Good afternoon all,
It's time for me to recap the eighty-fifth issue of the first Star Wars comic book series. The cover showed Lando Calrissian, Han Solo, and Chewbacca entering a tavern full of unsavory characters, including the bounty hunters Bossk and IG-88 in one corner. The story was titled "The Hero." The issue had a publication date of July 1984.
Somewhere in the back room of a tavern, the human known as Drebble was cursing out Lando Calrissian, before Bossk, IG-88, and a Stenax. The bar owner promised revenge on his longtime foe and was prepared to offer good money for his capture. The money was tempting enough, but when asked why he was so hellbent on this, he explained that the former Cloud City administrator was a con man, double-crosser, and a cheat.
At that very moment on Endor, Lando's ethics were being brought into question by Chewbacca during a card game that also involved Han and a pair of Ewoks. Chewie eventually stormed off, but Solo knew it wasn't the contest that he was peeved about. The Wookiee was homesick and hadn't been to his native planet in quite some time. He longed to see his family, but still honored his commitment to the Alliance.
A few minutes later, Wedge Antilles arrived to announce that Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar had called a meeting. On the way, the Rebel pilot asked his comrades if either of them knew of a man called Captain Drebble. Lando smiled and admitted to Han that Drebble was an alias he'd used at times while Han had been frozen in carbonite. It was the name of an old enemy that he'd decided to use when he was in troublesome situations.
Mothma and Ackbar began the conversation by discussing the Alliance's intentions of reaching out to residents of other worlds to offer assistance and invitations to belong to and have their voices heard in the new Alliance of Free Planets. Ackbar added that they were seeking the one known as Drebble to declare him a hero of the galaxy. He went on to describe Drebble's actions in helping to overtake the Imperial establishment on the planet Gamandar and taking on a notorious gang of thieves, both of which were perpetrated by Calrissian using his Captain Drebble guise.
Han volunteered himself and Chewbacca for a mission that would take them to the Keyorin system. Lando offered to tag along. They knew that course would take them past Chewie's homeworld, and thought it would be a good opportunity for their friend to see his family. He could even take one of their ships if he decided to stay for a while. This was a plan that the Wookiee wholeheartedly agreed to.
A short while later, the Millennium Falcon and the Cobra arrived on Keyorin, which was also referred to as the Hunter's World. Although none of them had ever visited the planet before, they understood its reputation. Han did all the talking with the planet's representatives and spoke to them in terms that they could understand, and promised to consider.
Afterward, the trio headed to the nearest tavern. While they talked in a corner booth, Bossk walked in. Lando and Chewie grimaced at the sight of the bounty hunter. Han was curious as to why they reacted that way, so Lando explained that he was one of the bounty hunters they pursued while the trail for Han and Boba Fett grew cold. Han realized that it put him in even more trouble, and was understandably upset by this revelation. The group eventually decided to move on and went to the bar to settle their tab. The owner emerged from the back, who was none other than Drebble himself.
The proprietor took one look at Calrissian and ordered his men to get him. The heroes raced out, only to find more people interested in them around another corner. They doubled back to the bar, where Bossk and a trio of hired guns were waiting for them. The Rebels were forced to flee.
On their way back to the Falcon, Lando told Han that the others they'd run into were from the planet Arcan IV. He'd met them before, when they were searching for the Dancing Goddess, a small statue that he'd owned for years. Lando had told the gang that Han was an expert at finding artifacts like that one.
The group had no sooner ascended the Falcon's landing ramp when Drebble and his Stenaxes blasted them from the mouth of the entrance. Lemo and Sanda's gang members arrived, demanding Solo and the Wookiee. Drebble offered them freely, since Lando was the only one that he wanted.
A few minutes later, Han and Chewie found themselves in chains affixed to the ceiling. Lemo and Sanda were insisting that their captives tell them where the Dancing Goddess statue was. Han, of course, had no idea, but insinuated that he knew who would have it.
Drebble took Lando back to the Cobra, where he put his prisoner in chains. He was playing around with the ship's controls when he stumbled onto a recording from Mothma and learned that he was being sought by the Alliance for commendations and a decoration for bravery. This news surprised and delighted Lando's old foe. However, he had little time to celebrate, as Lemo and Sanda's gang were now outside demanding to know where the idol was.
This left Han and Chewie alone with a single guard. Chewbacca played dead, which tricked the guard into backing up against Han. The Correllian wrapped his legs around their tormentor until he released them from their bonds. Han then grabbed the guard's gun and had Chewie put him in a pair of bonds. They then went to find their friend.
IG-88, Bossk, and the Stenaxes were ready to defend their boss. Lando offered a suggestion, but his plan would require the removal of the binders that were around his wrists. He and Drebble emerged from the Cobra with their hands up, just before Chewbacca and Han arrived. A shootout started. The battle was brief, as the Arcan IV gang members found themselves outnumbered by the Stenax assault from the air. Lando retreated into his ship momentarily before giving Drebble his "commendation," which was the Dancing Goddess statue that Lemo and Sanda had coveted.
This issue put a humorous spin on the Drebble character. I didn't care for him much at first, but he made a noticeable change in this story. Tom Palmer's inks really improved Bob McLeod's pencil work. I realized by the time I read this issue that penciler Ron Frenz had moved on to the Amazing Spider-Man title, but Palmer was still one of the best inkers for this series. It was good to see Lemo, Sanda, IG-88, Bossk, and the Stenaxes again. Drebble, Lemo, and Sanda would appear one more time before this title reached its end.
The regular storyline will continue after another fill-in tale. I'll cover that issue next time with a recap of the eighty-sixth issue of this series. The story that takes place before the Return of the Jedi events recounts Princess Leia's adventures on another world that has fallen under Imperial influence. She meets an enemy who has something in common and learns a valuable lesson. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one anothe.
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