Rebelscum.com: Jedi Journals Comics

Marvel Super Special #16

Spring 1980

93ppg, $2.00

Writer, Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artist: Al Williamson
Artist: Carlos Garzon
Colorist: Glynis Wein-Oliver
Letterer: Rick Veitch
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
Associate Editor: Mary Jo Duffy
Designer: Nora Maclin
Cover Artist: Bob Larkin
Editorial Assistant: Marian Stensgard
Production VP: Milton Schiffman
Staff: Danny Crespi
Staff: Marie Severin
Staff: Michael Higgins
Staff: Eliot R. Brown
Staff: Rob Carosella
Staff: Jim Novak
Staff: Andy Yanchus
Staff: Rick Parker
Staff: Joe Albelo

COMMENTS
Magazine sized adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back.

This issue is listed as a Spring 1980 issue, which would put it between mid-March and mid-Jun. We can assume that this issue was published around the time of the film release (May 21, 1980) and after the Marvel Comics Illustrated version of The Empire Strikes Back, as the images of Yoda have been altered to more closely reflect his appearance in the film.

The inside front cover features a black and white pin-up by Williamson as appeared in the Marvel Comics Illustrated version splash page. The last two pages are also pin-ups, one featuring the original art from issue #39 of the monthly series (and seen later as the back cover of Marvel Super Special #27-Return of the Jedi), and an image of Luke that's also seen in Marvel Special Edition volume 2 #2. The back cover features artwork of the Imperial Walkers (from page 25) with the text 'May the Force be With You.'

The original cover art from Marvel Super Special #16 by Bob Larkin sold for $4,000 on eBay reports Diamond Galleries on July 20, 2004. The colorful painting measured 12"x 20" and featured Luke Skywalker on Tauntaun with Darth Vader looming above.