Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika #3 [Also available in photo cover] Story: Mike Kennedy Art: Carlos Meglia Coloring: Dave Stewart Lettering: Steve Dutro Cover: Andrew Robinson, Dave Stewart Released: 03/14/2001 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (11/16/2004) SUMMARY: The Falcon is on Mon Calamari. Lando, Jozell and Greedo unwittingly find themselves teamed up with Solo. They rent a speeder to drive over the see looking for the last known location of Illyon Webble. Han, Lando and Jozzel find his half-eaten corpse underwater, and they hear voices coming from some giant seashells that absorb memories called the Knowledge Bank. From them, Jozzel learns the stellar coordinates for the Vassilika. Unfortunately, Bossk, Dengar and IG-88 followed them, as well as Boba Fett. Once again, Han and the others barely escape the bounty hunters, who then start to hear the voices...

[art cover] [photo cover]

THE STORY

This third installment feels like a real treasure hunt, with them diving underwater, and finding the wreck of Webble's skiff with his decomposed body. It's one clue leading them to another. It seems to be all balanced as each issue finds the characters on a different planet. There are still a lot of little jokes and funny dialogue, which actually sets the tone of the series and are enjoyable most of the time. 4-LOM, Zuckuss and Sallowe still don't have much to do in this one.

This issue also confirms that Lando knows about Han loosing the Ylesia spice, as they argue about Han giving the spice to the Rebels. So it must take place right after the Han and Lando's "fight" scene in Chapter 16 of Redel Dawn. Problem is, Lando just told him "Don't ever come near me again!" and they are not supposed to see each other between that and the Cloud City scene in ESB. So now, in the movie it'll be "Why you slimly double-crossing no good swindler, you got a lot of nerve coming here after what you pulled. Oh, and remember that time after that when we went diving on Mon Calamari?"

There is also a reference to Lando saving Han from Fett, which I believe is from The Hutt Gambit. What's frustrating is that with so many references, you know that the writer and editor are aware of the novel. So why don't they go all the way and make sure their story doesn't contradict it?

No letter column in this issue.

THE ART

We see a lot more Jawas in this issue, and I love the way they are depicted, full of facial expression even though you only see their eyes. We don't see much of Calamari, but the water effects are really well done, thanks to Stewart's digital coloring. Meglia seems to have a thing for Jozzel as he always puts her in sexy or very, very tight outfits, like that diving suit. So far, the art is really enjoyable, the colorful pages filled with little hidden gags and details.

CONCLUSIONS

The art is more enjoyable than the simplistic plot.

Rating: 6 / 10 At your own risk