The Starfighter team is fighting against their biggest foe…themselves. As the team appears to come apart at the seams, the Blackstar Squadron plans their next attack. Can the Starfighters get on the same page in time to stop Naxos Ko-Ma and her squadron from dealing a huge blow to the Legion?
The Last Starfighter #4 - Written By Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes – Art By Willi Roberts - Colors By Francesco Segala – Flats By Agnese Pozza – Letters By Rob Jones - Edited By Sarah Brunstad - Published By Mad Cave Studios
Credit: Mad Cave Studios
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
WRITING:
As the war between the Legion and the newly revived Ko-Dan Empire heats up, the Starfighter’s are going through some growing pains. Benjamin Raab & Deric A. Hughes add a little spice to this galactic battle. The threat of the Ko-Dan always looms over the Starfighters, but their biggest challenger is themselves. Raab & Hughes show the descension in the ranks and how the team begins to crumble under their own weight. Having Xyla question herself and her place on the Starfighter team leading to her quitting was kind of out of left field. This action sets the team back but also facilitates Iguo finally taking his spot on the team. At the same time Centauri is struggling with his role and mortality which is causing him to run as well. At the worst possible time the team is weaker than it has been. This drama really sets up what happens at the end of the issue and should set the stage for where the series goes next.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this issue captures the scale of the galaxy as well as the drama that is playing out in the story. Willi Roberts makes the galaxy come to life and shows how gigantic it truly is. However, even though he makes the galaxy big, he is able to capture all the small nuances in the emotions and interactions of the characters. The body language and facial expressions make it easy for the reader to pick up on the little cues that move the emotion of the story. The color selections from Francesco Segala give the linework a great deal of balance and tone. The colors match the mood of the story in each panel, which gives more context clues to the reader. Add in the expressive letter work from Rob Jones and this issue is very easy to follow from an emotional standpoint.
CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF the last starfighter #3
Final Thoughts:
The Last Starfighter #4 pairs team turmoil with expressive artwork, keeping the emotional stakes as compelling as the galactic conflict. While Xyla and Centuari’s departures feel abrupt, the growing fractures leave the Starfighters vulnerable and set the stage for what comes next. This series is really heating up and if you haven’t checked it out yet, now is the time to grab a copy at the LCS.
FINAL GRADE: 8.5/10
Let me know your thoughts on The Last Starfighter #4 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
