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Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020)
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 5: The Spark Eternal
The Spark Eternal corrupts everything it touches, and Doctor Aphra is no exception! Now, trapped inside her own tainted mind, Aphra’s only hope for escape lies in her own memories — but can she find a way out before the Spark consumes her completely? And as Sana Starros finds herself face-to-face with an ancient, malevolent presence, she will have to make a choice — and quickly. Can she save Aphra? Can she even save herself?
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020) 21-25
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020) 21-25
115 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2022
13 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Wong
423 books411 followersAlyssa Wong studies fiction in Raleigh, NC, and really, really likes crows. She was a finalist for the 2016 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and her story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” won the 2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story and the 2016 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction. Her fiction has been shortlisted for the Pushcart Prize, the Bram Stoker Award, the Locus Award, and the Shirley Jackson Award. Her work has been published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, and Tor.com, among others.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 19, 2023
This is one of the better Doctor Aphra books I have read. I don't know if it is because I was not expecting much from this series but it was ok, still a bit of a mess but better.
Aphra has been possessed for lack of a better word. Not it is up to her closest friends (the people she has usually betrayed the most) to save her or deliver he to their employer.
Maybe it is that I like the fightback from Aphra but this book finally seems to be going somewhere for me. The book finishes with a variant cover gallery.
Aphra has been possessed for lack of a better word. Not it is up to her closest friends (the people she has usually betrayed the most) to save her or deliver he to their employer.
Maybe it is that I like the fightback from Aphra but this book finally seems to be going somewhere for me. The book finishes with a variant cover gallery.
February 27, 2023
I was excited to get into this one but couldn't really settle in. Unfortunately I was left kind of bored. Though I do like the recap of old friends and some really great side characters reappear. One of my favorite characters in the SW universe so I'll definitely be back for next volume. If it takes more time to build up characters it would be an improvement for sure.
June 18, 2025
This didn't quite grab me. Aphra is possessed by "the spark eternal" and her friends are trying to save her. It's not bad, but it feels like it's dragging a little to me.
September 10, 2023
Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Doktor Aphra: Der Ewige Funke
Haben wir uns nicht alle schon gewünscht die Macht zu beherrschen? Manche aus noblen Gründen, andere aus weit profaneren (die Fernbedienung liegt aber auch immer weit weg!). Bühne frei für diesen Werbepost und den Ewigen Funken!
Die Handlung:
Die erfinderischen Ascendants entwickelten den Spark Eternal als Gerät, welches Sith-gleiche Kräfte verlieh. Doch wie gewohnt mit der Dunklen Seite, bleibt der Wahnsinn nicht weit entfernt. Dr. Aphra wird vom Funken beherrscht und von den beiden verfeindeten Lagern des Tagge-Imperiums entsandt, machen sich Sana und Just Lucky mit Unterstützung auf, um die Archäologin zu "retten"...
Meine Meinung:
Der Ewige Funke ist eine tolle Idee. Ein Artefakt, welches Sith-Kräfte verleiht, klingt nicht nur cool, sondern ist es auch. Die so entstandene "böse" Aphra nimmt den Leser mit auf eine Reise durch die Vergangenheit, die einige Easter Eggs liefert. À la "Dr. Jekyll und Mr. Hyde" kämpft sich jedoch die "gute" Chelli wieder von innen heraus, was gleich doppelte Unterhaltung bedeutet. Größte Stärke und Schwäche zugleich ist in diesem Band die Abgedrehtheit. Was lustig sein kann und die durchaus ernste Hintergrundgeschichte des Funken gekonnt verkleidet, wirkt häufig auch überladen. Wie viele Figuren kann man auf diesen wenigen Seiten darstellen? - Ja, scheint die Antwort der Autorin zu sein.
Fazit:
Eine gelungene Idee mit vielen hervorragenden Stellen, die jedoch durch eine viel zu hohe Anzahl an Figuren und verwirrenden Zusammenhängen völlig überfrachtet wird. Manchmal ist weniger mehr.
Werbung: Vielen lieben Dank an @paninide / @starwarspaninide für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionexemplares!
Doktor Aphra: Der Ewige Funke
Haben wir uns nicht alle schon gewünscht die Macht zu beherrschen? Manche aus noblen Gründen, andere aus weit profaneren (die Fernbedienung liegt aber auch immer weit weg!). Bühne frei für diesen Werbepost und den Ewigen Funken!
Die Handlung:
Die erfinderischen Ascendants entwickelten den Spark Eternal als Gerät, welches Sith-gleiche Kräfte verlieh. Doch wie gewohnt mit der Dunklen Seite, bleibt der Wahnsinn nicht weit entfernt. Dr. Aphra wird vom Funken beherrscht und von den beiden verfeindeten Lagern des Tagge-Imperiums entsandt, machen sich Sana und Just Lucky mit Unterstützung auf, um die Archäologin zu "retten"...
Meine Meinung:
Der Ewige Funke ist eine tolle Idee. Ein Artefakt, welches Sith-Kräfte verleiht, klingt nicht nur cool, sondern ist es auch. Die so entstandene "böse" Aphra nimmt den Leser mit auf eine Reise durch die Vergangenheit, die einige Easter Eggs liefert. À la "Dr. Jekyll und Mr. Hyde" kämpft sich jedoch die "gute" Chelli wieder von innen heraus, was gleich doppelte Unterhaltung bedeutet. Größte Stärke und Schwäche zugleich ist in diesem Band die Abgedrehtheit. Was lustig sein kann und die durchaus ernste Hintergrundgeschichte des Funken gekonnt verkleidet, wirkt häufig auch überladen. Wie viele Figuren kann man auf diesen wenigen Seiten darstellen? - Ja, scheint die Antwort der Autorin zu sein.
Fazit:
Eine gelungene Idee mit vielen hervorragenden Stellen, die jedoch durch eine viel zu hohe Anzahl an Figuren und verwirrenden Zusammenhängen völlig überfrachtet wird. Manchmal ist weniger mehr.
Werbung: Vielen lieben Dank an @paninide / @starwarspaninide für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionexemplares!
January 18, 2023
The fifth book in the series sees Aphra trapped within her own memories whilst the malevolent biomechanical AI known as the Spark Eternal has seized control of her body. Meanwhile, Sana Starros gathers a team of Aphra's former allies and lovers with the intention of saving the rogue archaeologist but infiltrating the hub of Crimson Dawn.
This was the first book of Wong's run on Aphra that I found genuinely engaging. I particularly enjoyed the parts where Aphra manages to access the Spark's own memories and learns of the history of the Ascendant and their downfall at the hands of the Sith. These scenes finally felt like they justified why the writer had gone to the effort of creating the Sith-like Ascendant when she could've just used the Sith.
And honestly, just seeing the Sith wipe out the Ascendant with red lightsabers glowing left-right-and-centre was the sort of thing I hoped for.
I've often found Aphra a hard protagonist to get behind, despite liking the concept of her as a character, so it also made this book easier to enjoy by having the weight of the plot resting on the shoulders of her supporting cast of characters instead. Whilst I can't claim to particularly like Sana, Magna Tolvan is one of the most wonderfully nuanced characters of the (evil) Disney era of Star Wars comics and the others of the rogues gallery of exes and betrayed allies makes for an interesting rescue team, to say the least.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
This was the first book of Wong's run on Aphra that I found genuinely engaging. I particularly enjoyed the parts where Aphra manages to access the Spark's own memories and learns of the history of the Ascendant and their downfall at the hands of the Sith. These scenes finally felt like they justified why the writer had gone to the effort of creating the Sith-like Ascendant when she could've just used the Sith.
And honestly, just seeing the Sith wipe out the Ascendant with red lightsabers glowing left-right-and-centre was the sort of thing I hoped for.
I've often found Aphra a hard protagonist to get behind, despite liking the concept of her as a character, so it also made this book easier to enjoy by having the weight of the plot resting on the shoulders of her supporting cast of characters instead. Whilst I can't claim to particularly like Sana, Magna Tolvan is one of the most wonderfully nuanced characters of the (evil) Disney era of Star Wars comics and the others of the rogues gallery of exes and betrayed allies makes for an interesting rescue team, to say the least.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
August 26, 2023
Se você só pode ou só quer acompanhar um título da linha de Star Wars, eu recomendaria fortemente Doutora Aphra. Em seu primeiro volume, ela já encantou com seus droides assassinos e torturadores pelas mãos de Kieron Gillen e Simon Spurrier. No segundo volume, a terceira a escrever a personagem, Alyssa Wong não deixa a desejar nem um pouco aos outros escritores. Ela amplia o universo da nossa doutora em arqueologia interestelar e também do próprio universo de Star Wars, explorando o seu passado. Neste caso, o dos Ascendentes, uma antiga sociedade secreta que mesclava a força com tecnologia e produziu diversas relíquias que Aphra sai à caça. Uma delas, a Fagulha Eterna, se funde a Aphra e agora somente as suas mais terríveis aminimigas podem ajudar Sana Starros a libertar Aphra dessa influencia que pode destruí-la. E, para isso, essas pessoas terão de libertar um mal que Aphra deixou para trás há algumas versões atrás. Uma Aventura com "A" maiúsculo, que não perde em nada para os bons filmes da franquia Star Wars, só que em forma de quadrinhos atuais.
June 1, 2024
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 5 The Spark Eternal collects issues 21-25 of the Marvel Comics series written by Alyssa Wong, art by Minkyu Jung and Natcha Bustos, and colors by Rachelle Rosenberg.
Aphra has been possessed by Ascendant tech The Spark Eternal, a device created to mimic the Force in order to defeat Sith. While the real Aphra attempts to free herself while trapped in her own memories, Sana Starros has collected everyone who is close to Aphra is order to save her.
This sounds like a really interesting premise, but it’s largely pretty boring other than a handful of scenes. I enjoyed getting the flashback of Miril and the purpose of Ascendant tech. Seeing Triple-Zero and BT-1 return was a pleasant surprise and I hope they are featured more in further issues. Something drastic needs to happen in the Aphra series because it feels like the character is just treading water with nothing interesting to tell anymore.
Aphra has been possessed by Ascendant tech The Spark Eternal, a device created to mimic the Force in order to defeat Sith. While the real Aphra attempts to free herself while trapped in her own memories, Sana Starros has collected everyone who is close to Aphra is order to save her.
This sounds like a really interesting premise, but it’s largely pretty boring other than a handful of scenes. I enjoyed getting the flashback of Miril and the purpose of Ascendant tech. Seeing Triple-Zero and BT-1 return was a pleasant surprise and I hope they are featured more in further issues. Something drastic needs to happen in the Aphra series because it feels like the character is just treading water with nothing interesting to tell anymore.
October 28, 2022
genuinely love where this arc is currently going it is so good
May 4, 2023
3-4 ABY
This graphic novel is the fifth collected installment of the Doctor Aphra (2020) series, taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope. This volume contains issue #21-25 and features an A.I. called The Spark Eternal, an artifact which possessed Aphra and gives the person Sith-like power. Aphra is still within herself, but The Spark can see all of her memories and has full control over Aphra's body. Despite her friends (well, acquaintances more like) attempting to help her, The Spark has malicious plans of its own. With ties to Crimson Dawn and the Tagge Corporation, Aphra continues to fall farther into turmoil, and this might be a low she may not be able to climb back up from.
An interesting take on Sith power as Aphra continues her archeological shenanigans. Gorgeous artwork that brings Aphra to life, and some favorite characters from volumes past make an exciting reemergence. Definitely a great volume in an enjoyable arc.
This graphic novel is the fifth collected installment of the Doctor Aphra (2020) series, taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope. This volume contains issue #21-25 and features an A.I. called The Spark Eternal, an artifact which possessed Aphra and gives the person Sith-like power. Aphra is still within herself, but The Spark can see all of her memories and has full control over Aphra's body. Despite her friends (well, acquaintances more like) attempting to help her, The Spark has malicious plans of its own. With ties to Crimson Dawn and the Tagge Corporation, Aphra continues to fall farther into turmoil, and this might be a low she may not be able to climb back up from.
An interesting take on Sith power as Aphra continues her archeological shenanigans. Gorgeous artwork that brings Aphra to life, and some favorite characters from volumes past make an exciting reemergence. Definitely a great volume in an enjoyable arc.
November 1, 2022
It's a volume uncomplicated by crossovers for once, but it's also a volume with very little story advancement - -it's all recap and flashback.
April 15, 2025
The team is back together <3
October 19, 2023
Just when Doctor Aphra was getting interesting, it reverts to boring old standards. At the end of the last volume, Aphra was corrupted by the Spark, an ancient Sith-related doodad that gives the wielder Force-like powers. With the Spark comes a kind of malevolent entity that takes over Aphra's body. So far, so cool!
But plot is where The Spark Eternal fails. Instead of logically building on this Spark deal, the author must set up the pieces of whatever Crimson Dawn tie-in is forthcoming. So, the gang with Aphra in the spooky Sith dungeon leave her behind, go to Domina Tagge, and receive the assignment of...going to get Aphra. Who they were just with. And then, because the plot isn't silly enough, Sana Starros immediately announces, "Guess we'll have to get the old gang back together," which is an idiotic excuse to plop everyone from the Doctor Aphra series into one starship as they zip off to "find Aphra." Who they were just with!!
Sigh.
We do spend a fair amount of time with Aphra here as she uncovers the history of the Spark and the Ascendant. It's all fairly interesting, if mostly explored only on the surface level. What could be a really cool dive into Star Wars lore barely gets scratched at.
To no one's surprise, the ending sees our ragtag gang of adventurers finding Aphra. WHO THEY WERE JUST WITH!!
But plot is where The Spark Eternal fails. Instead of logically building on this Spark deal, the author must set up the pieces of whatever Crimson Dawn tie-in is forthcoming. So, the gang with Aphra in the spooky Sith dungeon leave her behind, go to Domina Tagge, and receive the assignment of...going to get Aphra. Who they were just with. And then, because the plot isn't silly enough, Sana Starros immediately announces, "Guess we'll have to get the old gang back together," which is an idiotic excuse to plop everyone from the Doctor Aphra series into one starship as they zip off to "find Aphra." Who they were just with!!
Sigh.
We do spend a fair amount of time with Aphra here as she uncovers the history of the Spark and the Ascendant. It's all fairly interesting, if mostly explored only on the surface level. What could be a really cool dive into Star Wars lore barely gets scratched at.
To no one's surprise, the ending sees our ragtag gang of adventurers finding Aphra. WHO THEY WERE JUST WITH!!
December 22, 2022
Doctor Aphra's latest outing sees her head...inside her own head? Oh no, that's not a good place to be. With her body taken over by the Spark Eternal, it's up to a collection of her closest frenemies, including Kho Phon Pharros, Sana Starros, Magna Tolvan, and her own father to try and free her!
I kind of love the fact that Aphra, who is a comics only Star Wars character at time of writing, has such an extensive cast of characters that can be drawn on to tell her tales. Name one other Marvel creation that can do that, and you'll be hard pressed, I expect. From across the entirety of this series and the previous one, all of Aphra's friends and enemies crawl out of the woodwork here to try and save her from herself.
Meanwhile, on the inside, Aphra's trying to be self-reflective and not get herself killed as she dives into the mystery of the Spark Eternal itself. The Spark and the cult surrounding it are a fun addition to the Star Wars lore, and seem to play nicely into the larger story that Charles Soule is telling over in Crimson Reign & Hidden Empire, so it's not just confined to this book either.
Series artist Minkyu Jung draws all five of these issues, which is always a treat. I like it when a series artist actually hangs around for more than one or two arcs, and Jung has been here since the beginning.
After a rocky start, Aphra's current series has really grown into something I enjoy month in and month out.
I kind of love the fact that Aphra, who is a comics only Star Wars character at time of writing, has such an extensive cast of characters that can be drawn on to tell her tales. Name one other Marvel creation that can do that, and you'll be hard pressed, I expect. From across the entirety of this series and the previous one, all of Aphra's friends and enemies crawl out of the woodwork here to try and save her from herself.
Meanwhile, on the inside, Aphra's trying to be self-reflective and not get herself killed as she dives into the mystery of the Spark Eternal itself. The Spark and the cult surrounding it are a fun addition to the Star Wars lore, and seem to play nicely into the larger story that Charles Soule is telling over in Crimson Reign & Hidden Empire, so it's not just confined to this book either.
Series artist Minkyu Jung draws all five of these issues, which is always a treat. I like it when a series artist actually hangs around for more than one or two arcs, and Jung has been here since the beginning.
After a rocky start, Aphra's current series has really grown into something I enjoy month in and month out.
November 14, 2022
Still digging this run and getting to learn more about the past in canon. I can't wait to see what's next for Aphra!
August 28, 2023
free my girl aphra she did nothing wrong
September 26, 2023
Doktor Aphra to moim zdaniem jedna z ciekawszych serii komiksowych, wchodzących w uniwersum Gwiezdnych Wojen. Czym tym razem zaskoczy nas autorka, Alyssa Wong?
Co to jest Wieczna Iskra?
I jak tym razem Aphra wyjdzie z opresji?
Poprzednia część zakończyła się, gdy główna bohaterka odnalazła poszukiwany artefakt i połączyła się z nim w jedno. Teraz Chelli nie jest już tą samą osobą, którą była wcześniej. Właściwie, to praktycznie jej tam nie ma. Uwięziona we wspomnieniach, musi odnaleźć sposób na oddzielenie od Wiecznej Iskry siejącej zamęt.
Na szczęście przemytniczka Sana Starros, jeden z niewielu głosów rozsądku, postanawia pomóc przyjaciółce, nawet jeśli oznacza to walkę z wiecznością.
Dobra, ale czym jest ta cała Wieczna Iskra?
To starożytny artefakt Ascendentu, stworzony, aby niszczyć Sithów. Sami użytkownicy ciemnej strony Mocy przerazili się potęgą wynalazku do tego stopnia, iż postanowili unieszkodliwić organizację. Wieczna Iskra to teoretycznie maszyna. Coś zrobionego przez istotę o imieniu Miril, przywódczynię sekty. W chwili, gdy wynalazek i ciało Aphry się połączyły, wypełniły się słowa mantry Ascendentu.
Sana Starros natomiast miała ogromne pole do popisu. Udało jej się zebrać drużynę, która pomoże ocalić Aphrę. Doskonale dowodzi. Autorka świetnie nam zaprezentowała, znajomość przemytniczki z główną bohaterką. Jednak czy zna ją wystarczająco, aby podążać jej śladem? Mimo iż Sana nie była moją ulubioną postacią, tutaj wypadła wspaniale.
Kogo zwerbowała do grupy ratunkowej?
Eustacię Okka, jedną z byłych Aphry, jak i również profesorkę archeologii okultystycznej. Ponownie spotykamy Dettę Yao, studentkę, od której główna bohaterka dostała w prezencie nóż w plecy. Te dwie postacie możemy poznać w pierwszym tomie serii, noszącym nazwę Szczęście i Los.
Oprócz nich stawia się również ojciec Chelli oraz kolejna z byłych wybranek Aphry, rebeliantka o imieniu Magno. Ponadto swoje stanowisko zmienia Kho Phon Farrus, która poprzednio próbowała odebrać życie bohaterce. Właściwie jak pół Galaktyki.
Cóż więcej mogę rzec. Robi się coraz ciekawiej, dzieją się niesamowite rzeczy. Aphra szukając kłopotów, zapewnia nam emocjonującą rozrywkę. Bohaterowie są tak różni, że na pewno któreś z nich przykuje waszą uwagę. Co więcej, historia Szkarłatnego Świtu nadal trwa. Osobiście czekam niecierpliwie na kolejny tom przygód archeolożki o imieniu Chelli Aphra i was zachęcam do nadrobienia serii oraz do sięgnięcia po Wieczną Iskrę (ale nie tak jak zrobiła to główna bohaterka).
Więcej na: CzasoStrefa
Co to jest Wieczna Iskra?
I jak tym razem Aphra wyjdzie z opresji?
Poprzednia część zakończyła się, gdy główna bohaterka odnalazła poszukiwany artefakt i połączyła się z nim w jedno. Teraz Chelli nie jest już tą samą osobą, którą była wcześniej. Właściwie, to praktycznie jej tam nie ma. Uwięziona we wspomnieniach, musi odnaleźć sposób na oddzielenie od Wiecznej Iskry siejącej zamęt.
Na szczęście przemytniczka Sana Starros, jeden z niewielu głosów rozsądku, postanawia pomóc przyjaciółce, nawet jeśli oznacza to walkę z wiecznością.
Dobra, ale czym jest ta cała Wieczna Iskra?
To starożytny artefakt Ascendentu, stworzony, aby niszczyć Sithów. Sami użytkownicy ciemnej strony Mocy przerazili się potęgą wynalazku do tego stopnia, iż postanowili unieszkodliwić organizację. Wieczna Iskra to teoretycznie maszyna. Coś zrobionego przez istotę o imieniu Miril, przywódczynię sekty. W chwili, gdy wynalazek i ciało Aphry się połączyły, wypełniły się słowa mantry Ascendentu.
Sana Starros natomiast miała ogromne pole do popisu. Udało jej się zebrać drużynę, która pomoże ocalić Aphrę. Doskonale dowodzi. Autorka świetnie nam zaprezentowała, znajomość przemytniczki z główną bohaterką. Jednak czy zna ją wystarczająco, aby podążać jej śladem? Mimo iż Sana nie była moją ulubioną postacią, tutaj wypadła wspaniale.
Kogo zwerbowała do grupy ratunkowej?
Eustacię Okka, jedną z byłych Aphry, jak i również profesorkę archeologii okultystycznej. Ponownie spotykamy Dettę Yao, studentkę, od której główna bohaterka dostała w prezencie nóż w plecy. Te dwie postacie możemy poznać w pierwszym tomie serii, noszącym nazwę Szczęście i Los.
Oprócz nich stawia się również ojciec Chelli oraz kolejna z byłych wybranek Aphry, rebeliantka o imieniu Magno. Ponadto swoje stanowisko zmienia Kho Phon Farrus, która poprzednio próbowała odebrać życie bohaterce. Właściwie jak pół Galaktyki.
Cóż więcej mogę rzec. Robi się coraz ciekawiej, dzieją się niesamowite rzeczy. Aphra szukając kłopotów, zapewnia nam emocjonującą rozrywkę. Bohaterowie są tak różni, że na pewno któreś z nich przykuje waszą uwagę. Co więcej, historia Szkarłatnego Świtu nadal trwa. Osobiście czekam niecierpliwie na kolejny tom przygód archeolożki o imieniu Chelli Aphra i was zachęcam do nadrobienia serii oraz do sięgnięcia po Wieczną Iskrę (ale nie tak jak zrobiła to główna bohaterka).
Więcej na: CzasoStrefa
November 5, 2023
Aphra’s Exes! Corporate Civil War! Sith Killers! And Crimson Dawn!
Alyssa Wong gives us plenty of Aphra and her friends (?) antics in the underworld trying to save Aphra from a fate worse than death!
Alyssa Wong keeps bringing us a comic series full of dark humor and building plenty of deeply disturbing characters I can’t wait to see more of. Tying into the possession story is a lot of history of the Ascendant, the Sith-worshipping cult who created these artifacts so they could harness the power of the Sith without being Force-sensitive. Not to mention Domina Tagge and the lethal corporate espionage happening within the Tagge Corporation! The characters continue to bring plenty of laughs, love, and violence and I couldn’t ask for anything more from my Doctor Aphra fix except “Karabast what will they do next?”
This comic arc is a must-read for Doctor Aphra fans wanting to learn plenty about the Ascendant and the Sith!
Alyssa Wong gives us plenty of Aphra and her friends (?) antics in the underworld trying to save Aphra from a fate worse than death!
Alyssa Wong keeps bringing us a comic series full of dark humor and building plenty of deeply disturbing characters I can’t wait to see more of. Tying into the possession story is a lot of history of the Ascendant, the Sith-worshipping cult who created these artifacts so they could harness the power of the Sith without being Force-sensitive. Not to mention Domina Tagge and the lethal corporate espionage happening within the Tagge Corporation! The characters continue to bring plenty of laughs, love, and violence and I couldn’t ask for anything more from my Doctor Aphra fix except “Karabast what will they do next?”
This comic arc is a must-read for Doctor Aphra fans wanting to learn plenty about the Ascendant and the Sith!
March 29, 2023
I think the Doctor Aphra comics are my favorite of the new Disney/Story Group Canon comics from Marvel. Aphra is a fun character and archeology aspects of it are quite interesting. This collection sees Aphra posessed by the Spark Eternal, an AI developed by the Ascendant (an anti-Force cult who created tech that mimicked the Force) to use against the Sith. While Sana Starros gathers a team to rescue Aphra, Aphra is trapped in her own mind as well as that of the Spark's creator. It's a fun story that allows us glimpses of the ancient past in this universe where galactic history and the Sith Order are still shrouded in mystery. So, an enjoyable story, good art, and a cliffhanger that means I can't wait to see where this goes next.
February 23, 2023
There are an awfully large number of characters running around here - as the now-possessed Aphra is being hunted by friend and foe alike. Everyone is trying to figure out where she's going, and getting in each other's way, even as Aphra fights from within to reclaim herself. It's a lot action on a lot of axes, and it's a testament to the writing that it's mostly easy to follow who is where and with whom, and for what reason. Alyssa Wong is still nailing the characters, even as Aphra isn't really herself (and some of the High Republic era flashbacks are interesting enough for me to look more into that period). It's not super memorable stuff, but it is definitely enjoyable.
May 17, 2024
This whole arc for Aphra has been pretty epic, especially given how they made sure that strange artifacts remained at the core of things.
The good doctor has been taken over by the Spark Ascendant and I suppose it's a fitting enough fate for her to be controlled by the sort of artifact that she's been chasing all her life. How her colleages (can we really say friends?) will figure out how to liberate her is the big mystery at things and it seems like nothing will stop the Spark.
I also appreciate how they also gave Aphra something to investigate and understand while trapped in her own body beause of course she'll try to find a way to escape the prison of her own mind.
The good doctor has been taken over by the Spark Ascendant and I suppose it's a fitting enough fate for her to be controlled by the sort of artifact that she's been chasing all her life. How her colleages (can we really say friends?) will figure out how to liberate her is the big mystery at things and it seems like nothing will stop the Spark.
I also appreciate how they also gave Aphra something to investigate and understand while trapped in her own body beause of course she'll try to find a way to escape the prison of her own mind.
February 15, 2023
Doctor Aphra en sus mejores momentos es absurdo, lleno de acción y plot twist extraños, este volúmen es uno de esos momentos, también es una de las historias de Star Wars más alejadas de lo que concebimos cómo Star Wars y ojito con el mega crossover está valiendo cada vez más leer tanto cómic.
Por otro lado, a pesar de que considero que Star Wars ya está algo saturado de series de TV (no tanto como de comics y novelas), como me encantaría ver una serie de Aphra con animación 2D y clasificación +16, algo similar a la de Harley Quinn, siento que el formato le caería muy bien.
Por otro lado, a pesar de que considero que Star Wars ya está algo saturado de series de TV (no tanto como de comics y novelas), como me encantaría ver una serie de Aphra con animación 2D y clasificación +16, algo similar a la de Harley Quinn, siento que el formato le caería muy bien.
May 8, 2023
Doctor Aphra is possessed by an ancient artifact, the "Spark Eternal," initially developed in a failed attempt long ago to develop a technological counterpart to the Sith's darkside powers. A gang of her exes gets together to try to save her. That's about it. The art is kind of all over the place--sometimes sharp, sometimes blurry and a mess. This isn't as good as some past Aphra stories, but at least we get the reintroduction of Triple 0 and Beetee One, who've been off on some desert planet in hiding (for reasons).
April 12, 2024
Alyssa Wong is so fucking good. She knows how to step back with her dialogue just enough that action scenes aren't overburdened with X-Men style "battle banter"; she knows how to seed plotlines just so that they all come together in a satisfying climax, with characters acting in ways that make emotional (if not always logical) sense.
Minkyu Jung's art is fucking stellar; crisp and clean line work, bringing legible motion to action scenes and palpable emotion to character's faces in dialogue.
This is a dream team!
Minkyu Jung's art is fucking stellar; crisp and clean line work, bringing legible motion to action scenes and palpable emotion to character's faces in dialogue.
This is a dream team!
July 17, 2024
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020), Alyssa Wong – Volume 5 – The Spark Eternal
The adventures continue. “What’s life without thrills?” ***
#21 – Desperate Measures – “Qira … inspires.” – Ari. “That’s called CHARISMA. Every CON ARTIST has it.” – Just Lucky
#22 – Echoes – “The Ascendant built their tech to mimic the effects of The Force..”
#23 – Machinations – “The only way to remake a corrupt system is to tear it down.” – Magna Tolvan
#24 – Descent – “Come on, Aphra, think!” – Aphra.
#25 – Desolation - “Hey, loser. We’re about to rescue you.”
The adventures continue. “What’s life without thrills?” ***
#21 – Desperate Measures – “Qira … inspires.” – Ari. “That’s called CHARISMA. Every CON ARTIST has it.” – Just Lucky
#22 – Echoes – “The Ascendant built their tech to mimic the effects of The Force..”
#23 – Machinations – “The only way to remake a corrupt system is to tear it down.” – Magna Tolvan
#24 – Descent – “Come on, Aphra, think!” – Aphra.
#25 – Desolation - “Hey, loser. We’re about to rescue you.”
February 7, 2023
I read this in probably under an hour. Not a lot really happens. There’s a little bit of backstory about the Spark and…a super team of some people who know Aphra or have been at one time lovers or family the Aphra or people who know generally about Aphra. I think the problem here is that Aphra and maybe Magna Tolvan are the only really engaging characters in this bunch, and most of that predates this volume and run.
March 17, 2023
Not as strong as the previous, but relates to the issues I stated around the focus on Doctor Aphra or not - though in this case it was understandable given the events at the end of the prior volume, and certainly puts us in an interesting space.
Some good prior characters reappear in this comic which adds nicely to it, and otherwise keeps the tension ramping up as we wait to see what happens next.
Some good prior characters reappear in this comic which adds nicely to it, and otherwise keeps the tension ramping up as we wait to see what happens next.
July 1, 2023
This run is a disappointment to me. That first series of Doctor Aphra was so intelligent and adventurous and grounded. The reader felt the weight of Doctor Aphra’s decisions. There were real stakes.
This run just seems too fanciful for me. This specific collection was a slog to get through and didn’t really move the narrative at a decent pace.
Love the character, but not this series as written or drawn.
This run just seems too fanciful for me. This specific collection was a slog to get through and didn’t really move the narrative at a decent pace.
Love the character, but not this series as written or drawn.
July 14, 2023
Even though I groaned when the last vol. ended with Aphra apparently becoming a [spoiler], this vol. picks back up with that nonsense by showing us an interesting dynamic between Aphra and the ghost of some king of small rat person, and it ends up being pretty cool! Also, how can I not love gay Star Wars?
August 9, 2023
Ahhhh yes finally—the classic Aphra vibe. It helps that we’re finally back on another big archeological, Force-related quest AND that we’ve got Magna, Aphra Sr., Bee-Tee One and Triple Zero back on board. It’s really just some of the Hidden Empire connections and annoying new characters (seriously does anyone like Lucky and Ariole?) that drag it down.
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