Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Star Wars: Dark Droids #2
The Star Wars franchise has many fan-favorite characters, with beloved droids like R2-D2 and C-3PO chief among them. Despite his seemingly harmless nature, however, a recent revelation in Marvel’s Dark Droids crossover event finally cements one very popular fan theory: R2-D2 is one of the most dangerous droids in the Star Wars galaxy.
Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 – by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, Alex Sinclair, and Travis Lanham – finds R2’s gold-plated companion C-3PO overtaken by the Scourge, a malevolent artificial intelligence seeking to assimilate mechanical life throughout the Galaxy.
It is the ancient, dangerous enemy known as the Scourge that reveal’s Artoo true capabilities. Masquerading as Threepio, the Scourge thinks, “I need to be careful…This one is a warrior.”
R2-D2 Is A Battle-Hardened Veteran
Artoo’s combat experience doesn’t save him from being forcibly jettisoned out of the airlock by the Scourge, but the mechanical malcontent recognizes the benefits of keeping the fan-favorite droid intact, taking some small comfort in the chance he’ll be able to possess the beloved astromech one day. While Artoo has seen his share of action in every cinematic entry of the Skywalker Saga, C-3PO has been alongside him for most of it. And knowing everything that Threepio knows about his diminutive companion, it’s no wonder that the Scourge recognizes the other droid as both a true threat to be reckoned with and a potential weapon to utilize.
R2-D2 May Be The Galaxy’s Most Underrated Warrior
After all, Artoo’s actions have changed the course of the Galaxy more than once. In the Original Trilogy, R2-D2 is vital to helping Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance destroy the Death Star, not only by bringing Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi the message given to him by Princess Leia Organa, but by co-piloting Luke’s X-Wing as his personal astromech. Even before his time as the young Skywalker’s personal companion, Artoo fought alongside his father Anakin throughout countless battles during the fabled Clone Wars. Fans of the franchise, and C-3PO himself, have even seen Artoo go toe-to-toe with plenty of Separatist and Imperial droids throughout the series, always coming out on top.
The Scourge taking R2-D2 out of the fight in Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 as quickly as possible is ultimately its best chance for success. Star Wars is home to many beloved heroes, and R2-D2’s history has definitely earned him a spot alongside the greats like Yoda or Luke Skywalker. The trusty astromech may frequently be seen as a lovable sidekick, or even as comic relief, but he’s been the difference between victory and defeat for many of the franchise’s greatest heroes more than once. Ultimately, the Star Wars franchise’s R2-D2 is more dangerous than anyone aside from C-3PO, and now the villainous Scourge, realize.
Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.