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Plot: Michael A. Stackpole Script: Mike W. Barr Artist: Gary Erskine Letterer: Annie Parkhouse Colorist: Dave Nestelle Cover Artist: Christopher Moeller Editor: Bob Cooper Assistant Editor: Dave Land CHARACTER Featured Biggs Darklighter (as Red Three), Cesi 'Doc' Eirriss (dies, as Red Four), Jek Porkins (as Red Six), Wedge Antilles (as Red Two) Supporting Captain Nera Dantels (full name not revealed until Other Stormtrooper (Commenor patrol), Rebel technician, Rebel pilot, Alien Waitress, Commenor gang leader, Commenor street gang Cameo Luke Skywalker DROID R2 Unit, R2-D2 (Artoo Detoo) LOCATION Commenor, Folor, Hangar Bay 31 ORGANIZATION Red Squadron SPECIES various species (Include Jawa, Quarren, Twi'Lek, Pa'lowick, Kitonak, Arcona, Kubaz, & Sullustan) STARSHIP X-wing starfighter, TIE fighter, various starships (Include Star Destroyers, YT-2400, Rebel medium transport, Lambda shuttle, & Mon Cal star cruisers), Starduster TECHNOLOGY sabacc cards VEHICLE landspeeder (X-34 model) | ||
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| Trade Paperbacks and Alternate Covers | ||
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  "X-Wing Rogue Squadron Wizard Special Edition (Silver Logo Edition)")  "X-Wing Rogue Squadron Wizard Special Edition (ESB First Day Presentation)") | ||
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This issue was available only through a special offer from Wizard Magazine #67. This issue also includes a four page sketch book from Chris Moeller and Edvin Biukovic.
There exists an alternate cover that uses silver ink on the 'X-Wing Rogue Squadron logo that was distributed with the regular editions. Another version was also created of this issue for the February 21, 1997 release of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. It features the exact same story, but the cover was modified and the sketch pages were not included.
In the pages that show space traffic around Commenor, several 'famous' space craft can be seen including the Discovery from 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Nostromo from Alien.
This is the only X-Wing Rogue Squadron story, not collected in the X-Wing Rogue Squadron Omnibus collection. This is due to the timeline of this issue which takes place just before A New Hope, not after Return of the Jedi, as with the remainder of the X-Wing stories (see this link for more information).
On Commenor, four members of Red Squadron are on an undercover mission. Wedge, Biggs, Porkins and the Twi'lek Cesi 'Doc' Eirriss are playing sabacc when Wedge receives a message to meet at Hangar Bay 31.
On their way to the rendezvous, the group is accosted by some thugs looking to steal their landspeeder. After defeating and humiliating the gang, they meet with Captain Dantels.
She shows them what they've come to see — a hold full of R2 units. Just what they need for their X-wings. Unbeknownst to the squadron, they are observed by a stormtrooper, tipped off by one of the beaten gang members.
As Captain Dantels in the Starduster and the X-wings are preparing to jump to hyperspace, a squadron of TIE Fighters launch from the moon Folor. Wedge and his team engage, destroying a number of TIEs in the process. But Doc's X-wing is damaged. She sacrifices herself so that the others can safely escape.
Back at Yavin base Wedge, Biggs and Porkins vow to avenge Doc's death. Another pilot introduces one of the replacement pilots — Luke Skywalker. "And a new chapter of galactic history is begun..."