Marvels Star Wars #31 Review: Lost in No-Space Takes a Break as Our Heroes Get Some Answers

Lost in No-Space is a much quieter issue of the main Star Wars comic run than we've had recently, which saw our heroes steal a Path Engine from the Imperials and discover No-Space and the Kezarat Convoy.  The pause gives us a chance to learn more about the Kezarat colony and finally get the answers that were frustratingly withheld in the last issue.



The answers we get and the background provided on the Kezarat Convoy is very interesting, covering how they got lost, their encounters with the Nihil, and the types of people who joined their colony over time. It makes for an entertaining issue, as we're constantly learning more information.



It also gives our heroes time to stop and think about where they are on their journey, with Lando in particular benefitting from an insightful moment of introspection. The people of the Kezarat Convoy are understandably defeatist and pessimistic about their situation, telling Luke, Leia, and the others that they'll be here for the rest of their lives just because they believe there's no way back to known space. It'll be months before they're even trusted to walk freely among others.



Clearly with Return of the Jedi looming on the horizon our heroes can't stay here too long, so it'll be interesting to see how they manage to gain the trust of the Kezarat Convoy's captain and explore the general area. By the end of the issue, we seem to have a hint as to how they might get out of this, but it remains to be seen how all that will unfold.



The No-Space arc really needed this break to get some exposition and check in with everyone, which is funny considering that was the whole reason our heroes started this arc in the first place, making for the strongest installment of this arc so far. I just hope the story isn't stalled further and they get working on an escape from this place. It will be frustrating if our heroes' plans get delayed next month because the captain throws up an arbitrary obstacle in their way.



Spoilers ahead...







Lost in No-Space continues right where we left of, with the Kezarat Colony's Abyssin captain explaining the situation to our heroes. He offers a pretty great summary of what happened to the convoy; they accidentally arrived in No-Space, realized they couldn't leave, were periodically attacked by the Nihil, and eventually managed to fend them off when a Jedi joined their ranks.



It turns out that some in Kezarat believe in a prophecy that a Jedi will return one day to rescue them and return them to known space. It's an interesting wrinkle, particularly as you'd have to imagine that Luke will play a role in getting them all out of there in the end. The captain's son, Forvan, is a big believer in the prophecy, and comes off as far less annoying this time as his role is also to help provide exposition.



It will be interesting if any further stock is placed in this prophecy, or if Luke's arrival is just a coincidence.







The Abyssin then reveals that they're all going to be split up and placed in holding cells for the next six months while he figures out how to put them to use. It's shocking and frustrating to realize they won't even be allowed to try and help for six months just because the captain doesn't trust them. It's a pretty slow process on Kezarat, clashing with the Rebels' very immediate need to return to the rest of the Alliance.



The six of them are paired up into three pairs: Luke and Leia, Lando and Holdo, Chewbacca and Lobot. Each pair has their own thing going on; Luke is focused on recovering his 'sacred Jedi text' left on board Holdo's ship, which we see being systematically dismantled by the Nihil droids, one of which tosses the book away. It's now teetering on the edge of The Great Hall, so presumably Luke will have to retrieve that in the next issue.







Lando gets a great character beat as he laments to Holdo that some people in the Rebel Alliance -- namely, Leia -- aren't willing to give him a second chance, no matter how much he tries to prove that he's on their side. Holdo gives him some sage advice; to stop worrying about what other people think of him and focus on being the person he wants people to see. It's a truism that applies to all of us, and I appreciate seeing it told in a Star Wars story.



While she doesn't like him very much, it turns out Holdo is very attracted to Lando -- she kisses him, implying that they're going to get up to some 'adult' activities while waiting for their incarceration to end -- it seems that Holdo will prove a vital part in getting the other Rebels to trust Lando by the events of Return of the Jedi. It's not often Star Wars flirts with more adult themes like this, and all the more surprising considering this is a comic, but the interaction is handled well and is suitable for children, even though older readers understand the implications.







Meanwhile, Chewbacca and Lobot, the two characters who don't typically speak Basic, are chilling out in their room when Chewbacca notices a green light on the ceiling. He has an epiphany, seemingly realizing that the Path engine on Holdo's ship will help return the Kezarat Colony to No-Space. He'll have to act quickly however, as it won't be long before the engine is destroyed by the Nihil droids.



This was a surprisingly strong issue of the main Star Wars comic run. We needed a lot of answers and we got them, but I was surprised at how engaged I was with the story. The arc needed a proper breather, and I feel like we got that here. Hopefully the pacing will ramp up again in the next issue though to keep this arc entertaining.






<p style='text-align: center;']Rating: 7/10</p>






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