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. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #19

Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the nineteenth issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. The cover showed the space station known as the Wheel, with a skull set in its middle, along with headshots of C-3PO, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Chewbacca. The tale was titled "The Ultimate Gamble!" The issue had a cover date of January 1979.

The story started near the Wheel's medical facilities, where Threepio was carrying the unconscious Skywalker (who had passed out during a Jedi meditation session in the previous issue). Stormtroopers were right behind, as R2-D2 was attempting to open the door to that particular section. Before the troopers could blast their targets, a containment wall dropped in front of them. Their shots ricocheted across the corridor as the droids continued on their mission.

Artoo's actions were soon noticed by the Wheel administrator Senator Greyshade's droid, Master-Com. The robot wanted to study Luke's droids. His master was more interested in the exploits of Leia, a former fellow member of the Galactic Senate whom he'd noticed had recently boarded the station. 

At the moment, Leia and Solo were occupied defending the Millennium Falcon from more Stormtroopers. They'd recently entered the Wheel after discovering a bombed House of Taage merchant vessel, which they'd learned had been attacked by Imperials but made to look like Rebels were responsible for that act. The ship arrived at the station soon after being attacked by a Star Destroyer whose commander accused them of piracy and traitorous acts against the Empire.

The troopers were overtaken by Wheel security guards, who announced that Greyshade would handle the affair. Leia remembered the senator as a vile, corrupt, contemptible person. While this sounded more up Han's alley, Solo was led away to inspect his ship for the missing Wheel profits that were supposedly on the Taage ship, while Leia was taken to the administrator's quarters.

Meanwhile, Chewbacca had safely hidden the rebel pilot that they'd rescued from the Taage craft's destruction, and was stealthily making his way to the casino area. He'd just arrived when a pair of guards approached him from behind, noticing that the Wookiee hadn't established a credit limit or paid a Wheel registration fee. Chewie struck at the strangers, and a fight broke out, which several patrons quickly placed bets on. 

Only a maximum strength stun blast was able to fell the Falcon's first mate. He was taken via cart to the gladiator pits while Han anguished over the guards' inspection of his vessel. Leia was less than overjoyed to reunite with Greyshade. She'd just pointed out the possibility that the plundered Wheel profits were a crime committed by Imperials to pin on the Rebellion when Master-Com returned.

The robot had no sooner announced the arrival of the Star Destroyer's Commander Strom, when that very same Imperial blasted the droid from behind. Greyshade's security system prevented the commander from firing his weapon again, moments before Master-Com returned from a side panel in another body. Greyshade offered Leia the use of his private suite and went on to have a conversation with the Imperial.

The Wheel administrator offered Strom a partnership. He was onto the scheme and was willing to stay silent in exchange for Leia. Her traveling companions wouldn't be allowed to leave the Wheel alive. The bargain was agreed upon over drinks. 

Master-Com was in the ship's hospital minutes later, as a doctor inspected the unconscious Luke. He was about to ask who brought the human there when the droids in question were led to the Wheel's storage area, after a guard informed them that Solo had just put them up as a gambling stake. The droids were surprised by the news, but reluctantly agreed to do as they were told.

By then, Chewbacca was a hesitant participant in the gladiator games. It was a way to pay off the fines and penalties he'd accrued since his discovery on the casino floor. Meanwhile, Han was also in debt. Putting the droids in hock wasn't enough to pay for the Falcon's docking fees. He then saw a poster for the gladiator games and decided to sign up. That news was quickly transmitted to Greyshade, who was fine with that, as long as the Correllian didn't win, which was something he was determined to ensure. 

I'll be honest: this storyline wasn't a favorite of mine. I kept reading because I wanted to continue collecting the entire series. Archie Goodwin's script was better than Carmine Infantino's artwork. Overall, I kind of felt like this storyline dragged on a bit longer than necessary. Greyshade's deal with the Imperial commander was an interesting touch, and I wasn't surprised that Han put the droids up as collateral, knowing that Crimson Jack had stolen his reward from the Rebellion back in issue #7. I did want to know more about Master-Com, as he seemed to be a lot more independent than other similar droids of his kind. 

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the twentieth issue of this series. We'll find out what happens to Han after his enrollment in the gladiator games, and who his opponents are. We'll also learn more about what Leia's intentions are and see Master-Com's first meeting with Threepio and Artoo. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #18

Good afternoon,

Today's focus is on the eighteenth issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. The cover showed C-3PO carrying an unconscious Luke Skywalker in his arms, with R2-D2 behind him and a squadron of Imperial Stormtroopers in the foreground, ready to attack the trio. The story was called "The Empire Strikes!"  The issue had a cover date of December 1978.

The tale began in hyperspace, as the Millennium Falcon was on its way back to Yavin 4. Its captain, Han Solo, and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca, were concentrating on an issue with the ship's autonavigator when Threepio pointed out a problem: namely, that his master, Luke, was unconscious.

Princess Leia Organa used a medpack to determine that Luke's vital signs had slowed but were stable. Threepio explained that he and Artoo had been observing Luke's lightsaber practice session. Their master soon ended his exercise and began to meditate. He apparently saw something with the Force that caused his body to shut down. 

The Falcon dropped out of subspace and was quickly contacted by an Imperial TIE fighter whose pilot warned them that they were entering an Imperial military containment zone. Han blamed that mistake on the autonavigator's drift error and blasted the fighter out of the sky. A little while later, their ship came across a battle-damaged House of Taage mining explorer. Leia persuaded Han to bring the Rebel pilot she'd spotted near the wreckage aboard.

Unfortunately, the pilot was beyond the help of a medpack, but he did tell his new comrades that he and his wingmates had been forced into the Taage ship before it was attacked, so that it would look like the Imperial allies' ship had been destroyed by members of the Rebellion. 

Han and Leia were so busy arguing about what to do next after the pilot passed out that they almost didn't see the arrival of an Imperial Star Destroyer, whose commander suspected the small ship's inhabitants of piracy and/or rebellious acts against the Empire. Chewie's quick thinking helped them evade the warning shots, but the Falcon was soon pursued by more TIEs that were dispatched under Commander Strom's orders. By then, Han had taken over the controls and was guiding his ship toward sanctuary at a large station known as the Wheel.

The Wheel was known throughout the galaxy as a neutral location where patrons could relax and gamble. While the Falcon successfully survived the landing in one of the Wheel's docking bays, the Rebel pilot did not. Chewie went to dispose of the body, while the droids would take Luke to the station's medical facilities. Han and Leia were going to make their way to the Crimson Casino Lounge, where Chewbacca would meet them after accomplishing his task.

Of course, their arrival didn't go unnoticed by the ground crew or the Stormtroopers who were already stationed on the Wheel. The soldiers demanded to know more about the Falcon and its passengers. A request for information was raised by Strom to the station's supervisor, Senator Greyshade. Greyshade was no fan of the Rebellion or the Empire, but allowed the pursuit on the condition that one of the Rebels be kept alive for questioning and brought to him directly.

While Strom continued to scheme, a pair of Stormtroopers found the droids and their unconscious master and were about to open fire upon them. In Senator Greyshade's quarters, he kept up on updates about the Falcon's crew. One particular passenger, Leia, piqued his interest. They'd served together in the Galactic Senate, and she was now a Rebellion leader. Greystoke then informed his droids, Master-Com, that it was time to act.

Knowing what I did about Solo's background, I wasn't surprised to see a station like the Wheel that was bound to interest rogues and squadrons from various star systems. Penciler Carmine Infantino apparently didn't know the difference in designs between standard TIE fighters and Darth Vader's personal TIE, as the fighters he drew in this issue were almost identical to the Sith Lord's ship. I never did like how he drew droids, Vader, Stormtroopers, weapons, or ships, but I was willing to overlook that for the sake of this storyline. The tale's title was a play on the name of the first Star Wars sequel, which may or may not have been announced by the time this issue was published. 

That's all from me for now. Next time, I'll recap the nineteenth issue of this series. We'll find out what happened to Luke and his robots, as well as see Leia's reunion with Greyshade. In addition, we'll learn what Chewbacca did after disposing of the pilot's body and the crucial choice that Han was forced to make. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #17

Good morning,

Today's focus is on the seventeenth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars series. The cover showed Luke Skywalker in action on his homeworld of Tatooine. The tale was titled "Crucible!"  The issue had a cover date of November 1978.

The story started on board the Millennium Falcon. Skywalker was manning the controls for his friends Han Solo and Chewbacca. The solitude gave him time to think back on his days before meeting the ship's pilots. He remembered a time when he had just bulls-eyed a womp rat with a blast from his energy rifle while steering his family's landspeeder. He picked up the creature and brought it back with him, hoping that his Uncle Lars would pay him a bounty for the rodent that would allow him to purchase a set of macrobinoculars that he'd had his eye on. Little did the farmboy know that his activities had been witnessed by several Sand People (aka Tusken Raiders) and their Bantha mounts.

Luke's excitement when he arrived home was countered by his uncle's reminder that his nephew lacked the necessary parts to get their Treadwell droid up and running again. That would delay the installation of their new vaporators. Luke replied that the parts were on backlog, and that he wanted to attend his friend Biggs Darklighter's farewell party the next day.

Darklighter was leaving for the Imperial Academy and had been best friends with Luke for years. Aunt Beru pointed that out to her husband, who allowed his nephew to attend the celebration, with the caveat that he was to not ask for anything more until they had a fully functioning Treadwell. Luke happily agreed.

Afterward, Luke asked his aunt about his uncle's relationship with his father. Beru said that Owen might have depended too much on him staying on the farm, much like he did with Luke. Luke understood that his uncle cared about him and was loyal to his aunt and uncle. However, he still felt like there was more for him to accomplish outside of the farm. 

Later that evening, Luke occupied himself with repairing the family's skyhopper. He sat in the pilot's chair and started daydreaming about flying in deep space, attacking an enemy cruiser, and rescuing a damsel in distress, who thanked him warmly for his efforts. He was so lost in thought that he initially didn't hear his uncle standing right next to him, informing him that he was shutting down the external power. 

The next day, Luke joined Biggs and their friends for a friendly skyhopper race across Beggar's Canyon. The two best friends soon emerged as the front-runners. Darklighter won the competition by using ground-charge missiles to blast a pair of womp rats while he accelerated out of a dead end. 

A party began afterward. Their reverie was interrupted by the crash landing of a landspeeder that was on fire. The vessel had been driven by a military scout who was fleeing from a Tusken rampage. The Sand People had been furious that a bunch of gun runners had accidentally polluted one of their sacred wells. The Tuskens acquired their weapons, some of which were used to fire on Luke and his friends moments later.

Windy tried to radio for help, but atmospheric interference prevented anything from being sent or received, at least until the twin suns had set. Luke and Biggs decided to make a break for one of the skyhoppers. They were confronted by a Tusken, who tossed his Gaderffi stick at Biggs. The weapon's tip had been dipped in sand bat venom, which was very poisonous.

Luke took the controls of his family's skyhopper after loading his friend inside. His only chance to save Biggs was to cut through the deadly Diablo's Cut. It was a treacherous cavern passage, which ended with a Tusken scouting party. A few shots found their mark, but Luke was able to pilot the craft close enough to his family homestead to alert his aunt and uncle and call for help. 

Things had resumed to normal several hours later. Luke took some time to consider the ordeal as a test, one that he'd passed. His thoughts then drifted to recent events, from acquiring R2-D2 and C-3PO to meeting Ben Kenobi, who gave him his father's lightsaber, rescuing Princess Leia Organa, and the attack that destroyed the Empire's Death Star.

His reminiscing was broken up by Han Solo. He had woken up and was ready to relieve Han. Luke was thankful for the break, but was just fine where he was for the moment. 

This was a nice fill-in issue scripted by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Herb Trimpe and Al Milgrom. IT gave fans a little insight into Luke's past, as well as more details about Biggs Darklighter and Luke's aunt Beru and uncle Owen. I'm sure that Marvel was limited by Lucasfilm as to what they could portray, but it was still an enjoyable story, one that could be used as a point to start reading this series.

That's all from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the eighteenth issue of this series. The Star Warriors resume their journey and encounter more Imperial resistance. We'll also see a person from Leia's past. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.