Good evening,
The focus of this article is the eighty-seventh issue of the first Star Wars comic book title. The cover showed Kiro, Luke Skywalker, an unknown face, Rik Duel, the Zeltron Dani, and a planet imploding. The story was called "Still Active After All These Years." The issue had a cover date of September 1984.
The tale began in Rik's ship, the Moonshadow, as he, Dani, Kiro, and the Rodian Chihdo were receiving Luke and the Hoojib Plif's transmission from their Rebel X-Wing fighter. The two ships were about to land on the planet Shawken. Shortly after landing, the group was met by Santor and his delegation.
Santor welcomed them all and talked about how the planet had been under Imperial rule until their forces withdrew recently. While Luke was there on a diplomatic mission, Rik and his crew were looking for ways to pass the time. Santor pointed out the nearby caves, which they could explore. Rik, Dani, and Chihdo went on, and Luke, Kiro, and Plif followed the delegates.
A guard at the cavern entrance provided the visitors with a light and allowed them to continue on foot. Meanwhile, the meeting was just beginning. Kiro became concerned by his companions' selfish interests and set out to check up on them after a few minutes. He soon found that he had reason to be suspicious.
Kiro announced his presence, and Chihdo fired at him. The Iskalonian pushed the Rodian against a wall, which contained a switch that lowered the door in front of them. The four were now trapped in the same room together. They were starting to panic just before a ticking sound began.
Luke talked about the reason for his visit. When asked if he wanted any refreshments, Plif replied that he feeds on energy and had already helped himself to some earlier. Santor welcomed the Hoojib to consume as much energy as he needed before noting that his planet was once home to many Jedi Knights.
The conversation was then interrupted by the cavern guard, who informed his superiors about the door closing and a strange hum that now filled that area. At the same time, Rik was trying to figure out how to get out. He asked Chihdo what he did that caused the door to close in the first place. The Rodian explained that he'd hit a switch, which he moved again until it snapped off of the wall.
Rik and Dani started to panic, especially after they noticed that not even Kiro's thin blade would be enough to help open the door. While Rik started blaming Luke for their predicament, Dani found comfort sitting next to Kiro. Santor informed Luke and Plif about the many traps that lay in wait in the caves that had been set by their ancestors several generations ago. Luke's Jedi instincts served him well, as he used his lightsaber to deflect blaster fire from a small turret.
After Luke destroyed the weapon, Santor explained the panel behind it that was now exposed. It was the intended effect of a doomsday weapon that his people had created. One of their ancestors thought that once something went wrong, it couldn't be fixed, and that it was better to just destroy everything and hope for something better to emerge after a new beginning. That device was constructed to start an artificially generated new Big Bang.
Fortunately, that person never got around to activating the machinery, but its secrets were lost to time when he passed away. Luke had only been able to eliminate its external defenses, and more potential threats still remained. As the heroes advanced, they encountered an energy barrier. It was time for Plif to step up. The Hoojib ate his way through the barrier and, in doing so, allowed the door to open.
The quartet was relieved to see their friends, but dismayed when they learned from Santor what still remained. Santor borrowed his associate Margan's beaded necklace to display what could happen. He used one bead to represent Shawken. He explained that if the planet exploded, its debris traveling at sublight speeds could create a chain reaction that would destroy other surrounding worlds. He demonstrated this by knocking the bead that represented Shawken into other beads, which went spinning off in different directions.
A few moments later, Luke found a trapdoor. He and Kiro descended the stairs. After a while, they reached a pool. Luke was about to enter the waters and asked Kiro to hold his saber. Kiro was happy to oblige, since that was what he wanted. He hesitatingly held his friend at knifepoint before explaining that the next task was something that he had to accomplish alone.
Luke was stunned but understood. Kiro swam off, using Luke's blade to guide him. He sensed something behind him. Kiro then turned and swung the saber at a stone face, which caused an explosive reaction. Everything went dark for a while. Rik, Santor, Dani, Chihdo, and Plif stood where they were for some time until a light ascended the tunnel stairs.
It was Luke, who was carrying Kiro on his back and using his ignited saber in one hand. He explained that Kiro had taken out the final trap and that the power went out once the final machine had been deactivated. Luke set his friend down gently. Kiro was alive, but his mental processes were buried at the time. He'd turned out to be the hero that none of them expected, but probably couldn't have survived the encounter without.
I remember fondly enjoying this issue when I first bought it back when I was eleven years old. This was the start of a romantic relationship between Dani and Kiro, one that lasted almost all the way through the end of this series' remaining run. It also sparked an idea that Kiro might be Force sensitive. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to sense the final danger that lurked behind him. I would have liked it if Marvel had done a story where Alliance members returned to Shawken at some point.
That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll talk about the eighty-eighth issue of this title. Princess Leia Organa, C-3PO, and R2-D2 travel to a planet that is still in the process of deciding where it wants to be in terms of establishing its governmental controls and rights for its people. They encounter resistance and a new threat, one which may seem strangely familiar to some. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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