Agent of the Empire comics consist of only two story arcs: Iron Eclipse and the Hard Target. This is the introduction to the agent Jahan Cross, and a glimpse at Imperial Intelligence during the conflict between Empire and Alliance. It takes place 3 years up to almost right before Star Wars A New Hope.
The first arc, Agent of the Empire Iron Eclipse, introduces Jahan Cross and his role and relationship to the Imperial Security Beaureau or ISB. This is head at the time by Armand Isard. His rough relationship with his superiors after occasionally blasting someone without prior authorization. Those blasted tend to be trying to kill him, after he uncovers some malfeasance on their part, such as embellement of Imperial funds or other corruption.
Cross’s current mission sends him outside the bounds of the Empire to the Corporate Sector. This means he has little backup, given that he can’t trust the Imperial ambassador there, who has ties to the Stark family he is investigating. His only allies are In-Ga, a human replica droid, and Han Solo, who owes him a favor after he diplomatically disentangles he and Chewie from an Espo entanglement.
This Agent of the Empire is a ladies man enough to get information out of them without them knowing. He quickly finds himself compromised and framed for murder. Someone doesn’t like him nosing around, and sees through his diplomatic cover. With the help of Solo (who has no love of Espo security police) and the likes of Ella Stark (who agrees something is wrong) he quickly finds the source of the problem on a space station…where he finds a lot of trouble for one man to handle.
The story also includes flashbacks to his childhood, the trauma his current assignment reminds him of. This tells us why he joined the ISB.
Review for Agent of the Empire Iron Eclipse
In a way, Jahan Cross’s introduction reminds me a bit of Theron Shan crossed with James Bond. High tech gadgets, ladies man, and a penchant for aggravating superiors!
I had long forgotten the Stark Hyperspace Wars from Republic Comics and was surprised to learn of Ian Stark’s fate. I also found it a bit unusual to see Han Solo and Chewie aid an Imperial. While Han may have known little of his old friend’s current occupation, he certainly knew he was Imperial when he last saw him.
Agent of the Empire Hard Target
Jahan Cross’s first hint the Empire might not be as much better than the Republic comes here. If he’s ordered to deal with someone, he overall expects that the order is for the good of the Empire, that the person dealt with is a threat. But corruption does exist and ISB doesn’t approve him asking questions. So when the Count Dooku of Sorenno (not to be confused with the late Jedi turned Sith) is assassinated, and the heir is a child, he is sent to be sure the Imperial selection is to be regent.
This lands the Imperial agent in some sticky situations. His own father is the ambassador there for one thing, and seeking what is in the best interests of the world, not the Empire. Turns out he likes Bron, the boy who is to be next in line to be count, and the boy knows most of the wanna be regents would have him killed too, before he came of age.
Ultimately, Imperial Agent Cross has to find a way to work with Candra, Bron’s security chief, to save the boy while also making sure the Empire gets what it wasnts.
Review for Agent of the Empire Hard Target
I loved getting a look at Sorenno at last. These are the former Jedi Dooku’s relatives and the first time we see the world itself and find out the impact his turning Sith and leading the Confederacy has on it. Imperial retaliation was horrifying. It has swashbuckling action sky ships, a pirate attack, a prison that was built to hold Jedi and an underwater rescue.
I liked the solution Jahan Cross came up with even as I winced at the collateral damage to the lives of those who were only tangentally involved. One could just imagine if they knew the whole truth about what he’d done and caused. He also knew the Organa’s fairly well it seems. This raised up some definitely possibilities for where future Agent of the Empire comics might have gone.
Ultimately, I am very sorry the Imperial Agent stories didn’t continue a bit longer. While I can see the man taking down the Organa’s if the Imperial Agent Jahan Cross knew they were involved with the Rebellion, I cannot see him being fine with the destruction of the entire planet, particularly the children. His collateral damage is accidental, an unfortunate side effect, not an intentional terror tactic.
I would’ve loved to see Jahan use his ISB skills to start cautiously digging deeper into the Empire and discovering the truth about the corruption. It would’ve been very interesting to see him become a true double agent, or try on his own to stop the corruption.
Continuity and Lore
Iron Eclipse ties into the Stark Hyperspace War in Star Wars comics, prior the rename to Republic comics trhough Ian Stark.
Human Replica Droids appeared in the Jedi Prince kids series, and were made famous in Shadows of the Empire by the character Guri.
The events in Jahan Cross’s flashbacks occur during the attack on Coruscant in Revenge of the Sith.
Han Solo‘s appearance sets the story at the same time as his Corporate Sector days in the Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley. Soontir Fel, who is mentioned, can be found in X-Wing Rogue Squadron comics.
Agent of the Empire Hard Contact deals with the latest Count Dooku of Serenno. Circumstances on Sorenno are a direct result of the former Jedi turned Sith Count Dooku’s actions during the Clone Wars in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Darth Vader himself dealt with Serenno siding with the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
