WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1, by Alyssa Wong, Marika Cresta, Rachelle Rosenberg and VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
In a universe filled with stories about Jedi and Sith, Doctor Aphra is always a refreshing change of pace. The rogue archaeologist of the Star Wars universe has returned in a new Marvel Comics series and is once again robbing from the rich and giving to herself. She has a new team at her back, picking up where she left off by searching the galaxy for valuable objects that can turn a profit. This time, Aphra has to team up with an old rival to find the artifact and get paid.
Readers who aren't familiar with Doctor Aphra are missing out on one of the most engaging aspects of Disney's iteration of Star Wars. She's equal parts Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, with a healthy dose of Indiana Jones, Nathan Drake and Lara Croft in the mix. That being said, she lacks any moral compass, only doing what's right when it suits her needs. Aphra first appeared in Darth Vader #3 in 2015, teaming up with the Sith Lord before eventually running afoul of him.
Doctor Aphra #1 begins the second volume of her solo title. This adventure is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, opening with Aphra and company liberating some salvage from the abandoned Rebel base on Hoth. After selling her find at the Shadow University in the Outer Rim, Aphra and her team enjoy a drink to celebrate. That's when their next job comes along.
A graduate student by the name of Detta Yao approaches Aphra about searching for the Rings of Vaale, a valuable artifact most reputable archaeologists do not believe to be real. Fortunately for Yao, Aphra is anything but reputable. Unfortunately for Aphra, the leading expert on the artifact is Doctor Eustacia Okka, an old acquaintance of Aphra's who is none too happy to see her.
Upon approaching Okka on a dig, she is immediately hostile towards Aphra. It's revealed that Aphra and Okka were classmates together many years ago, with a vague reference made to something that happened between them. At the very least, Okka seems to dislike Aphra's capitalist approach to archaeology. It's also revealed that Okka was expelled from the Shadow University for her work on the Rings of Vaale.
This trio of archaeologists then come to a beneficial arrangement for everyone based on mutual cooperation: They will search for the Rings together. Okka will get the credit for the find, restoring her reputation as an archaeologist. Yao will get what she needs to write her thesis. Aphra will get the one thing she always wants and makes her happiest in the galaxy: Money.
The relationship between Aphra and Okka immediately has a similar vibe to the one between Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark. There's a history between them that built a lasting animosity, but they're willing to put everything aside in order to search for an artifact. As the story goes on, there will inevitably be a series of revelations about their past which will either bring them closer together or drive them further apart. It should prove to be an interesting adventure.
The main question here is, who will betray Aphra first? The opening scene of Doctor Aphra #1 demonstrates how often betrayal pops up in Aphra's world. She doesn't tend to take it personally; for her, it's part of the game. Both Yao and Okka have the potential to betray Aphra, as much as she has the potential to betray them. Everyone in this story should be watching their own backs.