Lando's Solo Run
Written by: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Colorist: Andres Mossa
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Star Wars
Publication Date: 30 May 2018
Despite what you may think from looking at my Twitter feed at times I am actually a Star Wars fan. I just have high standards, standards which aren't frequently met these days. Strangely, although I have been a harsh critic of Marvel Star Wars at times, I am finding a little renaissance in their work of late (The Last Jedi adaptation aside).
Thrawn has been a strong title, the main Star Wars title seems to have finally broken the back of the challenge of utilizing photo-realistic art in recent issues, Darth Vader is magnificent, and Poe Dameron is in the main a really fun title. I'll leave my opinions on Dr Aphra to one side. The point is I am increasingly seeking refuge in the comic books as my main Star Wars outlet. They started off strong when they reverted to Marvel from Dark Horse and now seem to be getting back to that initially high standard. With Solo proving a difficult sell at the Box Office how will Lando fare in his new Gloverian guise? Step aside Billy Dee, it's time to find out.
Well, I found this to be a pretty solid outing. Let's start with the art. Hey, that rhymes! Anyway, Villanelli and Mossa really do a good job on this issue. I will reserve my comment on the new design for the Falcon...grrrr....but aside from that it is a really stunning looking issue. Credit to the design team on Solo as I really do like the outfit that Lando wears here (which he also wears in the movie). The yellow and black combo is really striking and the Mossa colors in this issue really bring the art to life. The humor is depicted well through the art as well (although Lando looks more like Jamie Foxx in the remake of Annie - a kind of cheesy grin on his face, rather than the cooler wry smile of Donald Glover) and the art looks really well in the scenes with Kristiss and Lando.
Story-wise the issue is a little slow, but as a first issue, it pretty much puts all the ducks in a row for the remainder of the story. I was worried about L3-37 being annoying, but actually the dialogue in this book tones that down a bit, and the exchanges between the droid and Lando are actually quite funny in the book. I know! No-one was as surprised as me, believe me. The central push and pull of this issue center upon Lando's involvement (for a small fee) with a band of freedom fighters in Petrusia. I also liked the pretty funny set of exchanges with L3-37 in relation to building a mobile casino on the Falcon, the goal which Lando wishes to fund through his work.
Bits and Pieces:
Credit where credit is due, this was an enjoyable issue. Not quite as good as the opening installment of the previous Lando mini-series (which is also very good - check it out) but I have to say I found this interesting. The time period, characters, look and feel of this were very different from a lot of the material you would normally read me the Star Wars line and I have to say that it is refreshing. I'm looking forward to the next issue, and I think that means more coming from a Star Wars fan with high standards. Don't you?
8/10
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