Star Wars: The Heart of the Rebellion (Empire Volume 4)

It's Sunday, so it's time for another graphic novel.  Today: the fourth trade paperback in the Empire comic series.  

The Heart of the Rebellion collects issues 5-6 and 20-22 of the Empire series, as well as the "one-shot" Star Wars: A Valentine Story.  All told, there are four stories:

1) Princess . . . Warrior (Story: B, Art: B)
Princess Leia, the Imperial senator and covert Rebellion member, attempts to deliver medical supplies to Rebels on Ralltiir.  Vader's presence and suspicions there lead her to abort her mission and head to Kattada, where she attempts to get them to act as delivery middle men.  The Imperials descend on her there, forcing her (and the natives) into a firefight, where she learns about the price that must be paid if freedom is to be gained.

2) A Little Piece of Home (Story: B-, Art: B)
After the Rebels destroy the Death Star, they search for a new location for their main base. Leia travels to a moon in the Ryloth system, where she reunites with two Alderaanians- the Panteer brothers (one of whom was an old flame).  She begs them, ultimately in vain, to use their private moon as the location for the next base. 

3) Alone Together (Story: B, Art: A-)
Deena Shan, new to the Alliance, ends up on the Falcon with Han, Leia, and Chewbacca for a short time.  Her crush on Solo fizzles after she sees him and his friends in action, and she grudgingly realizes that friends of such caliber- so brave and willing to sacrifice- are destined for bigger things.

4) Breaking the Ice (Story: C, Art: C+)
The Rebels are constructing their new base on Hoth, and Leia and Han are shuttling ships to the surface to aid construction.  They get caught in a snowstorm and crash on the way down, and end up alone for several hours, where Leia learns that there may be more to Han than the gruff, self-absorbed smuggler he makes himself out to be.

Overall, this collection focuses on Leia and love in the early days of the Alliance.  It's okay, but ultimately lacks relevance.  The poorest offering in the series to date.

Rating: B-