Review: Star Wars Adventures: Smugglers Run #1 (of 2)

A long time ago, in a galaxy that had yet to be purchased by the House of Mouse, there was this little franchise of only three movies that was quietly and confidently making it’s presence felt in comics, multi-media and novels. Thanks to Dark Horse Comics excellent Dark Empire, Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire series and am interesting tale set between Empire and Jedi in Shadow of the Empire, the idea of an extended Star Wars Universe was becoming a reality. These in turn, lead to a range of books aimed at very specific themes, be it a new Han Solo trilogy or a Bounty Hunter series by some to the most recognisable writers in science fiction. Smugglers Run was in fact a book aimed at younger readers, helping them keep in touch with their favourite characters.

Set between A New Hope and Empire, this comic book adaptation sees the rebels in controlled panic mode. They need to evacuate Yavin 4 before the might of the Imperial fleet show up to bombard them into next week. The person who has the information of all the possible safe havens for a new base is stuck in the Outer Rim on Cyrkon, a planet that is a wretched hive of scum and villainy if there ever was one. Who better to send there than Han Solo and Chewbacca, the former protesting all the way and the latter laughing it up like a fuzzball. Will Han and Chewbacca complete the mission or will the bounty hunters chasing them or the Imperial chasing the spy win out?

The book, originally written by Greg Rucka, initially saw print as a comic in German. Hence we have Alec Worley adapting the book and Edward Gauvin on translation. Reading the book, the younger reader influence is clearly on show. I don’t have a problem with that, if I am honest. For everyone who argues about the alleged problems of the newer Star Wars movies you need to remember that from the very start, Star Wars was a kids movie. I know, I was there back when the titles rolled and it was just called Star Wars, no A New Hope subtitle. Rucka and Worley set the scenes in this book well with the banter between Han and Chewie also handled with style, even if there are a couple of dialoguing bubbles explaining what Chewie said. I guess this is in part aimed at the audience. Once we get the plot sorted, the pace picks up with possible story keys hidden in plain sight. Leia Han and Chewie all sound just enough like their movie counterpart.

The art is supplied by Ingo Romling has a cartoon like vibe going on. As with the dialogue, the characters look just enough like their movie selves to make the artwork. Romling does a great job with the environments. Yavin 4 looks like Yavin 4, Cyrkon looks down and dingy; the piece de resistance however is the Millennium Falcon which bristles with details. I also liked the Stormtrooper design as the way Romling draws them they remind me of the Howard Chaykin’s first issue of the movie adaption in Star Wars #1. Romling has a great sense of pace thought the action scenes can be impacted by the expositional dialogue. There is no colorist listed in the credits, so I have to assume that Romling als0 supplies them. Whoever was responsible, they do a great job adding textures that match the idea of a lived in universe that makes this period of Star Wars so identifiable. Finally, Amauri Osorio creates a font that is easy to read that works hard not to get bogged down by the sheer verbiage.

Han and Chewie are my favourite character in all of Star Wars. I even own the original Brian Daley Han Solo books (first prints). Seeing this pair of scoundrels back in the action certainly put a smile on this old Star Wars fans face.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Greg Rucka & Alec Worley
Translation by; Edward Gauvin
Art by; Ingo Romling
Letters by; Amauir Osorio
Published by; IDW Publishing

Written by; Greg Rucka &

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network