Good afternoon,
It's finally time for me to tackle Marvel's Empire Strikes Back adaptation. They released a Marvel Super Special (which I still have in my collection) and adapted the movie into six parts in their monthly Star Wars comic. This article will touch on the first part of that adaptation in the thirty-ninth issue of the title. It featured Darth Vader on the cover, with a Super Star Destroyer and several other smaller Star Destroyers in the background. This was also the first issue to feature R2-D2 and C-3PO in the front corner box, instead of the usual image of Luke Skywalker with an ignited lightsaber. The issue had a cover date of September 1980.
After the front splash page, the tale began on the ice planet Hoth. Skywalker was on patrol astride a native Tauntaun. He had just radioed to Han Solo that he was going to check out a meteorite strike when a large arm knocked him off his mount. Luke didn't get to see the strange robot that had emerged after arriving on the planet.
A little while later, Solo and his Tauntaun returned to the Rebel base. After dismounting, he yelled up at his copilot, Chewbacca, who was busy working on repairs to the Millennium Falcon. A nearby officer offered remorse at Han's decision to leave, which Han replied to by saying that the bounty hunter they ran into on Ord Mantell (a tale that was covered in the Star Wars newspaper strip by this issue's artist, Al Williamson) had changed his mind.
Han then ran into Princess Leia in a hallway, and the two engaged in a spirited debate about Solo's decision to leave the Alliance. Afterward, we saw another similar-looking alien arm break open one of the interior walls of the base. Meanwhile, Luke awoke and found himself hanging upside down inside an icy cavern. He spotted his lightsaber on the ground and used the Force to bring the blade to his waiting hand.
He then used the laser beam to free himself and to swing defensively at his captor before running for safety. While their master was trying to make his way back, Artoo and Threepio were on their way to the Falcon. Threepio wondered if anyone had heard from Luke. Han certainly hadn't, but wanted the latest from the deck officer closest to his ship.
Moments later, Solo was conferring with a pair of Rebel officers who were inspecting a Tauntaun that had been attacked. Han couldn't take a speeder to find his friend, since they hadn't been properly adjusted to the cold weather just yet. He decided to go out on Tauntaun, knowing that the weather was becoming an increasing danger to his friend.
Luke had just about reached the point of exhaustion when an apparition appeared in front of him. It was the image of his former mentor, Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi. The Jedi instructed him to go to the Dagobah system to learn the ways of the Force from Yoda, the Jedi master who had instructed him. Luke passed out moments before Han found him.
Solo raced to Skywalker, just before his Tauntaun collapsed from the cold. Han worked feverishly to erect a portable shelter, while Artoo tried to use his limited scope to find their friends. Major Derlin (played by the future Cliff Clavin, John Ratzenberger) advised Leia that nothing more could be done and that the shield doors had to be closed. She reluctantly agreed, hoping for the best for her colleagues.
The next morning, a Rebel pilot out on patrol in his speeder located the missing Rebels. Luke was soon rushed to the base's medical facility and was placed in a bacta tank where his progress was monitored by the droids 2-1B and FX-7. Luke's friends knew that he'd run into some kind of trouble but weren't sure just what as of yet.
As Luke was improving, more danger loomed. Several soldiers fended off an attack by the same type of creature that attacked Luke (which was in a scene that was cut from the movie). Later, technicians detected a metallic visitor. Han and Chewie went out for a closer look. The droid blasted at them, before a lucky shot fired from Han's pistol caused a self-destruct.
The unwanted guest was an Imperial probe droid. It was a good guess that the Empire now knew of the Rebels' hiding place, and General Rieekan ordered the beginning of their evacuation. On board a massive Super Star Destroyer somewhere in the galaxy, Imperial Admiral Ozzel was informed of a possible lead in the Hoth system. While the commander demanded proof instead of leads, Darth Vader was convinced that was where the Rebels, including Skywalker, were hiding. He ordered an immediate course direction to that system.
This adaptation was developed by writer/editor Archie Goodwin and artists Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon. It's said that Garzon and Williamson would take turns on pencils and inks in this adaptation, as well as the one for Return of the Jedi. Goodwin and Williamson had already been working together on the Star Wars newspaper strip, so this felt like a natural evolution. I loved the artwork in this adaptation and wished that Williamson had drawn more Star Wars comics after the newspaper strip ended. He sets scenes wonderfully and was a marvelous artist for many years.
Well, that's it for this article. Part two of this adaptation will be in the fortieth issue of this title. The battle for Hoth begins as both Rebel and Imperial forces wage a ground war. Find out how this battle begins, and what roles the major characters from the movie play in this conflict next time. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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