In Star Wars #7, titled New Planets, New Perils! and the first Marvel comic after the 6-issue movie adaptation, Han Solo and Chewbacca are captured by the pirate Crimson Jack. Han and Jack are old acquaintances but since Han last saw him, Jack has acquired a Star Destroyer and leads a sizeable pirate gang. In exchange for his life and freedom, Han gives Jack the treasure that he and Chewie received from rescuing Princess Leia Organa. Jolli, Crimson Jack's second-in-command, questions why Jack freed Han instead of killing him and Jack says "One day soon, we may again encounter Mr. Solo and his furry friend, when they have another interesting cargo. That will hardly be true if we eliminate them, will it?"
Star Wars #7a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 1978) 1st appearance of Crimson Jack
The next time we see Crimson Jack is in Star Wars #11. This issue, titled Star Search, is the first part of a five-part story arc that will see our heroes reunited for the first time since A New Hope. Han Solo and Chewbacca are leaving Aduba-3 after defeating Serji-X Arrogantus and his Cloud Riders when Jack's Star Destroyer intercepts them. Han reasons they must have planted a tracer onboard the Millennium Falcon. A tractor beam hauls the Falcon aboard the larger craft where Han and Chewie are greated by Jack who holds Leia captive. Jack order his men to kill the pair, but before they do, Han tells Jack he is able to get more treasure and that is why he let the Falcon be capture again. Jack is skeptical, but his greed wins out.
Later, in the master's quarters, the group has just finished a meal when an impatient Jack asks for proof that Han can deliver on the treasure. Han, improvising, tells Jack that he and the Princess are romantically involved when the Princess manipulates events so that Han and Jack work together to travel to the Drexel System, the last known location of Luke Skywalker. Leia lies and tells Jack that is the location of the Rebel's treasure. Later on the bridge, Han is able to convince Jack that Chewie needs to link the Destroyer's computer systems with the Falcon's because the Falcon has more details star charts they need to reach the Drexel System.
Star Wars #11a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (May 1978) 2nd appearance of Crimson JackDoomworld in Star Wars #12 contains a backstory for how Crimson Jack acquired the Star Destroyer. After the first major Rebel victory over the Empire, Jack and his crew came across the badly damaged cruiser. They were able to fight their way aboard the large craft and defeat the skeleton crew. Rather than scuttle the Destroyer, Jack was able to secure backers and repaired the ship. He confides in Solo he has ambitions beyond pirating. As they are talking, Jolli is fighting with some of the crew and Jack is able to calm her down. Chewie finishes linking the two computers and joins Han, Jack, and Jolli on the bridge of the Destroyer. They had just emerged from hyperspace, but the Drexel System has a single planet that is covered entirely with water and Jack now has doubts about the treasure being there and draws a blaster on Han.
Star Wars #12a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 1978) 3rd appearance of Crimson Jack
Crimson Jack only appears in two panels of Day of the Dragon Lords! in Star Wars #13. He is holding a blaster on Han who tells him once Jolli bring Leia to the bridge, she will be able to explain where the treasure is. Before that happens, the Star Destroyer loses power as it begins to orbit the planet and Han, Chewie, and Leia board the Falcon and escape to the planet below.
Star Wars #13a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July, 1978) 4th appearance of Crimson Jack
Star Wars #14, titled The Sound of Armageddon!, only has a brief one page appearance by Crimson Jack. Jack's Star Destroyer is being jammed from the surface of the water world, disrupting it's drive system. Jack is furious at Han and now knows there is no treasure. Jolli briefs Jack on Han, Chewie, and Leia's escape and the sabotage to their fighters. The issue ends with the threat on the water planet defeated by our heroes. A caption on the final panel reads: "But Han Solo is staring at the sky, deep in thought... About a great battle cruiser which may still be there... And it's master, Crimson Jack!"
Star Wars #14a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1978) 5th appearance of Crimson JackStar Duel! in Star Wars #15 is the conclusion of Crimson Jack's story. The Star Destroyer is now freed from the jammer and Jack is intent on getting revenge on Han Solo. He has ordered his crew to scan the surface of the water planet while Jolli is able to repair three of their fighter craft. Jack knows Jolli wanted to kill Han from the start, so he tells her now is her chance.
Jolli takes one of the fighter craft, a Y-Wing Fighter, to the surface of the planet and begins shooting the Millennium Falcon floating in the water. The heroes board the Falcon and take off, with Jolli in hot pursuit. They leave the planet's atmosphere, but are being attacked by all three pirate fighters while the Star Destroyer deploys its tractor beam. Jolli flies her Y-Wing Fighter too close to the Falcon and they collide, badly crippling both ships. The Star Destroyer heads towards the Falcon and Jack broadcasts his intent to destroy the Falcon. Han relays back to Jack he needs to check his navi-computer. Jack's crew checks and tell Jack that all the charts on their navi-computer have been wiped revealing Chewbacca's handiwork. Jack is beyond furious at this news.
Jack agrees to meet Solo in space between the two spaceships to exchange chart tapes for a part the Falcon needs. Jack's crew tells him Jolli is asking for help, but Jack dismisses her saying "Tell our little spitfire she'll have to make it on her own-- --if she's good enough." which Jolli overhears. At the exchange point, Han and Jack begin shooting at each other while members of Jack's crew depart the Destroyer to join the fray. Just then, Jolli's Y-Wing Fighter roars into view and blasts the othe pirates and begins firing on the Star Destroyer. As Jack is distracted, Han shoots Jack, killing him.
Star Wars #15a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 1978) 1st cover appearance of Crimson Jack; death of Crimson Jack
I read these issues as a child and they still are entertaining. It could be nostalgia, but Crimson Jack and his second-in-command, Jolli, were great adversaries for our heroes. I like that Han lost his treasure to Jack. I also love that Han used Jack's greed against him and Leia was able to pick up on this and utilizes it for her own purpose. It was also brilliant to see Han shoot Jack when he had the chance, not unlike his shooting Greedo in the cantina on Mos Eisley.
Marvel has reintroduced Crimson Jack into canon in the 5-issue mini-series Star Wars: The Halcyon Legacy.
Additionally, Jude Law's character, Jod Na Nawood was recently called Crimson Jack in the 3rd episode of that series. It isn't clear yet just exactly how the television shows character is related to the pirate Crimson Jack from the comic.
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