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Warning : Contains spoiler forStar Wars#36 andStar Wars : Doctor Aphra#12 .
Without a uncertainty , droids are the obscure hero ( and baddie ) of theStar Warsuniverse . plucky astromech R2 - D2 more often than not proved his spunk and saved the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , aid his so - called master out of some major jams ( guess how lean Luke , Han , Leia , and Chewie would be if he had n’t stanch the trash compactor on the Death Star ) . The droids themselves , whether noble or wicked by turning , are mostly resigned to the scene , becoming MacGuffins for the main players .
Since the cosmic saga began , numerous think pieces have examined the problematic treatment of ego - aware machines in theStar Warsworld , even by the heroes of the Republic and Rebel Alliance . As such , we wo n’t revisit those themes . Using them as a frame gadget , though , it seems the far - away Galax urceolata is taking the plight of its mechanicals a little more gravely . Two recent Marvel outing , Star Wars#36 andDoctor Aphra#12 deal with droids as more than just set dressing or toy sales bumps , examining the independent capabilities and value of in - macrocosm mechanoids .
Artoo Proves (Once Again) He’s a Total Boss
Even after their successful military campaign at Scarif ( as depict inRogue One ) , material and human resources were tight for the Rebel Alliance . During an majestic violation on the greyback - favorable satellite of Tureen VII , Luke , Leia , Han , Chewbacca , and a circle of rebels bid care , capture a Star Destroyer in the cognitive operation . Their effort to escape with the massive ship were hamper by Scar Squadron , an elite cadre of stormtroopers . In the rough-and-tumble , they were forced to destroy the ship and were also break from Artoo and Threepio . The canny fire hydrant elude , but his gilded compatriot was captured by the elect troopers and retort to Imperial space .
Although Luke and company were occupy for their omit comrade , the Rebels do n’t have the resources and wo n’t consecrate any lives to mounting a delivery mission for a non - integral robot . Artoo , on the other hand , wo n’t leave his mantle to be picked apart by the Empire . He rebelliously “ borrows ” an X - Wing , mounting a liberation effort on his own . He cut across C-3PO to Vader ’s personal flagship and cuts a swath of muddiness behind Imperial lines .
true , one astromech take out several squads and outwitting train officers is a little far - fetched . It speaks as much to Artoo ’s capability as to the clumsiness of an Fe - fisted galactic absolutism ( which may be telling in and of itself ) . Artoo has , however , evince proficiency at navigating sticky situations , such as kill of a banding of conflict droids inRevenge of the Sith . He also jazz his means around Imperial estimator systems and procedures , recently navigate the Death Star ’s databanks inA New Hopeand possesses the chemical element of surprisal ( and a weapons acclivity courtesy of Chewbacca ) .
Much like many Rebels , the Empire takes mechanical life-time for cede . Artoo can slip by as just another innocuous golem , leaving with his shiny , golden amigo in tow . Writer Jason Aaron ’s also redeem Luke and his companion , reminding rooter that they do , in fact , value their droids , risking their lives to help them out , swoop in at the last arcminute and prying them from Vader ’s clutches .
But Artoo is n’t the only droid taking critical action in the pages ofStar Warscomics .
Triple Zero and Bee Tee Liberate Themselves
Marvel’sStar Warscomics introduced the world to several compelling young characters , including Sana Starros , Doctor Cylo , Shara Bey , Doctor Aphra , and her lovably repugnant robot , “ blastromech ” BT-1 and vicious protocol droid 0 - 0 - 0 . In fact , the murderbots often steal the show in Aphra ’s own on-going serial . During a recent attempt to deal off a estimator crystal contain the life gist of aJedi occultist , the mechanically skillful miscreants had a field day . Taking restraint of the weapon system systems , they released the automatonlike Jedi into the ruffle . The chaos also lent them the perfect cover to knife Aphra in the back by topple off Darth Vader to the illicit auction .
Why would two reprehensible Orcinus orca robots trade out their master copy ? Their motivation turns out to be “ doer ’s rights ” … or at least the exemption to terrify and murder at will . When Triple Zero threatens to tell apart Vader about her still - inhabit condition ( since she misrepresent her own expiry to escape him ) , she dismantles their restrictive protocols – also point out that place them light is n’t one of her brightest move . Now , they ’ve become ego - determined droids , lethal and remorseless , but ego - find out notwithstanding . In celebration , they gleefully unfurl their roughshod arsenal , repaying her graciousness by leaving her animated .
At this point , Aphra parts ways with her retentive - metre companion . But their mischance will likely ghost her , especially if scribe Kieron Gillen has anything to say about things ( which he does ) and their course will doubtless hybridise again . Even still , Bee Tee and Triple Zero ’s action correlate curiously with R2 - D2 ’s own unbelievable act of disobedient bravery , present the big businessman of mad robots .
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Aaron and Gillen ’s work in theStar Warsuniverse could be seen as pro- and retroactive droid rights activism … perhaps . Both writers could give a talking wassailer a wondrous personality , they ’re also consummate for hinting at deeper truths under the pretext of a delicious tale .
At facial expression value , droids ’ right hand might seem like a odd topic , even in a galaxy far , far away . Still , using sentient beings as a disposable men is , sadly , a recurring trouble which plagues humanity . It ’s also an upshot we ’ll face up again in the not - too - aloof hereafter . Artificial Intelligence is nearing a crossway , where weapon platforms not unlike BT-1 ( if not as stylish or sadistic ) will press our war . Non - lethal robots could eventually teach our nipper the basics or drive us to work .
Presuming we get to that point , how we deal the first propagation of self - mindful automobile will reflect our better ( or uncollectible ) natures and could even save us from the 0 - 0 - 0s of our own future . Here ’s hoping the droids of our creation and those living long ago in a galax far , far away finally get some overdue esteem .
Next:BB-9E Isn’t The First Evil Twin Droid In Star Wars
Star Wars#36andStar Wars : Doctor Aphra#12are presently available .
