Star Wars' Murder Droids Return In 'Doctor Aphra' #23
Image Source: Star Wars News Net
Never underestimate a droid. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra by Alyssa Wong just brought back two of the franchise’s most popular comic characters: BT-1 and 0-0-0. Created by Kieron Gillen and introduced in Darth Vader (2015) #3, these droids served as the evil in-universe counterparts to R2-D2 and C-3PO. Finding delight in killing and torturing their enemies, Beetee and Triple Zero found gruesome work in the service of Darth Vader, alongside another of the Dark Lord’s top agents, Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra. As one might expect, things got out of hand with the droids whenever they were in Aphra’s presence. The archaeologist even ended up ditching Imperial service along with the droids, though the three of them would still frequently come into conflict due to their differing goals and moralities (or lack thereof).
Following the conclusion of Aphra’s previous comic run by Gillen, Aphra relocated Beetee and Triple Zero to a planet called Birukay, where the droids would lie in wait for whoever would come for them next. However, they still held information crucial to Aphra, which would be unfortunate for Aphra if anyone were to get their hands on the droids. Flash forward to now, and Doctor Aphra (2020) seems to be setting us on a direct course for that very scenario. At the moment, Aphra is possessed by the Spark Eternal, an ancient dark side device built by The Ascendant to give non-Force users eternal life. Having developed a mind of their own, the Spark Eternal has taken Aphra’s body and is using her to gather more artifacts and increase their own power. Utilizing Aphra’s memories, the Spark Eternal is attempting to locate the droids with the help of Crimson Dawn as well as Just Lucky and Ariole Yu, who tracked the possessed Aphra to Crimson Dawn’s flagship, the Vermillion.
Image Source: Star Wars News Net
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Lucky for Aphra though, the Spark Eternal isn’t the only one looking for the droids. In Doctor Aphra #23, Sana Starros, Aphra’s on-again-off-again lover/rival has formed a group of Aphra’s own family, lovers, and enemies in order to track her down. The team consisting of Korin Aphra, Magna Tolvan, Eustacia Okka, Detta Yao, and Kho Phon Farrus heads off to Birukay to find clues to Aphra’s whereabouts. They come across a dying Crimson Dawn agent before being ambushed by more heavily armed ones. After fighting their way through the Dawners, they come across the gift that Aphra left for anyone who came to the planet looking for her, Beetee and Triple Zero. The droids have clearly been on Birukay for a while, given their relaxed attitudes and respective hat and scarf. Though they clearly are still killing people even during their extended vacation. All we have to ask now is whether the droids assist this team with tracking down Aphra or simply try to kill them as they have so many others.
Image Source: StarWars.com
With Beetee and Triple Zero back in the fold, writer Alyssa Wong seems to be getting readers ready for an all-out showdown involving every major figure in Aphra’s life. However these events end up playing out, Aphra is sure to have a hard time escaping the Spark Eternal’s possession. Although, if her droids do end up helping her family and former lovers get her out of this situation, there may just be hope for her and her hot mess of a crew yet.
Rating: 8/10
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