Captain Phasma 2 review

The Journey to The Last Jedi continues here, with the second chapter of Captain Phasma’s mini-series. The first issue took place during the destruction of the Starkiller Base. Phasma just escaped the garbage chute. Before she could delete the files showing that she disabled the shields, one other officer with access learned of her actions. Her mission is clear – kill the officer to save her reputation.

Captain Phasma 2, written by Kelly Thompson, begins in space. She’s flying a tie-fighter after the other officer’s own, along with a gunner and a First Order BB unit. Since the officer’s hyperdrive is disabled, and Phasma’s guns aren’t working due to incomplete repairs, they land on a planet with unstable weather patterns. This comic has a much slower pace than the first issue. It takes some time to introduce Phasma’s co-pilot, exploring this strange planet and building up an isolated feeling. There are also some very minor hints into Phasma’s past while keeping her mysterious aura alive and well. I won’t talk too much about what else happens in this comic, but there is a bit of action and an intriguing backstory for the planet.

The art by Marco Checchetto is fantastic. The brief fight in space is highly detailed with the starry sky, the tie fighter cockpit with its displays and controls, and a bunch of space rocks floating above a planet. The planet continues the detail with its active waves on the beach, stones bouncing around when the BB unit falls down a slope, and a village that seems to be abandoned. Andres Mossa’s colouring is also brilliant. Most scenes are a bit colour coded by their environments, like the red interior of the tie fighter and the blue tint of the planet. Besides that, this is a colourful book with realistic looking reflections off of Phasma’s shiny armour and the heavy use of shadows to enhance the isolation mood.

The first issue in this series is fun, and makes great use of Phasma’s log that clearly contradicts what’s going on. This comic takes on a completely different tone, but it works perfectly for both the story and the characters. Most character development comes in the form of Phasma’s determination and the balance between following regulations and bending them to suit the situation. If Phasma is in The Last Jedi a lot more than The Force Awakens, and her portrayal here is a good indication, then we’re in for a treat this December.

8.5/10