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Writer: Archie Goodwin Artist, Cover Artist: Al Williamson Colorist: Steve Buccellato Editor: Anina Bennett Production Artist: Debra Watts Cover Colors: Gregory Wright CHARACTER Featured Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa Solo, Han Solo Supporting Chewbacca, Imperial Commander (onboard Star Destroyer), Admiral Griff, Imperial admirals, Rebel technician (in rebel tracking center) Villain Darth Vader, Skorr Other Gribbet DROID C-3PO (See Threepio), R2-D2 (Artoo Detoo) LOCATION Yavin 4, Imperial supply station, Ord Mantell STARSHIP X-wing starfighter, TIE Advanced x1 Starfighter, TIE fighter, Millennium Falcon, Skorr's ship, Imperial Star Destroyer, Escape pod (called a lifepod) TECHNOLOGY drone craft VEHICLE cargo flyer, atmosphere flyer | ||
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Trade Paperbacks and Alternate Covers | ||
This issue continues reprinting "The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell" and also begins "Darth Vader Strikes" with strips that run from 3/23/81 - 5/10/81.
Editor Anina Bennett reveals in the Stellar Scribes letter column that the cover colorist for the series is Gregory Wright.
For an in-depth comparison of this issue to the original comic strips, please see the Classic Star Wars Issue Index.
Han Solo approaches Ten-Mile plateau as Skorr explains his plan to his prisoners, Luke and Leia. Gribbet informs Skorr that the Millennium Falcon is still on the landing pad, but with its engines warming. As the atmosphere flyer approaches the site, Skorr places the hostages on a precarious perch over the plateau. Skorr instructs Han to get out and exchange himself for Luke and Leia.
Suddenly Gribbet realizes that another craft is approaching. Skorr opens fire on the Rebels as Han forces the others off the platform into the abyss. The other craft, a cargo flyer flown by Chewie, grabs them in a tractor beam and escorts them safely back to the landing pad. They hop aboard the Falcon and blast off, but Luke senses that something is still wrong.
Skorr acquires them and chases them into the moons crater. Luke believes that the bounty hunter will be able to track them regardless of Han's flying. He thinks there's a tracking beacon in his lightsaber. Solo lands his ship and they find a micro homing beacon in the hilt of Luke's saber. Realizing that the Imperial Fleet is still on maneuvers Luke comes up with an idea.
Skorr sees the homing signal and races after, what turns out to be an escape pod. He is grabbed by an Imperial tractor beam, pulled into the Star Destroyer where the Captain chastises him for allowing the other craft to escape. Skorr claims he was tricked, but the Captain doesn't see it that way an orders him to the spice mines of Kessel.
In a remote asteroid system, a squad of TIE fighters, including Darth Vader chase after the Millennium Falcon. Vader orders his squad to break off the pursuit as he continues after the smuggler ship. The Falcon attempts to loose Vader in the asteroid ring around the planet, but Vader drawing upon the Force manages to blast the ship into stardust! His wingman congratulates him, but Vader shrugs off the compliment, telling him it was only a drone, programmed to imitate the pirate ship.
The actual Millennium Falcon returns to the Rebel Headquarters on Yavin IV. Meanwhile at a meeting of Imperial Admirals in an Imperial supply station, Vader uses the Force to choke Admiral Griff, making an example of him. The remaining Admirals feel that Vader is taking to much power unto himself, just as with the Death Star. Griff tells the admirals that they need to follow the Dark Lords plans, but secretly they hope he will fail in his new endeavor.
Back at the Rebel Base, Luke finds a few moments to talk with Leia about Han's attention on Ord Mantell. She admits to being flattered, but she doesn't really have time to discuss it. A rebel finds Luke and tells him that a unidentified drone has entered the system. Luke retrieves the small drone in his X-wing, which he returns for a technician to investigate. They discover a secret message from an Imperial Admiral with information that will betray Darth Vader.