By George & Josh Bate
A new Marvel Comics one-shot focused on Jyn Erso taking place before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story draws an interesting parallel to Cassian and Kino Loy’s journeys in Andor.
Written by Ethan Sacks and illustrated by Ramon Rosanas and GURU-eFX, Rogue One – Jyn Erso 1 depicts the titular character’s time in the Imperial labor camp on Wobani. Jyn goes by the alias Liana Hallik as she is encouraged by fellow prisoner Dunning Tredup to assist in a prison break. But Jyn, hardened by her difficult upbringing and subsequent cynicism, opposes the idea of taking such a “leap of faith.”
Soon after, however, Jyn is convinced by Theera, another prisoner, to participate in the prison break as she finally realizes that collaborating with the other prisoners and building comradre with them is not only helpful but beneficial.
This arc resembles Cassian’s journey during the acclaimed Narkina 5 arc of Andor‘s first season. Cassian enters the prison hardened, just like Jyn Erso, as decades of mistreatment the hands of the Empire have left him cynical and jaded. Soon though, Cassian builds relationships with the likes of Melshi and Kino Loy, eventually inspiring them to participate in an epic prison break.
Jyn’s arc in the comic also parallels Kino Loy from the Narkina 5 arc. Andy Serkis’ character in Andor refuses to join forces with Cassian for the longest time, believing that the Empire is fair and that they will release him upon the completion of his sentence. Eventually though, Kino realizes the true depravity of the Empire and overcomes his skepticisim to join ranks with Cassian and stage the prison break.
Lucasfilm, Disney, and Marvel Comics will continue to celebrate the 10th anniversary Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with more prequel comics starring Saw Gerrera and Darth Vader.