R2-D2 reassembles D-Squad to take on the Scourge

An old unit from the Clone Wars-Era is returning in its own comic book series.

The special forces unit known as D-Squad is getting reassembled in Marvel’s Star Wars: Dark Droids-D-Squad. The comic will be a part of Charles Soule’s Star Wars: Dark Droids, a horror-filled five-issue comic book crossover event in which a mysterious artificial intelligence known as the Scourge is starting to inhabit the bodies of the droids across the galaxy and also wants to take over living beings.

Star Wars: Dark Droids-D-Squad is written by Marc Guggenheim (Star Wars: Yoda) and illustrated by Salva Espon (X-Men ‘92: House of XCLL) and David Messina (Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca).

According to an article from Comibook.com, the synopsis of the Dark Droids spin-off reads that “the unsung heroes of the Clone Wars return! A terrible scourge is corrupting the galaxy’s droids! To fight this menace, R2-D2 has to assemble a team of droid heroes: The D-Squad! Filled with guest stars from across the galaxy, including a special appearance (and showdown!) by Chopper from Star Wars Rebels.”

Artoo leading the new incarnation of the D-Squad gives the astromech droid an interesting arc. During the Clone Wars, the blue astromech served in the Galactic Republic incarnation of D-Squad under the Zilkin Colonel Meebur Gascon. In addition, it is also an exciting arc for Chopper, who was also a Clone Wars veteran while battling the Separatists on Ryloth. The comic would be the second meeting of Clone Wars veterans since Rebels and expected to be a showdown.

The droids of Artoo’s D-Squad roster include Chopper,  WAC-47 (who also served alongside Artoo), bounty hunter droids IG-88 and 4-LOM, and Imperial assassin droids BT-1 and 000.

With the Scourge rapidly inhabiting the body of every droid in the galaxy, Artoo and the droids of D-Squad have their work cut out for them. The rebirth of D-Squad is probably very personal for Artoo since he was attacked and jettisoned off a rebel ship by a Scourge-possessed C-3PO in Dark Droids #2.

In an interview with StarWars.com this past June, Guggenheim explained that the issue will take place after Dark Droids #2 and how the corruption carried out by the Scourge has driven Artoo to reform D-Squad.

“The corruption that is affecting droids throughout the galaxy is made apparent to R2-D2 in a very pointed and personal way. We pick up in the aftermath of that development and with Artoo realizing that he’s going to need some help if he’s going to fight back against this menace,” Guggenheim said in the interview.

The Scourge was released by Qi’ra, Han Solo’s former lover and the leader of the criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn, as a way to stop the Empire after her attempts failed. As a result, the Scourge had infiltrated several droids within several of the Galaxy’s powerful factions, including the Empire, Rebel Alliance, Tagge Corporation, and several others.

The D-Squad first debuted in The Clone Wars animated series Season 5 episode “Secret Weapons.” The season showed a  4-episode arc which included going behind enemy lines,  rescuing Clone Commando Gregor, and preventing the destruction of a Republic conference.

Star Wars: Dark Droids – D-Squad will be out on September 20, wherever comic books are sold.