STAR WARS: PRINCESS LEIA SC (MARVEL COMICS)

PUBLISHER Marvel Comics
WRITER Mark Waid
ARTIST Terry Dodson
COVER ARTIST Terry Dodson
PAGES 112 pages
FORMAT Graphic Novel

When Princess Leia Organa was captured by the Empire, she never betrayed her convictions - even after the complete destruction of her home world, Alderaan. When her rescue came, Leia grabbed a blaster and joined the fight, escaping back to the Rebel Alliance and helping strike the biggest blow against the Empire - destroying the Death Star! But in the aftermath of that victory, the question remains: What is a princess without a world? As Leia grapples with her loss, a new mission leads her to the underground world of Sullust. The Empire is rounding up fugitive Alderaanians, and that doesn't sit well with their Princess! But what can one woman do against the Galactic Empire? They're about to find out! Join the galaxy's toughest Princess on a quest to save her people and rebuild her life! Collecting Princess Leia #1-5.

After the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebels need to leave Yavin in a hurry. Princess Leia wants to be part of the action, but General Dodona, wanting to both protect her and give her time to grieve the loss of Alderaan, forbids her to get involved. So Leia recruits (commandeers) Evaan, an Alderaanian pilot who is not at all impressed by her, and goes searching for other survivors from the lost planet.

This is everything I have EVER WANTED, basically. There is a lot going on in the movies, I know, but it always irked me that Leia was never given time to address the loss of her family, her home planet, and her people. In Mark Waid's comic, she finally has that chance. Not only does this (tragically short) comic add to Leia's emotional character development, it adds depth to the overall Star Wars universe and gives a strong message of hope, duty, camaraderie and compassion.

Leia is torn between wanting to be in on the action (and here I have a hard time not starting to sing "The Room Where it Happens" from Hamilton...) and her duty as diplomat and princess. In trying to seek out other orphan Alderaanians, she is kind of running from her own grief, but in the end finds purpose and peace. The comic stresses the importance of self-determination without advising the disregard of duty. It shows us that Leia is the heart of the rebellion itself - her strength doesn't just come from the blaster at her side, it comes from her compassion and her leadership, her warmth and her determination. She makes mistakes, she learns from them, and throughout the course of this comic she is clearly maturing and coming into herself. The final message of this story, which I really want to type here but don't want to spoil, is one I'll carry with me for a long time.

Also, Terry Dodson's art is GLORIOUS.

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