in time. It becomes a mini-heist story on the quest to get a glimmering orb to commemorate Chewbacca's holiday.
I mostly enjoy the art in this one, though Han was the only one that felt a bit odd-looking to me. I think the task of the heist regarding an urn is certainly unique. The fact that we get a story from the time when Han and Greedo work under Jabba together makes for a great addition to their story and may fill in some interesting gaps for us fans. Overall a pretty enjoyable graphic novel.
This graphic novel is the first part of The Crystal Run containing Han Solo and Chewbacca issues 1-5 as well as the "Life Day" special issue. This is set before Han meets Luke and Leia, featuring a job given to him by Jabba to acquire an urn containing the ashes of one of his enemies. There are a few catches. The urn is worth a huge chunk of credits. The urn is in the possession of an extremely rich and well-protected aristocrat. Oh, and Greedo is tasked to join Han and Chewie or the deal is off. Han meets someone he doesn't quite expect, which is interesting as well. Could this heist be the lead-up to his shoot-out with Greedo in A New Hope? It will be interesting to see where this tale, leads, that's for sure!
"Life Day" is a stand alone that takes place 31-34 ABY in which Han is trying to make Chewie's day special, as it is a hope-filled family holiday celebrated on Kashyyyk. Han and Chewbacca both have their own families at this point in time. It becomes a mini-heist story on the quest to get a glimmering orb to commemorate Chewbacca's holiday.
I mostly enjoy the art in this one, though Han was the only one that felt a bit odd-looking to me. I think the task of the heist regarding an urn is certainly unique. The fact that we get a story from the time when Han and Greedo work under Jabba together makes for a great addition to their story and may fill in some interesting gaps for us fans. Overall a pretty enjoyable graphic novel.
August 12, 2023
Han Solo and Chewbacca are working for Jabba the Hutt. They get a mission to steal an urn of ashes from a rich guy called Graves in Corellia. Working alongside Greedo and splitting the pay with him is bad enough, but having to break into a secure vault is even worse. An unexpected reunion with someone who seems to be Han's father Ovan might provide a solution. Unknown to them, they have an additional thing to worry about. Marshal Buck Vancto is tracking them.
July 30, 2023
8/10:
This is an awesome collection of issues showcasing The Crystal Run job that Han and Chewbacca have taken on for Jabba the Hutt! I really love the connections to so many scoundrels, smugglers, and bounty hunters such as Greedo and Black Krrsantan. I’m really enjoying this adventure they’re on, and I can’t wait to see how it ends!
The inclusion of the Life Day one-shot was neat because we see various Life Day stories as they played out, one of which even details a mission of Jedi Padawan Burryaga and his master Nib Assek. Totally didn’t expect to see these two characters from the High Republic era, but I’m glad to see stories from so many different time periods!
This is an awesome collection of issues showcasing The Crystal Run job that Han and Chewbacca have taken on for Jabba the Hutt! I really love the connections to so many scoundrels, smugglers, and bounty hunters such as Greedo and Black Krrsantan. I’m really enjoying this adventure they’re on, and I can’t wait to see how it ends!
The inclusion of the Life Day one-shot was neat because we see various Life Day stories as they played out, one of which even details a mission of Jedi Padawan Burryaga and his master Nib Assek. Totally didn’t expect to see these two characters from the High Republic era, but I’m glad to see stories from so many different time periods!
July 9, 2023
This is the start to a great Star Wars adventure! If Han and Chewie are your favorite Star Wars characters, I'd recommend this graphic novel.
September 28, 2023
3.5 Stars
While I thought this was an interesting story I found the best part of this was the Life Day excerpt which wasn’t even part of the main story.
While I thought this was an interesting story I found the best part of this was the Life Day excerpt which wasn’t even part of the main story.
February 24, 2025
3.5 without the short story anthology.
December 4, 2022
A title showing Han and Chewie at their most scoundrely? Sign me up! The tale has action adventure and maybe even some life day hope? Also, Greedo! Black Krysantan! Han Solo's dad?!
May 9, 2024
I feel like I’m being gaslit somewhere, what is going on with this book? The Wookiepedia page is all but blank, the reviews on Goodreads sound like an AI, and this book is so incoherent it doesn’t feel real. What is this?
It opens with a shot of Han in Carbonite. For one panel. Then it flashes back to the story they’re telling a full 6+ years prior. There is seemingly no connection to the events on Cloud City, except that’s what an AI would write “Scene opens on Han Solo frozen in rock, then he meets his long-lost dad.”
I don’t want to be disingenuous, I don’t like belittling an artist even if the art they made is bad. But if a human person wrote this, I’ve lost a bet. This feels like something an AI plotted that someone roughly shaped for 20 minutes, editing along on their first pass reading it. Every cliche it could hit, it hits; every possibly coy reference to something in the future, it references; no less than 3 bad-feelings-about-this. This doesn’t feel real, it’s like I’m in a coma and this is the best my brain could come up with.
{Series Score: 3/10 — Review concluded in Vol. 2}
Addendum: The one-shot “Life Day” is included here and it isn’t much better but at least it feels like people wrote it. It’s a kids-oriented one-shot with vignettes about Han Solo’s Christmas(ish)-Time Adventures, set amidst a framing device post-Endor. I think the framing device is just before Aftermath: Life Debt, and it probably makes for a decent intro into that book, but overall it’s just kinda nothing. None of it was memorable enough to recall it now, just 5 hours later, but I’ll give it that it’s more memorable than the entire miniseries.
It opens with a shot of Han in Carbonite. For one panel. Then it flashes back to the story they’re telling a full 6+ years prior. There is seemingly no connection to the events on Cloud City, except that’s what an AI would write “Scene opens on Han Solo frozen in rock, then he meets his long-lost dad.”
I don’t want to be disingenuous, I don’t like belittling an artist even if the art they made is bad. But if a human person wrote this, I’ve lost a bet. This feels like something an AI plotted that someone roughly shaped for 20 minutes, editing along on their first pass reading it. Every cliche it could hit, it hits; every possibly coy reference to something in the future, it references; no less than 3 bad-feelings-about-this. This doesn’t feel real, it’s like I’m in a coma and this is the best my brain could come up with.
{Series Score: 3/10 — Review concluded in Vol. 2}
Addendum: The one-shot “Life Day” is included here and it isn’t much better but at least it feels like people wrote it. It’s a kids-oriented one-shot with vignettes about Han Solo’s Christmas(ish)-Time Adventures, set amidst a framing device post-Endor. I think the framing device is just before Aftermath: Life Debt, and it probably makes for a decent intro into that book, but overall it’s just kinda nothing. None of it was memorable enough to recall it now, just 5 hours later, but I’ll give it that it’s more memorable than the entire miniseries.
March 16, 2023
Gotta love Han & Chewie…
January 28, 2024
When done right, there is nothing better than Han Solo and Chewbacca, pulling off capers, pre- A New Hope.
Luckily, Marc Guggenheim knows how to capture the fun of that time in Solo’s life, within the pages HAN SOLO AND CHEWBACCA VOL 1.
This is the second solo Solo comic I have read in the new Disney canon. The first trade was just called Han Solo, and it fell a little flat for me.
Just a little background, I actually didn’t enjoy Solo: A Star Wars story. I think it is pretty mediocre, and I would have loved to see the original vision that Lord and Miller had for the movie. HAN SOLO AND CHEWBACCA Vol 1 is a much more fun and thrilling Solo and Chewie adventure than the live action movie.
In this first trade we get Greedo, too! This is the best that Greedo has ever been, considering the only other times I have seen him in a story, he was getting punched by little kid Anakin Skywalker, or he was being shot to death in a cantina.
This book is right in the sweet spot, between the end of Solo: A Sta story and when Han has a price on his head from Jabba the Hutt. I love me some Han working for Jabba.
There are a ton of cameos from characters that have been introduced in the comics and other ancillary Star Wars new cannon media. I won’t spoil who shows up, in case you haven’t read it.
The last sixth of the book is a Star Wars Christmas special, focusing on the Wookie holiday, Life Day, which was first introduced in the infamous Holiday Special. The Life Day issue features stories from different times in Solo's life. There is the sweet spot I love where he is still working with Jabba, there is his time in the rebellion, pre Return of the Jedi, and there is a story that features Han and chewie after they have lost the Millenium Falcon and are in deep trouble with the criminal gang we learned about in The Force Awakens, Kanjiclub.
As an added bonus, we get a story set during the High Republic, featuring Burryaga, the Jedi Wookie. I really love the inclusion of all of these eras in the life day special, since it ties in the High Republic and the Sequel trilogy even more into the original trilogy, really leaning into that shared universe feeling.
When it comes to Star Wars comic book tie ins, the quality of the story is dependent upon the investment in the ancillary characters. I already said that we are getting top tier Greedo. There is a character that is introduced in this book, whose connection to Han Solo makes this book more dynamic than a lot of spin off Star Wars books. I am not going to reveal who that character is and what ties to Solo’s past he has, though.
You don’t have to be super knowledgeable of the new Star Wars cannon to enjoy this book. Definitely check it out if you are a fan of Han Solo and Chewbacca.
Luckily, Marc Guggenheim knows how to capture the fun of that time in Solo’s life, within the pages HAN SOLO AND CHEWBACCA VOL 1.
This is the second solo Solo comic I have read in the new Disney canon. The first trade was just called Han Solo, and it fell a little flat for me.
Just a little background, I actually didn’t enjoy Solo: A Star Wars story. I think it is pretty mediocre, and I would have loved to see the original vision that Lord and Miller had for the movie. HAN SOLO AND CHEWBACCA Vol 1 is a much more fun and thrilling Solo and Chewie adventure than the live action movie.
In this first trade we get Greedo, too! This is the best that Greedo has ever been, considering the only other times I have seen him in a story, he was getting punched by little kid Anakin Skywalker, or he was being shot to death in a cantina.
This book is right in the sweet spot, between the end of Solo: A Sta story and when Han has a price on his head from Jabba the Hutt. I love me some Han working for Jabba.
There are a ton of cameos from characters that have been introduced in the comics and other ancillary Star Wars new cannon media. I won’t spoil who shows up, in case you haven’t read it.
The last sixth of the book is a Star Wars Christmas special, focusing on the Wookie holiday, Life Day, which was first introduced in the infamous Holiday Special. The Life Day issue features stories from different times in Solo's life. There is the sweet spot I love where he is still working with Jabba, there is his time in the rebellion, pre Return of the Jedi, and there is a story that features Han and chewie after they have lost the Millenium Falcon and are in deep trouble with the criminal gang we learned about in The Force Awakens, Kanjiclub.
As an added bonus, we get a story set during the High Republic, featuring Burryaga, the Jedi Wookie. I really love the inclusion of all of these eras in the life day special, since it ties in the High Republic and the Sequel trilogy even more into the original trilogy, really leaning into that shared universe feeling.
When it comes to Star Wars comic book tie ins, the quality of the story is dependent upon the investment in the ancillary characters. I already said that we are getting top tier Greedo. There is a character that is introduced in this book, whose connection to Han Solo makes this book more dynamic than a lot of spin off Star Wars books. I am not going to reveal who that character is and what ties to Solo’s past he has, though.
You don’t have to be super knowledgeable of the new Star Wars cannon to enjoy this book. Definitely check it out if you are a fan of Han Solo and Chewbacca.
December 19, 2022
Two stories, spanning centuries of the Star Wars saga.
The main story here sees Han and Chewie hired by Jabba to pull a heist which, inevitably goes awry.
The back-up story, set in the era of the (*holds back vomit*) Sequel Trilogy focuses on the Wookiee celebration of Life Day and features flashbacks to the High Republic, the Dark Times and the Rebellion.
Han Solo is a character that all too many writers have struggled to get right over the years, too often portraying him as an arrogant buffoon whose plans always go wrong. Here, however, we're given a much more engaging version of Han who, despite the odd misstep, is cunning and talented enough to survive a career amid the underworld of the Star Wars galaxy.
Honestly, having Han and Chewie star in a heist caper is such a no-brainer than I don't know why so few writers have managed to pull it off (Tim Zahn did it best with the novel 'Scoundrels' though). Marc Guggenheim does a great job here, though, and this is probably my favourite appearance of Han in any of (evil) Disney's new canon.
The Life Day story is fine, as far as it goes. It doesn't really add much to the Star Wars mythos but it's not in any way offensive either (I'm looking at you 'The Last Jedi'...).
It has to be said that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the High Republic flashback, which sees Jedi Master Nib Assek and Padawan Burryaga facing Drengir on Kashyyyk, not to mention featuring Chewie's father Attichitcuk.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
The main story here sees Han and Chewie hired by Jabba to pull a heist which, inevitably goes awry.
The back-up story, set in the era of the (*holds back vomit*) Sequel Trilogy focuses on the Wookiee celebration of Life Day and features flashbacks to the High Republic, the Dark Times and the Rebellion.
Han Solo is a character that all too many writers have struggled to get right over the years, too often portraying him as an arrogant buffoon whose plans always go wrong. Here, however, we're given a much more engaging version of Han who, despite the odd misstep, is cunning and talented enough to survive a career amid the underworld of the Star Wars galaxy.
Honestly, having Han and Chewie star in a heist caper is such a no-brainer than I don't know why so few writers have managed to pull it off (Tim Zahn did it best with the novel 'Scoundrels' though). Marc Guggenheim does a great job here, though, and this is probably my favourite appearance of Han in any of (evil) Disney's new canon.
The Life Day story is fine, as far as it goes. It doesn't really add much to the Star Wars mythos but it's not in any way offensive either (I'm looking at you 'The Last Jedi'...).
It has to be said that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the High Republic flashback, which sees Jedi Master Nib Assek and Padawan Burryaga facing Drengir on Kashyyyk, not to mention featuring Chewie's father Attichitcuk.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
October 21, 2023
POPKulturowy Kociołek:
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/star-...
Akcja komiksu rozgrywa się gdzieś pomiędzy wydarzeniami z Solo i Nowej nadziei. Gwiazdami albumu są oczywiście tytułowi bohaterowie, którzy podejmują się różnych (nie zawsze uczciwych) zajęć, aby tylko zarobić. Na samym początku widzimy ich, jak ratują grupę przestępców z dachu kasyna, która właśnie dokonała zuchwałego napadu. Pieniędzy nigdy nie jest za wiele, szczególnie kiedy statek wymaga licznych napraw. Nic więc dziwnego, że podejmują się oni pracy dla Jabby The Hutta. Sprawy jak zawsze zaczynają się jednak mocno komplikować i pozornie proste zadanie zamienia się w coś więcej.
Star Wars nigdy specjalnie nie było dziełem nadmiernie ambitnym (najwięksi fani z pewnością się z tym nie zgodzą), które charakteryzowałyby się nadmiernie głęboką treścią. Seria od samego początku stawiała na widowiskowość i zapewnienie odbiorcy dużej dawki dobrej rozrywki. Tak samo jest w przypadku albumu Han Solo i Chewbacca tom 1. Nie należy oczekiwać od komiksu złożonej głębokiej treści. Zamiast tego mamy mocną akcję, która potrafi być jednak dość angażująca. Z wielką przyjemnością przewraca się strony albumu, obserwując poczynania bohaterów, poznając ich historię i kierującą ich motywację. Autorom udało się ponadto w dość autentyczny i ciekawy sposób przedstawić relacje pomiędzy tytułowymi bohaterami (znaną ze starej trylogii). Swoje pięć minut mają tu również inne znane z serii postacie, które w kilku scenach naprawdę dość intensywnie błyszczą....
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/star-...
Akcja komiksu rozgrywa się gdzieś pomiędzy wydarzeniami z Solo i Nowej nadziei. Gwiazdami albumu są oczywiście tytułowi bohaterowie, którzy podejmują się różnych (nie zawsze uczciwych) zajęć, aby tylko zarobić. Na samym początku widzimy ich, jak ratują grupę przestępców z dachu kasyna, która właśnie dokonała zuchwałego napadu. Pieniędzy nigdy nie jest za wiele, szczególnie kiedy statek wymaga licznych napraw. Nic więc dziwnego, że podejmują się oni pracy dla Jabby The Hutta. Sprawy jak zawsze zaczynają się jednak mocno komplikować i pozornie proste zadanie zamienia się w coś więcej.
Star Wars nigdy specjalnie nie było dziełem nadmiernie ambitnym (najwięksi fani z pewnością się z tym nie zgodzą), które charakteryzowałyby się nadmiernie głęboką treścią. Seria od samego początku stawiała na widowiskowość i zapewnienie odbiorcy dużej dawki dobrej rozrywki. Tak samo jest w przypadku albumu Han Solo i Chewbacca tom 1. Nie należy oczekiwać od komiksu złożonej głębokiej treści. Zamiast tego mamy mocną akcję, która potrafi być jednak dość angażująca. Z wielką przyjemnością przewraca się strony albumu, obserwując poczynania bohaterów, poznając ich historię i kierującą ich motywację. Autorom udało się ponadto w dość autentyczny i ciekawy sposób przedstawić relacje pomiędzy tytułowymi bohaterami (znaną ze starej trylogii). Swoje pięć minut mają tu również inne znane z serii postacie, które w kilku scenach naprawdę dość intensywnie błyszczą....
March 6, 2023
Given the reviews, I expected to come in pretty lukewarm on this one, but I actually ended up liking it quite a bit. I think the ending didn’t really work for me (you can threaten or create much drama around peril applied to either Han or Chewie, let alone both, so why really bother here as a hook?), but I liked the writing, the character dialogue, and the occasional weird asides and callbacks (Vizam especially, but also Chewie stealing a similar but not exactly the same type as speeder that Han steals to escape with Q’ira in Solo) that made the world feel really lived in (also Q’ira’s near run-in with Han while Han turns out to be the source of Madelin Sun falling into the hands of Crimson Dawn). I even didn’t hate the Life Day story, from Chewie and Han getting a big, genuine best pal’s hug at the end to the reappearance of the Drengir (the Star Wars equivalent of the carnivorous wreath from Nightmare Before Christmas) and what to me at least was a reveal that Oga uses she/her pronouns! Also…I think this was the first time I’ve actually seen Oga? Fun stuff! I’m also still trying to figure out why Corbus sounds so familiar to me…
August 20, 2023
This was an okayish read, like we focus on Han pulling a job for Jabba for which he will get a lot of money and that involves him going to Corelia and over there we see him trying to break into a safe and that doesn't happen and then there s the 2nd attempt and he is teamed up with the Rodian "Greedo" and well this one is successful but well intruders and all happen and they sorta get captured and all and are sort of rescued by Khal Tanna and her crew who Han saved in the beginning and I love how it comes circular.. but they are also being hunted by Marshal Buck Vancto and how it all connects is so awesome! There is also this part where its Chewbacca vs Krrasantan and man that fight was so cool lol, nothing like a wookie fight. The ending leads into an interesting vol 2!
Also there is a life day issue Idk how it fits into it but I adore it, its kinda like wookie thanksgiving/christmas pick your allegory but the point is its like a big day of celebration for them and how Han and Chewie get close there was awesome, and their hug in the end was so cute!!
Also there is a life day issue Idk how it fits into it but I adore it, its kinda like wookie thanksgiving/christmas pick your allegory but the point is its like a big day of celebration for them and how Han and Chewie get close there was awesome, and their hug in the end was so cute!!
January 27, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect from this (mini-?)series but I'm always game for more Star Wars content. And more pre-trilogy adventures involving Han and Chewie are most welcome in my book.
This story (thus far) is a great highlight of how they operated as smugglers under the employ of Jabba the Hutt. Naturally, we get a few other familiar faces in the mix of things - totally wasn't expecting to see Greedo here, but that certainly works to help flesh out his history with Han before A New Hope.
This isn't the most serious adventure but I do like the tone more the comics inspired by the Solo movie for some reason. Maybe it has more to do how a lot of us have a better feel for Solo as a "professional" smuggler versus his younger self.
But this is only part 1! Gotta wait for the rest of the story to really decide how all this goes.
This story (thus far) is a great highlight of how they operated as smugglers under the employ of Jabba the Hutt. Naturally, we get a few other familiar faces in the mix of things - totally wasn't expecting to see Greedo here, but that certainly works to help flesh out his history with Han before A New Hope.
This isn't the most serious adventure but I do like the tone more the comics inspired by the Solo movie for some reason. Maybe it has more to do how a lot of us have a better feel for Solo as a "professional" smuggler versus his younger self.
But this is only part 1! Gotta wait for the rest of the story to really decide how all this goes.
February 19, 2025
It's a good plot with lackluster writing. There were a lot of cool plot points like the dad, the heist, freedom, krshyyk, and probably more. The way they connected these plot points left me confused sometimes and disappointed way too many other times. The problems just seem to fix themselves with no rhyme or reason. A perfect example of this is that the millennium falcon gets stolen in the middle of nowhere. The next page is just another millennium falcon showing up to save them at the exact moment they find out theirs is lost. They're still being chased by the bad guys and the new falcon blasts them away, either not killing them or killing a very interesting character in the dumbest way. When they get in the ship, it's just s bunch of people who have beef with Han with no explanation of why they knew where he was and showed up with such perfect timing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2025
Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca: The Crystal Run Part 1 collects issues 1-5 and Star Wars: Life Day by Marc Guggenheim, art by David Messina, and colors by Alex Sinclair.
Han and Chewie accept a job from Jabba the Hutt to steal a valuable relic. Only two problems, Han has to work with the untrustworthy Greedo and he has to return to his home planet Corellia to perform the heist. And along the way, Han runs into his father.
A back-up story sees Han and Chewie on adventures that revolve around Life Day, the stand-in for Christmas in the Star Wars universe.
This book just felt like it was going through the motions, hitting all the plot points of your generic heist story: setting up a heist plan, the plan falls apart, crosses, double crosses, encountering characters from your past, people who aren’t who they say they are, getting caught, et cetera et cetera. The art also is not as strong as other Star Wars comics.
Han and Chewie accept a job from Jabba the Hutt to steal a valuable relic. Only two problems, Han has to work with the untrustworthy Greedo and he has to return to his home planet Corellia to perform the heist. And along the way, Han runs into his father.
A back-up story sees Han and Chewie on adventures that revolve around Life Day, the stand-in for Christmas in the Star Wars universe.
This book just felt like it was going through the motions, hitting all the plot points of your generic heist story: setting up a heist plan, the plan falls apart, crosses, double crosses, encountering characters from your past, people who aren’t who they say they are, getting caught, et cetera et cetera. The art also is not as strong as other Star Wars comics.
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars
A frantic heist scheme to chase down an urn, supposedly containing a crime boss' ashes on behalf of Jabba the Hutt. With Greedo, a rival crew, a Benelex Marshall by the name of Vancto and a con-man claiming to be Solo's old Dad adding some spice to the mix, it's a pell-mell pursuit across the galaxy...which in many ways it's biggest problem, in that there's hardly any time to take a breath and in common with modern on-screen Star Wars there's virtually no travel time is allowed for between the various destinations. I'm not expecting relativistic science here, but instantaneous travel reduces the jeopardy of traveling across the galaxy whether you're on the run from Hutts, Imperial Forces or chasing dumb-lug Greedo...
A frantic heist scheme to chase down an urn, supposedly containing a crime boss' ashes on behalf of Jabba the Hutt. With Greedo, a rival crew, a Benelex Marshall by the name of Vancto and a con-man claiming to be Solo's old Dad adding some spice to the mix, it's a pell-mell pursuit across the galaxy...which in many ways it's biggest problem, in that there's hardly any time to take a breath and in common with modern on-screen Star Wars there's virtually no travel time is allowed for between the various destinations. I'm not expecting relativistic science here, but instantaneous travel reduces the jeopardy of traveling across the galaxy whether you're on the run from Hutts, Imperial Forces or chasing dumb-lug Greedo...
December 31, 2022
After the last terrible volume of Darth Vader,
I think I can be justified in once again losing faith in Star Wars comics (and the entire franchise in general if we are being totally honest).
Thankfully I can say that as far as canon goes, Han Solo & Chewbacca isn’t half bad.
Nothing really important happens, and it’s doing the same annoying thing of trying to make the eponymous film and Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge fit into an IP that doesn’t need either, but when you take into account just how up and down the new Star Wars comics have been (especially this new phase), a mildly innocuous series with Han and Chewie is kind of refreshing.
I think I can be justified in once again losing faith in Star Wars comics (and the entire franchise in general if we are being totally honest).
Thankfully I can say that as far as canon goes, Han Solo & Chewbacca isn’t half bad.
Nothing really important happens, and it’s doing the same annoying thing of trying to make the eponymous film and Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge fit into an IP that doesn’t need either, but when you take into account just how up and down the new Star Wars comics have been (especially this new phase), a mildly innocuous series with Han and Chewie is kind of refreshing.
April 28, 2024
I'm probably being too generous with the rating, but the art was good, the heist bits were fun, and this may be the first thing in Disney!Star Wars canon that actually portrays Han as having two brain cells to rub together. The Han here actually feels like Han, not his dimwitted look-alike.
Some of the tropes were a little too obvious, and, like a lot of the comics since Disney took over, it feels a little rushed, though much less bad than most I've tried.
We'll see how the second volume fares.
Some of the tropes were a little too obvious, and, like a lot of the comics since Disney took over, it feels a little rushed, though much less bad than most I've tried.
We'll see how the second volume fares.
May 18, 2024
Essa é uma daquelas histórias que parecem ser muito diretas, mas a cada passo as coisas complicam um pouco e, assim, a história aumenta de tamanho. E, na verdade, cada passo que complica a história parece ser só para aumentar a história sem muita necessidade... não sei bem explicar esse conceito de necessidade que estou usando, porque que necessidade tem uma história em quadrinhos? Talvez os pontos de virada me pareceram meio forçados, sem propósito, apesar de a história ser competente o suficiente. No quesito forçado, apareceu um personagem que eu não acredito em momento nenhum que seja quem ele diz que é. Gostei bem do último quadrinho que se passa no feriado de Star Wars.
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