Age of Republic: Padme Amidala (Comic Review)

This week's issue of Age of Republic marks the penultimate issue in this mini series. As we draw close to the end we follow Padmé Amidala on a diplomatic mission.

Age of Republic: Padmé Amidala - “Bridge”

The comic opens with Anakin Skywalker and Padmé sneaking around the outside of the Senate arena discussing her assignment. They find a well hidden spot to lament their separation because of the war and share a kiss that is interrupted by a handmaiden named Moteé. Padmé conceals the actual whereabouts of her mission as she boards her ship. It is revealed that her maidens know about her relationship with Anakin but keep her secret.

They reach their destination, a neutral world in the war in efforts to recruit them to the Republic's cause. Upon arrival Padmé, Moteé, and Dormé are set upon by blaser fire, wounding Moteé. They are begrudgingly given safe haven by the Second Minister of the world who takes Padmé's party to meet with the dying Grand Minister.

The Grand Minister tells them that they think the Separatist spies may have learned of his plans to join the Republic and dispatched an assassin to deal with him and his envoy to the Republic. Padmé devises a plan with the new Grand Minister to ambush the assassin and succeeded.

The Naboo diplomats load up the assassin; Lis Mohles on their ship to take him into Republic custody. She leaves agreeing to pursue an arrangement with the new Grand Minister.

Padmé's issue of Age of Republic is not the most exciting however the concurrent release of E.K. Johnson's Queen's Shadow. Has offered a deeper look into Padmé's political mind and has made her ventures in that realm all the more interesting. Seeing more of her interesting cast of sisterly handmaidens and her chemistry with them is the highlight of this issue. Chris Ryons compared her handmaids to the Dora-Milaje, Black Panther's royal Wakandan guard and his comparison is apt. The Bridge acts as an excellent epilogue companion piece to Queen's Shadow. I rate Age of Republic: Padmé Amidala a 3.75/5. Not as fascinating as some of the other issues and it doesn't quite stand on its own, but still a great issue and study of Naboo's greatest diplomat.

Next week Age of Republic wraps up with an issue starring General Grievous! Check back in for my review of Age of Republic's final issue!