Issue 160

The holiday season is in the rear-view mirror, but we have a trio of comics to catch up on this week- Kit Fisto gives us his classic grin…twice, the Bad Batch run into another clone unit stepping onto their turf, and Boba Fett has opinions but he ain’t sharing them…

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 159

We bring 2025 to a close with a number of stories about transcending darkness: Kai Brightstar; Qui-Gon Jinn; Leia, Rey and Finn; and a rare spark of kindness in Niima Outpost. It’s a ray of hope going into 2026, with the Shadow of Maul and shadows of uncertainty lurking around the corner….

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775 

Issue 158

It’s an all-sequel-era Tractor Beam!

Poe *finally* finishes his Codebreaker mission.

Han *finally* tells us how he really feels.

Kylo Ren *finally* refuses to let “potential” keep him from his destiny.

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Resident #Sequelist Joel Davis

https://jid20234.bsky.social 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 157

Boba Fett’s quest to settle a score takes a cult-like turn, giving us more Bomarr Monks than we ever thought possible!

Also, Marvel’s February 2026 solicits are out, giving us some answers (JAR JAR!) and more questions about the future of Star Wars comics.

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775 

Issue 156

The sins of Qui-Gon’s past – and of his master – call in their debt. But decades later, the Resistance against the First Order remembers the Jedi quite differently….

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775 

Issue 155

Can Kit Fisto and Nahdar get to the bottom of what’s sinking the station? Can Luke singlehandedly broker peace in the Fenril Sector? Can Chewie save Han and Leia’s marriage?

A little bit of column a, a little bit of column b…

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 154

Kylo Ren, although he doesn’t know it, is on his own hunt for Ben Solo. Boba Fett hunts a strange bounty, and the Crimson Corsair hunts a magic psychosis spacefish.

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Resident Sequelist Joel Davis

https://jid20234.bsky.social 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 153

The Nightlander takes Luke and Leia on a trip, Aphra goes on a family adventure, and Kelleran Beq makes his long-awaited return!

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 152

Empires rise, underwater stations collapse, but love conquers all. Who is Ben Solo, anyway?

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Resident Sequelist Joel Davis https://jid20234.bsky.social 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 151

New York Comic Con! We love it, and one of us was there for it! The Lucasfilm Publishing Panel had some juicy comics reveals, and some potentially juicy omissions. Join us as we break it all down and look ahead to what’s next!

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 150

The comic book industry has seen unprecedented, rapid change over the last few years. The biggest shift is that Diamond’s monopoly on distribution is as shattered as the Galactic Empire following the Battle of Jakku. How did this all come about, how might it impact Marvel and Dark Horse, and therefore affect Star Wars comics going forward?

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Expert Guest Brandon Schatz!

https://bsky.app/profile/soupytoasterson.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/variantedmonton.bsky.social

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 149

The nascent New Republic fights for its life as the Fenril Sector threat picks up steam. Luke, Rynn, Han and Beilert fight some clankers.

Also, Marvel’s December solicits are in–we chat about what’s on it…and what isn’t

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 148

Hey! It’s *Doctor Abra* to you!

This week we catch up with our favourite Rogue Archeologist stuck on pipsqueak guard duty with Chewbacca. We also chat about Jason Aaron’s revealing quotes on the limits of his 2015 run.

And yes, we also talk about that teaser-trailer.

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Resident Sequelist Joel Davis

https://bsky.app/profile/jid20234.bsky.social 

Plus! Check out Tractor Beam Live! A Hive of Scum and Villainy, from Fan Expo Canada 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5i3naToq4 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 147

Boba Fett? Boba Fett? Oh no it’s just battle droids…

This week we get to see just what Boba is made of, and Han, Luke, Rynn and Beilert run into a literal blast from the past!

Hosted by

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Plus! Check out Tractor Beam Live! A Hive of Scum and Villainy, from Fan Expo Canada 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5i3naToq4 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775 

Issue 146

Mace Windu and Aayla Secura rush to find a cure for Qui-Gon, by any means necessary.Lil’ Padawan Annie helps a new friend in need, but awakens a haunting spectre from Ryloth’s past.

It’s a Tractor Beam full of Space Wizardry this week!

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Plus! Check out Tractor Beam Live! A Hive of Scum and Villainy, from Fan Expo Canada 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5i3naToq4 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 145

Turn up the bass! Bust out the cake and ice cream! Marvel just launched The Force Awakens’ tenth anniversary festivities with Hunt for the Falcon #1 and Legacy of Vader #8, which give us stunning glimpses into key character moments.

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter 

Resident Sequelist Joel Davis

https://jid20234.bsky.social 

Plus! Check out Tractor Beam Live! A Hive of Scum and Villainy, from Fan Expo Canada 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu5i3naToq4 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

The Tractor Beam went to Fan Expo Canada and recorded a panel! Writer Ethan Sacks (in person) and Paolo Villanelli (calling in from Italy) joined us for a fun and engaging conversation on their brilliant Bounty Hunters run from Marvel, as well as Ethan's current Poe Dameron comic from Dark Horse.

No Trandoshan egos were harmed during the making of this video, as far as we know...

Featuring:

Ethan Sacks https://bsky.app/profile/ethansacks.bsky.social

Paolo Villanelli https://www.instagram.com/villanellipaolo/

Hosted by:

Ash Mothma: https://bsky.app/profile/bejeweledmothma.bsky.social

Matthew: https://bsky.app/profile/mneug1138.bsky.social

Follow The Tractor Beam's new Bluesky account! https://bsky.app/profile/thetractorbeam.bsky.social

Catch The Tractor Beam: Star Wars Comics Reviews every Wednesday night at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT at https://www.youtube.com/@Starwarsunderworld/streams

Issue 144

Chelli teams up with Han to retrieve a beloved cultural item! Poe makes a daring escape, First Order codebreaker in tow! Hilarity ensues.

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter  

Follow us on Bluesky! ⁠https://thetractorbeam.bsky.social 

Proudly part of the Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775 

Issue 143

Qui-Gon’s past finally catches up to him, an Order 66 survivor encounters a centuries-old menace, and Leia tries to engage in some “aggressive negotiations.”

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter  

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://eyeoncanon.bsky.social

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775

Issue 142

When Kylo Ren stares down a survivor of Order 66, he’s forced to confront his own legacy of death. If he’s going to tread his grandfather’s footsteps, he’ll want to go all the way.

When Matthew goes to San Diego Comic-Con, he brings back all the comics news!

Matthew Neugebauer https://instagram.com/mneug1138           

and Chris Abbott https://x.com/starrapter⁠ https://youtube.com/starrapter  

Resident Sequelist Joel Davis

https://jid20234.bsky.social   ⁠ 

Star Wars Underworld Podcast Network ⁠https://eyeoncanon.bsky.social

https://instagram.com/theswu    https://discord.com/invite/xhbXgRuuGx

Audio Variant Editions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sVv2fmqzkyclijjQvUPDo?si=9396ce32c6074687
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tractor-beam-comics-reviews/id1780928775