Star Wars Rebel Heist #4
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The good
Gives an overarching statement about what binds the rebellion and how it's able to draw new recruits.
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The bad
The spy's vantage point doesn't make a statement about Luke similar to characters in previous issues. No explanation of what was taken unless it's recognized from other appearances
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The ugly
- Artist: Marco Castiello
- Total score
Star Wars Rebel Heist #4 follows the eyewitness account of a spy for the Empire who is working to uncover what the rebels have been plotting throughout this series. He’s been tracking one of the rebels and in all his time being a spy he’s never seen anyone move like the kid he’s following, who is none other than Luke Skywalker. Since his goal isn’t to apprehend, which could destroy his opportunity to uncover the plot, he observes as Luke communicates with Han Solo during the events of the first issue. He also sees that he doesn’t try to help Han Solo and the fresh rebel recruit as they pass him by, and he can’t put together what they’re trying to accomplish. For a moment he believed Luke made him but when he sees him use a grappling hook instead to reach the top of a building and take out a sniper he’s relieved instead. And as revealed in the first issue, the spy views Luke’s actions as wanting Han Solo to be captured for some reason. He then follows him to the planet Feddasyr where Luke takes out the stormtroopers guarding Princess Leia, and when he sees Luke use the lightsaber he knows more is at stake here than he originally thought. Even with Luke’s involvement in this rebel plan, will it be enough to counter all the Empire’s resources, including this spy, or is it just a matter of time before the Empire’s trap is sprung?
I found it to be a very interesting twist that the one narrating this story wasn’t one who has helping the rebels like the previous issues but one working for the Empire and trying to stop them. And the fact that he was trying to uncover their entire plot and not just stop one of them would seem to be the perfect mechanism to finally connect the different threads and start shedding some light on the rebels’ scheme. Despite him appearing to be extremely obvious in the panels it was good to see the identity of who was originally communicating with Han, and also how Luke had the role of freeing the other captured rebels. So the Empire’s spy had the vantage point of showing how the pieces would connect, and his commentary would be focused on showing what the rebels actions meant in the greater context. However this took away from Luke’s actions coming off as impactful as those featured in the previous issues nor was there a meaningful portrayal of him in a better light in the eyes of the one following him. This issue would still be an enjoyable ride and would move the story forward somewhat as the rebels’ plot became more intriguing, and tried to convey why they were able to recruit even more. Yet unless you recognize the item shown this issue doesn’t explain the importance of what was taken. And as a result it could feel anti-climactic, and what is shown after could feel rushed. I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and it’s been fun seeing these events from a different perspective but the ending felt like being on a fun rollercoaster only to have it stop midway suddenly and everyone has to climb down from that point and depart the area.
SUMMARY
Star Wars Rebel Heist #4 is an ok issue that brings the series to a conclusion and effectively connects the different plot threads. It’s not as effective as portraying a strong characterization of the feature character as previous issues due to the vantage point of the narrator but does a good job in showing aspects of why the rebellion was effective in attracting others and the important role everyone can play. If you don’t recognize what they stole then it might be a disappointing climax in ways but still an enjoyable ride.
Writer: Matt Kindt
Release date: 7/30/14
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