Shadows of the Empire AMT/ERTL Model Mini-Comic

Model Products Corporation (MPC) was the original licensor of Star Wars models in the U.S. and they were acquired by The Ertl company in 1985.  Ertl had acquired Aluminum Model Toys (AMT) in 1981 and they produced Star Wars models under the AMT/ERTL brand through the 1990s.

In 1996 the multimedia event, Shadows of the Empire, saw the release of comics, books, toys, trading cards, video games, and other products including models.  The Shadows of the Empire story took place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and included all the merchandise that would typically accompany a movie.  Select AMT/ERTL models included a 16 page full color mini-comic measures 4" x 4 1/2".  This mini-comic has a picture of Luke Skywalker on the cover and saw distribution in many different Star Wars models including: the Millennium Falcon, X-Wing, TIE Fighter, Slave I, and Encounter with Yoda on Dagobah.  Only Star Wars brand models with a sticker identifying the mini-comic will contain the comic.

Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire (mini-comic) - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (1996)
included in specially marked Star Wars brand models from AMT/ERTL

Models without the comic are more common that the models with the comic.  The cheapest models found with this comic (the Encounter with Yoda on Dagobah model) usually run $10 - 20.