There were several online comics published on StarWars.com in conjunction with the first three seasons of The Clone Wars television series. For season one, 21 online comic shorts were created for the broadcast episodes with artwork by a variety of artist. The earliest shorts have artwork that looks rushed, but by the end of the first season, the artwork had improved from all the contributing artists. I feel the work provided by Jeff Carlisle is the most polished, but unfortunately he contributed the fewest pages.
These first season of online comics are collected in a trade paperback published by Dreams and Visions Press in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics. The trade paperback was originally a Celebration V and StarWarsShop exclusive, but it apparently can still be purchased from the Dreams and Visions Press website.
Star Wars: Tales From the Clone Wars - Webcomic Collection Season 1 - Dark Horse Comics/Dreams and Visions Press, U.S. (August 2010)
There is a copy of this trade paperback listed on eBay with an asking price of $363.75. It also says the book is limited to 500 copies. I have not found any other source that can backup the 500 copy claim. If you are looking for a copy, it might be worth seeing if the book listed on the publisher's site for $25 is still available.
The deleted Jabba the Hutt scene was reinserted into A New Hope for the Special Edition released way back in January 1997. A CGI version of the large, slug-like alien from Return of the Jedi was placed over the actor who originally played the part and other elements of the scene were manipulated including the insertion of Boba Fett. The initial CGI used for Jabba were not very good, so when the movies were released in 2004 on DVD, the CGI effects were updated.
Prior to his appearance in Return of the Jedi, the image many Star Wars comic fans had of Jabba the Hutt were based on Marvel's comic adaptation of A New Hope. The deleted scene where Jabba confronts Han Solo at Docking Bay 94 are in the comic, but instead of using the image of the actor, a walrus faced alien is used. Star Wars #2 page 13 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1977)
Outside of the visuals, most of the scene plays out like it does in the movie. Jabba, surrounded by his henchmen, is calling out to Han believing he is aboard the Millennium Falcon. Han approaches from behind and Jabba mentions the incident with the spice. Han explains why he dumped the spice and promises to pay Jabba extra. Jabba accepts Han's offer, but warns him of the consequences of failing to pay him back.
Star Wars #2 page 14 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 1977)
The images used by Marvel for Jabba and his henchmen were not invented for the comic, but instead are based on background aliens in Mos Eisley. Jabba looks like a Nimbanel, one henchman looks like a Lutrillian, and the other henchman looks like a Snivvian. All three aliens species can be seen in this photo:
Assorted Mos Eisley Aliens
If you look closely at the artwork in the panels showing Jabba and his men, the blue-faced alien that looks like a Snivvian even has a hunchback.
Droids Unplugged reprints the following backup stories by Chris Eliopoulos and Jordie Bellaire:
Probe Droid Problem from Darth Maul #1
Droid Dilemma from Star Wars #25
SaBBotage from Poe Dameron #1
The three short stories are for all ages. Probe Droid Problem follows one of the three probe droids released by Darth Maul on Tatooine. The probe droid rescues another droid trapped under a rock, gets captured by Jawas, and in return is rescued by the droid it helped earlier. The probe droid is reunited with the other two probe droids but decides to stay on Tatooine with its new droid friend. R2-D2 is the star of Droid Dilemma. Luke Skywalker is given orders by Princess Leia to look for a missing cargo vessel. Luke asks R2-D2 to prep his X-Wing Fighter and R2-D2 keeps running into other familiar droids on his way to the hanger. When R2-D2 finally reaches the hanger, Luke informs him the cargo vessel just arrived and the mission was canceled. This story is noteworthy because it is dedicated to Kenny Baker who died in August 2016. The final story, SaBBotage features BB-8 helping a Resistance pilot and mechanic who are interested in each other romantically to meet.
The standard cover by Chris Eliopoulos shows the three droids who star in the stories.
Star Wars: Droids Unplugged #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2017)
The variant cover is by Michael Allred, best known for his creator owned character Madman. This cover is the more interesting of the two; it shows the three droids but also a myriad of other familiar droids floating in space.
Star Wars: Droids Unplugged #1b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2017) Michael Allred variant
For a title containing recent reprints, the issue sold very well, with initial orders of approximately 36,000 issues. Eliopoulos and Bellaire also created a backup story in Darth Vader (2017) #1 which is about a mouse droid preparing Darth Vader's chamber. I suspect we'll get more of these droid backup stories and Marvel will publish a second Droids Unplugged comic.
The fourth volume in the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection from Dark Horse reprints the two 64-page one-shots, Jango Fett and Zam Wesell. It has the same matte black cover with silver text that the other books in this series have. Framed in a silver box in the center of the cover is a portion of the artwork from the final page in the Zam Wesell one-shot. This hardcover volume retailed for $19.95 and was limited to initial orders.
Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Volume 4: Jango Fett & Zam Wesell - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (June 2007)
The two original one-shots came out in 2002 before Attack of the Clones, the movie that debuted the characters. The story in the Jango Fett title leads into the story in the Zam Wesell title. Both characters appear in both one-shots. Jango Fett's first appearance was in the Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter video game which came out March 10, beating the comic by three days. Zam Wesell's first appearance is in the Jango Fett title however. Dark Horse has done this before, they began publishing the 1998 Star Wars title starring Ki-Adi Mundi a full six months before The Phantom Menace and published the prequel movie adaptations a few weeks before the actual movies were released.
Interestingly, Marvel has not published any movie tie-in starring characters from the movie prior to the movie being released. They did release the four issue mini-series Shattered Empire in 2015, but it did not have any movie characters. Marvel also had plans in 2016 to release a three issue mini-series prelude to Rogue One which presumably would have starred characters from that movie, but that mini-series was rumored to be canceled due to the extensive reshoots done for that movie. This year, Marvel is publishing the Captain Phasma mini-series, but that character has already appeared in The Force Awakens and they will be publishing a mini-series taking place on the planet Crait, but that will happen after The Last Jedi is already out in theaters.
Issues Reprinted in Collection
Star Wars: Jango Fett b - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (March 2002)Star Wars: Zam Wesell b - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (March 2002)
Jabba's callousness is on full display in Jabba the Hutt - The Dynasty Trap. Having taken the treasure from Princess Nampi's ship, Bib Fortuna suggest Jabba sell the ship to Cabrool Nuum who has a nearby base on the planet Smarteel. Jabba ponders selling Cabrool the ship's crew as well since Cabrool also deals in slavery, but instead decides to eject them into space and watch them die. He does take the ship to his colleague Cabrool however. While meeting with Cabrool alone, Cabrool's kids, Norba and Rusk, interrupt and Cabrool shows his irrational temper by threatening to kill his own kids. He eventually comes to his sense and Jabba asks about Cabrool's associate Vu Chusker. Cabrool becomes suspicious and orders Jabba to kill Chusker, but Jabba refuses. Cabrool, again unhinged, orders his men to put Jabba under house arrest. Later, Rusk enters Jabba's quarters and tells Jabba his father has gone insane and ask for his help in killing him. Jabba agrees and strangles the sleeping Cabrool in his chambers with the help of Cabrool's guards. After his father's murder, Rusk orders Jabba to kill Vu Chusker and Jabba again refuses. Rusk has his men take Jabba to the hold where Norba appears and appeals to Jabba to kill her brother Rusk. Jabba agrees and Norba leads Jabba to her brother who Jabba squishes to death by jumping on him. Norba, also fearful of her dad's former associate, asks Jabba to kill Chusker. Jabba refuses and Norba has Jabba thrown into the hold. Later, Norba comes down to talk to Jabba but gets to close to the hold's bars and Jabba grabs her with his tongue and swallows her whole, presumably killing her. As Jabba is leaving the base, he encounters another being. Upon learning that this being is Vu Chusker, Jabba smacks him with his large tail, killing him.
Jabba has a shrewd side in these one-shots where he appears humble and presents himself as subservient to his colleagues. This is part of his act to get them to do his bidding or to garner a better deal. In this story, Jabba is able to get a higher offer from Cabrool for the ship for example. But when those same colleagues wrong Jabba, he also has a ruthless side. Jabba is not above murdering anyone and, as this story shows, he is willing to do this dirty work himself.
Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt - The Dynasty Trap a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (August 1995)
The cover shows Jabba in the hold at Cabrool Num's base. The artwork makes it appear like Jabba is defending himself against spider-like creatures, but inside the comic, Jabba is never in this situation. There are spider-like creatures that drop from the ceiling, but Jabba nonchalantly grabs one and eats it.
Several Marvel's December comic book solicitations were leaked on Reddit a few days ago and among the Star Wars comics is this book:
STAR WARS LAST JEDI STORMS OF CRAIT #1
This December, the soon-to-be thrilling Star Wars: The Last Jedi rocks movie screens across the world...and the reverberations are felt all around a galaxy far, far away! First up, learn the secret of the mineral planet Crait! Long before it became a battleground between the Resistance and the First Order, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa led the Rebellion there in search of a new home! From writers Ben Acker & Ben Blacker (Star Wars Join the Resistance) and artist Marco Checchetto (Star Wars: Shattered Empire) comes the backstory to this winter's biggest adventure!
Star Wars #49 has received considerable attention since the title of it's story, The Last Jedi!, is the same as the upcoming movie. The prices have settled down somewhat, although the issue does fetch a premium over others that surround it.
The Last Jedi! is the first of several consecutive issues penciled by Walt Simonson who drew Star Wars #16 years earlier. The story begins with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO, and R2-D2 aboard a Y-Wing Fighter investigating a distress signal. This Y-Wing Fighter is much larger than the one-man fighters we are accustomed to and it even uses landing gear like an airplane to land! Luke exists the spacecraft to investigate the signal and is attacked by a large hairy purple alien. He is rescued by Prince Denid who was forced to flee his home planet Velmor as a kid with his betrothed Loren and his alien protector Jedidiah and they crashed on the planet. Loren was killed and Jedidiah was injured by falling debris which robbed him of reason. Luke is instantly turned off by Jedidiah who is dressed in Jedi garb and he is even more dumbfounded to learn Jedidiah turned down an opportunity to train as a Jedi. A text box explains:
The thing is a walking parody of Luke Skywalker's highest, most revered goal ... and it makes his blood boil!
Prince Denid fled Velmor when the Empire overthrew the planet, killing his parents. His younger brother, Prince Anod, was an Imperial sympathizer and stayed behind. Having rescued Denid, they leave for Velmor. When they reach the planet, Leia disguises herself as Loren while Luke portrays the bounty hunter Korl Marcus. They interrupt the coronation of Anod who is about to be crowned by the regent of the past 20 years, Zelor. Also at the event is an Imperial delegate, Captain Traal. Prince Denid is tested and verified as the rightful heir of Velmor. A celebration is thrown to honor the return of Denid and Luke continues to denigrate Jedidiah when he tells C-3PO:
Luke Skywalker:Keep this crazy old guy away from me, will you Threepio? I'm gonna have enough trouble without babysitting him!
At the celebration, the regent Zelor challenges "Marcus" to a friendly duel with laser swords which Luke purposely loses to keep suspicions off him. Luke is then approached by Captain Traal who asks "Marcus" to kill Prince Denid and "Loren" which "Marcus" agrees to. At this point, we learn that Captain Traal, Zelor, and Anod are all intent on remaining in power. Additionally, the regent Zelor is going to also kill Captain Traal and Anod and frame Marcus.
The next day, a pre-coronation hunt takes place where the hunters ride large frog-like creatures called Ycaqts and chase small rodent-like creatures called Mrids. Participants include Prince Denid, Prince Anod, regent Zelor, Korl Marcus, Loren, and Captain Traal. While this hunt is taking place, C-3PO and R2-D2 have taken Jedidiah to a medical droid to learn he cannot be cured.
From the start of the hunt, duplicity occurs. Denid and "Loren" are resting near a river where Traal asks "Marcus" to kill them. Luke refuses, but is shot at by Zelor and Anod. Anod also shoots and renders Denid and Leia unconscious. Luke pulls out his lightsaber and disarms Anod but is immediately recognized by Captain Traal.&nbbsp; Zelor takes a shot at Traal, who shoots and kills Anod. Luke is chased by Zelor. Luke decides to draw upon the Force which immediately causes Jedidiah to react. Jedidiah mounts a Ycaqts to rescue Luke. Meanwhile, Zelor sneaks up on Luke to kill him, but Luke counters at the last moment with his lightsaber. While this is happening, Captain Traal is about to kill Luke when Jedidiah appears and takes the shot meant for Luke. Luke kills Zelor and knocks Traal out. A recovered Denid and Leia appear as Luke lifts Jedidiah's lifeless body:
Princess Leia:D-Denid? What happened? Prince Denid:Anod tried to kill us, Leia ... but he must have set his blaster on stun! Poor Anod ... he was always the loser! Luke Skywalker:He's not the only one, Prince ... Somehow, this valiant old man found the strength and the wits to save my life ... but lost his ... He did that for me ... though I scorned and derided him in my heart! He lost his life, and I lost him! Excuse me ... we losers would like to be alone!
On the final page, Leia and Luke depart Velmor. Prior to making the jump to hyperspace, a coffin holding Jedidiah is jettisoned into space and Luke gives a eulogy:
Luke Skywalker:I thought you were just a crazy old man. But I was wrong. Your was the soul of a true Jedi Knight ... the last Jedi ... I pray that I meet death as valiantly as you did ... May the Force be with you, Jedi ... forever!
There are a lot of coincidences which is typical for a story like this. One has to assume the distress signal was only recently repaired and activated. It conveniently allowed Prince Denid to be rescued and returned to his homeworld on the same day his brother was to be coronated. Zelor just happens to be good at dueling and tries to kill Luke using his laser sword instead of shooting him in the back. The alien that Luke scorns being named Jedidiah with the short form of his name being Jedi is another coincidence.
Throughout the story, Luke is out of character. First, his disdain for Jedidiah is not typical Luke behavior. Additionally, there are strong hints that Leia and Denid are involved which Luke reacts to very childishly. In The Empire Strikes Back Luke's character grew beyond the immaturity he displays here.
Star Wars #49a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1981)Star Wars #49b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 1981)
The cover art is by Walt Simonson. Luke is brandishing his lightsaber over the fallen Leia. Both Jedidiah, with his wooden stick, and Prince Denid are shown while a larger image of Captain Traal is in the background.
Captain Traal is the first female Imperial in any Star Wars story. As is the case for most Imperial officers, she is self-serving and only thinks about amassing power. The difference between Traal and her male counterparts is she uses her feminine wiles to attempt to sway others to do her bidding as she does with Luke several times in the story.
