Saturday, June 4, 2016

Retro Foreign

British Star Wars Weekly #97 - 99

Because there were no more U.S. stories to publish for British readers prior to the adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back except for the unplanned story in Star Wars #38, Star Wars Weekly #94 - 99 and #104 - 115 contain original stories and art.  Han Solo and Chewbacca received the spotlight in Way of the Wookiee published in Star Wars Weekly #94 - 96.[1]  This was followed up by a Luke Skywalker story The Day After the Death Star! in Star Wars #97 - 99.  Princess Leia's solo story occurred in Star Wars Weekly #104 - 106 and is titled The Weapons Master!  Luke and Leia would have an adventure together in issue #107 - 115 which make up the World of Fire story arc.

The story The Day After the Death Star! is a poignant story that teaches Luke Skywalker a lesson about his Imperial enemies.  Luke wants to let off steam after the celebration of the destruction of the Death Star and takes his crippled X-Wing along with R2-D2 for a ride.  While day dreaming, he is interrupted by a stray TIE Fighter from the battle.  Luke is forced to ram his X-Wing into the TIE Fighter and both ships crash in the jungles of Yavin IV.  Luke's X-Wing crashes into a lake, not unlike his crash on Dagobah.  As he emerges from the water, he is attacked by the TIE Fighter pilot.  Luke does not have his blaster, so is forced to fight the pilot hand-to-hand.  They both tumble into the lake where the fully clothed pilot is intent on drowning Luke, but Luke is able to break the pilot's air hose.  As the Imperial begins to drown, Luke pulls him from the water, intent on killing him.  Before Luke can deliver the killing blow, the pilot's helmet slips off and Luke realizes:

Luke Skywalker: I... never thought beyond the glory, the adventure.  But this is part of it, too!  The enemy's not just armor or a spacecraft.  They live, breath... like you!  Kill when it can be avoided... and you're no better than them at their worst!

Star Wars Weekly #97a - Marvel Comics, England (January 2, 1980)
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Star Wars Weekly #98a - Marvel Comics, England (January 9, 1980)
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Star Wars Weekly #99a - Marvel Comics, England (January 16, 1980)
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References:

  1. Retro Foreign: British Star Wars Weekly #94 - 96

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