Star Wars Adventures: Tales From Vader's Castle #1

Happy Halloween!

In 2018, IDW Publishing released the 5-issue mini-series Star Wars Adventures: Tales From Vader's Castle to coincide with Halloween.  The first issue contains the yarn The Haunting of the Ghost.  The tale is framed in another story starring Lina Graf, a commander in the Rebel Alliance.  Lina is aboard the Auric with her crew: a bug-like alien Skritt, Lieutenant Hudd, XM-G3, and CR-8R (or Crater).  The Auric is attacked by TIE Fighters and the ship's shields and power core are damaged.  Lina decides to land on the nearest planet Mustafar which Crater informs her is guarded by Imperial forces.  Situated on a rock surround by flowing lava, Lina tells everyone they need to abandon ship, but Crater is apprehensive and recounts a tale told to him by his fellow droid Chopper.

Aboard the Ghost, Kanan Jarrus is analyzing a holocron using the Force while Hera Syndulla attempts to contact an informant named Graysom.  Kanan realizes the holocron is empty as Chopper spots Graysom's ship the Hoopaloo Nest crashed on an asteroid.  The Ghost lands near the Nest and Kanan and Hera board the damaged craft.  Hera learns an escape pod ejected from the Nest and she is suddenly electrocuted near one of the ship's panels.  As they return to the Ghost, an electric arc is seen between the two craft.  They find Graysom's escape pod and Graysom says he crashed because the Nest was haunted.  As he is explaining, the lights on the Ghost go out and a laughter echoes throughout the ship.  As Hera heads to the cockpit she is suddenly electrocuted again as Graysom tells the others the spirit is following him.  Then the airlock suddenly opens but Chopper is able to close it before Kanan is pulled into space.  Hera and Chopper head to the cockpit as Kanan and Graysom are sealed into a room by the entity with Kanan's lightsaber laying on the floor outside.  In the cockpit Chopper is inhabited by the spirit while Kanan uses the Force to manipulate his lightsaber to free him and Graysom.  The spirit in Chopper explains it was stripped of its physical form centuries ago by the Jedi.  Hera tricks the entity into the empty holocron when Kanan appears and uses the Force to seal the spirit inside.

After listening to the tale, the rebels depart the Auric.  Using macrobinoculars, Lina spots Vader's castle guarded by Imperial Stormtroopers and informs the others that is where they are going.

Cavan Scott, writer of four of the Adventures in Wild Space young reader books, wrote this comic.  The first book in that series, The Escape, introduced the character Lina Graf.  Like all the Star Wars Adventures comic from IDW, this comic is aimed at young readers.  The artwork is cartoonish which seems to be typical for young reader comics.  The framed story is meant to evoke dread in the reader for the actions taken by Lina and her crew at the end of the book, but not being the target audience, I cannot say if it was successful or not.  My only complaint is with the character Graysom who is drawn as a giant, clothed bird with a monocle.  Cavan Scott reintroduced Jaxxon to modern Star Wars comics in Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018 in April of that year and if more uninspired, anthropomorphic characters are a result, I wish Jaxxon had remained forgotten in the past.


Thankfully, none of the five covers feature Graysom, but instead the main two covers showcase the Ghost crew.  A black and white version of cover A is used for the retail incentive A cover.  Lina Graf and her crew from the Auric are depicted on retailer incentive cover B.  Vader's Castle is in the background as well as a ghostly image of Vader.  The IDW Convention exclusive is a black and white version of retailer incentive cover B.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1a - IDW Publishing, U.S. (October 2018)
cover A

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1b - IDW Publishing, U.S. (October 2018)
cover B

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1c - IDW Publishing, U.S. (October 2018)
retailer incentive a

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1d - IDW Publishing, U.S. (October 2018)
retailer incentive B

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1e - IDW Publishing, U.S. (October 2018)
IDW Convention exclusive

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1

The 4-issue mini-series Star Wars: Captain Phasma started releasing in Septermber 2017 as part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi branding.  Much like Boba Fett, Phasma received very little screen time during her movie debut but had attracted the attention of Star Wars fans nonetheless.  Early in The Force Awakens, Captain Phasma led a successful First Order Stormtrooper assault on Jakku in search of San Tekka.  Later in the movie, when Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Finn infiltrate Starkiller Base, Phasma is captured and forced to lower the base's shields.  Afterwards, she is unceremoniously discarded into a garbage chute.  This is reminiscent of Boba Fett falling into the Sarlacc Pit in the Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)

The first issue of the mini-series takes place during the Resistance assault on Starkiller Base as shown in The Force Awakens.  Captain Phasma frees herself from the trash compactor while the base is being bombarded by Resistance fighters.  Phasma is keeping a log and falsify events to cover up her role in lowering the base's shields.  She access a computer terminal and deletes the records of her transgression and learns Lieutenant Sol Rivas had accessed the files prior to her erasing them, so she adds records to falsely accuse Rivas of the deed.  She then proceeds to chase Rivas with the intent of killing him to cover her tracks.  She misses killing him in the base and follows him outside.  There, she witnesses the lightsaber battle between Kylo Ren and Rey.  She takes another long shot at Rivas before he enters a hangar.  Phasma watches Rivas leave the base in a TIE Fighter and commandeers a TIE Fighter and pilot to pursue him.  Just as the TIE Fighter with the pilot and Phasma enter space, Starkiller Base explodes.

It is clear from this issue that Phasma is a survivor and not necessarily a disciple of First Order doctrine.  Being a captain in the Order is clearly just a job to her and it will be interesting to see her resolves the dilemma she finds herself in.  The writer, Kelly Thompson, was earning accolades for her work on Hawkeye when this mini-series was released and the interior art is provided by the always exceptional Marco Checchetto.

In addition to the standard cover, there are 10 variants/exclusives for the first issue.  There are quite a few good covers to chose from, but if I had to pick a favorite, it is the cover by Mark Brooks which also has a sketch variant.

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
blank variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Skottie Young variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Todd Nauck variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1e - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Funko variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1f - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
movie variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1g - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Paulina Ganucheau homage variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1h - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Mark Brooks variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1i - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Mark Brooks sketch variant

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1j - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Fried Pie exclusive

Star Wars: Captain Phasma #1k - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017)
Frankie's Comics/Sad Lemon Comics exclusive

Star Wars (1998) #12

Aurra Sing is the main focus of the final chapter in the "Outlander: The Exile of Sharad Hett" and most of Star Wars #12 is told from her point of view.  Aurra Sing is attacked by a party of Tusken Raiders after dispatching the Tusken last issue.  She observes the arrival of Gardulla the Hutt's army and reveals that Gardulla wants to supplant Jabba the Hutt as Nal Hutta's ruler on Tatooine.  A fierce battle occurs between Gardulla's army and the Tusken Raiders and Aurra is able to snipe and kill the Bantha ridden by A'Sharad Hett and Ki-Adi-Mundi.  Ki-Adi-Mundi sense the attack was not from the army.  Meanwhile with the Jedi's help, the tide of the battle turns against Gardulla's men and she orders a retreat to Mos Espa.  Sharad Hett is able to board Gardulla's skiff speeder, but before he can kill Gardulla, Jabba arrives with his own army.

Aurra Sing betrayed Gardulla and had contacted Jabba.  She is able to snipe Sharad Hett who falls off the skiff wounded.  She brandishes her lightsaber and approaches Sharad to kill him.  A battle ensues and Aurra sinks her lightsaber into Hett's torso.  Ki-Adi-Mundi and A'Sharad arrive and, before Aurra delivers the killing blow to Sharad, A'Sharad stops her.  Apprehensive of facing two Jedi simultaneously, Aurra retreats into the desert.  The tide of the battle has turned against the Tusken Raiders and most of them are killed.  As Ki-Adi-Mundi and A'Sharad tend to the dying Sharad, Sharad asks his son A'Sharad what he will do now that their Tusken clan is defeated.  A'Sharad announces he will go with Ki-Adi-Mundi and join the Jedi.  Sharad's parting words are: "I didn't know my own parents, A'Sharad.  But I am honored to have known my son.  I'll leave now.  May the Force be with you both."

Ki-Adi-Mundi is the arguably the main character of this title (at least at this point) and Aurra Sing's appearances in early chapters set an expectation that they will meet and duel.  Unfortunately, nowhere in the issue does Aurra and Ki-Adi-Mundi engage in combat.  The only payoff for all the anticipation is the Ken Kelly cover showing Aurra Sing attacking Ki-Adi-Mundi while the desert burns around them.

Star Wars #12b - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (November 1999)
newsstand

A companion to Star Wars: The Bounty Hunters - Aurra Sing Dynamic Forces gold foil exclusive, Star Wars #12 being an Aurra Sing focused issue also receives the gold foil treatment.

Star Wars #12c - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (November 1999)
Dynamic Forces gold foil exclusive

The six-part story in Star Wars #7 - 12 is extremely enjoyable and the artwork both on the inside and adorning the covers is fantastic.  I found these issues much more engaging than Star Wars #1 - 6.  With these issues, Aurra Sing has proven to be a fierce and unpredictable villain for the Jedi and I like that the roster of Jedi continues to expand beyond those seen in the movies.

Star Wars (1977) #18 and Star Wars: Republic #49

The Wheel was introduced in Star Wars #18 as a galactic gambling establishment for weathly citizens of the Empire.&nbp; Senator Simon Greyshade is the space station's adminitrator and the Wheel operates outside of Imperial control due to the vast wealth it contributes to the Empire as taxes.  Our Rebellion heroes have a memorable detour to the station when a local Imperial commander falsely accuse the Rebels of destroying a ship carrying Wheel profits.

Star Wars #18a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1978)

Dark Horse's Star Wars line that began in the 1990s is highly regarded by Star Wars comic fans and one reason is their propensity to include elements introduced in different media and eras including the original Marvel series.  Star Wars: Republic #49 takes place aboard the Wheel.  Jedi Master Quinlan Vos' accomplice Khaleen Hentz steals a data disc containing Separatist plans to attack Kamino from a Falleen named Zenex.  The Jedi Council believe that Vos is on the Wheel and send Aayla Secura to investigate after he misses a rendezvous and stops responding to communications.

Star Wars: Republic #49a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (December 2002)

During the time of the Republic, the underworld appears to operate with impunity since none of the encounters between our heroes and Zenex's henchmen attract the attention of Wheel security.  This contrasts with the era of the Empire where patrons are closely monitored and illicit activities are dealt with promptly.

Space Warped #1 - 6

French creators Hervé Bourhis and Rudy Spiessert began their long running collaborate together on a comic strip called Le Stéréo Club in 2004.  Many strips later, in 2010 they created a Star Wars parody called Naguere les Etoiles.  Hervé Bourhis, a capable illustrator himself, is the writer and Rudy Spiessert provides the artwork.  This series was published by Delcourt in France as 3 albums starting in 2010 and was imported to the U.S. by BOOM! Studios as a 6-issue mini-series for their KaBOOM! imprint in 2011.  BOOM! Studios uses the title Space Warped for this series.

The setting is medieval Europe and the stories track closely to the original trilogy movies.  Each movie is told in two issues.  The cleverness of the spoof is how characters, ships, and locations are changed to fit the time period of the story which is different than most Star Wars parodies.  C-3PO and R2-D2 are druids named Hal and Ravi.  Chewbacca is a burly woodsman named Boogie.  The Millennium Falcon has been turned into a large old bird named Centenarian Egret.  The Death Star is the Dread Castle and the Empire is the Kingdom.  The use of real world substitutes does not diminish the outlandish situations that arise in the stories.  The humor is witty at times and does a surprisingly good job satiring the movies while also being unique.

The only nitpick I have with these books is minor and has more to do with the U.S. translation than the original work by Bourhis and Spiessert.  These comics are far removed from being space-based tales, so Space Warped is a misnomer.  I understand why the title was chosen as it readily identifies itself as a Star Wars spoof.  But it does a disservice to the true nature of the content of the issues.

The first issues of Space Warped has two covers.  The remaining five issues only have one cover each.  I much prefer the three covers that show the characters at locations versus the covers that just have the characters against a light blue background with stars.

Space Warped #1a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (June 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #1b - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (June 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #2a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (July 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #3a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (September 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #4a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (October 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #5a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (November 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Space Warped #6a - BOOM! Studios, U.S. (December 2011)
U.S. edition of French Naguere les Etoiles

Starting in 2017, Delcourt began publishing Hervé Bourhis and Rudy Spiessert followup work Naguere Les Etoiles: Avant Naguere.  This time the pair parodied the prequel trilogy, but unfortunately, these have not been translated for english readers.

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

I spend a lot of time looking at Star Wars comics while doing research for this blog.  Many times, I'll come across something that is interesting but outside the scope of what I'm researching, note it, and come back to it later.  A while ago, I noticed that the cover logo being used for reprints of Star Wars #2 is different than the logo on the issue that was original published.  It is a subtle, but interesting change.  For Star Wars #1, the logo did not join the first and last two letters of the title as is standard for the Star Wars logo.  This was fixed for the second issue.

Star Wars #2a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1977)

I first noticed the discrepancy in the Dark Horse published Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... Volume 1: Doomworld trade paperback.  The Star Wars #2 cover reprinted in that collection has the separate first and last two letters on the logo.  This different logo has been used on subsequent reprints of Star Wars #2.

Star Wars #2 cover used in reprints

Even Wookieepedia incorrectly states:

On the cover of both this issue and the previous one, the first and last two letters of the Star Wars logo are not attached to each other.

This appears to be true for modern reprints of Star Wars #2, but not for the issue as it was originally printed in 1977.

So, what is the origin of this change?  I've looked through my collection to see if this alternate cover appears on any of the foreign editions, but I have not been able to find any.  If anyone knows or has an older reprint that uses the alternate logo, I would definitely be interested in hearing about it!

Luke Skywalker's Best Friend Biggs Darklighter

Over the years, deleted scenes from A New Hope have surfaced for Star Wars aficianados to enjoy and some have even been modified and reintegrated into the movie, but the most consequential scenes featuring Biggs Darklighter have not.  Perhaps the Biggs' clips remain on the cutting room floor due to pacing issues or even the pathos they bring towards the film's climax.  Luckily, Star Wars fans can still enjoy these deleted scenes as they are included in the novelization, the radio drama, and the original Marvel comic book adaptation.

Marvel Comic was working from an early version of A New Hope which included Biggs, Luke Skywalker's childhood friend from Tatooine.  In the 102 page adaptation, Biggs is seen or mentioned on 10 pages of the story.  Biggs is first shown in Star Wars #1 on page 5 when Luke races to Anchorhead excited to tell his friends about the space battle he just witnessed.  Biggs is visiting and we learn he has received his commission from the Academy and has signed aboard the frigate Rand Ecliptic.

Star Wars #1 page 5 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1977)

Just three pages later, Biggs and Luke are alone and Biggs confides that he has plans to jump ship and join the Rebellion instead of being drafted by the Empire.  Luke explains his uncle needs him and he won't be attending the Academy this season and Biggs harshly tells him: "What good is all your uncle's work, if he ends up merely a tenant soon-- slaving away for the greater glory of the Empire?"  As Biggs departs, Luke tells him he will "always be the best friend I've got."

Star Wars #1 page 8 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1977)

While not shown, Biggs is mentioned when Luke is having dinner with his uncle Owen and aunt Beru.  Luke, clearly emboldened by the visit from Biggs, tells his uncle he would like to apply for the Academy this year, but Owen is apprehensive.  The conversation ends with Luke storming off but not before saying:

Luke Skywalker: That's what you said last year-- when Biggs and Tank left.
Uncle Owen: Where are you going?
Luke Skywalker: It looks like I'm going nowhere!  I have to finish cleaning those droids.

Star Wars #1 page 13 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1977)

It is clear that Luke wants to follow his best friends Biggs and much of his discontent is due to conversations that he and his best friend have had growing up together.  Biggs is following his dreams and Luke has convinced himself that he is obligated to help his uncle instead of following his.

The next time we see Biggs is in two pages of Star Wars #5.  A saddened Luke says his goodbyes to Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa in the Rebel hangar on Yavin 4, but then is greeted by his best friend Biggs now wearing an X-Wing pilot uniform.  Luke is clearly elated and their squadron leader interrupts the conversation asking about Luke's qualifications to fly.  Biggs vouches for his best friend.  The squadron leader mentions he met Luke's father describing him as a great pilot and a Jedi Knight.  Finally, Luke and Biggs agree to catch up on recent events and depart, but not before Biggs tells Luke: "It's going to be like old times, little buddy!  We're a couple of shooting stars that'll never be stopped!"

Star Wars #5 page 15 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1977)

Star Wars #5 page 16 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1977)

Star Wars #6 encompasses the Rebel assault on the Death Star and Biggs is shown several times.  It is interesting to note that on page 2 Biggs is designated Blue Three and Luke is Blue Five, but in the movie, they are both part of the Red Squadron not the Blue Squadron.

Star Wars #6 page 2 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

On page 6, Luke destroys a TIE Fighter that is chasing Biggs and on page 7, Biggs is shown mourning the loss of fellow pilot Tono Porkins.  Two pages later, Blue Leader is killed by Darth Vader, leaving just Luke, Biggs, and Wedge Antilles as the remaining members of Blue Squadron.  Luke's natural instincts to lead kick in and he commands the others to follow him into the trench of the Death Star.

Star Wars #6 page 6 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

Star Wars #6 page 7 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

Star Wars #6 page 9 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

Biggs' death comprises the entirety of page 11 highlighting the importance of this character.  Darth Vader's TIE Fighter descends on Biggs' X-Wing Fighter in the trench and fires.  Biggs' ship begins to break up and explodes.  Wedge Antilles notes the loss and Luke is understandably upset.  Captions profoundly capture the impact to Luke: "What was it Luke said to Biggs, a short eternity ago?  You'll always be the best friend I've got."

Star Wars #6 page 11 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

Most, if not all, of the action from the battle in the sixth issue are shown in the movie including Biggs' role.  The comic does a good job capturing the emotional death of Biggs and how tragic the loss is to Luke.  It is impossible to see how the movie could have made this scene better.

---

Issues Referenced

Star Wars #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1977)

Star Wars #5a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1977)

Star Wars #6a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 1977)

Star Wars (1977) #92 and Månadens äventyr (1986) #12

The cover for Star Wars #92 depicts a scene from early in the story where Luke Skywalker encounters Darth Vader in his dreams.  The artwork is a collaborative effort by Cynthia Martin and Bill Sienkiewicz and there are some glaring errors to how the event is shown inside the issue.  The cover shows Luke's lightsaber ignited and he is wearing a black jacket and pants, but in the story Luke's lightsaber does not work and he is wearing a white jacket and pants.

Star Wars #92a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 1985)

The Swedish Månadens äventyr #12a from Semic Press in 1986 contains Star Wars #92, but uses a different cover.

Månadens äventyr #12a - Semic Press, Sweden (December 1986)
contains Star Wars #92

The interior artwork is the first Star Wars work by Jan Duursema and the cover is taken from a panel on page 2.

Star Wars #92 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 1985)
page 2

The cover for Månadens äventyr utilizes enhanced shading on the image making the meeting between Luke and Vader appear real with the smoke behind Vader being the only hint at this being a dream sequence.  The U.S. cover clearly shows this encounter is not real through the use of abstract and disproportionately sized figures and a mute, mostly black and white, palette.  I prefer the Swedish cover and it is unfortunate Jan Duursema did not provide the cover artwork for the original issue.

Spanish Telecomic Collection #5

Planeta DeAgostini published select issues from Marvel's Star Comics line for young Italian readers starting in 1986 in their Telecomic title. The comic ran for 28 issues with issue #13 - 28 containing translations of Marvel's Ewoks and Droids titles.  Issues were also bundled with a outer cover with the fifth collection containing Telecomic #24 - 28.

Telecomic Collection #5a - Planeta DeAgostini, Spain (1988)
collects Telecomic #24 - 28

The outer cover artwork is the same used on Telecomic #26 which itself is the cover for Marvel's Droids #6.

Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny Trade Paperback

The five Forces of Destiny one-shots are collected in the Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny trade paperback.  The trade paperback includes:

• Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny - Leia
• Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny - Rey
• Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny - Hera
• Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny - Ahsoka & Padme
• Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny - Rose & Paige

The cover for the trade paperback is a new piece and features all the female heroes from the one-shots.

Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny Trade Paperback a - IDW Publishing, U.S. (April 2018)

Star Wars #98

Cynthia Martin took over art chores as the regular artist with Star Wars #94 and needless to say, her artwork was not suitable for Star Wars.  Her attempt at manga is laudible and we have seen that style work well with Star Wars, but her artwork on this title, a cartoonish and, dare I say, amateurish take on Star Wars is hard to take.  The characters are exaggerate, settings scant, and the color palette is garish.

Luckily, there are three issues between Star Wars #94 and the final issue #107 that do not have her artwork, Star Wars #98, 99, and #102.  Of the three books, Star Wars #98 is my clear favorite.  Unfortunately, the exquisite interior artwork is hidden behind a painted cover by Bill Sienkiewicz which makes this issue easy to overlook.  Dark Horse drew attention to this Archie Goodwin written and Al Williamson illustrated masterpiece when they reprinted it in the Classic Star Wars: The Vandelhelm Mission one-shot which is graced with a new Al Williamson cover.

Star Wars #98a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1985)

Star Wars #98b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1985)

Cynthia Martin was running behind on the artwork for this title, thankfully, and the content that was originally scheduled for issue #98 was pushed out to issue #101.  It does make one wonder if this story was just sitting around unpublished before they decided to use it.  Was it originally intended for the newspaper strip, which is Al Williamson's best known Star Wars work, or did Marvel solicit Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson to create this fill-in?  It is unlikely it is leftover material from the newspaper run as the classic strip took place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and this story has appearances by Lando Calrissian.  Regardless, I for one am thankful Star Wars comic readers received another offering by the dynamic duo of Archie and Al!

Midtown Comics Mark Brooks Star Wars Exclusives

Midtown Comics is amongst the largest retailers in the United States.  Started in 1997, it operates 3 retail stores in New York City and has a thriving online store.  It had two exclusives each for the first issues of three inaugural Star Wars titles in 2015.  The covers are by artist Mark Brooks and each is a montage for an original trilogy movie.  The color exclusives were limited to 3000 copies while the black and white versions had only 1500 copies.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 has a cover montage for a New Hope.  The named characters on the cover include: Boba Fett, Emperor Palpatine, Grand Moff Tarkin, Admiral Piett, and Darth Vader.  Imperial soldiers are interspersed between them and the Death Star is in the background.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #1n - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 2015)
Midtown Comics exclusive

Star Wars: Darth Vader #1o - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 2015)
Midtown Comics black and white exclusive

Star Wars #1 has The Empire Strikes Back cover featuring Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Yoda.  Obi-Wan Kenobi's ghostly image is also shown as well as the Millenium Falcon being pursued by a Star Destroyer.

Star Wars #1al - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 2015)
Midtown Comics exclusive

Star Wars #1am - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 2015)
Midtown Comics black and white exclusive

Return of the Jedi is the focus of the Star Wars: Princess Leia #1 cover.  It features Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, Jabba the Hutt, Bib Fortuna, and Salacious Crumb.  A Gamorrean Guard is present with Jabba and his palace can be seen in the background.

Star Wars: Princess Leia #1l - Marvel Comics, U.S. (March 2015)
Midtown Comics exclusive

Star Wars: Princess Leia #1m - Marvel Comics, U.S. (March 2015)
Midtown Comics black and white exclusive

The covers connect to form one large image.