Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Special Wizard Edition

Wizard Magazine was a popular monthly periodical that began publishing in July 1991 and features articles about comic books.  Fans of comics in the 1990s were eager to consume news about which comics where hot and rising in value and Wizard was more than happy to cater to this crowd.  A few years after this magazine started, Wizard began producing comics in conjunction with comic publishers that featured in-continuity stories for popular titles.  These comics were numbered 1/2 and were available to readers of the magazine who sent away for them and paid for the shipping costs.

It was only natural that Dark Horse's popular Star Wars line would be featured in Wizard 1/2 comics.  Wizard 1/2 issues were published for Star Wars: Boba Fett, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron.  Dark Horse began publishing Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron in July 1995 and it ran for 35 issues.  The comic features the exploits of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron, led by Wedge Antilles.

On January 31, 1997 a Star Wars action figure produced by Hasbro was given away to the first 150 people who lined up for the Star Wars: A New Hope Special Edition at select theaters across the U.S.  The Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Wizard 1/2 comic was published in February 1997, so it only made sense to use this same comic for the free give-away to first day movie goers for The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition on February 21, 1997.  The only difference between the mail-away comic and the first day presentation comic is the wording on the cover.  Both versions of the comic were printed at the same time.

Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Special Wizard Edition a
- Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (February 1997)
same content as Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Wizard 1/2
free to first day attendees of The Empire Strikes Back Special Edition

Quite a few of these commemorative issues were given away to movie attendees and they are frequently available on eBay.  You can expect to pay $5 - $10 for this comic.