Doctor Aphra #22 represents the twenty-second installment of the comic book series titled Star Wars: Doctor Aphra. This comic was penned by Si Spurrier, with illustrations by Kev Walker, and its publication was handled by Marvel Comics on July 25, 2018. The issue features the story "The Catastrophe Con Part III," where Doctor Aphra uncovers an infectious Force-infused fungus located on Accresker Jail.
TRAPPED WITHIN A JUNK YARD PRISON DURING A WAR. IT CAN'T POSSIBLY DETERIORATE FURTHER – RIGHT? Unless, of course, you introduce a vindictive FORCE GHOST. And deranged MURDERDROIDS. Plus, a BOR BRAIN-LEECH. Oh, and a SENTIENT BIOHAZARD… Surely even the rebellious archaeologist DOCTOR APHRA can't discover a method to exacerbate the situation. Wrong. Because her current love interest and her former partner are on the verge of an encounter…
Far out in space, bounty hunter Tam Posla is recording the details of his current mission. Posla has dedicated the last 421 days to tracking down the renegade surgeon Doctor Cornelius Evazan, infamous as the "Mutilator of Milvayne." Posla admits to killing six informants for providing false information regarding Evazan's location. Motivated by the death of his partner Caysin Bog at the hands of the rogue archaeologist Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra, Posla pledges to avenge his death and seek retribution against Aphra.
However, for the moment, he chooses to prioritize Dr Evazan. Posla remembers that Evazan escaped Jedha and was involved in a dispute on Tatooine before infiltrating a biofram on Thannt. Given that Evazan's trail has been cold for over a month, Posla believes that Evazan is either deceased or imprisoned. To validate his theory, Posla decides to scan all transmissions originating near Imperial detention facilities. Posla considers Evazan the most despicable being in the galaxy and is determined to find him.
Back at Accresker Jail, Magna Tolvan is piloting her commandeered TIE fighter, expressing her frustration that Dr Aphra isn't following their agreed-upon plan. Accresker command contacts her via comlink, demanding that she identify herself or face being fired upon. After a soliloquy about trusting her "gut feeling," Tolvan attempts to flee the mobile prison, only to be engaged by Sana Starros' starship, the Volt Cobra. Starros communicates with Tolvan, offering an apology for the attack and attempting to de-escalate the situation. Tolvan, angered by the initial assault, launches a rocket at the Volt Cobra after ejecting from her own starship.
Simultaneously, Lopset Yas hears the sound of the explosion and inquires about the commotion above. However, Aphra is preoccupied with the spectral presence, which has caused several metal components and tools to levitate. Upon hearing the ghost speak about being mindful of her companions, Aphra concludes that the ghost is not her late mother, as she would never harm a "beautiful mad probability droid." She subsequently fires upon the ghost.
Enraged by their hostile actions, the ghost declares that the unworthy will be consumed before unleashing a swarm of Gundravian hookspores, a highly infectious fungal organism that is dangerous to most lifeforms. Aphra and Lopset engage the hookspores with their weapons, causing them to retreat. Lopset describes the fungus as "exquisitely infectious," which prompts Aphra to question his claim of being an electrician. Lopset counters that he is "multidisciplinary" and asks why Aphra isn't fleeing from a haunted mushroom.
While examining the damaged starship, Aphra observes that it is a combination of mystical Force phenomena and weaponized biohazard hidden within the wreckage of a Jedi starship. The pair discovers the remains of a fallen Jedi and their lightsaber. As they investigate the wreckage, Tolvan and Starros, having resolved their differences, unite to rescue Aphra. After eliminating a hubdroid, they approach the wrecked Jedi starship where Aphra and Lopset are exploring.
Upon emerging from the starship, Aphra and Lopset are surprised to encounter the Cult Cobra, along with Tolvan and Starros. An apologetic Aphra asks Tolvan if she could summon their getaway TIE fighter. Before anyone can respond, a hubdroid orders the prisoners to disarm and return to their designated areas. The droid then escorts Aphra away for interrogation. Aphra's allies remain passive, observing without intervening.
Dr Aphra is secured to a chair while the Mairan wraps its tentacles around her. The delighted Imperial interrogator informs Aphra that the creature thrives on her resistance, explaining that emotional flagellation is a unique trait of the Mairan species. He elaborates that the Mairan can access all of her memories, including her sins, guilt, and shame. The interrogator asserts that confession is the only source of relief she will find. Aphra begins to speak about her mother Lona Aphra, but the interrogator suspects that she is attempting to delay the interrogation. He warns Aphra that the creature has the ability to erase or distort past memories, making it impossible for her to trust her own recollections.
The interrogator insists that resistance is futile. In an effort to prevent the Imperials from uncovering Darth Vader's clandestine plan, Aphra instead informs the interrogator and the lieutenant about the hookspore outbreak on the space station. The lieutenant quickly realizes that Aphra is being truthful.
Elsewhere on Lucrehulk Prime, an alien rebel officer informs General Hera Syndulla that they have lost contact with the Volt Cobra after the ship sustained damage. Syndulla attempts to reach Starros, inquiring whether she has located Aphra. Meanwhile, Tam Posla makes a mental note to investigate Dr Aphra once he has apprehended Dr Evazan. He also expresses his gratitude to the droid from Son-Tuul that sold him his current starship. The droid seller is revealed to be Aphra's homicidal protocol droid 0-0-0.
As Tolvan and Starros discuss their predicament, Lopset comments that their situation cannot worsen, as they have already reached the lowest point. Shortly thereafter, the prison authorities announce that Accresker Jail has been contaminated by the biotoxin hookspore. To prevent further contamination, the facility is being decommissioned, with all droids recalled and proximity bombs deactivated. The Imperials plan to send the planet on a collision course with a rebel planet. The announcer informs the doomed prisoners that their deaths will contribute to the "common good" of the Empire before thanking them for their services. Aphra realizes that she has only made their situation even more dire.
- UPC 759606086290; July 25 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 02211; Cover A; Ashley Witter 02221; Cover B; Rod Reis