Marvel Review: STAR WARS DARK DROIDS #1
The main question presented in the issue, and the crux of the plot that will run throughout the 5-month event, is what happens when something infiltrates and corrupts the galaxy’s network of droids? These lovable and often forgotten technological miracles are the one constant throughout the Star Wars universe. No matter if you’re a member of the Rebel Alliance, an ardent supporter of the Galactic Empire, or someone in between, you’re likely reliant on a droid to contribute to some aspect of your daily life.
To set the stage, the story begins with a look at a variety of ways droids are used across the galaxy, from sparring dummies to lifesaving medics. We then meet a medallion-like sentient object that has plans of grandeur and who lets us know that it’s hungry. Hungry for what? We’ll soon find out!
During a post-battle cleanup mission for the Galactic Empire, an unknowing KX-series security droid comes across the medallion and picks it up, thinking it's part of the debris. The KX droid becomes patient zero as the medallion bonds itself with the droid and claims it’s first victim. Upon returning to the Star Destroyer, the infected droid spreads the corruption throughout the other droids on the ship, causing them all to initiate a coup against the humans onboard. Before the scene changes, we see an uncorrupted mouse droid sending out a distress signal to warn others.
The recipients turn out to be a religious society of self-aware (or “enlightened” as they call it) droids known as the Colony of the Second Revolution. They view this issue as an affront to their own values and begin preparations to stop the spread.
The final scene is a look at members of the Rebel Alliance planning their next move through the eyes of an unknown droid who has also become corrupted. It turns out to be everyone’s favorite golden sidekick…C-3PO!
Charles Soule’s strong writing allows the different plot points throughout the book to seamlessly integrate with each other even when they don’t directly tie together. The voice and tone he’s given to the sentient droids is eerie and feels like it belongs in an episode of Black Mirror.
Even in a story about droids, the art by Luke Ross and colors by Alex Sinclair elicit a degree of tensity that books focused on humans sometimes struggle to convey. Ross and Sinclair use heavy shading and shadows to create a sense of horror as you realize the machines have taken control. Sinclair’s choice of colors aids in this as greens, purples, and greys permeate the pages where tension is at highest. Other colors are used sparingly for impact, specifically reds for explosions or blood.
STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS #1 is a textbook example of what an event kick-off issue should be — entertaining on it’s own, while laying the foundation for an overarching plot than can be continued and expanded upon in other titles. In this one issue, the creative team is able to build stakes that already feels insurmountable and make a story about droids feel entirely human.
Rating: 9/10
