Star Wars’ darkest counterparts to C-3PO and R2-D2 have finally returned, wearing the perfect “costumes” that are hilariously genius. Having been introduced in Marvel Comics’ first canonical Darth Vader series back in 2015, 0-0-0 and BT-1 are essentially the evil (and incredibly deadly) twins of Artoo and Threepio, having served the Dark Lord of the Sith before joining forces with the rogue archeologist Doctor Aphra and Black Krrsantan. Now, the latest issue of Doctor Aphra sees Trip and Beetee making their triumphant (and bloody) return to the Star Wars galaxy.
In previous issues of Doctor Aphra from Alyssa Wong and Minkyu Jung, Doctor Chelli Aphra has become possessed by a piece of dark technology known as the Spark. Having been manufactured by the dark side group known as the Ascendant, this cult developed several means of replicating dark side Force abilities to rival the Sith (whom they hated). Likewise, the Spark has been combing Aphra’s mind and extensive knowledge, hoping to discover new technologies it can absorb and integrate to become even more powerful. As such, it seems as though Aphra hid something truly dangerous with none other than Triple-Zero and BT-1 who’ve been noticeably and inexplicably absent after they helped Aphra escape Darth Vader at the end of her previous series (and were nearly destroyed in the process).
Now, it looks as though Aphra secretly rebuilt her deadly and homicidal droid companions, stashing them in a remote corner of the galaxy containing secrets not even the droids themselves are aware of. As such, the new Doctor Aphra #23 sees Aphra’s partner Sana, Aphra’s father, and a collection of sort-of-allies discovering Trip and Beetee who’ve simply been relaxing, slaughtering every agent the crime syndicate Crimson Dawn has sent after them thanks to the Spark. Not only that, but Beetee is wearing what looks to be a lovely vacation hat with Trip sporting a towel around his neck, a genius and very funny acknowledgment that the two fan-favorite droids have been gone for far too long.
While Triple-Zero specializes in etiquette, customs, and translation just like C-3PO, he’s also fluent in multiple forms of torture. Likewise, BT-1 is a blastomech whose sole directive is to kill and annihilate with the massive arsenal he carries beneath his small, plated exterior. As such, there’s no better droid duo to protect whatever secret backup plan and/or powerful technology Aphra has stashed away with them.
With the assumption that Trip and Beetee will choose to spare the rescue team in future issues, Doctor Aphra is as good as saved from her possession by the Spark. After all, it took Darth Vader himself to take down the dark mirrors of Artoo and Threepio and they still lived to tell the tale. At any rate, it seems as though Trip and Beetee’s vacation from Star Wars comics is finally over with the hope that they’ll be sticking around for the long-term as the series continues. Doctor Aphra #23 is on sale now.
