Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1 kicked off a new volume of the titular character’s solo series with a surprise digital release on May 4 to coincide with Star Wars Day.
Now, with the comic about to receive a physical release as part of Marvel’s first wave of comic books shipped to the Direct Market on May 27, Newsarama is catching up with series artist Marika Cresta who, along with writer Alyssa Wong, will take Aphra on a new adventure – and into the path of the supernatural.
Cresta opened up to Newsarama about taking her first foray into the Star Wars galaxy, refining her take on Doctor Aphra, and how H.R. Giger’s spooky, spectral art played a role in shaping the tale at hand.
Newsarama: Marika, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra is your first foray into drawing Star Wars. What’s it like joining the Star Wars Galaxy with a character created especially for comic books?
Marika Cresta: When you talk about Star Wars, you have the feeling of talking about something that has always existed, something now rooted in people’s culture.
Being suddenly catapulted into this universe is exciting and fascinating, but at the same time it is challenging because you have to work with established characters and settings, so it is essential to remain faithful as much as possible to what already exists, while still trying to put your spin on it!
Aphra is a character that I loved even before starting this job, so the idea of ??entering this universe thanks to her has moved me a lot!
Nrama: Without being too spoiler-y, what’s the last thing you were drawing for Star Wars: Doctor Aphra?
Cresta: The last pages I worked on refer to a crucial part of the story, a revelation in which there are many twists and turns. It was really fun to draw this sequence because so many things happen in a few pages!
Nrama: This volume of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra starts with Aphra and her crew stealing an item that may be cursed. What are the key visual elements yo’re focusing on for this Star Wars heist story that moves into potentially supernatural territory?
Cresta: I love the fact that a particular emphasis is placed on the tension of the human being towards the supernatural, it is a theme that has always fascinated me!
And I can say that the different way in which each character reacts to this component is very interesting.
Certainly the visual elements from which I took most inspiration are from H.R. Giger’s figurative art: the fusion between the human and mechanical component of his art is perfect for the setting of this story.
Nrama: What can you tell us about Ronen Tagge, who Aphra is going up against?
Cresta: Ronen is a wealthy and spoiled heir of the powerful Tagge family.
We could call him a “Collector” of rare objects, but his twisted psychology leads him to want to be the only one to appreciate the beauty of these artifacts at all cost – which is why, once obtained, he destroys them.
Nrama: You’re working with Alyssa Wong on Star Wars: Doctor Aphra. How has it been developing your working relationship? What’s your favorite thing she’s put in a script so far?
Cresta: Unfortunately I have been able to interact with Alyssa only via email until now, but I can say that working with her is really a pleasure, I have a lot of respect for her work!
I love the way she develops the plot through her scripts, alternating really dynamic and frenetic moments with other calmer and quieter ones, in which you can catch your breath before the arrival of a new and sudden twist!
She really manages to keep you glued to the story!
Nrama: What elements of Star Wars are you most excited to draw? Is there a particular character or location you’re particularly excited to tackle?
Cresta: I don’t want to be redundant, but I really love drawing Aphra! As I already said, she is a character that I was already passionate about before I was assigned this story, and also I find that her “aviator” style is extremely cool!
I must say, however, that another character that I had so much fun in drawing was Detta! Maybe because of her resemblance to Aphra.
Nrama: Star Wars has a lot of visual reference from its many films, but Aphra is from comic books. How do you strike the balance of looking like Star Wars while also pushing into different comic book territory?
Cresta: The visual references of the Star Wars Galaxy established in the films are essential and are still the basis of my work. I was provided with a large quantity of visual material to study and from which take a cue for the development of the new environments.
Perhaps the part where I had a little more difficulty from this point of view was the outfits; designing the new characters, making them “distinguishable” but at the same time in line with the characteristics of this universe was not easy at the beginning, but thanks to the feedback received from my publishers and Alyssa, I did it!
Nrama: Bottom line, what can readers expect from this new volume of Doctor Aphra?
Cresta: I think I can say that readers will find themselves in front of the usual, adorable Aphra, outgoing and unprejudiced!
However, the context in which the story will take place will be very different, with new components (even some horror elements!) compared to the Star Wars we are used to.
Put simply, you absolutely can’t miss it!