Although Luke Skywalker began restoring the Jedi Order after the Empire’s defeat, an unexpected Star Wars hero may have helped set everything in motion even before the events of Return of the Jedi. As seen in the comics set in the aftermath of Empire Strikes Back, the history and legacy of the Jedi Order are being uncovered. Likewise, this is despite Emperor Palpatine’s efforts to bury and destroy the very memory of the Jedi when he was still ruling the galaxy.
As seen in the final issue of Doctor Aphra’s most recent run by Alyssa Wong and Minkyu Jung, the titular rogue archaeologist sacrifices herself to save her friends from the sentient droid virus known as the Scourge. However, Aphra ends up surviving her crash-landing on the planet Rocedila where she discovers the ruins of an ancient Jedi temple.
To that end, it seems as though Doctor Chelli Aphra herself may play a major role in bringing back the history of the Jedi Order, despite Emperor Palpatine’s best efforts to snuff out their history in the wake of Order 66 and the rise of his Empire in the Star Wars timeline.
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Doctor Aphra Discovered A Piece of Jedi History
Sacred Ancient Texts
Within the Jedi ruins, Aphra discovers an ancient book that appears to be one of the sacred Jedi texts. Many of these books were in Luke Skywalker’s possession as seen in The Last Jedi. Likewise, it’s worth noting that Luke seemingly found some of these texts during this same period between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, a means of continuing his Jedi path and later bringing back the Jedi Order itself.
Although Aphra sees her Jedi book as a major opportunity for a large payout, she has interacted and worked with the young Jedi before. Perhaps a rare streak of altruism may emerge where she ends up giving Luke the book in future Star Wars issues. If so, Aphra would certainly become a big part of the galaxy’s history going forward in the original trilogy, the sequels, and beyond.
Despite Emperor Palpatine’s Best Efforts, The Jedi Still Returned
Did Aphra Play A Role?
Having triggered Order 66 to wipe out the Jedi Order, Palpatine was free to turn the already corrupt Republic into his new Empire at the end of the prequel trilogy. He then used Darth Vader and the Imperial Inquisitorius to kill any Jedi survivors before wiping out their very history, outlawing any mention of the Republic’s protectors as well as anything related to the Jedi, including relics and books like the one Aphra has now found.
While the memory of the Jedi Order and their legacy lived on primarily through Luke Skywalker as the galaxy’s new hope, it does seem as though Doctor Aphra is primed to play her own role in the Jedi’s restoration. As such, it should be very interesting to see where she and her new book end up in Star Wars’ future.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #40 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #40 (2020) | |
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