In this review of The Last Starfighter #2, Alex takes on the challenge of training new Starfighter recruits, but when danger strikes, can he save everyone?
The Last Starfighter #2
Writer: Deric Hughes, Ben Raab
Artist: Willi Roberts
Main Cover: Taurin Clarke
Variant Cover: Razzah
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: August 19, 2026
This review contains spoilers
The Last Starfighter #2 picks up just where it left off in The Last Starfighter #1 with Centauri and Maggie on Kaisu fighting Naxos Ko-Ma, a.k.a. the Reaper, in order to save Hanu, the latest Starfighter recruit. After a tense battle where Centauri abandons Maggie to prepare for takeoff, the trio manage to escape back to Rylos.
Hanu is sworn in and introduced to the other recruits – Iguo, Bretta, Tyborus Kirak, and Xyla. Bretta and Xyla are quickly at each other’s throats, but Alex has a plan to get them working together. He shows them the new Stingrazors (smaller, faster Gunstars) and prepares them for a training mission.
As the recruits are readying to leave, Alex has to inform Iguo he can’t take part. It turns out Grig is his dad and doesn’t think Iguo is ready for the training. Angry, but willing to follow orders, Iguo watches as the other recruits launch.
Their training mission is interrupted when a squadron of Blackstar fighters attack. Alex orders all recruits to head back to base. They all escape, except for Tyborus, whose engines have shut down. The enemy fighters blast the recruit’s ship, destroying it, while leaving Alex and Grig alone to face the Blackstars.
Analysis
Writers Benjamin Raab and Deric Hughes started strong in the first issue and don’t let up in The Last Starfighter #2. The story never has a moment to stagnate, as there’s always a different angle being explored.
Maggie and Centauri’s encounter with Naxos on Kaisu leads to some tension between the two later in the issue. In the movie, Maggie’s character wasn’t as developed as it could have been and the current writers are making up for that now. She’s proving to be quite capable in this world, handling herself in a firefight, getting Hanu back to Rylos, and confronting Centauri about his running off during the battle. I wasn’t expecting her to play such a significant role this early, so I’m pleasantly surprised she’s getting quick growth.
Alex has his hands full in his leadership role, especially with this particular team of recruits, some of whom immediately have issues with each other. The death of Tyborus was unexpected and although we don’t get much time to form a connection with the character, it’s still a little jarring when his ship is destroyed.
Xyla and Breeta’s arguing is directly responsible for Tyborus’s death. During the training, their squabbling leads to a collision with Tyborus’s ship, knocking his engines out. I’d assume this will ultimately cause the team to put aside their differences, but I also didn’t expect Raab and Hughes to knock off a fresh recruit on their first mission.
Grig’s relationship with his son is a strained one. It looks like Grig is just trying to protect Iguo, but I have a feeling that he’ll realize that overbearing protection is a mistake. It would be great if Iguo would disobey orders and show up to save his dad and Alex in the next issue.
The artwork in The Last Starfighter #2 from Willi Roberts and colors from Francesco Segala remain top notch. Their Stingrazor design will take some getting used to, but I do like that they’re made using scrap from old Gunstars so their look can act as a bridge from familiar to new.
Final Thoughts
The Last Starfighter #2 is charged with emotion, filled with action, and punctuated by unexpected twists and turns. Alex is a great Starfighter, but how will he respond as a leader? We’ll have to wait on that answer, but the journey along the way should be fun. Have fun, comic lovers!
