Review by Ian Keogh

The Crystal Run is a caper complete in ten chapters, split over two graphic novels and set in the Empire days before the new republic. Han Solo and Chewbacca are enjoying a successful period operating under the sanction of Jabba the Hutt, who’s willing to pay heftily for the ashes of a rival now dead. There are, however, a couple of snags. The first is that Han and Chewie are to be accompanied by Greedo and his poor reputation, and the second is the ashes being located on Han’s home planet of Corellia, where he swore never to return. The snags can be overcome, but further problems arise on arrival.

TV writer Marc Guggenheim knows his way around an effective plot, and how to throw in complications every time something looks to be going Han’s way. It seems for a fair while that Guggenheim’s forgotten Chewbacca’s name is part of the title, as over the opening chapters he could really be put to better use when everything is driven by Han. However, that’s rectified before the end when Chewbacca’s paired with a new character who can’t understand him. That new character is one of Guggenheim’s additions, and is a complicated homage to one of Han Solo actor Harrison Ford’s other movie roles. However, some of the chapter ending cliffhangers are transparent.

Artist David Messina is a specialist when it comes to properties featuring TV or movie characters, his CV including stints on Doctor Who, Star Trek and True Blood among others. His appeal is instantly seen. He’s strong with layouts and likenesses, and very much an artist who goes the extra mile both when it comes to detail and by ensuring the spacecraft are reproduced down to the last nut and bolt. This is fine action art.

If looking for a maxim to sum up The Crystal Run by the halfway point, it’s that anything that looks too good to be true generally is, which has applied several times here despite the Solo luck holding. Or has it? He’s certainly not looking in the best shape as we head into The Crystal Run Part Two, and neither is Chewie.