Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Comic Connection

Star Wars (1977) #19 and Knights of the Old Republic #41

Dark Horse's twenty-four year tenure as the Star Wars comic license holder is a remarkable achievement for the company and fans.  Dark Horse introduced new eras, new characters, and new genres of stories to our beloved galaxy far, far away.  They took care to hold to the spirit of Star Wars, but were more than willing to experiment and expand the types of stories they told.  It is a testament to Dark Horse's success that they lost the license to Marvel only after Disney acquired both Marvel and Lucasfilm.  There is no doubt if that synergy did not exist under Disney's corporate umbrella, Dark Horse would still hold the license.

Longtime readers of Marvel's original Star Wars run are presented with many treats over that twenty-four years.  Dark Horse references several Marvel's comics, such as Star Wars #19.  In that issue, Chewbacca quickly dispatches a Mandallian Giant, a large muscular humanoid.

Star Wars #19a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 1979)
Zayne Carrick and Aubin Kleej faces off with a Mandallian Giant while participating in the Tandem Open in one of Jervo's World's 12 arenas.  This moment is captured on the cover of Knights of the Old Republic #41.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #41a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (May 2009)
Interestingly, the entire 3-part story in Knights of the Old Republic #39 - 41 titled Dueling Ambitions, is a homage to The Wheel arc in Marvel's original run, with Jervo's World operating much as The Wheel.  Another alien from The Wheel arc, a Tyluun Night-Soarer, also makes an appearance in this story.

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