Charles Soule - COMICSXF https://comicsxf.com The comics criticism you crave Sun, 16 Feb 2025 13:39:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/comicsxf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-orange-favicon-2.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Charles Soule - COMICSXF https://comicsxf.com 32 32 107498702 CXF mini reviews of Bug Wars, The Lucky Devils, The Seasons and Miles Morales: Spider-Man https://comicsxf.com/2025/02/16/mini-reviews-bug-wars-lucky-devils-seasons-miles-morales/ Sun, 16 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51677 In a bid to broaden the number of comics we cover at ComicsXF, we give you, the reader, these mini reviews of some recent releases. Bug Wars #1 W: Jason Aaron | A: Mahmud Asrar | C: Matthew Wilson | L: Becca Carey | P: Image It’s war in rural Alabama, as Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar’s...

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]]> 51677 Kylo Ren knits himself together as he explores the past in Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 https://comicsxf.com/2025/02/06/star-wars-legacy-vader-1/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51645 Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 is a story about clenched fists in want of something to punch. In a medium that often feels predicated on the punch-as-commodity, the punch as hi-hat clap, the punch as money-shot, it’s remarkable how ineffectual Charles Soule and penciler Luke Ross make these trembling, tightly clenched hands look. The...

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]]> 51645 Star Wars: A New Legacy celebrates 10 years of new obscure characters to be precious about https://comicsxf.com/2025/02/03/star-wars-new-legacy/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51565 The really bad news first: it has somehow, implausibly, gruesomely, been 10 years since 2015. I know. This means it has been just shy of 10 years since The Force Awakens inaugurated a whole new era of things for Star Wars fans to be apoplectically upset about, and 10 years since Marvel began publishing Star...

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]]> 51565 Dark Droids #1 Headlines Our First War Reports https://comicsxf.com/2023/08/17/dark-droids-1-headlines-our-first-war-reports/ Thu, 17 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=46305 A new linewide crossover kicks off  as an ancient consciousness awakens in Dark Droids #1 by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, Alex Sinclair and Travis Lanham. Then, Lando has to make some tough decisions when Lobot is targeted by that consciousness in Star Wars #37, by Charles Soule, Madibek Musabekov, Rachelle Rosenberg and Claytin Cowles. The...

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]]> 46305 Who Asked for Kevin Smith Comics? (And Blink #3 and Hell to Pay #1) https://comicsxf.com/2022/11/17/who-asked-for-kevin-smith-comics-and-blink-3-and-hell-to-pay-1/ Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=43906 By Ian Gregory and Will Nevin Wren learns more about her past … and what she might have to do in the future … in Blink #3, written by Christopher Sebela, drawn by Hayden Sherman, colored by Nick Filardi, lettered by Frank Cvetkovic and published by Oni Press. Just when you think your job of...

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]]> 43906 Star Wars #29 Takes Our Heroes on a Not-So-Relaxing Vacation https://comicsxf.com/2022/11/02/star-wars-29-takes-our-heroes-on-a-not-so-relaxing-vacation/ Wed, 02 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=43681 The Star Warriors take a working vacation in Star Wars #29, written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Star Wars #29 kicks off a new story that is part of the proud (?) tradition in genre storytelling of “main characters take a vacation in the...

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]]> 43681 Luke Skywalker, Superhero, Stars In Star Wars #28 https://comicsxf.com/2022/10/14/luke-skywalker-superhero-stars-in-star-wars-28/ Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=43464 He’s Luke Skywalker, and he’s here to rescue the Meltons in Star Wars #28, written by Charles Soule, art by Andrés Genolet, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  There is an argument to be made that the use of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars #28 is too easy, too deus ex machina-y,...

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]]> 43464 Star Wars #27 Is Not the Rebel Alliance’s Finest Hour https://comicsxf.com/2022/09/12/star-wars-27-is-not-the-rebel-alliances-finest-hour/ Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=42836 Jon and Bev escape from the (second) Death Star and desperately try to get the Rebels to answer their damn phones  in Star Wars #27, written by Charles Soule, art by Andrés Genolet, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Though the tension which permeated the previous issue lingers into Star Wars #27,...

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]]> 42836 Star Wars #26 is a Study in Narrative Tension https://comicsxf.com/2022/08/22/star-wars-26-is-a-study-in-narrative-tension/ Mon, 22 Aug 2022 19:30:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=42583 The Rebellion celebrates putting itself back together as a new threat looms Star Wars #26, written by Charles Soule, art by Andrés Genolet, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Star Wars #26 is a study in the way narrative tension can be deployed in different ways. Light on plot, it nevertheless marks...

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]]> 42583 Star Wars #25 Is Not Equal to the Sum of Its Parts https://comicsxf.com/2022/07/20/star-wars-25-is-not-equal-to-the-sum-of-its-parts/ Wed, 20 Jul 2022 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=42151 Old favorites from the Charles Soule Star Wars canon are revisited via an anthology of tales in Star Wars #25, written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, Guiseppe Camuncoli, Danielle Orlandini, Will Sliney and Phil Noto, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, Arif Prianto and Guru-eFX  and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  With Commander Zahra defeated and...

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]]> 42151 We Learn More about the Rules in Eight Billion Genies #3 https://comicsxf.com/2022/07/19/we-learn-more-about-the-rules-in-eight-billion-genies-3/ Tue, 19 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=42100 It’s “The First Eight Days,” and there is no sign of the genie-fueled apocalypse abating. Instead, our cast of characters must adjust to this new normal in unexpected ways. Eight Billion Genies #3 is written by Charles Soule, drawn by Ryan Browne and lettered by Chris Crank. Mark Turetsky: Hey Will! It’s been eight days...

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]]> 42100 Genies, How Do They Work in Eight Billion Genies #2 https://comicsxf.com/2022/06/30/genies-how-do-they-work-in-eight-billion-genies-2/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=41805 In “The First Eight Hours,” the genies reveal the rules of wishing, as well as hint at their master plan. Meanwhile, at the Lampwick, Will Williams reveals a little bit about what makes him tick, and how the gang will survive these first, harrowing days after G-Day. Also, nearly 800,000,000 are dead. Eight Billion Genies...

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]]> 41805 Star Wars #24 Concludes a Chapter of Princess Leia’s Story https://comicsxf.com/2022/06/08/star-wars-24-concludes-a-chapter-of-princess-leias-story/ Wed, 08 Jun 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=41377 Princess Leia and Commander Zahra come face-to-face for their final battle in Star Wars #24, written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas and Madibek Musabekov, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  As both the climax to the Commander Zahra/Tarkin’s Will/“reassemble the Rebel fleet” story arc and the series’ second year since...

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]]> 41377 Your Wish Is Granted in Image’s Eight Billion Genies #1 https://comicsxf.com/2022/05/11/your-wish-is-granted-in-images-eight-billion-genies-1/ Wed, 11 May 2022 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=40658 Everybody in the world gets a genie. Each genie grants one wish. Here’s what happens in the first eight seconds. Then the first eight minutes. Eight Billion Genies #1 is written by Charles Soule, drawn by Ryan Browne and lettered by Chris Crank for Image Comics. Mark Turetsky: Welcome, dear reader, to our review of...

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]]> 40658 Star Wars #23 is Big on the Wars https://comicsxf.com/2022/05/04/star-wars-23-is-big-on-the-wars/ Wed, 04 May 2022 23:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=40512 Commander Zahra strikes back in Star Wars #23, written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  It’s become a bit of a cliche by now to point out whenever a Star Wars story emphasizes the “war” bit of its name. But cliches exist for a reason,...

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]]> 40512 In Star Wars #22, Many Plots Come Together https://comicsxf.com/2022/04/13/in-star-wars-22-many-plots-come-together/ Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=40050 Crimson Dawn returns as plot threads come together in Star Wars #22, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  Though the series has been operating under the “Crimson Reign” banner since the end of “War of the Bounty Hunters”, Crimson Dawn hasn’t really factored into...

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]]> 40050 Return to the Depths of a Star Destroyer in Star Wars #21 https://comicsxf.com/2022/03/02/return-to-the-depths-of-a-star-destroyer-in-star-wars-21/ Wed, 02 Mar 2022 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=38239 The series checks in with Shara Bey, still chillin’ in the belly of a Star Destroyer, in Star Wars #21, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Marcos Castiello and Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  One of the ways a series like this – one featuring characters from another medium...

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]]> 38239 BatChat With Matt & Will Episode 20: Legends of Legends of the Dark Knight https://comicsxf.com/2022/02/03/batchat-with-matt-will-episode-20-legends-of-legends-of-the-dark-knight/ Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=37773 Wow, we’ve made it to 20 episodes! To celebrate, Matt and Will are looking at three stories from three volumes of one of their self-confessed favorite series, the legendary (see what I did there) anthology, Legends of the Dark Knight. Will they gush about the original volume? Will they complain about DC not giving the...

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]]> 37773 In Star Wars #20 Luke Skywalker Meets the High Republic https://comicsxf.com/2022/01/13/in-star-wars-20-luke-skywalker-meets-the-high-republic/ Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=37396 Luke’s deep dive into the past leads to an encounter with a Force Ghost of a different sort in Star Wars #20, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Marcos Castiello, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  After his newfound dedication to continue his Jedi training led Luke on a Jedi Greatest Hits...

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]]> 37396 Happy Xmas (War of the Bounty Hunters Is Over) in Star Wars #19 https://comicsxf.com/2021/12/09/happy-xmas-war-of-the-bounty-hunters-is-over-in-star-wars-19/ Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=35686 Luke Skywalker gets back to Jedi business in Star Wars #19, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Marcos Castiello, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  In terms of Luke Skywalker, the big hook to any of his stories set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is the question...

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]]> 35686 Star Wars #18 Spends Too Much Time Gazing Backwards https://comicsxf.com/2021/11/03/star-wars-18-spends-too-much-time-gazing-backwards/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=35031 Leia mourns missed chances, then spars with Qi’ra in Star Wars #18 written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  “War of the Bounty Hunters” is finally over. That’s said without any judgement intended; rather, that usage of “finally” is an acknowledgement that, love it or...

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]]> 35031 Star Wars #17 Focuses on Character While Keeping the Action https://comicsxf.com/2021/09/30/star-wars-17-focuses-of-character-while-keeping-the-action/ Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=34211 Luke continues to run from Darth Vader while Lando issues an apology in Star Wars #17 written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  For much of the last several issues, the trio of Leia, Lando and Chewbacca have been sidelined; after arriving on Jekara in...

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]]> 34211 War of the Bounty Hunters #4 Steps Back Before the Finale https://comicsxf.com/2021/09/09/war-of-the-bounty-hunters-4-steps-back-before-the-finale/ Thu, 09 Sep 2021 18:30:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=33456 The War breaks into smaller, more personal fronts in Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #4, written by Charles Soule, drawn by Luke Ross and David Messina, colored by Neeraj Menon with Guru-eFX and lettered by Travis Lanham. Charles Soule and company take a surprisingly intimate approach to this event’s penultimate issue in the...

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]]> 33456 Star Wars #16 is a Step on Luke Skywalker’s Path On the Way of the Jedi https://comicsxf.com/2021/08/18/star-wars-16-is-a-step-on-luke-skywalkers-path-on-the-way-of-the-jedi/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=32864 Luke Skywalker has a major revelation while Leia watches a cool fight in Star Wars #16 written by Charles Soule, art by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg and lettered by Clayton Cowles In terms of plot, not a lot happens in this issue: Luke spends most of it flying to Jekara, while the contingent...

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]]> 32864 War of the Bounty Hunters #3 is an Action-Packed Love Letter to Star Wars https://comicsxf.com/2021/08/18/war-of-the-bounty-hunters-3-is-an-action-packed-love-letters-to-star-wars/ Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.comicsxf.com/?p=32858 Marvel’s latest Star Wars crossover event takes a hard right turn into “Fuck Yeah” territory in Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #3. Everybody now, including his Rebellion friends, is after the Carbonite’ed Han Solo. But when Darth Vader throws his lightsaber into the bidding, whom amongst them will survive the Sith Lord’s offer?...

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