SPOILER Marvel's Star Wars Lando #4

Well, it would seem that today's theme in the Star Wars comic universe is one of antiquity. Since we already know where Lando and his cohorts ended up a couple weeks ago, we can start there.



This issue jumps back a few seconds before the last one ended. The two androgynous, assassin partners have made their way into the Sith artifact chamber, following Lando and his toothy, little friend. On the ledge of last issue's cruel cliffhanger, a Sith helmet seemed to come to life, with the visor glowing an ominous red hue. Where we are in issue #4 sees, Aleskin (one half of the duo), catching a glimpse of this red glow. That's about the only explanation we get before the panther-esque creature gets their hand on a Sith lightsaber and attacks Pavol. Lando and his little Ugnaught friend are able to duck out just in time, resealing the Sith mausoleum behind them.



Here's where it get's a little more interesting. The unhooded Imperial Royal Guard looks like it walked straight out of the Walking Dead. That's a successful comic and television show about zombies, in case you live under a rock. The warthog fellow speculates their decrepit appearance has something to do with standing close guard to the many Sith artifacts transformed them for the worse. For an unsightly little fella, this guy sure knows his stuff about Sith Lords. Later in the book, the tiny man mentions how disturbing it is the Emperor would have a collection of Sith artifacts. This might not sound like a lot, but I'm happy this establishes that Palpatine kept his Darth Sidious-cover under wraps to the rest of the galaxy aside from his close advisors. I assumed as much, but it's nice to have it spelled out.



Remember Chanath Cha? The bounty hunter old Sheev contracted to get his stolen ship back. Turns out Chanath Cha is a former female companion of Lando, after she takes her helmet off to let him know. I guess she was a little less formally dressed the last time their paths crossed. Old smoothy picks up her hand and kisses it, which kind of bothered me. I know they are trying to establish that Lando is the "smoothest of smooth" in a galaxy far, far away; but, I found it a little degrading to the character. Up until this point, Cha has been ready to blast anyone that would stand in her way and I don't for a second buy she would allow Lando, with whom she is already acquainted, to giver her a little hand-kiss greeting. I did enjoy her calling him a moron, though.



By the end of this issue, our androgynous twins seem to have reconciled and may have plans of their own for Palpatine's ship. It should be an interesting conclusion and I hope we get more information on the Imperial Royal Guards, not to mention how Palpatine accrued all of these Sith artifacts.

Another solid issue in the series. The next issue concludes the arc, but I hope the Lando series returns with a new one. I'm enjoying these books very much, despite their momentary lapses in misogyny.

Keep them coming, I say! And in case you couldn't tell, I don't like Ugnaughts.

 

I forgot to mention that. I'm surprised Lando's not smooth talking Korin