Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #107

Hello there,

Well, my friends, this is it! We finally made it to the end of Marvel's first Star Wars title. Today's article sums up the one hundred and seventh and final issue of that series. The cover showed C-3PO, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Han Solo, Princess Leia, a Hiromi, and a couple of Hoojibs. The tale was titled "All Together Now." The issue had a cover date of September 1986.

The story started on the planet Saijo, where Luke was ducking sniper fire in the rubble of a building. Skywalker (who looked like a blonde version of Sylvester Stallone's Rambo) was returning fire when possible and using the Force to prevent his allies, like the Nagai named Knife, from being gunned down. Den Siva and the Zeltron Dani reported nothing significant from their perch. 

They were gathered in the same area, along with Han, Leia, the droids, the pilots Trif and Maggie, the Mandalorian Fenn Shysa, and other former foes from the Nagai and the Empire. Leia talked about how leadership was finally able to reach a truce between the Alliance of Free Planets and the Nagai, whose true enemy was now the Tofs.

Den and Dani continued to argue, despite the words of others around them. Siva had fallen for the Zeltron female that he'd interrogated not that long ago. However, her feelings were rather cold, having remembered that experience and the struggle on Kinooine that she believed took the life of her beloved, the Iskalonian Kiro (who only Luke and Lando knew survived that battle and had since returned to protect the people on his homeworld). 

Luke thought back to the meeting hosted by Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma. There was no doubt as to the threat that the Tofs posed. Ackbar shared that they had made a base on Saijo, and that their leadership had made that planet their new base of operations. Many of those who attended that meeting were assigned to the ground force on Saijo, while Chewie, Lando, Wedge Antilles, and Nien Nunb were designated for aerial support. 

While the ground forces engaged in conversation within the group, the Tof cruiser Merriweather was about to send a supply ship to the planet's surface. Luke and company watched several Tof soldiers pass by and wisely decided not to engage them in combat just yet. This happened despite another argument, this time between Knife and Han, that Fenn had to break up. 

Once the squadron had passed by, Luke gathered Leia, Solo, Dani, Den, and Siva to march toward the Tof headquarters. Trif, Maggie, Artoo, Threepio, and Fenn would remain behind and stay in contact with the fleet. There was, of course, some more grumbling along the way, but at least everyone arrived at their intended destination in one piece. 

As the flight squadron waited for their orders to assemble, Luke's contingent reached the front steps of what used to be the planet's primary trading center. As they followed several Tof guards who had Nagai prisoners in tow, their Prince Sereno was having an audience with the lady Lumiya. She had previously allied herself with the Nagai (and in her true identity as Shira Brie was once an Imperial spy planted within the Rebellion to discredit Skywalker), but now found a better allegiance with the Tofs.

The guards arrived with their captives. However, the prince and his entourage didn't know about the allied forces that were lurking nearby. Knife made the first move, stabbing one of the Tof guards before drawing his blaster on others. Luke and Han ran into the skirmish, as did Dani and Leia shortly thereafter. 

During the battle, one of the Tof commanders radioed their ship asking for fighters to eliminate their foes' base. Lumiya was about to take out Knife when Leia intervened. Unfortunately, Lumiya soon acquired her blaster, leaving things a lot less hopeful than before. 

Meanwhile, Gold Squadron had been activated and proved that they were more than capable of dispatching the Tof vessels. The Millennium Falcon and their X-Wing support took out the enemy craft in near-record time. While that was going on in space, Luke had leaped across the room to find himself face to face with Sereno.

He and Han were busy with their own individual opponents to help Leia. It appeared that Lumiya was about to get her revenge on the princess, until she was shot from behind by one of the Tofs in the chamber. Just then, Lando radioed Luke with the good news that the aerial conflict was over and that it was time to celebrate their victory.

Hearing that information was enough to persuade the prince to surrender. He wondered why one of his men betrayed him. The man who had shot Lumiya then stepped out of the shadows and removed some of the makeup from his face, revealing himself to be the Correllian named Bey.

Bey explained that his disguise was a very closely guarded secret, under instructions from the admiral. He still felt loyal to his half-brother, Knife, and his childhood friend Han, adding that he was there to protect both of them. Luke joined the group after noting that he'd asked for an Alliance escort for the prince and that he'd designated Fenn to be in charge there. He and his friends realized that they now had the first real chance for peace, a goal that Skywalker was confident that they could finally accomplish. 

I first picked up this issue when I was fourteen years old at the same drugstore that I'd purchased my very first Star Wars comic at (issue #47). I hadn't read the series regularly in a while, after having lost interest following the first Cynthia Martin issue. It seemed to me like they'd run out of ideas after the fall of the Empire, and I wasn't really very surprised by how people had lost interest in the franchise, after seeing the Kenner toy line fade in favor of newer offerings like G.I. Joe and the Transformers. I wasn't very impressed with "Rambo Luke," but I was at least glad that the creative team was able to wrap up their storyline without ending on a cliffhanger. 

With this title's cancellation, there would not be another Star Wars comic book until 1991, when Dark Horse obtained the license. They published books until 2014, when Marvel reacquired the rights and began putting out more ongoing and limited series. Dark Horse just started publishing a few more Star Wars series that are aimed at younger readers a few years ago, a task that IDW had held for a while. 

I hope you've enjoyed this series of articles as much as I've enjoyed writing them. They've made me go back and revisit these issues, some for the first time in a long time. It's brought back some good memories and ideas for some of my own fiction writing. Please feel free to like, subscribe, or share these article links with others who may find them interesting. 

There's still one more piece for me before I begin a new series next week. Tomorrow, I'll recap the one hundred and eighth issue of this series, which was produced in 2019. Marvel went back to follow up on several fan favorite titles at the time, like Darkhawk, Master of Kung Fu, and this one. An all-star cast unites to share a few details from the past, tell us what happened to the Star Warriors after the events in this issue, and recognize the legacy that this series left behind. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #106

Good morning,

It's time for me to talk about the one hundred and sixth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars series. The cover showed the Zeltron Dani and Princess Leia Organa posing with blasters. The tale was titled "My Hiromi" (a take on the popular song "My Sharona"). The issue had a publication date of July 1986.

The story began on the planet Zeltros, where Luke Skywalker, his Hoojib associates, and the Hiromi, who were busy celebrating their recent victory over the invading Tofs. Luke let his new allies savor their triumph before stating that he'd need their assistance in taking over the Tof command ship. This made the Hiromi understandably nervous, but they quickly overcame their resistance.

Meanwhile, in that very ship, the Zeltron teens Bahb, Marruc, Jahn, and Rahuhl were sitting in a prison cell. Marruc and Jahn weren't feeling well, so it was up to Rahuhl and Bahb to devise an escape plan. They had a momentary respite after a guard entered carrying a tray of food, but they underestimated their opponents' intelligence and savagery. The assigned guards beat their attackers before locking them up again.

By then, Leia and Dani were making their way around the palace grounds on Zeltros until they came across the Nagai Den Siva. Dani was about to line up a shot, until a Hoojib reminded her that Den had betrayed his own people to save them. She reluctantly agreed that wasn't the right move and continued on with Leia.

Luke was trying to ascertain any clues from one of their captured Tofs that might give them an advantage. Although he wouldn't respond to the Jedi or the Hoojib Plif, the Hiromis' sheer repetitiveness finally convinced him to disclose vital details. Afterward, the heroes advanced toward the Hiromi ship and soon left en route to the Tof command ship. 

As they were leaving, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO, Lando Calrissian, and the rest of the Nagai hostages were being led through the royal grounds. Siva returned and dourly informed his subordinates that they were now prisoners themselves. The Tofs attacked moments later. Han approached one of the Tof commanders, who instantly ordered the execution of all like him.

That wasn't about to happen, thanks to Leia and Dani's timely intervention. Toward the end of the conflict, Den wound up taking out one of his soldiers. He offered himself up to the Alliance members as a hostage, or they could hear about the cooperative plan that he had. 

The Hiromi vessel had finally neared the Tof ship (which looked very similar to a pirate ship from centuries past), and Luke guided the crew to a point where they could fire safely and open an access port. Of course, he was using the Force to assist in their navigation. They landed, and Luke jumped out, immediately dispatching the Tof resistance that he encountered.

After the coast was clear, he coaxed the Hiromi out of hiding. They slowly descended the ladder extended from their ship and were assigned to defend against additional Tof forces, while Luke and the Hoojibs went to free the Zeltron teens and take care of the ship's security systems. 

Luke led the charge, and he and his companions set to work. The Hoojibs quickly deactivated all systems except for life support while the Hiromi found the cell that the Zeltrons had been placed in. They were unexpectedly attacked by the boys, who didn't know what side the Hiromi were on just yet. Luke entered the room to set things straight, and Hirog managed to blast the Tof guard who had crept up behind. Skywalker informed everyone about the charges he'd set in the ship, but they at least had a little time to celebrate another Hiromi victory before departing. 

I found this storyline to be rather silly, especially the Hiromi, who were much more scared than they initially believed themselves to be. I'm just glad that things didn't drag out for much longer. By this time, some of the stories seemed to be much more about the characters created by Marvel's creative staff than the ones that were established in the George Lucas films. 

That's it from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the one hundred and seventh issue of this title. The series finale showcased the last battle between the Alliance and Nagai forces against the Tofs. We'll learn who the victor was and what happened to a few supporting characters that we haven't heard from in a while. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #105

Good afternoon all,

Hope everyone's doing well. Today's focus will be on the one hundred and fifth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The cover showed Luke Skywalker and several Hoojibs engaged in battle with a pair of husky men in what appear to be pirate costumes (as you'll see in the inner pages, the strangers' flesh is miscolored on the cover). The story was called "The Party's Over." The issue had a cover date of May 1986.

The tale began on the planet Zeltros. Luke and the Hoojibs were the Hiromi's willing captives. Their captors were preoccupied with making themselves a few tasty treats in the palace's kitchen when a loud voice from the other side of the door yelled that the kitchen's occupants were to exit with their hands up, and that they were now the prisoners of the mystery intruders.

While the Hiromi pondered this, Luke reached out with the Force to sense the unfamiliar presence. The strangers then broke through the door moments later. The green-skinned beings, dressed in what seemed to be similar to the pirate garb of days long past, They had never encountered Hiromi before, and were disappointed to not find the Nagai that they were after. 

Plif, using his telepathy, found out that the intruders were Tofs, who came from the same system as the Nagai. Both sides were enemies. As their commander ordered his soldiers to sweep the building, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and the Wookiee Chewbacca were being held at gunpoint by the Nagai in the royal ballroom. One of the soldiers communicated with his superior, Den Siva, who had just tied up Princess Leia and Dani in one of the outer rooms. 

Han, Lando, and Chewie listened in on the conversation and learned Dani and Leia's fate. None of them knew that Siva was working with the Tofs. The Tof commander ordered that the female prisoners be taken away, along with the four Zeltron teens (who first encountered the Tofs in the last issue). He then demanded that Siva lead his allies to the rendezvous point and trick them into an ambush, or he would eliminate Dani. 

A few moments later, the Hoojibs rushed past them. They evaded the pirates' blasts, and Plif was able to fill Leia and Dani in briefly. He then rushed off, continuing the guise that the creatures were vermin that were not worth the marauders' attention.

One of the Tof leaders had one of Luke's saber hilts and was curious about its function. Luke acted before the Hiromi could be taken out and clubbed by activating the blade. The commander was furious, thinking that the ignition that slew his comrade was the Hiromis' fault. Luke, now freed of his bonds, explained that the sabers belonged to him, and he wanted them back.

The Tof who now held one of the sabers charged at the Jedi. Luke levitated the other saber hilt to his free hand and swiftly defeated and disarmed his foe. His Hoojib colleagues went on the offensive as well and jumped up to bite the Tofs multiple times. 

Some of the Tof soldiers ran after the Hoojibs, oblivious to Leia and Dani's presence. The Alliance members used that to their advantage and kicked out at them before ascending the nearest staircase. A few Tofs raised their blasters, only to find that they didn't work (probably because the Hoojibs had drained the weapons' energy), but rushed to attack.

Even though it wasn't fully shown in the story, the Tofs were defeated by Luke, the Hoojibs, and the Hiromi. Luke freed his sister and Dani. Afterward, the Hiromi celebrated another victory. Skywalker was happy for their enthusiasm, noting it would be good to have such positivity when he began his sneak attack on the Tof command ship, a declaration which suddenly made the Hiromi scared again. 

It seemed quite obvious to me upon first read that the Tof were based on pirate tales of yore. Except for the green skin, they were very similar to the characters shared in storybooks for many generations. How they came to despise the Nagai was not yet uncovered, but it seemed they were a bit more brutish, since they preferred to club their opponents rather than use the traditional weapons of the time. I found the premise to be about as silly as the rather cowardly Hiromi themselves.

Well, we're continuing to near the end of this series. Next time, I'll recap the one hundred and sixth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars book. We'll find out the fate of the four Zeltron teenagers as well as that of the ballroom occupants. We'll also see Luke's raid of the Tof ship with the timely aid of a few companions. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #104

Hello there,

It's time for me to talk about the one hundred and fourth issue of the first Star Wars comic. The cover depicted Luke Skywalker and a Hoojib being held hostage by a pair of Hiromi, as an unidentified couple burst through an opening and destroyed a chandelier. The story was named "Nagais and Dolls." The issue had a cover date of March 1986.

Skywalker was mobbed by female Zeltrons after setting foot on their homeworld. The Jedi was a bit stunned by all of the attention, but somewhat expected it (after receiving a similar welcome on Kabray in issue #77). Lando Calrissian received similar treatment, shortly before Princess Leia Organa and the four Zeltron teens arrived (fresh off their detour to Trenwyth last issue). 

The Millennium Falcon was approaching Zeltros' orbit at that time. Han Solo and Chewbacca were piloting their ship en route to regroup with their friends. C-3PO, R2-D2, several Hoojibs, and Dani were their passengers. Han tried to cheer Dani up, who was still under the impression that her love, Kiro, had lost his life (which we learned in issue #102 was not true). She was still upset with Kiro's attacker and now had a seething hatred for the Nagai. 

Little did anyone know that the Falcon's flight was being tracked by their new enemies. The Nagai were planning to land on Zeltros, but they weren't the only invading force. Lieutenant Hirog and his fellow Hiromi also had plans to take over that same planet.

Alliance members were greeted warmly by Zeltros' King Arno and Queen Leonie. Only the announcement of Governor Veertag's arrival, whose five daughters the teen Zeltrons were acquainted with, caused any immediate disruptions. Dani made her feelings toward the Nagai known to her associates, even though Leia had explained her recent encounter with a sole Nagai prisoner (as shown in the previous issue). 

Leia and Dani carried that conversation outside the ballroom, where they soon ran into Den Siva himself. Dani wanted vengeance on Siva and advised Leia to run. Unfortunately, both females were swiftly defeated by the soldiers.

Luke and the Hoojib Plif took a walk outside to discuss things. They came across Ackbar's former aide, Hirog, and were quickly placed under arrest by the Hiromi. Luke didn't sense any pending danger and decided to play along for a while. 

Everyone in the ballroom was having a grand time. None of them knew at the moment about the activities that were occurring outside the room. The Hiromi were very confident of their impending success and celebrated themselves a few times as they led their new prisoners inside the palace. 

The party was eventually broken up by the Nagai's arrival. While Han was the first to defend his friends, the four Zelton males were outside and were about to go back inside to help, until they ran into several strangers in their path. 

By then, the Hiromi had found the kitchen. Several of them were making snacks when they heard a hearty pounding of a fist from the other side of the door. There was a loud voice declaring that whoever was inside were now their prisoners. The order to surrender was quite a surprise to the aliens, who already had their own captives. 

It was good to finally see the Zeltrons' homeworld, but the art was still a bit messy at times. The Hiromi were a bit of comic relief, kind of like the Ewoks or Jar Jar Binks. If you think that the green-skinned people in this story looked a bit familiar, you may be on to something there. 

More will be revealed next time, when I recap the one hundred and fourth issue of this title. We'll find out a few details about those very beings and what their connection is to the Nagai. We'll also see what the Nagai forces have in store for the party goers, and learn what Luke and the Hiromi do to get out of their predicament. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #103

Good afternoon all,

It's time for me to discuss the one hundred and third issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. Princess Leia Organa, who was featured in the top left-hand corner box, was shown in the main image being held by a Nagai at knifepoint. The story was called "Tai." The issue had a cover date of January 1986.

The story started in the Nagai base, where Den Siva was looking at a hologram of their former prisoner, Dani. She was the first Zeltron ever taken captive by the Nagai, and Den was apparently fascinated with her. He was then called to the command area by Commander Knife. He reported to his superior that he was healing well (from injuries suffered battling Dani's love, Kiro on Kinooine), and informed Knife of reports regarding other warriors encountering the old enemy two days before.

That was the last report from their forces. Knife was sorry that several promising soldiers had perished in the confrontation, but was ready to move on to the current threat, which included interrogating the Alliance prisoner who now kneeled before them.

In the air above the planet Trenwyth, Leia and the four Zeltron teens were realizing that they had to set their ship down after a stray shot knocked out its stabilizers. They observed the remains of a great battle on the surface before landing. Leia was the first to disembark and soon found a Nagai pointing his blaster at her. However, her foe fainted before taking any further action.

Organa went to him to assess his condition. He awoke later to find the five strangers standing before him. He said nothing and allowed the visitors to scout their surroundings. Later that evening, Leia brought their prisoner a tray of food and was nearly strangled by him for her efforts. Bahb, Jahn Marruc, and Rahuhl leapt to her rescue. 

The Nagai continued to struggle even after Leia was freed. The Zeltron boys were forced to tie their captive up before returning to their campfire and resuming their meal. As he slept, the Nagai thought about his experiences at the hands of previous captors.

Some time later, Leia returned to the Nagai and sliced his bonds. She offered him food once more and was surprised to see him crying in her hands. Over the next several days, he started to gain their trust. The Nagai remained in their presence as the Alliance members worked on their ship.

One day, the heroes observed several tall, green-skinned soldiers making their way through the ruins. They didn't know yet if they were friend or foe. The ship was finally ready, and Leia informed the Zeltrons. She let their captive go. He finally spoke, saying that his name was Tai. They parted ways peacefully, and the ship departed shortly thereafter.

Some time later, wing leader Tai reported to Knife. He spoke in their language and informed his commander about what he'd experienced on Trenwyth. Knife was angered by the fact that Tai accepted mercy from their new enemies just to save his own life. He threw one of his namesake weapons, which struck the young warrior square in the middle of his chest, thereby ending his life.

This story was a bit of a morality tale, one for which the title character learned a fatal lesson. It also introduced a new species that we'd see more of in the remaining issues and expanded upon the relationship between Den and Dani. This was also the last issue of the series that was produced on a monthly basis. Beginning with the next issue, the series would be published bi-monthly for the rest of its run. This was a typical tactic for Marvel series at the time, whose sales had slipped or were simply underperforming. 

That's it from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the one hundred and fourth issue of this series. The Alliance delegation arrives on the planet Zeltros, just in time for a spectacular celebration. The party is in full swing, although it's not without some unexpected dangers and just a bit of humor mixed in. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #102

Good morning,

The focus of this article is the one hundred and second issue of Marvel's first Star Wars series. The cover, which was drawn by Sam De La Rosa and Kerry Gammill (who penciled the flashback story in issue #70), showed Luke Skywalker and Kiro in front of a starship, with several Chiaki in the water in the background. The tale was titled "School Spirit!" The issue had a cover date of December 1985.

The story began on the planet Iskalon. Lando Calrissian's ship, the Cobra, was about to land. He and Luke were aboard, and the two talked about how much the peaceful world had been changed by the Empire. Luke felt that he owed it to the natives to inform them about Kiro. who was assumed dead after battling with a Nagai soldier on the planet Kinooine.

Meanwhile, Nagai forces were scouring one of the landing areas and noted the arrival of a ship they didn't know. They didn't know its origin, but they were more concerned about the Iskalonians who now lay dead at their feet. They fought bravely, but were no match for the seasoned invaders. The natives were more resistant to them than they'd hoped, but the Nagai still had plans to enslave the surviving populace. Only a lone shadowy figure seemed to stand between them and their goals of conquest.

Several meters under the water, Mone and his followers paid attention to what was going on above ground. They heard the incoming ship and wondered if it was friend or foe. As they ascended, Mone smiled upon seeing his old friends again. Luke and Lando greeted Mone and his followers warmly, and they talked about the Iskalonians who had been slain by the Nagai.

Luke informed Mone of Kiro's fate on Kinooine. Mone rebuffed Skywalker's assertion that Kiro had perished, noting that they had seen him. Their hero had returned when his world needed him the most. 

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the water world, Nagai were trying to gather more information about the new ship. One of the commanders dispatched several soldiers and Imperial Stormtroopers to investigate. The forces were going to be armed with some of the new weapons that they wanted to try out. 

It didn't take very long for them to reach the heroes. Luke, Lando, and Mone fought valiantly, but they were eventually overcome by the sonic blasters employed by the Nagai. A stormtrooper adapted to the watery conditions shot a net over them just before Kiro arrived on the scene. He fled before Luke and Lando could fully recover, but there was no doubt that Kiro was indeed alive and well.

The Alliance heroes knew they had to go after the Nagai after noticing Mone's disappearance. They talked about the collective nature of the Iskalonians and how Kiro went against those patterns of thinking and behavior. They then went to their ship to break out their underwater gear before diving down toward the Nagai tower.

Luke and Lando used the Jedi's lightsabers to slice away at the tower's base. The native Chiaki offered no resistance, probably because their appetites were already sated from the recent violence on that planet. Kiro returned to protect his friends from the Nagai warriors who had crept up behind them. He then went to free Mone and the rest of the captured Iskalonians. Luke left soon thereafter, leaving Lando alone to deal with the tower.

Skywalker arrived inside the building just to see Kiro take a laser blast to his torso. He once again assumed the worst and rushed to free Mone and his companions before the tower collapsed underwater. This ended the Nagai threat for the moment.

Afterward, Luke sat alone for some time, thinking that he'd lost Kiro for good. However, his friend resurfaced, explaining that he'd moved away before being hit. He was glad to see his friends, but asked Luke not to let Dani know his fate. He loved her too much to reveal the truth, which was that he felt duty-bound to remain on his homeworld to help his people.

Kiro swam away moments later. Luke promised that he and Lando would keep Kiro's secret safe. Mone and his followers thought that Kiro's words and actions were what being a hero was all about. Luke had been mourning what he believed to be a dear friend's loss, but he now felt better knowing that Kiro had chosen his fate. 

This issue provided some closure for Kiro, Mone, and the planet Iskalon. It would be the last time that any of them were featured in this series. I felt sort of sad knowing that Luke couldn't tell Dani the truth, but she would eventually move on. I bought this issue because of Sal Buscema's artwork, and grew to appreciate the story inside. Oddly enough, it made me think about Dani's crewmates Chihdo and Rik Duel, who were pretty much forgotten until a brief revival a few years back.

That's it for this article. Later today, I'll cover the one hundred and third issue of this series. Leia and the Zeltron teens get stuck on another planet. There, they encounter a wounded Nagai and get their first glimpse of another new threat. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #101

Good afternoon everyone,

Hope all's well. It's time for me to summarize the one hundred and first issue of the first Star Wars comic. The cover, drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz, showed Han Solo facing off against a trio of mounted riders. The story was called "Far, Far Away." The issue had a publication date of November 1985.

It all began on the planet Endor, where Solo and Princess Leia Organa were having an argument. Han was refusing an assignment from the Alliance. He wasn't keen on the idea of having Hoojibs aboard the Millennium Falcon. The dispute was broken up by a Mandalorian.

One look at the stranger brought back some horrible memories for Han. However, when the warrior removed his helmet, he introduced himself as Fenn Shysa. He and other Mandalorians had just arrived on Endor after hearing about a new menace to the Alliance. Leia went off to speak with him further, leaving Solo to be assisted by his childhood friend, Bey.

Bey had been on Mandalore and joined them on their journey to the Alliance's base. They talked about their friendship and Han's relationship with Leia. Bey left before saying that Leia knowing how Han felt about her would be enough.

A short while later, Han was piloting the Falcon in space not far from Endor. He, C-3PO, R2-D2, and a few Hoojibs were investigating a strange electrical energy source that appeared randomly, which was capable of disrupting ship navigation and even tossing vessels into other sectors of space. The droids and the Hoojibs were on board to document and analyze those occurrences. While Leia, Shysa, and Bey watched from their command post, one of those large concentrations of energy zapped the Falcon, which disappeared from sight moments later. 

Meanwhile, Han was trying to make sense of what had just happened. Instruments indicated that they were nowhere near any known portion of hyperspace. As the ship flew on, a battle raged on between two opposing factions on a snow-covered world. The conflict was interrupted by the Falcon's arrival. The ship landed upside down, so Han had to unjam the airlock. He was fired upon quickly after doing so.

Solo slid down the snowy hill before seeing his attackers. He realized that his opponents' blasters were powerful but much less advanced than his firearm. Han fired a few shots at his foes before whirling around and laying down fire to prevent a damsel in distress from being captured. The woman thanked him, but Han knew that they had to be cautious before making introductions.

Han returned fire once more, and the riders made a hasty retreat. Han figured they'd meet again and guided the woman and her associate back to the Falcon. Once inside, the natives shared their story. The man named Gil's family ruled the part of the planet that was closest to night, while the woman Risa's family had control over the portion that was nearest to their sun. 

Wars raged for years between these factions until a truce was made when they were both children. While Artoo and the Hoojibs were trying to drain the energy balls from the ship's systems, Threepio learned that such phenomena were common to this solar system. Gil explained that they'd always been there, but lately, they had changed and had begun making items disappear and striking out as if something had altered them.

Han wasn't exactly thrilled at the prospect of being marooned there, knowing what he'd left behind on Endor. He exited the ship just in time to find Risa's father and her men demanding her return. Introductions were made before the Vizier stated that he knew how to move the ship safely without having to access its controls. The Falcon was then pulled toward the city as the rest of the procession arrived on foot.

That evening, Han looked out from the balcony of his guest quarters and thought about Leia. He wondered if he could have said or done more, and was confident that he'd have another chance. His thoughts were broken up by Plif's arrival. He was happy to announce that they'd learned how to drain the energy thanks to the droids' assistance. He added that they'd also learned something else through telepathy. 

Han didn't need to know, because it was something that he'd already known. He asked the Hoojibs to deliver a message before going back to the Falcon and to promise him not to share what they'd ascertained with anyone else. Solo then set out to spread the word in town as to who he was looking for.

The Hoojibs went to Gil's room and told the young lad that Han wanted to meet with him. The young lad rose from his bed, got dressed, and walked the city streets, wondering what the general had to discuss. He didn't get very far, as he was accosted by a masked man shortly thereafter, who looked down on him gleefully, thinking about the bounty he'd fetch and thankful that Solo had set this up.

By then, Han had an audience with the king. The Correllian had a plan to resolve several issues, including the king's lack of a male heir, the bandits, and the treaty with the other faction. He stated that it was about knowing that the greatest person was you, and that everyone who wasn't in on that was out of the picture. Han was sure that the king had what it took to be that type of person.

The Hoojibs listened on, a bit nervous about the part they were playing in the deception and that they would not disclose the truth to anyone in the room. The king asked Han how he would fulfill such goals, to which the pilot replied that he'd given Gil up to the bandits and that he'd make the arrangements for his ransom. He assumed they'd see things his way and that the king held all the cards in that situation. Risa was understandably upset by this news and lashed out at Solo.

She then demanded that her father pay the ransom and have her love returned safely at once. The king assured her that it would be done, and Han agreed. Solo went on to say that they would get the boy back. The bandits wouldn't expect the double cross, and everyone would be happy. He then said that they would go unarmed the next morning.

The group made their way through the snow the next day, with Artoo in the lead. It didn't take long for the bandits to make their presence known around them. They announced their intentions to take more prisoners, including the princess. Risa gasped after seeing Gil. Han wasn't surprised to see the Vizier, aka Uncle Marius, among the group.

Solo had figured out that Marius was the one who'd armed the bandits. His arrogant confidence had been his undoing. Before much more could be done, Artoo blasted the Vizier's staff. A pair of blasters were then pointed at them, weapons which the Hoojibs had already drained of energy after Han learned where their hideout was. He then bid the townspeople adieu.

The Alliance members boarded the Falcon and charted a return course to Endor. Threepio marveled at the plan that Plif had shared with him. He was surprised that the Hoojibs agreed to it so willingly, but the Arbrans expressed the similarities between Risa and Leia. Han was determined to help her, whether she accepted his help or not. That was a tribute to Leia and her standing in Han's world. After landing, Han held Leia in his arms. She expressed the fact that she wasn't sure she'd see him again. Han remarked that she should have kept busy because that would have taken her mind off things.

This issue was a bit of a filler, and the events in it occurred before issue #99. It was kind of backwards storytelling, and it seemed a bit unfinished. We didn't learn much about the energy appearances or even know the name of the planet that the Falcon landed on. Details were definitely lacking, but it was a semi-decent yarn. Threepio was drawn well, but once again, the art was rather sloppy at times. 

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the one hundred and second issue of this title. Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian return to a familiar world in a story penciled by Sal Buscema. There, they run into some familiar faces and see how they react to a new danger. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #100

Happy Saturday, folks!

It's time for me to talk about the one hundredth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The beautiful cover, illustrated by the late Tom Palmer (who inked multiple issues during its run) showed the faces of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Bey, and an Imperial Stormtrooper against the backdrop of a planet. Around that world, TIE fighters, TIE interceptors, X-Wings, and Y-Wings engaged in battle. The story was named "First Strike." The issue had a cover date of October 1985. 

The tale began on Endor. Admiral Ackbar was instructing his Alliance pilots on the importance of their upcoming mission before allowing them to begin a flying simulation exam. Luke, Han, Nien Nunb, and Fenn Shysa were among the pilots in attendance. Solo scoffed at the need for such a test, but his selections proved to be quite unusual.

Afterward, the Correllian was quite confident that he'd passed with flying colors. He went to find Leia, thinking that she was the one who'd ordered the examination. However, she was preoccupied in conversing with Shysa. Han discussed the matter with Lando Calrissian, wondering who came up with the idea of the exam in the first place. All Lando could do at the time was look away and whistle. 

Luke joined his friends, and they talked about the half-Correllian named Bey, who had now joined in the conversation with Shysa and Leia. Right after Chewie joined them, Luke talked about hearing about Bey's exploits when he was a farmboy on Tatooine. Solo grew up with Bey. He didn't know much about his friend's parents, except that his father was mad that Bey's mother had left them and sometimes took it out on the child. He then thought back to earlier times, from when the two boys were getting into fights with other children, to Bey teaching him a few defensive moves, Bey showing Han the Correllian bloodstripe that he'd earned, and finally watching his buddy recover from losing an eye in a battle that saved many lives.

His reverie was broken by the arrival of the Zeltron teens Rahuhl and Marruc, who told him that Ackbar and Mon Mothma were at the tracking station and wanted him and Luke to report regarding the results of the flying examination. Luke was in the middle of a lightsaber training session and joined as soon as it was over. On the way, Han asked him about the second saber. Luke explained that he'd built it to deal with a former Imperial associate known as Shira Brie, or Lumiya, back on Kinooine. Han admitted that the more he learned about the Nagai, the less he liked.

A short while later, the Alliance leaders announced the detection of a small fleet gathering near the sanctuary moon. There had been no communication from those vessels, which were now assumed to be hostile. All available pilots except for Solo and Skywalker were to take to their ships. Lando would manage the fighters and Leia would monitor the situation until all ships had departed.

When asked, Ackbar explained that there was a bit of a computer error that prevented Luke and Han from flying for the time being. Based on their test scores, it seemed that they both flew in ways that no other pilots on the Alliance would dare to attempt. Han explained that was because he'd once been a smuggler and that Luke often relied on the Force.

Leia relied on Ackbar to straighten things out. It was then revealed that Lando had been responsible for administering the computer test. He was looking for a nice teaching job considering the recent downtime. Solo and Skywalker sat together as the ships were being readied. Han said that he'd tried to enter the Millennium Falcon, but was locked in a tractor beam by the ground computer until Chewbacca and Nien Nunb took over. He hated missing out on all the action, but Luke said they might not be missing everything. He mentioned something nearby that he'd spotted during his saber practice, and asked his comrade if he wanted to take a speeder bike and check it out.

The two reached the Ewok Tippet before long, and moved in for a closer look. Meanwhile, the Alliance fleet was now in space, and gathering in defensive formations against the Nagai ships. Lando was commanding the squadrons from the tracking station.

Several Nagai, including former captive Knife, were standing in a clearing alongside several larger beings known as Maccabees. They were well aware of the impending space battle. Some of them headed toward the Alliance base, while Luke and Han stayed behind to take on some of those who'd stayed behind. 

Luke took to his bike to warn the others. Han remained where he was to ensure the Ewoks' safety and to make sure that there were no other threats. He'd downed one of the Maccabees with a well-placed shot, but the being rose up moments later. He eventually destroyed the intruder by crashing his speeder bike into it.

By then, the space conflict had begun. The Alliance fleet was being outmaneuvered early on. Lando didn't know that it was Lumiya who was commanding those enemy forces. Artoo, Threepio, Leia, Ackbar, and Mothma observed everything from the command station. Leia and the four male Zeltrons were also watching until a large arm broke through the wall and grabbed one of the teens. Leia bashed the arm, setting her friend free, but the glass broke, and the two Maccabees burst into the room.

Luke arrived to warn Mothma and Ackbar of the Nagai ground forces at about the same time. He informed them that Knife was among the enemies and that he'd personally heard the orders to attack. Luke assumed that Han had returned by then to warn Leia and the Zeltrons. 

Unfortunately, Han was still on his way. As he ran toward the headquarters, he was met by Bey, who dropped from a tree to talk. Solo explained that he had to warn the others about the Nagai, but Bey was about to do no such thing. In fact, it was Bey who had brought their foes there.

Han reached for his blaster, but Bey knocked it from his hand. The two began a brief fight for the first time since their younger days. When Han asked why, Bey explained that in one of his journeys, he'd traveled to a place past the galactic perimeter. There, he learned that his mother, who had been an advance scout for the Nagai, had returned to Correllia to observe. Once the Rebellion was over, the Nagai could go to her homeworld and gather up the remaining side. He lived among the Nagai and found them to be much kinder than many others that he'd encountered. His mother welcomed him back, and he even had a half-brother about Han's age.

Just then, Knife emerged from the brush and pointed his pistol at the two friends. Bey rushed him, and Solo shot him. Bey went to Knife's side before stating that Knife was the brother he'd just talked about. Bey stayed there to help Knife, while Han resumed his objective.

Ackbar was communicating to the fleet that they were abandoning Endor, since the enemy was among them and knew all of their secrets. The space battle was improving for the Alliance, now that they were using Han's tricks. Meanwhile, the Maccabees were being battered by the Zeltrons, before Luke figured out their weak point. The robotic beings then took to the stars, right before Han made his way up to the station. Luke told the remaining crew to start packing, noting that the Alliance of Free Planets was now at war. 

For those who had been waiting for a battle with the Nagai, this issue was your payoff. I'm still not impressed with Cynthia Martin's pencil work, especially the doodly Nagai ships. This was the Alliance's last stand on Endor, and it was finally time to move on, now that their base had been effectively compromised. I wasn't expecting the news about Bey's connection to the Nagai, which would be surprising to anyone in the Alliance, most of all his boyhood companion Han. 

Despite what I just said in the previous paragraph, we will see Endor one more time in the next issue. The story in the one hundred and first issue of this series takes place a bit before the events that occurred in issue #99. Han, the droids, and a few Hoojibs set out to investigate a strange natural phenomenon and find themselves embroiled in a dispute between two sides on another planet. I'll discuss that tale a little later on today. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #99

Happy Friday, all,

Today, my focus will be on the ninety-ninth issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. The cover depicted Han Solo holding a weakened Lando Calrissian in his arms, threatening an unidentified alien with Luke Skywalker behind the stranger and a large fleet of ships in the sky above them all. The tale was titled "Touch of the Goddess." The issue had a publication date of September 1985.

The story started on Endor, with Luke thinking about his friend Kiro, who was last seen engaged in battle with the Nagai Den Siva on Kinooine (in issue #97). Neither of them emerged from the waters they had fallen into, and Kiro was presumed dead. He and Lando talked about him and how his supposed loss affected the Zeltron Dani. Lando observed that she wasn't the only Zeltron affected by recent events.

Princess Leia Organa was conferring with the Mandalorian Fenn Shysa (last seen in issue #s 68 and 69), to the dislike of the four male Zeltrons on the same platform. If you're wondering about Han Solo, he was offworld on a mission with Admiral Ackbar, along with Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2. The Alliance members and the half-Correllian childhood friend of Solo's, named Bey, were meeting with Godoans on their world. 

Their contact was Fumiyo, a Godoan who knew the Galactic standard language. They had arrived to learn more about a disease that several of the natives had contracted and that their guests had been inoculated against. Han was surprised to see receptacles containing very valuable flame gems posted around the city. Fumiyo explained that the sickness started at about the time he said that they failed their goddess. 

Fumiyo led his guests into their worship center, which Ackbar realized was a techno-organic construct. The droids set to translating the hieroglyphic characters that adorned a far wall. There was a large statue in one corner of the room, which, when uncovered, was something that Han recognized. He knew that he had to return to Endor and talk to Lando.

Once they were back, Solo explained that the statue he'd seen was a larger version of the Dancing Goddess. Both that idol and the Minstrel were smaller trophies that Lando had won in a card game several years back. The person he acquired them from claimed that they were very valuable, but Calrissian had no idea about their importance until just then. 

Lando explained that one statue was with the gangsters Lemo and Sanda. The other he'd given to his former nemesis Drebble. He and Chewie decided to head to Stenos to talk to Drebble, and Han and Luke would travel to the prison world where Sanda and Lemo were being detained. 

It took some cajoling, but Luke and Han finally convinced the crooks to disclose where they were keeping the Minstrel. Lemo admitted that it was still back on Arcan IV. However, those two weren't the only ones in the vicinity who heard the news.

Chewie and Calrissian set Lando's ship, the Cobra, down on Stenos. They were on their way to approach Drebble about the Dancing Goddess when someone from behind declared that Lando would be sorry he'd arrived. The two heroes ducked into a nearby alley just before the first shots were fired.

Meanwhile, things weren't much better for Solo or Skywalker on Arcan IV. They were nearing the gang's hideout when they had to duck to evade blaster fire. The duo finally entered the building after giving the code word and talked to Sanda and Lemo's associates. They walked out with the idol, right after dispatching the spy who'd been tailing them since they were on the prison planet.

Back on Stenos, Lando and Chewbacca were returning shot for shot, until a loud voice cried, "Stop!" Lando turned and saw that it was Drebble who asked for the ceasefire. (Note: Drebble was dressed in an outfit that resembled the one that Calrissian wore in his Captain Drebble disguise on Arcan IV in issue #79.) Drebble offered Lando a hand and led him to his quarters. Calrissian explained why he needed the statue back, and Drebble was more than happy to oblige. He thanked his comrade, and he and Chewbacca soon plotted a course to the Godoan homeworld.

Han and Chewie placed the statues in their appropriate slots in the wall of the city center, just as Fumiyo was starting to feel ill. A short while later, everything was fine again. The heroes left, on their way to finish a weapons delivery assignment. The Alliance members had reconvened on the Falcon and were reporting in to Fumiyo when Lando started feeling ill. Unfortunately, he'd rushed to the planet before receiving the same inoculations that his colleagues had taken earlier.

Solo knew that Lando had to return to the temple for treatment, but when he radioed Fumiya, he was told that would be impossible since that building was now sealed. Desperate, Han claimed that he had the power of the Alliance fleet behind him, and that he wouldn't hesitate to call upon it if his friend didn't receive the aid he needed. 

Things were tense for a while, but the Correllian had the backing of his fellow pilots, Wedge Antilles, Nien Nunb, Trif, Maggie, and Shysa. The countdown to action reached two before Fumiya acquiesced and agreed to allow the Rebels to return. A short time later, Lando had been cured. He thanked his longtime friend, unsure if he would have carried out his threat or not. 

This issue was the last appearance of the Dancing Goddess and the Minstrel icons, as well as Drebble, Lemo, and Sanda. It gave closure for those items and characters, although I still would like to see a story someday that explained how Lando and Drebble became enemies in the first place. Frenz's work was great as always, and I was sorry to see him go, but I knew he was already assigned to penciling the Amazing Spider-Man book at the time. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll discuss the one hundredth issue of this series. The double-sized issue shows the Alliance pilots embarking on new objectives. We'll learn more about the connection between Han and Bey, and see the final conflict on Endor. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #98

Good afternoon,

Today's topic is the ninety-eighth issue of the first Star Wars comic. The cover, illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz, showed an Imperial Stormtrooper fighting an unnamed person in a space suit, with the Millennium Falcon and a pair of TIE fighters in the background. The tale was titled "Supply and Demand." The issue had a cover date of August 1985.

The story started in the shipyards of Fondor. Han Solo was aboard one of the vessels and made a mad dash to the docking bay after noticing someone flying his beloved Falcon rather erratically. His old friend, Lando Calrissian, disembarked, noting that he'd owned the ship before Han did. However, it was his Death Star run copilot, Nien Nunb, who had actually been flying the Falcon there. 

Nunb was about to serve as Han's partner on his next mission, since the Wookie Chewbacca was taking some time off on his home planet. Lando would assume Han's place at the shipyards, while Solo and Nunb headed toward Vandelhelm to deal with a supply issue. 

On the way, the Falcon stopped at a world that was once used as an Imperial prison planet. Han met with another fellow Alliance member, but was less than pleased to learn that the passengers he was supposed to pick up were children. One was a teenage girl, and the other was a boy several years younger than her. Han loaded up his crew and headed toward their primary destination. 

Several ships had amassed in space around Vandelhelm. In one of the main frigates, Guildmaster Orrka was conferring with Imperial Admiral Mordur. The Empire's forces had been reduced significantly after their loss during the second Death Star battle, but that didn't mean that they were entirely extinct just yet. Mordur and his troopers were stationed on one of the cruisers, making plans for future endeavors.

While Han was trying to entertain his venerated guests, the Falcon suddenly dropped out of lightspeed and was heading right into an asteroid field. Solo ran to the cockpit to assist Nunb. He realized that the Falcon's shields were triggering the mines within the asteroids. Han switched off the shields, and his ship successfully navigated through the obstacle. 

A short while later, Orrk greeted the children and Han on the planet Vandelhelm. Solo was concerned about possible Imperial remnants and the station's production of raw materials. The Guildmaster assured the Correllian that all was in good order, pointing to several drone barges where such items were stored. He added that production had stopped until the children had been safely brought back. 

The quartet looked out from a nearby balcony to see a celebration in the streets honoring the children's return. Han said that since the Alliance fulfilled its promise, he would like to have those drone barges sent on to Fondor. Orrk replied that he'd need the control codes for his ship's computers, which he was willing to provide after the tradition of having the caravan blessed by the venerated ones had been completed.

Han returned to the Falcon, only to find Nunb being held prisoner by a pair of Stormtroopers. He turned around to see Orrk holding the children at gunpoint. The Guildmaster planned to bring the youths to Mordur, noting that if the children had perished en route to Vandelhelm, he would have blamed the Alliance for their deaths and used his influence to continue material production and price increases. Orrk swore that the children would still die and the planet's metalsmiths would stop work, driving up the value of the items already produced. 

What he didn't take into account was the children's spirits. Both of them fought their captor and quickly got away. Han blasted the troopers holding Nunb before lunging at the Guildmaster. Things looked grim for Solo as he found himself clinging to a ledge until the young girl blasted Orrk with the pistol that Han had dropped earlier. Orrk fell to his fate, and Han grabbed the children tightly. 

Solo ducked before more troopers arrived, but only because he'd heard the familiar snap of his Wookiee companion's rifle safety being switched off right before Nien Nunb fired it at the Imperials. The four headed back inside the Falcon and took off.

Their departure was being monitored by Mordur and his crew. The Imperial Admiral took that to mean that Orrk had failed. He ordered the ships to take the emergency course he'd planned. Aboard the Falcon, Solo noticed that the rest of the fleet was heading straight toward the planet's sun. Without the computer control code, there wasn't much he could do.

Han decided to journey to the main barge. When the Falcon landed on it, Stormtroopers were waiting. However, that's not to say that the ship's crew wasn't prepared for such a contingency. Nunb had piloted this ship, while Han donned a spacesuit and broke through the barge's front window before Mordur could do further damage there. 

Without artificial gravity, both men struggled. Han was finally able to enter the control code, but nothing happened. It appeared that the fleet was about to reach the point of no return when the ship was being lifted via tractor beam from a Rebel ship. Once inside, Lando and Admiral Ackbar explained to Han and Nien that the fleet was already turning back, and that they'd used the control code supplied by the children. 

Solo was surprised to hear that tidbit and asked why they didn't tell him earlier. The girl replied that he'd told them to keep quiet, and they were concerned that if they didn't do as he said, he wouldn't take them on any more fun adventures. The former smuggler smiled and seemed to warm up to the children, at least for a little while, anyway. 

This was a fun tale crafted by the men who were responsible for the Star Wars newspaper strip at the time (and Marvel's The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi movie adaptations, along with Carlos Garzon), writer Archie Goodwin, and artist Al Williamson. This was Williamson's first issue of the comic book title since his Han Solo flashback feature in Star Wars #50. He was brilliant, and I wished he'd drawn more Star Wars stories in this series. By the way, you can still pick up beautiful hard-bound editions of the newspaper strips. This was a must for me, ever since I never got to see how it ended, because my local newspaper replaced it when I was ten years old with a new feature called  Bloom County. I grew to appreciate Berkley Breathed's work when I was older, but at the time, I was mighty peeved at Star Wars' removal from that newspaper's comic section. 

That's all I have for now. Next time, I'll write about the ninety-ninth issue of this title. Ron Frenz returns for his final issue, chronicling a new adventure after the Star Warriors return home to Endor. We'll learn more about the history of the Dancing Goddess and the Minstrel statues, see the debut of a few new characters, and the return of some familiar faces. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #97

Hello there,

It's time for me to talk about the ninety-seventh issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. Except for the top left-hand corner, the cover was all about the bad guys. Four Stormtroopers and seven Nagai were the focus of the images drawn by Cynthia Martin and Art Nichols. The tale was titled "Escape." The issue had a cover date of July 1985. 

The story started on the planet Kinooine, as Imperial remnants and Nagai left their ships and began exploring their new surroundings on foot. Their fleet had arrived to establish a base on that world. The Nagai Den Siva and Lumiya were already there. Siva was interrogating a pair of Rebels, but Lumiya had not reported in after going after her nemesis, Luke Skywalker.

What the enemy forces didn't know was that Lumiya (aka Shira Brie) was not far away. She was being held by Luke and Kiro, who were eavesdropping on the new arrivals. Meanwhile, Dani was being tortured by an analysis grid as Den and the Rebel Faron watched. The Nagai was impressed by the Zeltron's fortitude, but wasn't so distracted tha the couldn't end Faron's life, after having observed him removing a knife from his captor's belt.

Luke tied Lumiya to his ship's front landing gear while Kiro recovered in the water. Skywalker assisted him in preparing a fresh water tank before the two friends went to free their companions. Minutes later, they encountered a Nagai patrol. Luke was able to use a Jedi mind trick to convince his foes to leave them be, until Lumiya brought them to their senses. Kiro was forced to kill some of their opponents because Shira had left him no choice.

Back on Endor, Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma had gathered Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, the four Zeltron teens, C-3PO, R2-D2, the Hoojib Plif, and several Ewoks to discuss the Nagai threat. It had been confirmed that the Nagai had been working with Imperial collaborators. Plif and his telepathic Hoojib brethren had watched the Nagai prisoners. One of them, the man called Knife, had a connection to Han that made him despise the Correllian. Lando was just happy that he was able to get his ship back from the slaver who'd escaped with it on Kashyyyk.

Solo expressed concern about Luke and his team, since they hadn't reported back in a while. He offered to go retrieve him, which was turned down by their superiors. Mothma agreed with Ackbar's decision, adding that it would be up to the leaders to decide. Han stormed off, stating they could run their next war without him.

Back on Kinooine, Dani felt broken. Not even Siva's attempts at rousing her were effective. It wasn't until she saw her love, Kiro, again that she felt better. While Kiro was leading her away, Luke was skulking around the compound, looking for information that might be of use to the Alliance.

The Jedi was very stealthy and evaded detection by Nagai and Stormtrooper patrols. Once he had what he wanted, he left. Dani and Kiro were outside heading toward the ship when Siva blocked their path. He engaged the Iskalonian in a battle of blades, and the two combatants eventually fell into the waters below. 

Luke came across Dani, who was still standing on the ledge, looking for any signs of life from her paramor. The only thing that either of them saw was blood, which could have been from either Den or Kiro. Luke gradually coaxed Dani to press on, and the two returned to the ship. However, by the time they returned, Lumiya had escaped. 

This was the most serious issue of the series since Martin took over the penciling chores, but the art was still sloppy in places. Even the Stormtroopers on the front cover looked a bit askew. I was somewhat surprised by Mothma and Ackbar's resistance to Han's request, but I suppose that they had the greater good in mind, even though they weren't technically back at war at the time. Lumiya proved to be an interesting character and was even featured in some of the subsequent Star Wars novels. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I have a filler issue to discuss. Writer Archie Goodwin and artist Al Williamson return to chronicle a yarn that involves Han Solo and Nien Nunb. The two fly the Millennium Falcon together for the first time to a planet on a mission that Solo is less than enthusiastic about. They also encounter a familiar menace 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) #96

Good afternoon,

Today I'll be writing about the ninety-sixth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The cover showed Lumiya engaged in battle with Luke Skywalker. The story was called "Duel With a Dark Lady!" The issue had a cover date of June 1985.

The tale began on the planet Kinooine. The first seven pages were captionless and showed the confrontation between Luke and Lumiya. It ended with Luke's defeat. Lumiya later locked the unconscious Skywalker in a cell. Her associate Den talked with her about the long-awaited revenge that she'd finally accomplished. Den then examined Skywalker's saber hilt and observed how the weapon was unable to effectively compete against the dual electric and corporeal natures of Lumiya's whip. 

A short while later, the two villains reached the cell where the missing rebel scout and Dani were being held. Den wanted to interrogate the Zeltron personally. Lumiya allowed Den to have both prisoners, now that she had what she wanted.

Not far away, Kiro was recovering from his wounds suffered by the Dark Lady. He awoke in the waters near their temporary camp. There was no sign of Luke or Dani. He entered their ship, looking for the cold-weather survival gear that C-3PO was supposed to have packed. Instead, he found party dresses. 

He eventually found a helmet that would suffice as a breather and made his way to the enemy base. The Iskalonian silently dispatched the guards and found Luke's cell. He used a stinger gun from his homeworld to blast open the door. Kiro tended to Luke's wounds and gave his friend a few items for an idea that Skywalker had. Luke was thankful for his assistance and promised to teach Kiro the ways of the Force if he wished.

The duo soon found Lumiya standing atop a hill. Luke asked for his saber back and took it using the Force. He prepared for another battle, but this time he had an extra weapon, namely another lightsaber that he'd just constructed with a smaller blade to tackle the natures of his opponent's weapon. 

Using both sabers in tandem, Luke was able to force the whip from Lumiya's hand. It fell to the hill below. He then sliced through part of the protective armor, revealing more of the woman underneath. He'd figured out that his foe was Shira Brie, the former Imperial agent who'd been placed in the Rebellion as a spy (and shown in issue numbers 56 through 63 of this title). 

Shira blamed Luke for her condition. Luke explained that he didn't know at first who he'd fired upon. He tried to express what happened to Vader at the end. However, that was soon overshadowed by large ships entering the planet's atmosphere. The Nagai fleet was there. 

I'd guessed that Lumiya might be Shira back during her first appearance on Herdessa. I knew that a lot of regular fans were clamoring for her return, and that it took a while because creative teams had changed on the book since her initial storyline. Cynthia Martin drew Lumiya okay, but the Nagai fleets were less than impressive. They looked like a bunch of lines and odd-shaped objects connected together without much purpose behind them. 

That's all I have for now. Next time, I'll discuss the ninety-seventh issue of this series. We'll see who was aboard the Nagai invasion fleet, and learn more about the new foes. We'll also see the Alliance's reaction to this new threat and follow Luke and Kiro as they attempt to rescue Dani. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #95

Hello there,

Today, my focus is on the ninety-fifth issue of the first Star Wars comic book. The painted cover showed Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa in the foreground, with a mysterious hooded character in the background. The tale was titled "No Zeltrons." The issue had a publication date of May 1985.

The story started with the lady Lumiya interrogating a prisoner, with the aid of an unknown ally. The Alliance member claimed that he didn't know anything about Leia's whereabouts, adding that the only person he'd been in contact with was Luke. The mention of Skywalker's name appeared to draw upon something in Lumiya's memory.

Back on Endor, Admiral Ackbar was dispatching several of his colleagues to missions offworld. Han Solo and Leia were going to attend a function on the planet Kabray, along with four newly-arrived male Zeltrons, much to Leia's dislike. Han was okay with the young Marruc, Rahuhl, Jahn, and Bahb, at least until they mistook him for Lando Calrissian. 

Luke, Dani, and Kiro were headed to Kinooine to find members of their missing scouting party. C-3PO and R2-D2 had been assigned to equip both ships with appropriate gear for each mission. A short while later, Luke set his ship down and was about to set up camp. Kiro and Dani went off for some much-needed time alone and promised not to venture too far away. 

Meanwhile, on Kabray, Leia was upset that she didn't have a dress for the event. Han wasn't surprised, knowing that Threepio had been in charge of packing for their mission, and obviously mixed up the cargo. The only thing available was a dress that was a mess, but the Zeltrons managed to alter. It wasn't great, but it was all that they had at the time.

The boys worked diligently while Dani and Kiro heard something approach them on Kinooine. Suddenly, they were attacked by a swift-moving foe. Han led Leia down a set of stairs to join the delegates. They had no sooner started to mingle when they found one of their associates was being held at gunpoint. Solo raised his blaster, only to find another pistol pointed at the back of his own head. This one belonged to Knife, who was last seen on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. 

While Knife and his companion were occupied rounding up the party guests, Luke sat by himself at camp. He pulled up a hologram of his contact, wondering what had happened to him. Luke put it away when he heard a noise behind him. It was Kiro, who had returned, with his breather suit smashed. Skywalker brought his friend to the water to revive him. Kiro asked Luke to save Dani, which Skywalker promised to do once he was sure that the Iskalonian was safe.

Han, Leia, and the Zeltrons were placed in a cell without bars or windows. He thought about how they could escape, and he and Leia supposed that the slaver operations that they'd witnessed on Kashyyk and Herdessa might be related. Luke set out on foot while his friends on Kabray were plotting. He soon encountered Lumiya, who was prepared to face the Jedi.

Knife entered the cell, not seeing the Zeltron who had been clinging to the walls above him. The lad jumped down, knocking Knife out. The boys took his blaster and ran out, with Han and Leia close behind. Luke was trying to dodge the unique whip-like weapon wielded by his opponent as a fight for freedom broke out on Kabray.

It didn't take very long for Knife's associates to be overwhelmed, The Zeltrons held them at gunpoint, while the Rebels saw to the delegates. No one was harmed, and Leia and Han remarked how surprisingly well things went. However, Luke wasn't faring quite as well on Kinooine. The last page of the story showed a seemingly unconscious Skywalker with Lumiya's shadow looming over him. 

Lumiya looked remarkably different in this storyline than during her initial appearance on Herdessa. If you think that you might have seen her somewhere else before, you're right. More will be revealed soon (if you haven't read the upcoming issues already, it's new to you). The Zeltron teens reminded me of some of the pop artists and fashions that were prominent around the time this yarn was produced. Once again, except for the droids, the pencil art was a bit messy, especially when there were more than a few characters in a panel. I guess that I might have been spoiled a bit by the wonderful artwork from Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon, Walt Simonson, and Ron Frenz working with Tom Palmer. The issues that they worked on remain among my favorites from this series to this very day. 

That's all I have for now. Next time, I'll recap the ninety-sixth issue of this title. We'll find out what happened to Luke and Kiro, and Lumiya's true identity will finally be revealed. We'll also learn more about the alien race that Knife and his comrades belong to. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #94

Hello there,

It's time for me to recap the ninety-fourth issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. Bear in mind, this issue is where I felt the series jumped the shark, but if you've followed along this far, I hope you'll see me through to the series' end. The cover for this issue showed Wicket W. Warrick standing, holding a spear in his left hand and resting his left foot atop an Imperial Stormtrooper helmet. The story was called "Small Wars." The issue had a cover date of April 1985.

The tale began on Endor, with C-3PO lamenting what he believed would be the end of the Alliance of Free Planets. He was busy describing the breakdown to his trusty counterpart, R2-D2. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo were resting against a tall tree, talking things over. Leia arrived moments later, followed by Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, Admiral Ackbar, and the admiral's new aide, Hirog. 

They had no good news to report. It seemed that discussions between the two parties had broken down, and despite the Alliance members' best efforts, nothing could be done to salvage the situation. Ackbar and Hirog left shortly thereafter to start preparing for the inevitable, which was that the Ewoks had just declared war on the Lahsbees. 

It is rather humorous that the peaceful Lahsbees would have offended the proud Ewok warriors, but apparently, something happened to bring them to that point. Luke tried to quell the tensions by inviting both groups to assist in his lightsaber practice. The Ewoks declined as they were gearing up for battle, while the fun-loving young Lahsbees jumped right in. 

A short while later, Hirog sat behind a tree, using his communicator to speak with others of his kind. He was the one who'd masterminded the tensions in the first place. He observed Luke's practice session from a safe distance away, not knowing what Lahsbees were like in their adult forms. 

The session began with some unexpected obstacles. Ewoks tossed stones at their mortal enemies, which Luke destroyed with his saber and deflected. One stone hit Hirog, who was a bit battered, but still faithful to his populace. The droids came across him at one point, but they didn't learn anything discriminatory.

Afterward, the battle began. Both sides took their positions, while Hirog readied a bomb in the bushes. Han bent down to talk to one of the Lahsbees, who took the blaster pistol from his hand. The little creature pulled the trigger, and its shot hit the weapon that now had a broken timing system but was still ticking away.

Meanwhile, the conflict continued. The Lahsbee who had taken Solo's gun became frightened by the oncoming Ewok assemblage and quickly matured into a large Huhk. He presented a challenge that both sides fought against. Eventually Hirog ran from his hiding place into the chaos. Upon seeing the Huhk, he fled. The beast then hurled a boulder, which happened to land right on the bomb, disarming it. 

Upon the cessation of Hirog's reports, his fellow Hiromi in a nearby ship assumed the worst. They'd heard his cries of terror and thought that he'd been lost for the cause. The vessel then flew off, as if Hirog had never existed. The skirmish was over, and things were calm for the moment. The Ewoks and Lahsbees had made peace with each other, and the only concern then was Hirog's, as he continued running away from the Huhk. 

I remember first reading this issue when I was twelve and realizing what a silly premise this story had. I was very unimpressed by the artwork. Except for the drawings of the droids, most of the pencil work was very sloppy. Not even Tom Palmer's incredible inks could save this issue. Martin would be the regular penciler for the rest of the title's run, and readers and subscribers just had to bear with it. I remember losing interest after reading this issue, although I would still go on and pick up the remaining issues years later. 

That's it for this article. Next time, I'll talk about the ninety-fifth issue of this series. Luke, Kiro, and Dani embark on a mission where they encounter a familiar foe. Han and Luke are dispatched on a diplomatic mission, where they're assisted by some new characters that the Princess is less than pleased with. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #93

Hi there,

Hope all's well. Today's topic is the ninety-third issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The cover showed Luke Skywalker and Han Solo facing a half-dozen strangers, including one pointing a blaster at them in the foreground. The story was called "Catspaw." The issue had a cover date of March 1985.

The action began in space, as an X-Wing was attempting to flee from a trio of Y-Wings that were firing at it. The pilot was trying to reach the planet Saijo unscathed, but unfortunately, that didn't seem likely. As the craft neared the planet's orbit, a targeted shot bracketed the pilot's cabin.

On the surface of that world, Luke, Han, and Princess Leia Organa were walking the city streets. Han was impressed by the hospitality they'd received from the locals. The trio was talked about in reverent tones as heroes of the Alliance. Just then, Luke pointed out the dogfight in the sky above them. They were surprised by seeing fighters that would normally be aligned together, but quickly decided which side to support. 

After reaching the Millennium Falcon, Han put his ship on a course that followed the fighters. Luke and Leia occupied the gun turrets and fired shots to protect the fleeing X-Wing from its attackers. They defeated her foes, but the female pilot's fighter still crashed on the planet. Lan retrieved her from the cockpit, and he, Luke, and Leia brought her to the medical facility on the base. 

A short while later, the pilot Minka informed her rescuers that she'd arrived from an asteroid base in the Cantros system. Her wingmates had been gradually picked off by her attackers, and she was under the assumption that they were still fighting against the Empire. Leia informed her of the Emperor's defeat, which Minka found hard to believe, stating that Imperial forces were still strong in her region. She began to wonder just who they'd been fighting. 

Minka returned to her home base on board the Falcon with Han, Leia, and Luke. She sought out her allies, Durne and Sami, to confer with her new friends. Han explained that they had maps listing Imperial strongholds, and that the closest one was past Saijo. Sami and Minka went with the Falcon's crew to check things out.

The ship neared the Imperial base they had just been talking about, and was soon fired upon. A few stray shots hit the Falcon, and Han did his best to avoid crashing. He landed safely in a gully, and the passengers disembarked. Luke used the Force to raise Leia and Minka out of the gully, but before he could do more, he, Sami, and Han were surrounded by more feline humanoids who took them prisoner. 

Inside a nearby cave, the captors discussed what to do next. One of their party condoned torture, noting that it went against what the Rebellion stood for. That utterance was shocking, but it made Luke think that someone had been deceiving them. That person was soon revealed to be Durne. 

Things shifted after Sami and Han informed the catwoman who'd spurned the plans for torture that they were also Rebels, and that Durne had lied to them. Luke freed himself from his bods right before Minka and Leia arrived on the scene. A firefight broke out, which Luke ended by deflecting Durne's blaster shots, which made him recognized as the Rebellion hero that the participants had heard stories about.

His companions were correctly identified as Han Solo and Princess Leia, which gave credence to their words. Durne tried to escape, but was tripped and tied up by his former compatriots. Sami and Minka talked to their former foes and realized how much they had in common.

While Durne sat outside tied up in front of a campfire, Han reflected on the victory. Luke was still concerned about the skirmish. Leia asked what was troubling him. He replied that Rebels had killed other Rebels, and that he'd feel better once he knew who employed Durne. Skywalker questioned what was going on in the galaxy.

The mistaken identity plot was okay, but Sal Buscema's art really saved this issue. This was the first of two issues that he penciled during this series' run. Regular readers of this blog know how much of a fan I am of Sal's artwork. I recapped his run on the ROM: Spaceknight title last year, and I'll talk about his Incredible Hulk run at some point in the coming years. He worked on many Marvel mags from the 1960s to the 1990s, and sadly passed away this past January, just two days before what would have been his ninetieth birthday. 

Well, that's all I have for now. Next time, I'll discuss the ninety-fourth issue of this series. Cynthia Martin, penciler for the last two issues' covers, makes her debut as series artist in a tale that takes place on Endor. Everyone's back together, just in time for a pair of unexpected tribes to engage in a small conflict. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Star Wars (1977) #92

Good afternoon,

Today's focus is the ninety-second issue of Marvel's first Star Wars title. The cover box had Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker in the familiar poses used for The Empire Strikes Back promotional materials, and an image of Luke going against Darth Vader. The story was named "The Dream." The issue had a publication date of February 1985. 

The tale began with Luke facing off against the Dark Lord of the Sith. He knew that Vader was actually his father, but still panicked when his opponent moved to remove his helmet. Then Luke woke up. He'd been having a dream in his quarters on the forest moon of Endor. 

He was comforted by his faithful companions, R2-D2 and C-3PO. They had arrived to inform him of a meeting that was being held for Alliance leaders. Admiral Ackbar led the conversation and discussed the recent missions that several of his colleagues had recently returned from. Leia, Han, and Chewie had encountered slavers on Herdessa and Kashyyyk, respectively. There were also Imperial remnants that still existed on other worlds.

Luke had been responsible for training some of the new Alliance members, and he reported that things had been going well. However, Leia noticed her brother's distractedness. After the meeting, she asked her brother what was bothering him. He explained the recurring dreams that he'd been having. He hadn't told anyone else about them, because he didn't want to reveal the truth about their parentage.

Skywalker continued to train new recruits like Barney, Rik Duel, Dani, Chihdo, and Kiro. He was reluctant to train anyone in the ways of the Force just yet, because he felt that he wasn't ready quite yet, and he feared the consequences if something went wrong. When asked about his own learning, he replied that he'd had a very good teacher who had since passed on.

He had the same dream again that night. When he awoke, he remembered that his father was closer to revealing his face behind the mask. Luke ran to find his colleagues after an alarm went off at the base. A small ship had entered Endor's atmosphere and had not identified itself. Rebel defenses were readied, but Luke asked to let it land, after reaching out through the Force to ascertain its occupants' intentions.

A short while later, its only passenger disembarked. He identified himself as Prince Denin of Naldar, a planet that had been taken over by the Empire. He hoped that he'd arrived in the company of members of the Rebel Alliance. When Luke introduced himself, Denin insisted that he was the one he'd been looking for, and that Skywalker had to teach him the ways of the Force.

Luke agreed to help, but added that he would not train him. Denin was adamant, and Leia helped him plead his case to Alliance leadership. Meanwhile, Barney, Han, Luke, and Leia waited. Barney thought about how Denin's plight was similar to his own. He brought up a hologram of himself, his former friend Flint, and his mother. When Flint's mother died after an Imperial attack (shown in the third Star Wars annual) on their home planet of Belderone, Flint joined the Empire. Barney wondered what had happened to the boy he'd known since they were children.

A short while later, Luke caught up with Denin. He reported that Ackbar had no fighter squadrons to send, but that he'd promised to send a team with him back to Naldar to assist. The group would depart in the Millennium Falcon the next morning. 

Luke later spoke to Yoda in his dreams. The wise old Jedi Master questioned why Luke had brought him there. Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared later on, trying to explain to his former pupil that Yoda was trying to stress that his teachers were there because Luke wanted to help them learn something. Luke started to understand, just as Vader's hand was placed on his shoulder.

Skywalker turned to face Darth once more. This time, he wasn't afraid. His father, Anakin Skywalker, complimented him and asked his son if he now recognized the figure before him. The image shimmered and turned into the metallic armor worn by someone else. He knew that he had to save this person, but the dream ended before he could remove their helmet.

He woke in the Falcon, which was just about to land on Naldar. Han and Chewie were piloting the ship, and he, Leia, Artoo, Threepio, Barney, Denin, and Lando Calrissian comprised the crew. Many of the buildings looked heavily damaged. Denin and Luke took to the ship's gun turrets right before incoming TIE fighters entered the Falcon's airspace.

Han was forced to crash-land his pride and joy. No one was hurt, but there were several circuits that needed to be replaced. Leia and the droids went out in search of those components. Before long, the trio found a computer terminal. Artoo plugged in immediately. He located the circuits they needed and learned some interesting facts about the planet's history.

Meanwhile, Denin, Luke, and Lando walked through the mostly deserted city streets around them. Denin soon found one of his citizens, who spoke to him with his last dying breaths. Denin had little time to mourn his comrade Foss, because Luke pushed his friends down just before lasers started firing. They looked up and quickly returned fire against the Imperial Stormtroopers in their midst. Denin fought well, but was saddened by his first kill in battle.

Artoo, Threepio, and Leia rushed back to the Falcon. Chewie and Barney were making repairs and used the circuits that Threepio provided. Leia hurriedly told Han that two years before, while defending the city against Imperial forces, Prince Denin died in battle.

Lando, Luke, and Denin soon found themselves surrounded and were introduced to the troop leader, who was someone that Luke recognized from his dreams. The figure was none other than Barney's childhood friend, Flint. He was now in command and ordered his subordinates to eliminate the Rebel threat. 

Luke knew he had to face Flint alone. Lando and Denin retreated to the Falcon, with the Stormtroopers close behind. Once inside, Leia confronted Denin. The person who said they were Denin admitted that they were actually Princess Vila. She'd assumed her brother's identity since his passing. Lando was more concerned about Luke's fate than this masquerade.

Flint had been trained in the Dark Side of the Force. He'd wanted someone to teach him in the ways of the Force, initially hoping that teacher would be Luke. He didn't know the truth about Luke and his father. When Luke tried to explain the truth, including how Vader had turned good at the end, Flint called those assertions lies and began their battle. 

The two Force users were rather evenly matched. Luke didn't want to fight and still tried to explain what had happened to his father. A stray Stormtrooper fired at Skywalker, clipping his arm right before his friends arrived. While Chewie and Lando tended to Luke's wound, Barney approached Flint.

He talked about the Alliance's efforts and asked his buddy to make a choice. When Flint failed to kill Barney, the Stormtrooper called his leader a traitor. He was about to shoot his commander when Vila intervened. She picked up the saber that had fallen and struck, right as the blaster bolt went off against her chest. Both forms dropped to the ground.

Vila slumped in Luke's arms. Leia quickly explained, and Luke replied that he was proud of Vlia, adding that she would be a fine Jedi Knight. Flint's last official act for the Empire was destroying his base. The last words spoken to Vila were that it's all right.

She then found herself somewhere else, reunited with her long-lost brother Denin. Vila was overjoyed to see him. He'd been waiting for her, as was her teacher, who could finally begin their training. The teacher was a small, green alien, who regular Star Wars fans had seen earlier in this issue. 

To me, this was one of the best issues in the last years of this title's run. I enjoyed the story and Jan Duursema's artwork. I understood Luke's reluctance to become a trainer, especially since he still had much to learn himself. The only thing that I felt was left dangling was Flint's fate. We never heard from him again after the events in this double-sized story. I also don't know the name of the lizard man whom Luke was training back on Endor, but that's a very minor detail. 

Well, that's all I have for now. Next time, I'll recap the ninety-third issue of this series. "Our pal" Sal Buscema joins Tom Palmer and Jo Duffy to craft a yarn that involves Luke, Han, and Leia's journey to another world, where they try to figure out which of the two opposing sides is really which. It's a fun story that's well-worth reading. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.