Review: "Han Solo" #4

Han Solo #4 confidently confirms the impressions of the first three issues: this is the best Star Wars series on sale at the moment. Why? Because writer Marjorie Liu does what may sound easy, but is actually hard to achieve: combine the traits of proven Star Wars characters and environments, but add new layers to it. 

Thus everything in Han Solo feels fresh, even though it gives readers a certain sense of familiarity which is certainly desired in any Star Wars publication. All that comes with a story that very effectively combines combat, racing and detective story elements, and art and colors by Mark Brooks, Sonia Oback and Matt Milla that manage to convince both on the small and large scale with its beautiful, realistic approach. All in all, Han Solo #4 makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. 

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Deadpool v Gambit" #4 / "Han Solo" #3 / "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #4

"Deadpool v Gambit" #4: Only picked that up again because both Marvel and DC hardly released anything that week. And yes, the moment Deadpool and Gambit do not even really appear in their own comic, we suddenly have a half-decent story at our hand, treating the inevitability of fate through the Scramblers backstory here. 

7/10

"Han Solo" #3: Fast, fun, entertaining and with a take on Han Solo that feels fresher than in any other of Marvel's "Star Wars" series.

8/10

"Captain America: Steve Rogers" #4: What does it have to do with "Civil War II" again? Never mind. It's solid, compelling and thoroughly narrated, but definitely has lost some of its magic from earlier issues.

7/10

Review: "Han Solo" #2

This is easily the best looking Star Wars comic so far, with artistic team of Brooks, Vines and Oback going for a beautifully naturalistic look on the environments, while the warm and earthy colors on characters' faces add additional depth and emotion. Liu's story continues to impress with a fresh take on Solo himself, even though the narrative mode of a sports broadcast seems weirdly out of place for the Star Wars universe. 

8/10

Further Links:

Han Solo #1

The Good, The Bad and Something About Comics: "Han Solo" #1

+ Positive       - Negative

A more anxious side of Han is an entirely new take on him. Mark Brooks’ art is positively straightforward and clear. The main story is original, entertaining and sufficiently complex. “Dragon Void” race feels like a great addition to the Star Wars universe. Finally a Star Wars comic that gets the larger space panels right. An amazing cliffhanger.

While going for a true-to-life interpretation of Han Solo, Princess Leia looks nothing like the original. The same old skirmishes between Han and Leia become slowly annoying. Barring one exception, the comic’s supporting cast is hardly worth mentioning.

Apart from some minor flaws, this is still as good a first entry as you could have wished for.

8/10