Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #26

Hello there,

It's time for me to discuss the twenty-sixth issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. The cover depicted a damaged R2-D2 with Luke Skywalker standing behind it. There's also a downed TIE fighter and a pilot pointing his pistol at the two Rebels in the background. The tale was titled "Doom Mission!" The issue had a publication date of August 1979.

The story started in Yavin's orbit, as the new ship Luke and Princess Leia had just purchased from Jorman Thoad (last issue) was limping along with a damaged engine, faulty communicator, and failing shields, all while being attacked by TIEs. Artoo tried to take care of the internal damage with C-3PO, but things seemed grim until a squadron of X-Wing fighters arrived to take out the Imperial vessels. 

Luke soon landed his ship, and he and Leia explained their plight to General Dodonna. Leia's macrobinoculars had recorded footage of a House of Taage mining explorer in the area. It showed how it sent TIE fighters out into a strange cosmic storm, which explained how the fighters were able to launch regular attacks on the Alliance base. It was still unknown just what was in the storm that allowed the TIEs to emerge unscathed.

That was something that Skywalker was willing to investigate. He and Artoo took a Y-Wing to one of the nearby moons where a TIE had crashed. Unfortunately, Artoo was damaged when he was trying to obtain information from the downed ship's controls by the blast from the fighter pilot's pistol. Luke took out the enemy after grabbing the signal device they'd been after, and rushed his beloved astrodroid back to the base.

While waiting for Artoo to be repaired, Luke and Leia thought about their next moves. Dodonna joined the heroes, having something to share. He showed the duo a TIE fighter that they'd captured some time before. The signal device that Luke had obtained would allow them to penetrate the storm as an undercover agent.  As Luke flew off in the pirated craft in his attempt to unravel the mystery, Leia wished her companion luck as Threepio hoped his counterpart could be fixed.

Luke soon made his way inside the cosmic storm. He learned that it was being generated by a large turbine. He quickly attacked the Imperial craft, just as Baron Taage was renewing his lightsaber practice inside of it. Luke's attack run was successful. Now all he had to do was to escape. 

Using the Force, Skywalker discovered a way out amidst the swirling winds and aftermath of the turbine's destruction. His ship emerged a little worse for wear, but Luke's mission was successful nonetheless. He was unaware that Taage escaped the turbine just in time and had followed the stolen TIE out of the storm. The baron swore vengeance on the young Rebel, just like he did on Darth Vader, the man who'd damaged his eyes in an earlier confrontation and forced him to wear the visor that was now his trademark. 

This was a rather brief storyline, but I guess it was okay. It seemed to me that Artoo was rather unnecessarily put in harm's way just to obtain the Imperial signal device. Fortunately, he would recover soon enough. This wasn't the only time in this series that Rebels used a stolen TIE fighter to infiltrate the Empire. There's a much better storyline that uses this tactic later on, after the Empire Strikes Back adaptation. 

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the twenty-seventh issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. Luke and Threepio go offworld to find parts for Artoo's repairs, and run into the first bounty hunter featured in this series. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #25

Good afternoon all,

Today's focus is on the twenty-fifth issue of the first Star Wars comic book. The cover showed Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in space suits, being attacked by a trio of TIE fighters. The story was called "Siege at Yavin!" The issue had a cover date of July 1979.

The tale began with a sextet of TIEs converging upon a Rebel sentry post on the fourth moon of Yavin. A squadron of X-Wings was dispatched from the planet to counter these ships. Some were more successful than others in defending the base.

Afterward, General Dodonna and other Rebel Alliance leaders were struggling to ascertain where the Imperial ships came from. Scanners indicated no Star Destroyers or other vessels that could have carried the short-range fighters. They had to find a solution soon, or it might be the end of the Rebellion.

On the planet Centares, Luke and Leia were haggling with merchant Jorman Thoad. They acquired a ship in exchange for the craft they'd received from Senator Greyshade (in issue #23) in the hopes that it would be inconspicuous enough to avoid Imperial detection. They left Centares in their new vessel moments after noticing a House of Taage mining explorer was bound for the Gordian Reach, which was the same system that their home base of Yavin was in.

The Taage ship was commanded by Baron Taage, who was engaged in lightsaber practice during the trip through hyperspace. He wore special glasses after being wounded by a lightsaber blade belonging to Darth Vader. He practiced for the day when he would meet the Sith Lord again. After his exercise, a crewman informed his superior that their ship had been followed. Taage smiled, doubtful that the smaller craft could successfully pass through the Imperial blockade. 

Shortly after their return to that system, Luke noticed several heavy-duty mines in the area. He deftly avoided most of them before realizing that the planet's gases made a sort of natural jamming field. Luke and Leia soon donned space suits and jetted down to one of the nearby moons to observe the mining craft.

Taage deployed several TIEs from his ship, which were observed by the Rebels on the moon below. Luke and Leia watched as the fighters flew into a storm and disappeared. The Rebel heroes returned to their new ship, where R2-D2 and C-3PO were waiting. They didn't know what happened to the TIEs, but as they were trying to investigate, they found themselves under attack by more TIE fighters, one of which made a lucky shot that incapacitated one of their ship's engines. 

Penciller Carmine Infantino finally got the correct shape of regular TIE fighters, but I still have concerns about his artwork in general. It was good to see some of the Rebel leaders again, although in the newspaper strip by this time, the Rebels had already left Yavin. The comic book and newspaper strip were not in the same continuity, however. The Taage family was an interesting bunch. It's too bad they were mostly forgotten before the Empire Strikes Back adaptation began.

Well, that's all for now. Tomorrow, I'll recap the conclusion of this mini-epic. Luke and Artoo take a closer look at this new threat, and we'll see just what Taage and company had in store for the Rebels. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #24

Good afternoon,

Today's blog article is all about the twenty-fourth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars comic book series. The cover showed Obi-Wan Kenobi preparing to defend a protocol droid from several weapon-toting adversaries. The tale was titled "Silent Drifting." The issue had a publication date of June 1979. 

The story started out in space, as the Millennium Falcon was attempting to flee a pair of pursuing TIE Fighters. Its captain, Han Solo, decided to let his vessel lie motionless after a hit on the back quarter. This lured the unsuspecting Imperial craft in, only to be blasted from forward and aft cannons. 

Han, Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker marveled at the ease of their victory. Princess Leia told Kuke that it was a strategy very similar to one utilized by Ben Kenobi several years ago. It was a story that her late father, Bail Organa, had told her about an event back in the days of the Old Republic.

Kenobi was a passenger on a pleasure ship. The Jedi Master had mostly kept to himself until a protocol droid named 68-RKO struck up a conversation with him. The droid was on his way to Alderaan to enter into service for Bail and asked the Jedi if he could act as his owner until they arrived, since he knew how poorly droids were treated and viewed by some at the time.

Obi-Wan was more than happy to share his quarters with the friendly translator droid. However, they soon came across a rather surly bar patron, who asked RKO why he wasn't in storage. He didn't take too kindly to being tripped by the Jedi, and rose to attack the warrior, who merely stood his ground and activated his lightsaber, pointing the energy blade at his leaping assailant.

Afterward, a criminal named Augustus Tryll invited Kenobi to a private chat. He asked the Jedi if he'd be interested in forming a partnership with him. Ben knew Tryll's reputation and politely declined before leaving to show RKO his quarters. The duo was on their way when a voice came over the intercom, reminding all passengers to deactivate all privately owned machinery before they entered the Merson asteroid belt. 

This was a necessary action because the Mersons were hostile to Republic forces. Shutting those devices down would usually allow ships like that to traverse the asteroid belt without incident. Later that evening, a crewman knocked on Kenobi's door, stating that the captain was requesting the Jedi's assistance. Ben and RKO were escorted to the captain's quarters, where they soon saw the reason for concern.

A pair of Merson ships had been detected in the asteroid belt for the first time. Once other passengers were alerted to this via viewscreens, rumors began to circulate. Obi-Wan eventually realized that they were there because a signal must be alerting them from inside the very craft that they were on. 

The pleasure ship was only equipped with a pair of standard energy cannons. Fortunately, they would be enough. The Merson fighters were eventually positioned directly in front and behind the ship, respectively, and each one was taken out by a separate cannon's blast. 

RKO informed Kenobi that the signal was coming from the lounge where they had first met. Ben went to investigate and dealt with passengers' anxious accusations and demands for answers. Some suggested that Tryll was behind the signal. Kenobi used the Force to identify the signal's source, which was the fermentation device behind them. He tossed his lightsaber at the machine, and its blade annihilated the device, subsequently terminating the signal in the process.

Without the signal, the additional Merson ships in the asteroid belt had no idea that a Republic cruiser was in the vicinity. The rest of the journey was peaceful for Kenobi, RKO, and the rest of the crew and passengers. Luke enjoyed hearing about his former mentor. Han dismissed the Force, as usual, but was happy that his ship was fully functional again and could be on its way free from danger once more. 

I enjoyed this story that was written by Mary Jo Duffy. This was her first script for this title. She would return to plot most of the stories from issue #70 to the final issue, #107. It was a nice bridge issue between storylines. Bob Wiacek continued to improve as an inker and helped to overcome some of Carmine Infantino's rough pencil work. 

That wraps up this article. Tomorrow, I'll concentrate on the twenty-fifth issue of this title. Archie Goodwin returns to begin a new storyline. The heroes make their way back to Yavin, and there will be new ships and new menaces along the way. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #23

Good afternoon,

Today's topic is the twenty-third issue of Marvel's first Star Wars series. The cover depicted the Millennium Falcon departing the gaming station known as the Wheel, with a larger-than-life image of Darth Vader in the background. The tale was titled "Flight Into Fury!" The issue had a cover date of May 1979.

The story started in a private hangar bay belonging to the wheel administrator, Senator Greyshade. He'd just made a deal with Princess Leia Organa to depart the station with her on that vessel. Luke Skywalker didn't agree with the bargain, but he and his droids R2-D2 and C-3PO had no choice but to let her friend go on. The Rebels were still reeling from the apparent loss of the Falcon's pilot, Han Solo, at the hands of his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca, during the station's gladiator games.

What they didn't know at the time was that Solo and Chewie were working together to defeat the other opponents. Han had stolen a small hand shield after blowing up one of the arena's explosive traps and placed it under his shirt. It protected him from the shot that he took from Chewbacca's pistol. While that was going on, a revived Imperial Commander Strom emerged from Greyshade's private suite, declaring that he'd been drugged by his host and that the station was now under Imperial law. That news didn't sit well with the complex's patrons, who were fine with gambling and spending their leisure time, so long as they didn't have the constant threat of the Empire hanging over them while they were there. 

Strom ordered his Stormtroopers to find the Falcon's occupants and kill them on sight. He'd hoped that their faked Rebel attacks on the station would sway the guests to their cause. However, Greyshade's aide, the robot Master-Com, knew that Artoo had taped Stormtroopers in the act of pilfering Wheel profits. Before that tape could be broadcast, Master-Com found himself under arrest by Stormtroopers and subsequently destroyed. 

Luke and Threepio soon ran into a squad of troopers, while Artoo lagged behind and sought another way out. In the casino, Chewbacca had his winnings loaded onto a lift along with Han's body. Solo had grabbed a security guard's blaster and used it to fight for their freedom. Threepio and Luke soon reconnoitered with Greyshade and Leia, when the young farmboy detected Vader's impending arrival by using the Force.

Although his Star Destroyer had been almost taxed to its very limits by the voyage, Vader's ship was almost upon the Wheel. There, the Dark Lord of the Sith hoped to learn the identities of the ones who had destroyed the Death Star. At the same time, Artoo was found by Master-Com, who had transferred his programming into another robot body (which he also did in issue #19). He took the small astrodroid to a nearby terminal where he could finally broadcast the tape that showed Wheel inhabitants the truth. This led to a riot against the Imperial forces on board. 

Han and Chewie were just outside the hangar where the Falcon sat when they encountered more Stormtroopers. Chewbacca pushed the lift at them, which unfortunately still contained their winnings. At the same time, Luke, Greyshade, and Leia were trapped by more troopers. The Rebels had no choice but to flee in the Senator's ship, which they did mere moments before Artoo was launched into space in an escape pod that he'd been directed to by Master-Com.

Greyshade reunited with his robotic assistant moments before Strom arrived. The Wheel administrator tossed a proton grenade, a last resort that would soon spell the demise of the Imperial leader and his two opponents. It didn't take long for Luke and Leia's ship to reach the Star Destroyer. They were saved from being hauled inside by a tractor beam by a salvo fired from the Falcon.

Han and Chewie continued to attack the larger Imperial craft, while Vader instructed his subordinates to destroy the ship that he recognized as the one that had blasted him out of the trench during his defense of the Death Star (way back in issue #6). A mental blast via the Force from Luke affected Vader strongly enough to allow both of the smaller ships to escape. Vader still didn't know the identities of the ships' passengers, but they'd escaped for now. We then saw Luke, Leia, Threepio, and Artoo together again in Valance's ship. It was Luke's first time using the Force in that manner. He knew that it was effective, but that alone might not be enough to stop the Sith Lord for good. 

That marked the end of this storyline. It seemed to me that the conclusion felt a little rushed, and I wished that it wasn't the end for Master-Com and Greyshade. We still have yet to see them in any other Marvel Star Wars comics, although the Wheel would be featured briefly in an issue after the Empire Strikes Back adaptation. 

That's it for this article. Next time, I'll write about the twenty-fourth issue in this series. Mary Jo Duffy scripted a story that harkens back to Obi-Wan Kenobi's past. It also takes place after the events in Star Wars #15. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #22

Happy Sunday afternoon, everyone,

Today, I'll be discussing the twenty-second issue of the first Star Wars comic title. The cover showed Chewbacca and Han Solo squaring off in a contest to the death. The story was called "To The Last Gladiator!" The issue had a cover date of April 1979.

The tale began during the gladiator games on the Wheel space station. Han and Chewie were among the final competitors that were released into an arena in zero gravity. Each combatant was armed with a small shield and a needle ray pistol. Solo soon found that his blaster was defective, and had to resort to using his shield and diverting opponents into obstacles as defensive measures.

Chewacca informed Han that his blaster didn't work either, so he'd discarded it. Solo then realized that he and his longtime friend had been set up for failure. Someone didn't want either of them to win.

The someones were none other than the ship's administrator, the former Galactic Senator Greyshade, and his Imperial Commander companion Strom, who were watching the match from the safety of the royal lounge with great interest. Greyshade knew that the contracts each competitor signed clarified that the battle was to the death and that there could only be one winner. If a participant didn't comply with that stipulation, it was grounds for their execution. 

Strom had struck a deal with the administrator to siphon part of the Wheel's profits for the Empire for their war efforts, not knowing that his colleague would poison his guest. Meanwhile, a recently revived Luke Skywalker was leading Princess Leia Organa and his droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, toward a docking bay where they'd just seen several Wheel guards retreat to. They'd noticed (last issue) that Stormtroopers had purloined Wheel winnings, and several of them opened fire after a pneumatic door opened around the next hallway.

Before the conflict could rage on, Greyshade arrived on the scene. He led the quartet away, while a large Star Destroyer was straining its engine's limit to reach that destination. Darth Vader was convinced that the Rebels who'd destroyed the Death Star were on the Wheel, based on information he'd received from a dying Rebel on another world (as shown in the last issue). Absolutely nothing could deter the Sith Lord from his goal.

Greyshade had taken his prisoners to another area of the complex, where his private ship was waiting. He wanted Leia to journey with him anywhere they and the treasure aboard would take them. Luke was determined to free the princess yet again. Greyshade reminded the young farmboy that their ship's pilots were still engaged in the gladiatorial contest, pointing to a nearby viewscreen.

There were fewer opponents now for Han and Chewie, but that didn't make anything easier. They still had challenging foes and obstacles to overcome. Eventually, Chewbacca fired what appeared to be a fatal shot at the Correllian. Leia and Luke were stunned by this outcome. Leia agreed to Greyshade's terms, but pointed out how hollow and bitter the Senator's prize was.

It seemed rather inevitable that Solo and Chewbacca would square off against each other. This conclusion was certainly inferred in the last two issues. I was somewhat surprised that Greyshade's robotic aide, Master-Com, was absent in this issue. He was the one supporting character during this storyline that I found to be the most interesting. 

Well, that's it for now. Next time, I'll recap the twenty-third issue of this series. We'll find out just what happened to the Falcon's crew following their battle to the death. We'll also learn what Vader was able to accomplish after arriving at his destination as this storyline concludes. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #21

Hi there,

Today's focus is on the twenty-first issue of Marvel's first Star Wars comic. The cover showed C-3PO, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia in action against the backdrop of the evil Darth Vader. The story was named "Shadow of a Dark Lord!" The issue had a cover date of March 1979.

The tale began with Leia looking at the lone guard who was standing between her and an elevator lift. She'd just escaped from Senator Greyshade's private suite, and soon got the guard to admit that there were fewer personnel in that sector because the main concentration was on the big games in the casino. She blasted the man before ascending toward the Crimson Casino, where Han had told everyone to meet up (back in issue #18).

As she neared that area, the princess from Alderaan thought back to how the Falcon had been blasted by an Imperial Star Destroyer, after having arrived at a House of Taage ship that had been destroyed. The attack had been carried out by the Empire. That act and the strafing run by an X-Wing fighter (in issue #20) were planned to generate distrust in the Rebellion. The Star Destroyer's commander was working with Greyshade on a deal that would transfer profits from the Wheel space station to further their galactic conquest.

Meanwhile, the formerly unconscious Luke's eyes opened. He had been dreaming about being chased until his former mentor, the late Obi-Wan Kenobi, informed him that Vader was the threat. He lashed out at the Sith in his mind, while simultaneously breaking free from the restraints that had bound him to a table in the Wheel's medical sector. He then pried open a nearby locker and grabbed his belongings before moving on, continuing to fight the menace in his mind.

By the time he came to his senses, Skywalker had already taken out several Wheel guards. Leia, Artoo, and Threepio arrived by his side just as he was emerging from his trance. He told his friends that the Force made him aware to the fact that Vader (last seen in issue #6) was very much alive.

The Sith Lord was on the planet Ultaar, where he interrogated a wounded Rebel. The man lived long enough to inform the Imperials that they'd been attacked by a cyborg bounty hunter named Valance (last seen in issue #16), who was looking after the crew who had aided Leia in her escape from the Death Star. Vader soon learned that the ship that had escaped the Imperial complex was last headed for the Wheel, and made that satellite his fleet's next destination. 

Back on the Wheel, Greyshade's subordinate, the robot Master-Com, informed his leader of Leia's escape, something that he could have averted had he not been obsessed with his studies of Artoo and Threepio. Greyshade was somewhat disgusted by the fact that a human could have a close friendship with robots, until Master-Com reminded him of their own familiarity. Greyshade ordered Master-Com to return to the executive suite, as he returned to watch more of the gladiator games with Imperial Commander Strom. 

A while later, several Wheel guards caught Stormtroopers in possession of stolen Wheel profits. They dispatched the Imperials and rushed to return the valuables, all of which were observed and recorded by Artoo. As for Han, he was recovering from his last bout and was about to enter the arena for his next match, which unfortunately pitted him against his first mate, the Wookiee Chewbacca. 

While it was good to see Vader's return, I still don't like how Carmine Infantino drew him. The dark lord of the Sith would eventually meet Valance, and we would see more of the bounty hunter before the adaptation of the second Star Wars movie. I understood writer Archie Goodwin's intentions of having the Imperials use their allegiance with the Wheel administrator as a way to funnel more funds into their organization. I still felt like this particular storyline dragged on a little too long, and could have been resolved a few issues earlier. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the twenty-second issue of this title. We'll see what happens during Han and Chewie's bout and who the ultimate winner is. We'll also see Luke's first meeting with Greyshade and Vader's journey toward the gambling complex. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #20

Good afternoon everyone,

Today's topic is the twentieth issue of the first Star Wars comic book title. The cover showed Han Solo about to succumb to a four-armed opponent who carried a blade in each hand. Artoo-Deeto, See-Threepio, and a couple of aliens watched the conflict from a viewscreen. The story was called "Deathgame!" The issue had a cover date of February 1979. 

The story started with an X-Wing fighter attacking a pleasure vessel that had just departed the Wheel space station. As the gambling platform's patrons watched the action, a pair of TIE fighters swiftly eradicated the Rebel threat. Princess Leia Organa was outraged by the outcome, knowing that it was all staged by her former fellow Galactic Senator Greyshade's Imperial cohorts. 

Leia lashed out at the station's administrator, who soon left her in the sole company of his protocol droid, Master-Com. Greyshade boarded a shuttle that took him to the Star Destroyer that had been docked nearby. Inside, he began a conversation with Commander Strom. Greyshade knew that the Imperials had destroyed a House of Taage ship that had been transporting Wheel profits, and made it to look like the attack had been conducted by the Rebel Alliance. He was fine with the eventual Imperial takeover of his station, so long as he could have the Alderaanian princess to do with as he wished.

One condition of their arrangement was that Leia's companions were to be eliminated. Luke Skywalker still lay unconscious in the Wheel's medical facility, while Chewbacca and Han Solo were busy competing in the highly wagered-upon gladiator games. Artoo and Threepio had been placed in storage after being put in hock by Solo and were scheduled to be melted down. It seemed that part of the bargain would soon be fulfilled.

Han was surprised to be fighting competitors who were far above his class. His second opponent was a large four-armed humanoid who carried venomous dagger thorns in each fist. Solo's small shield would hardly prove adequate against such a threat. As Strom and Greyshade watched the bouts, Threepio and Artoo were about to be led off for a memory flush by a Wheel guard when Master-Com interfered and superceded that order.

The droids went off with Greyshade's assistant, who was curious to learn more about the droids' independent spirits. They then went to the ship's hospital, where they were astonished to find that their master was gone. Luke's restraints were broken. Master-Com noted that an alarm had sounded from the hospital area as well as a warning from the executive tower.

Leia had been using a knife to tamper with a vent's seal, and was eventually able to escape through the narrow passage. Master-Com left the droids soon thereafter, leaving them with the knowledge that they may have a new ally. Meanwhile, just as things were looking grim for Han, his opponent finally met his demise. These competitions were to the death, and while Han's passing was averted, it appeared that it was just a temporary reprieve. 

If you're a regular reader of these blog articles, you already know how I feel about this storyline. I really feel like it could have been shortened. I think that some of the battles and plot points were drawn out longer than necessary. The one new character that I found to be somewhat interesting was Master-Com. He seemed to be a free thinker who was starting to doubt the ethics of his superior. He also reminded me of a similar robot that we'd see a bit later on in the series.

Well, that's all for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the twenty-first issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. We'll find out where Leia and Luke went. There will also be the return of an infamous Imperial, and Han learns who his next opponent is. It isn't someone that he'd ever want to face. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.