Published: September 3, 2025
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Rated: T
Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colour Artist: GURU-eFX
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover: Ramon Rosanas & GURU-eFX
The synopsis;
IN THE TIME BEFORE THE FORCE AWAKENS, WHERE IS THE MILLENNIUM FALCON?!
• Less than satisfied with a settled life, HAN SOLO lands on the idea of reclaiming the Falcon and returning to a life of adventure.
• The problem is, he can’t find it. After enlisting a less than enthusiastic CHEWBACCA, the duo embarks upon a quest to reclaim the greatest ship in the galaxy.
• Standing in their way are a laundry list of rogues who have staked a claim to the Millennium Falcon as well, like the villainous scoundrel who stole the Falcon, DUCAIN.
The review;
Mark: Han Solo, one of the most loved characters in the franchise. Fans love him for his cocky swagger, his side grin and his just general coolness. I always love to see Han in action… when he is done right. And that is one of the problems with the character – he is difficult to get right. Also, for someone who is a fan of the Original Trilogy, who has less than favorable opinions about the Sequel Trilogy, a story set in the latter time frame doesn’t necessarily fill me with excitement. To help battle my opinion, is my own co-pilot (or am I hers!?) Kat, who is a huge fan of the Sequels. One thing I do have a lot of confidence in is the team creating this story. Written by Rodney Barnes, who did the Inquisitorsseries, makes me a bit more relaxed that this is an author who knows what he is doing. Joining him is artist Ramon Rosanas who has extensive work in the Star Wars universe and always thrills with his art. So, Kat, when you heard about this series, what were you thinking? Were you more excited than I was?
Kat: I was absolutely thrilled! I don’t know if you’ve read Smuggler’s Run by Greg Rucka, but it was part of the Journey to the Force Awakens publishing effort and one of my favourites from that set of stories. During the finale, Han is in a certain bar on Takodana telling a tale to a young Rodian, only for it to all go wrong, as the youngster steals his beloved Millennium Falcon. That’s the last time Han sees his ship until The Force Awakens. So, what happened in the interim? It’s a question I’ve been fascinated about!
It’s heartbreaking for Han to lose such an integral part of himself – the Falcon is more than a ship to this cocky flyboy. And Hunt for the Falcon #1 opens with Han heartbroken, sad, and struggling to adapt to domestic life. It’s been hinted at before in Bloodline by Claudia Gray, among others, that Han never settled down well into a peaceful life after the Rebellion won. He’s only got flying and he’s only been used to running. Suddenly he must sit still as Leia helps establish the Republic and the two raise a son together. I really got the sense just in the first few pages that Han feels uncomfortable in this life – and he feels like he’s failing.
Mark: I completely agree, this is portrayed so well. I think if you are a Legends fan, it is very difficult to see Han like this, heck to see how Han is in The Force Awakens. The Han from that timeline always had Chewbacca (mostly), had the Falcon and would always do right by those around him. Here, we see a complete opposite to the character. While we know he loses the Falcon (and I agree Smuggler’s Run is a great read), it still shocks me that Han wouldn’t do all he could to get the Falcon back. I think for older fans like me, Barnes has almost got the impossible task of trying to weave a story that we don’t want to believe. We don’t want the Falcon to be lost; we don’t want Han without Chewie. Yet I also think as someone who is a parent, who has settled down, watching Han is something we can all relate to. Dreams left behind, ideals forgotten. Perhaps it’s Barnes showing us the stark mirror of reality that is most uncomfortable.
I liked how he has had to rely on Lando to try and find something to do. He’s stepped away from his ‘hobby’ and his friend is trying to guide him to a new one, to give him something to do. Lando is so relaxed with it, where Han is tense and just wants to be hands on. The comparison by the two is wonderful, and I think we all know people who settle into retirement and those that have to stay busy. I don’t know if I could ever get into the racer business. Did this strike you as something to do in retirement Kat?
Kat: As long as I have a dog and a good book, then I’ll be happy. I will leave the high-speed sports to the flyboys! I think Barnes really captures Han’s character well during this time period and with the established canon lore. I don’t usually delve into the psychology of Star Wars characters, but I think it’s worth it here. If you look at Han, then he’s someone who has deeply rooted abandonment issues. He’s been abandoned by his family and betrayed by friends and mentors alike. He runs before he makes close attachments. Only Chewie remains stalwart at his side.
Then if you look at Han’s cockiness and bravado, it’s very easy to see that’s a front from someone trying to hide insecurities. Leia is royalty and an extremely adept politician, Lando is a successful businessman, then Luke is a Jedi, and even Han’s own son is a Force user. I distinctly remember a scene at the end of Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig, how Han lamented that he would never have the same connection with Ben as Leia and Luke. That’s one of those hidden insecurities. Han’s self-esteem is actually pretty low, especially as he compares himself to the successful people around him.
So how does Han protect his self-esteem? By being the best pilot in the galaxy. He forms his identity around excelling as a pilot. It’s the one thing he thinks can’t be taken away from him – until the Falcon is stolen. This doesn’t just hurt Han, it threatens everything he’s ever shaped himself around. It’s likely why he then focuses on racing, which is the closest he can get to the old version of himself as a hotshot pilot. Yet in reality Han needs whatever the Star Wars universe calls a therapist (a psychtech maybe?).
Mark: Well, that has got me thinking, what are they called?! But you’re absolutely right, he has no identity. It’s difficult to stomach as a fan of the Original Trilogy because he finds that identity with the Rebels, eventually. Barnes writes this so well that the empathy you feel the character is so strong, I’m mopping along with Han! One thing that made me go, would he though, was Chewbacca. We get to travel to see Chewbacca in his home. I love the call back to the infamous Holiday Special, with his son being called Lumpy, and then Chewie correcting him with his far more Wookiee-like name! I think it’s one of those things, if you know, you know.
But what I struggled with was Han taking Chewbacca out of that setting. Han can see that Chewbacca has a happy family, that family life is serving him well. His teaching his son the ways of the Wookiee yet Han is going to swoop in and take that all from Chewbacca because he can’t find his place? I just can’t see Han doing that. He adores his friend; would he really deprive him of his family after he spent how many years away from them? Am I overthinking this Kat?
Kat: Again, I think that’s to do with Han’s deep-rooted fear of being abandoned. Chewbacca is the only one he can rely on, and it’s not the first time Han has relied on the Wookiee. Seeing Chewie’s family was so heartwarming, especially after all they endure to get back to each other in Aftermath: Life Debt and it’s another glimpse of family life on Kashyyyk. Although I think Han should have left Chewie out of his own problems, I also see how Han wouldn’t think twice about it because it’s a blink of an eye in Wookiee years.
I also think it’s Barnes showing Han clinging to the past. He can’t move forwards, so he returns to his old ways as a scoundrel on the edge of the galaxy with his best friend at his side. Also, there’s one line from Lando that suggests this is the period in time where Han has lost everything – not just the Falcon. Lando says, “When’s the last time you two spoke?”, hinting at how Han’s family has broken apart. Maybe a part of Han wants Chewie to understand that pain, so he takes the Wookiee away from his own on Kashyyyk.
Mark: I think one thing is for certain, there is a lot of intrigue to see where this will head. Will it bring the old Han back having Chewie with him? Or will he still be a lost soul? I’m not completely convinced on the story but that’s nothing to do with Barnes, he is working in the galaxy presented to him. I think he has brought great life to the character, a real human feel that is not always easy to do. He has written Han just right and it is great that he is filling in a big blank in the Star Wars timeline. Of course, the real audience is for fans of the Sequel Trilogy like you Kat. Does this hit all the right notes?
Kat: I feel this is a very strong opening to Han’s character during a darker time of his life and exploring how heroes still must live everyday lives, with everyday struggles, even after winning out against evil. I’m very curious to see where Hunt for the Falcon will head because we already know that Han doesn’t find his beloved ship, so what is he going to learn along the way instead?
Availability;
Star Wars: Hunt for the Falcon is a five-part mini-series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $4.99 and is available online from Amazon (comiXology) and your local comic book store.
The post Comic Review: Hunt for the Falcon #1 (of 5) appeared first on Jedi News.
