Hello there,
It's time for me to discuss the thirty-seventh issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The cover showed Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 ready to do battle, with an asteroid field in the background and a black glove holding a red-bladed lightsaber in the foreground, and a shadow cast before the heroes that could only belong to Darth Vader. The tale was titled "In Mortal Combat!" The issue had a cover date of July 1980.
The story started at dawn on the planet Monastery. Lady Domina Taage was directing Luke and Vader toward opposite paths that would eventually join up. Once the participants met, the battle could begin. Vader set off first. Luke was a little hesitant, knowing that Artoo couldn't join him. Once both fighters had left, Domina smiled, thinking that this contest could spell the end for both of them.
Skywalker took his time familiarizing himself with the terrain. He soon learned that moisture in the area could cause crystals to sprout from the ground, and that attacking those crystals had explosive results. As the hero raced on, Vader stood still, observing his surroundings. Meanwhile, the Millennium Falcon flew over the range, partly due to the influence of their unwanted guest, Baron Orman Taage, who held its pilot, Han Solo, at gunpoint.
The Baron wanted to protect his sister while simultaneously wishing to have his revenge on both Skywalker and Vader, each for separate reasons. An abrupt landing on the planet distracted the baron enough for Princess Leia Organa to wrest the blaster from their enemy's hand. Chewbacca alerted Han to the approach of a pair of Imperial TIE fighters, who were soon taken out by the Falcon's guns. However, that skirmish had preoccupied the crew so much that they didn't notice Taage had fled from their ship.
Luke was continuing on his way when Artoo arrived from behind. He was still connected with C-3PO, who was still aboard the Falcon. The translator droid knew the way out of the dangerous crystal field and encouraged Artoo to lead their master to safety. That was information that the baron probably wished he'd had, as he ventured out to confront his opponents by himself.
It didn't take long for Orman to run into Vader. He was no match for the Sith Lord, who soon convinced the baron to perform a task for him, after Orman was informed that his formerly innocent sister had been corrupted by the Empire. While Han and Leia were running to inform Domina that her brother Orman was in the meadow, Luke went up against what he thought was Darth Vader.
The long-awaited struggle began. Luke sensed fear in his foe and noticed that his opponent's moves were not what he was expecting. Artoo continued to follow his master, and Threepio, through his link with the astrodroid, informed Skywalker that his sensors were detecting something that human senses couldn't pick up.
After a final slash, Luke learned that he'd been facing Orman Taage. He was surprised by the deception and was about to confront Vader himself, who'd appeared by the two combatants, before realizing that the only way to win Vader's game was not to play. By the time Domina heard the news from Leia and Han, Vader had already taken off in his personal TIE fighter.
Luke arrived moments later and was chastised by Domina for not saving her brother. She was angered by both sides and allowed the Falcon to leave, but not without her warning. Han, Leia, Luke, Chewie, and the droids were thankful that the ordeal was over and talked about what they'd learned during their flight.
Elsewhere in space, a ship came across the ruined Star Destroyer that was once hijacked by Crimson Jack. The being that this comic called Jabba the Hut (last seen in issue #28, who was later retconned as a Nimbanel by the name of Mosep Binneed, who worked for the Hutt and sometimes operated using his boss' name) stated that he'd financed the refurbishment of that vessel. In retaliation for the damage done to Jack's ship, Jabba placed a substantial bounty on Han's head, which made our favorite spice runner a wanted man once again.
This was Orman Taage's last appearance in this series. It's assumed that Luke's blow was a killing one, even though it wasn't really confirmed in this issue. Domina would return in another issue after the ESB adaptation and then remain dormant for three decades. She basically worked for herself and had long since abandoned the Monastery religious group by the time she reappeared, mainly in the Doctor Aphra books. The Taages brought a new perspective to the galactic conflict, but were pretty much forgotten after this storyline, for the most part. That can happen when books change creative teams, I guess.
Next up is the thirty-eighth issue of this series. Luke and Leia take a journey into an unexpected corner of the galaxy, in the final story before Marvel's adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back began. The yarn was beautifully illustrated by Michael Golden and is a bit out of the ordinary, but nonetheless appealing. Be here when I describe it in greater detail. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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