DVD Corner's blog

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Book Review

“Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” is a good introduction to the fan favorite character.

Based on the character’s introduction in the “Darth Vader” comic book series, “Star Wars: Doctor Aphra” is a scriptbook of the audio drama that was released last year (did you get all that?). Written by Sarah Kuhn, the post “A New Hope” story revolves around the titular snarky, talkative, thief and rogue archaeologist who also has a vast knowledge of weapons and droid activations as well. While we do learn about the character’s past ala her parents, University days and her brief stint as an assistant curator at a museum, the bulk of the plot centers around Darth Vader recruiting Aphra for various missions involving everything from a droid army to stealing from the empire alongside Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan. Vader himself is on a mission to find Luke and get back in favor with Emperor Palpatine after his Death Star failure. Of course, more than a few familiar faces pop up along the way as well. The entire story is framed around a recording Aphra is making for someone (no spoilers here). Obviously, that angle would be a bit more effective in the audio drama form. 

There’s no denying that Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra has become the biggest hit character from the world of modern SW comic books and book canon. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up in a series or film someday. Until that happens, the character is getting the spotlight with the audio drama and now this newly released scriptbook. While some fans may not be as on board with her sarcastic and comedic tendencies, I find it to be a refreshing change of pace. Between the character’s flair for the dramatic and her delusions that land in hot water, it’s always a wild adventure with the living on the edge Aphra (especially when paired with the murder droids Beetee and Triple-Zero who are basically evil versions of C-3PO and R2-D2). You never know where she will go or who she will run into and that’s what makes the character so endearing.

The Indiana Jones inspired Aphra isn’t the only main character here though as we see a lot of Vader and Sana Starros (another character who has gone on to have a life of her own). Sana’s past and present with Aphra proves to be very compelling. I liked seeing Vader from the calculating Aphra’s perspective as she tries to figure out who he is and what he is seeking. It was also fun to see just what Vader did in between “A New Hope” and “Empire Strikes Back.”

Overall Thoughts: Whether you decide to read the scriptbook or play the audio drama, you can’t go wrong with either option as “Doctor Aphra” is a fun and fast-paced adventure.

April 17, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, Doctor Aphra Scriptbook, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Book Review