Star Wars: Empire #33 (12 Days of C-3PO and R2-D2 Covers)

Celebrating day four of the twelve days of C-3PO and R2-D2 covers!

Star Wars: Empire #33 is the penultimate chapter in the 5-part In the Shadows of Their Fathers story.  In the story, Princess Leia offers the Jabiim Loyalist assistance by the Rebel Alliance against the Jabiim Nationalist allied with the Empire, but Luke Skywalker's presence is unexpected and unwelcome.  Years earlier during the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker is on Jabiim fighting alongside the Loyalist against the Nationalist, then backed by the Separatists, but he is forced to withdraw the Republic assistance.  The Battle of Jabiim is told in Star Wars: Republic #55 - 58.  The Jabiim never forgave Anakin for this act of betrayal and the Rebels are detained while the Loyalist determine what to do with them.  Before a decision is made, the Empire launches a full scale assault on Loyalist bases and the Rebels are compelled to leave, but not before Luke Skywalker redeems the Skywalker name.

Star Wars: Empire.... #33a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (August 2005)

While C-3PO and R2-D2 have a negligible role in the story, their plight against Imperial Stormtroopers is captured on the cover.  To help Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Nera Dantels, and Jorin Sol, the droids leave Dantels' ship, the Starduster, but are attacked by a squad of Imperial Stormtroopers including an AT-ST.  Leia and Dantels end up rescuing the droids.  Their presence in the story is to show the dire situation the Rebels are in when the Empire attacks.