Doctor Aphra 24, released on September 26, 2018, is the twenty-fourth installment in the Star Wars: Doctor Aphra comic book series. This issue, brought to us by Marvel Comics, features writing by Simon Spurrier and artwork by Kev Walker. The story contained within is "The Catastrophe Con Part V," where Doctor Aphra's escape is complicated by the unexpected arrival of both Triple-Zero and Darth Vader.
Chelli Lona Aphra, known as Doctor, informs Magna Tolvan and Sana Starros that she has lowered the gravity on Accresker Jail as they approach Tiferep Major. This will allow their escape pod to detach. She cautions them about a turbulent ride and advises them to secure themselves. Starros questions Aphra's genuine concern for their well-being. Aphra reminds Starros of her commitment to protect Tolvan from the rebels. Despite her reservations about Aphra, Starros consents to safeguard Tolvan.
Before Aphra can launch the escape pod, Tolvan exits. When Tolvan questions Aphra's decision not to escape, Aphra accuses Tolvan of acting irresponsibly. Tolvan responds that she is staying because Aphra has a contingency plan. Aphra retorts that the contingency is only for herself. Aphra reluctantly agrees to modify her plans to accommodate three individuals. Aphra, Lopset Yas, and Tolvan proceed to the main launch hangar. Lopsit, appearing anxious, inquires if there is a place for him. Aphra assures Lopset that there is. She instructs him to position himself on the grill, assigning him the task of maintaining a clear path back to the Jedi ship and the Gundravian hookspore fungus.
Soon after, Tam Posla, a bounty hunter, arrives in his starship, attracting the attention of the Hookspore swarm. Aphra persuades a hesitant Lopset to transform into Doctor Cornelius Evazan, appealing to his survival instincts. Lopset is afraid, aware of Posla's animosity towards Evazan. Aphra assures Lopset that Posla is not prone to immediate violence. Having gained Posla's confidence, Aphra deceives him by activating the coolant grille, freezing him.
Posla informs Aphra that he has brought a shuttle and requests that she uphold her end of the bargain. Aphra asserts that she has captured the fugitive "mutilator" alive. When Posla inquires if Aphra killed his partner Caysin Bog, Aphra asks if killing him would alter the situation. Posla replies that he would still honor the agreement but would later seek retribution. The sentient hookspore fungus attempts to merge with Posla, but Tolvan activates the coolant grille, freezing the creature. After briefing Posla about the hookspore fungus, Posla departs on his ship.
Aboard his ship, Posla is overjoyed about capturing "Evazan," the man he believes murdered his colleague Caysin. Posla believes that fate is on his side if a woman as unreliable as Dr Aphra could deliver such a valuable prize to him. Posla decides to verify if Aphra has delivered the correct individual and begins thawing "Evazan"'s body.
In the meantime, Tolvan asks Aphra if Posla will realize the deception. Aphra anticipates that they would have escaped in the shuttle that Posla provided before he discovers the deception. With the hookspore fungus frozen, Aphra proceeds to plunder the wrecked Jedi starship for treasure and recovers a lightsaber. Aphra intends to profit from selling the lightsaber, prompting Tolvan to comment that Aphra is reckless with her own life in the pursuit of treasure. Tolvan confesses her romantic feelings for Aphra.
With three minutes remaining before Accresker Jail's imminent collision with Tiferep Major, the two depart on a shuttle, but their ship is shot down by BT-1 and 0-0-0's ("Triple Zero") hijacked touring ship. Their ship crashes on the asteroid prison Aphra and Tolvan survive the crash. Triple Zero lands and begins killing the doomed prisoners. Aphra and Tolvan flee as the asteroid prison begins its descent into Tiferep's atmosphere. Several prisoners are swept out into space. The descent also frees the frozen hookspore fungus.
However, a tractor beam prevents the space station's collision. The prisoners, Aphra, and Tolvan observe as an Imperial Lambda-class shuttle approaches the prison. Tolvan reveals that she had a secret backup plan involving summoning Darth Vader in an attempt to avert the planetfall. As Vader begins to kill the stranded prisoners, Aphra and Tolvan retreat to a corridor within the wrecked prison.
Witnessing Vader's rampage, Tolvan expresses remorse for endangering Aphra and herself. Aphra has a sudden realization. Recognizing that people seek to harm her for her secrets and abilities, Aphra resolves to erase her memories with the assistance of the tentacled mairan. In explaining her reasoning to Tolvan, Aphra states that she is unwilling to take sides in the conflict and wishes to avoid harming her friends and loved ones. Her solution is to erase her memories to render her useless to those who seek her.
- UPC 759606086290; September 26 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 02411; Cover A; Ashley Witter 02421; Cover B; Rod Reis