In a galaxy far, far away, heroes rise and villains fall, but then there's Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra. An amoral archaeologist with a knack for trouble and top-tier blackmailing skills, Aphra consistently defies categorization. She's not quite good, definitely not evil, and always a whirlwind of unpredictable choices, bringing chaos wherever she goes.

Created by writer Kieron Gillen, Aphra's unique brand of chaos stems from her self-serving motivations, often colliding with unexpected turns of selflessness, or at least self-preservation, that inadvertently benefit others.

She navigates the treacherous landscape of the Galactic Civil War with a moral com that spins wildly, leading her into alliances with both the Empire and the Rebellion, betraying everyone, and somehow, still managing to stumble into moments of genuine connection and even heroism. Doctor Aphra's stories are a testament to the idea that not every character fits neatly into a predefined box, and sometimes, the most compelling journeys emerge from wonderfully messy gray areas.

1 Saving Luke Skywalker Was One Of Aphra's Earliest And Most Opportunistic Gambits

Darth Vader (2015), Written By Kieron Gillen With Art By Salvador Larroca

Doctor Aphra was first introduced as an ally to Darth Vader. Tasked with uncovering the individual responsible for destroying the first Death Star, Aphra discovers Luke Skywalker. Rather than reporting his true identity and location directly to Vader, she takes a different approach. She presents Vader with just enough information to keep him interested in her findings, but never enough to truly jeopardize Luke, subtly steering Vader’s pursuit away from his own son. This early act showcases Aphra’s complex motivations and her ability to manipulate dangerous situations to her advantage, all while operating in the shadow of one of the galaxy’s most terrifying figures.

Her decision to shield Luke from Vader’s full wrath isn't an act of heroism, but rather a calculated risk. Aphra recognizes that a fully operational Luke Skywalker could be a valuable asset or, at the very least, a chaotic element she might exploit in the future. Her reports to Vader are masterpieces of omission and half-truths, ensuring her own survival and continued employment while subtly disrupting Vader’s relentless hunt. This incident perfectly encapsulates Aphra's chaotic nature: she’s a master of self-preservation, but her methods often have ripple effects that inadvertently benefit those she’s supposedly working against, making her an unpredictable force in the galaxy.

2 A Constant Struggle She Faces Is Dealing With Two Homicidal Droids

Darth Vader (2015), Doctor Aphra (2016), Written By Kieron Gillen And Simon Spurrier With Art By Salvador Larroca, Kev Walker, Emilio Laiso, and Andrea Broccardo

Aphra's relationship with the murderous droids Triple-Zero and BT-1 is a constant source of both exasperation and dark humor. Triple-Zero, a protocol droid who loves torture, and BT-1, a murderous astromech, are her constant companions and often her greatest liabilities. Aphra frequently finds herself cleaning up their violent messes and attempting to mitigate any collateral damage. While she occasionally tries to direct their destructive tendencies toward goals that align with her own, their programming for chaos means she's always on high alert, trying to prevent them from completely derailing her plans or attracting unwanted attention from the Empire.

Despite the constant threat they pose, Aphra exhibits a strange kind of affection for her homicidal companions. She relies on their unique skill sets, however unsettling they may be, to navigate dangerous situations and acquire rare artifacts. Her efforts to rein them in are less about moral guidance and more about practical damage control. The dynamic between Aphra and her droids highlights her ability to thrive amidst unpredictability and her willingness to embrace incredibly dangerous alliances if they serve her immediate goals, even if it means constantly dealing with the fallout of their murderous antics.

3 Wiping Her Ex-Girlfriend’s Memory Was A Twisted Act Of Protection

Doctor Aphra (2016)

Doctor Aphra orchestrated one of her most audacious schemes to protect her ex-girlfriend, Sana Starros, from the wrath of Darth Vader. Knowing Vader was closing in and that Sana had critical information about Aphra's past, Aphra used a memory-wiping device to make Sana believe she had killed Aphra. In Aphra's twisted logic, Sana would be genuine when questioned by Vader, making her denials credible, thus protecting her from Vader's interrogation techniques. This act, while deeply manipulative, was born from Aphra’s peculiar sense of protectiveness, showcasing the lengths she would go to, no matter how ethically questionable, to shield those she cares about.

It's an act designed to create an illusion of innocence, a true testament to her ability to think outside the box and her willingness to inflict harm (psychological, in this case) on someone she cares about, all in the name of a twisted form of protection.

This incident perfectly encapsulates Aphra’s self-serving brand of care. She prioritizes Sana's safety, but her method is undeniably horrific, proving that her moral com is, at best, incredibly distorted. The memory wipe is a desperate and reckless gambit, typical of Aphra's approach to problem-solving. It's an act designed to create an illusion of innocence, a true testament to her ability to think outside the box and her willingness to inflict harm (psychological, in this case) on someone she cares about, all in the name of a twisted form of protection.

4 Aiding the Rebellion Is Almost Always An Unintended Consequence Of Her Various Schemes

Doctor Aphra (2016) And Doctor Aphra (2020), Written By Simon Spurrier, Alyssa Wong, And Kieron Gillen; Various Artists

While she's never truly a Rebel agent, Aphra’s infiltration of a Rebel training ground in the Doctor Aphra (2016) series, undertaken purely for her own benefit, frequently led to unintended advantages for the Rebel cause. Her actions, driven by her own desire for rare artifacts, often disrupt Imperial operations or provide the Rebellion with valuable intelligence, even if by accident. Aphra's complex relationship with the Rebel alliance continues into the Doctor Aphra (2020) series, where her motivations for any temporary alliance remain deeply unprincipled, yet she increasingly finds herself favoring the greater good against the Empire.

Her alliances with the Rebellion are never clean or ideologically pure; they are always transactional. Aphra will work with anyone if it benefits her, and if that means inadvertently aiding the good guys, so be it. The Rebels, ever desperate for any advantage, often tolerate her unpredictable nature because her methods, however unconventional, sometimes yield results they desperately need. This dynamic highlights her role as a wild card, a character who can never be fully trusted, but whose actions can, ironically, sometimes serve a larger, more noble purpose.

5 Seeking Ancient Artifacts Often Leads To Unexpected Discoveries

Doctor Aphra (2016) And Doctor Aphra (2020)

Doctor Aphra's overarching driving ion is the relentless pursuit and possession of rare and ancient artifacts. As a renegade archaeologist, her methods are often highly questionable, bordering on outright criminal actions like theft, deception, and a blatant disregard for galactic law. Despite her means, Aphra’s underlying motivation isn't greed in the traditional sense; it's a genuine thirst for knowledge and an insatiable desire to uncover the secrets of the past. In her twisted logic, her pursuit of forgotten history and ancient relics, even through illicit means, ultimately benefits society as a whole by preserving knowledge that would otherwise be lost.

This unwavering dedication to archeology, even with its destructive undertones, is what makes Aphra such a compelling character. Her willingness to cross any line in the name of historical discovery means she constantly stumbles into perilous situations, unearthing secrets that can shift the balance of power in the galaxy. While her methods are almost never for the greater good and frequently disruptive, her ion for knowledge occasionally leads to genuine breakthroughs that benefit the wider understanding of galactic history.

6 Aphra's "Friendships" Are Complicated And Often Put All Parties At Risk

Doctor Aphra (2016)

Despite her inherent untrustworthiness and tendency to betray anyone for her own gain, Doctor Aphra somehow manages to forge genuine, albeit incredibly complicated, relationships. Her connections with Luke Skywalker, Sana Starros, and later with the Imperial Captain Magna Tolvan, are particularly notable. These relationships highlight the duality of Aphra’s character: she is capable of deep manipulation and self-preservation, yet also demonstrates a surprising capacity for loyalty and even self-sacrifice for those she truly cares about.

These “friendships” are a constant source of internal and external conflict for Aphra, as her selfish nature often clashes with her unexpected emotional attachments. She struggles with the very concept of trust and vulnerability, often pushing away those who get too close, only to find herself drawn back by an undeniable bond. This push-and-pull dynamic within her personal relationships underscores the complexity of her character, proving that even a borderline criminal archaeologist can form genuine connections, however messy and tumultuous they may be. Her capacity for care, however sporadic and unpredictable, adds a layer of depth to her otherwise egocentric persona.

7 Facing Off Against Even Worse Individuals Often Throws Aphra Into Unexpected Alliances Against Greater Evils

Doctor Aphra (2020)

Throughout her adventures, Aphra frequently finds herself in direct opposition to people and groups who are far more dangerous and ruthless than she is. From formidable bounty hunters to the crime syndicate Crimson Dawn, Aphra often acts as a force of good against these truly antagonistic enemies. While her motivations are still primarily for personal gain, her actions in these scenarios frequently lead to the disruption of terrifying schemes and the downfall of genuinely monstrous individuals, showcasing her as a surprisingly effective agent of chaos against greater evils.

This recurring theme highlights Aphra's position in the galactic underworld. She's not a hero, but she's also not the worst villain. Her presence often destabilizes existing power structures and disrupts twisted plots simply by pursuing her own unpredictable agenda. By inserting herself into situations where she is clearly outmatched, she demonstrates a unique kind of bravery and a willingness to challenge established forces, even if her primary goal is to escape with her life and a valuable artifact. Her influence often creates unexpected opportunities for others to succeed against these darker forces.

8 Occasional Acts Of Kindness Reveal A Hidden Moral Com

Doctor Aphra (2016) And Doctor Aphra (2020)

Despite her reputation as an untrustworthy scoundrel, Doctor Aphra occasionally exhibits surprising moments of genuine kindness and empathy. These instances are rare enough to be truly impactful, serving as reminders that she isn't entirely devoid of a moral com, however questionable or erratic it may be. These moments often involve characters with whom she has developed a personal connection, proving that beneath her cynical exterior, there are glimmers of genuine care. Whether it's a small act of mercy, a moment of unexpected , or even a selfless gesture, these moments reinforce that she exists in a murky ethical gray area.

These moments are often fleeting and quickly overshadowed by her more typical unhinged adventures, but serve as important reminders that even a character as unpredictable as Aphra can surprise readers with a touch of humanity.

These unexpected acts are crucial to understanding Aphra’s chaotic appeal. They prevent her from becoming a purely irredeemable character, instead painting a picture of a person who is constantly battling her own demons while experiencing latent impulses of comion. These moments are often fleeting and quickly overshadowed by her more typical unhinged adventures, but serve as important reminders that even a character as unpredictable as Aphra can surprise readers with a touch of humanity. They add an essential layer to her character, making her far more than just another opportunistic rogue in a galaxy full of them.