Review of "Star Wars Empire Volume Seven: The Wrong Side of the War," by Welles Hartley et. al.

Review of

Star Wars Empire Volume Seven: The Wrong Side of the War, by Welles Hartley et. al. ISBN 9781593077099

Five out of five stars

 The opening theme is the fundamental reality that has existed since the invention of organized warfare. Even though both sides in the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion have faster-than-light hyperdrive and powerful blasters, some of the battles still involve opposing ground forces fighting over a section of dirt. The long-term reality is that commanders remote from the action are ordering troops to kill and die independent of the odds of success.

 Janek Sunber is a lieutenant in the Imperial forces that leads a near suicidal assault on a ground position held by the Rebellion. Losing over half of his forces, war hero Sunber is then transferred to the Imperial base on Kalist VI, where the captured people of the rebellion are being worked as slaves. Over the course of his posting, Sunber demonstrates an unusual ability to question the Empire and his orders, to the point where he defends the slaves.

 A valuable rebel spy is being held on Kalist VI and a major operation is mounted in an attempt to free him. Luke Skywalker is a member of that team and this leads to an unusual confrontation between Luke and Sunber.

 Even in the most ruthless and firmly disciplined forces there will always be soldiers that question their orders and actions. This graphic novel presents a different perspective on the Storm Troopers of the Empire, demonstrating that there are those that are more than just order-following automatons. Not quite fifth columnists, but soldiers that never truly cede their humanity to the highest levels of the chain of command.