Star Wars Comic Collector: Star Wars: Chewbacca (2015) #1

Dark Horse published a 4-issue mini-series title Star Wars: Chewbacca in 2000 to commemorate the character after he died in the New Jedi Order: Vector Prime novel. That story is part of Legends continuity and, so far, in canon, the final fate of Chewbacca has not been written. With no event, it was a surprise when Marvel published a 5-issue mini-series featuring our beloved sidekick in 2015.

Arrax and his daughter Zarro are asked to repay a debt to Jaum on the planet Andelm-4. Knowing Arrax would not be able to pay, Jaum sends him and his daughter to work in a dedlanite mine. Realizing they will never be free, Arrax sends Zarro topside, hidden in a mining cart. Zarro is spotted escaping and is pursued by Jaum's henchmen. Zarro goes to the authorities to report the mine, but realizes they have been bought by Jaum.

Meanwhile, Chewbacca's A-Wing Fighter is in need of a part, so he heads into the nearest spaceport. While bartering for the part, Zarro runs by, pursued by one of Jaum's men. Unknown to Zarro, Chewbacca "accidentally" detains the man chasing Zarro and is asked to return when he has enough credits. At a local gambling establishment, Chewbacca wins the credits and orders food when Zarro enters followed by a team of Jaum's men. Chewbacca hides Zarro from the men and Zarro proceeds to tell Chewbacca about her predicament. Chewbacca buys the part and heads off to his damaged ship with Zarro following and chatting the entire way. As Chewbacca repairs the ship, Zarro asks him for help freeing her dad. After the ship is fix, Chewbacca agrees.

Outside the spaceport, Jaum meets with Imperials interested in buying his dedlanite.

This issue is the first miss from Marvel's first year back as publisher of Star Wars. The gist of the story is fine, it is how they handle Chewbacca that I'm not a fan of. Rather than interpret Chewbacca's grunts and growls for the reader, his words are interpretted by Zarro, who clearly does not speak Wookiee. This results in Zarro being extremely talkative and spending a lot of time making up what she thinks Chewbacca is saying. I think this would be fine for a one-shot, but with 4 more issues to go, this is shaping up as a grueling story to complete. It is unfortunate this comic is named after Chewbacca, since Zarro is clearly the main character and Chewbacca is a secondary character.

Zarro is featured front and center on the standard cover for Star Wars: Chewbacca #1 with the title character serving as the background. Funnily, this is one time you could have judged the book by the cover! The prolific Phil Noto provides the artwork.

Star Wars: Chewbacca #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2015)

The Skottie Young variant is a fun cover with Han Solo and Chewbacca riding in a kid's Millennium Falcon.

Star Wars: Chewbacca #1b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2015)
Skottie Young variant

There is also the mandatory blank cover.

Star Wars: Chewbacca #1c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2015)
blank variant

The Ariel Olivetti variant cover shows Chewbacca carrying the part needed to repair his A-Wing Fighter.

Star Wars: Chewbacca #1d - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2015)
Ariel Olivetti variant

The Gabriele Dell'Otto variant gives us another glimpse of Zarro and Chewbacca. Here she is suffering from the same problem that Doctor Aphra has. Her ethnicity is different on this cover than she is depicted inside.

Star Wars: Chewbacca #1e - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2015)
Gabriele Dell'Otto

The Alex Ross variant cover is the standout of the bunch. A homage to Star Wars #7 from 1977, this cover shows Han Solo and Chewbacca taking fire from a mob of aliens. There is also a sketch variant of this cover.