Indonesian Star Wars: Manusia Lumpur

The lead story in this digest-sized Indonesian comic is titled Manusia Lumpur (Lanjutan Dari "Lumpur Galaxy") or Human Sludge (Continued From "The Mud Of the Galaxy").  It is the same story that is the backup story in Tarzan: Elang Maut.  The story is dated 15-10-1980.  There are two backup stories: Grimm: Istana Mutiara (Little Elves) or Grimm: The Place of Pearls (Little Elves) dated 25-Apr-1975 and H.C. Andersen: Terse Sat Dolly or H.C. Andersen: Performance Sat Dolly dated 29-9-1980.  It looks like the second backup story is a continuation of the first backup story.

Star Wars: Manusia Lumpur a - Yayasan Karya Bhakti Bandung, Indonesia (1980s)
original Star Wars story

The spaceman and alien appear to be battling over a structure that looks a bit like the Death Star.  Apparently that is enough of a link to use the Star Wars title.

There is a pattern emerging with these digest-sized comics; the Star Wars story is the lead in one comic with a Star Wars cover and the same story is a backup for another comic with a different cover.  If you look at how the comics are assembled, each story look like they are printed to be self-contained and the different stories are married when they are placed inside the cover.  It is possible the backup story in Tarzan: Elang Maut is the same printing as the lead story in this comic.

First Appearance Queen Trios

Both Star Wars Annual #1 and Darth Vader Annual #1 were published in December 2015 and introduce new characters that would appear in the ongoing titles following the Vader Down story arc.  Eneb Ray, introduced in Star Wars Annual #1, is the main antagonist in the Rebel Jail story told in Star Wars #16 - 19.  Darth Vader Annual #1 has the first appearance of Queen Trios, who next appears in The Shu-Torun War story arc in Darth Vader #16 - 19.  Unlike Eneb Ray, who has yet to reappear in a Star Wars title, Queen Trios is seen again in The Ashes of Jedha arc in Star Wars #38 - 43.

Queen Trios is first introduced as Princess Trios, the youngest child of the King of Shu-Torun, in Darth Vader Annual #1.  Shu-Torun is an ore-rich world whose mining production is important to the Empire.  Darth Vader travels to the planet to ensure the Empire's increased quota is fulfilled.  Vader is met on the landing platform by Princess Trios.  Vader is carrying a gift which he intends to give to the King himself and Trios leads him to a celebration ball arranged by the King.  At the celebration, Vader is attacked by assassins and demands Trios takes him to her father.  Vader knows the assassins were sent by the King.  Meanwhile 0-0-0 and BT-1, who traveled to the planet with Vader, are also on their way to the King's throne room.  Trios leads Vader into a trap meant to kill them both, but Vader escapes carrying the now unconscious Princess Trios.  Outside the throne room, Vader wakes Trios who sees that Vader has killed the guards.  She raises a pistol to shoot Vader in the back, but he cuts off her hand with his lightsaber before she can pull the trigger.  As the pair enter the throne room, we learn that 0-0-0 and BT-1 has killed the King, his two older children, and additional guards.  Vader then gives the gift to a distraught Trios as Vader explains it is "a small reminder of what happens to worlds who resist the Emperor."  It is a rock from Alderaan.  Vader then crowns Trios, declaring her the ruler of Shu-Torun.

Star Wars: Darth Vader Annual #1a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2015)
1st appearance of Queen Trios

Star Wars: Darth Vader Annual #1b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2015)
1st appearance of Queen Trios

In The Shu-Torun War story arc, Queen Trios has embraced her role as ruler of Shu-Torun.  She enlists the aid of the Empire, led by Darth Vader, to help quell a rebellion by the ore barons.  In The Ashes of Jedha, Queen Trios is assisting the Empire with mining Kyber from the remains of the planet Jedha.  She employs the Leviathan, a monstrous ship used to excavate ore from planets.  In the final chapter of the story, Star Wars #43, we learn she leaked the plans for the Leviathan to the Rebels and her planet has been stockpiling resources that are not part of the Empire's tithe which she offers to Princess Leia.

Despite her earlier appearances, Queen Trios' first cover appearance is on Star Wars #43.

Star Wars #43a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 2018)
1st cover appearance of Queen Trios

French Métal Hurlant #70

The French anthology magazine Métal Hurlant or Screaming Metal was published by Humanoïdes Associés or United Humanoids from December 1974 to July 1987.  It is better known in the United States as Heavy Metal.  The U.S. Heavy Metal initially published stories from the French magazine including those from Métal Hurlant founders Philippe Druillet and Jean Giraud (Moebius), but quickly began publishing new stories by America artists.  Several serials from the U.S. Heavy Metal magazine were adapted into the 1981 animated movie which is how most Americans are familiar with the title.

The stories in Métal Hurlant and it's U.S. counterpart Heavy Metal are mature in nature, not unlike those found in Warren Publishing's Eerie and Creepy magazines.  Métal Hurlant tends to lean more towards science fiction stories, although it does contain horror stories.  The cover for Métal Hurlant #70 is clearly horror in nature and an interesting one for Star Wars comic fans.

Métal Hurlant #70a - Humanoïdes Associés, France (December 1981)

What a cover it is!  C-3PO is carrying a bloody ax and he has just broken down a door to a house.  He exclaims "Bonsoir madame, je viens chercher votre petit!" or "Hello, ma'am, I'm here to pick up your boy!"  The woman in the foreground is visibly frightened and, to complete the mood, we can see C-3PO is carrying a basket on his back filled with body parts of other little boys!  Unfortunately, there is no story inside the issue to accompany the cover.  This "Noel Special" was on the newsstands while many young boys were no doubt receiving Star Wars gifts for Christmas.  Luckily, the C-3PO action figure with removable limbs and cargo net wouldn't be released for a few months.

There is another French comic that has a cover showing C-3PO wielding a sharp weapon.  Titans #69 shows C-3PO using a knife to cut down a suspended cage containing the bounty hunter Dengar.  This scene is from the interior story and tame in comparison to the Métal Hurlant cover however.

Hungarian A Birodalom Visszavág

Star Wars was understandably released to Soviet Bloc countries much later than Western countries.  Poland was the first Soviet Bloc country to release the movie in March 1979 followed by Hungary in August 1979.  In 1982 the next country, Bulgaria, showed the movie.  It wouldn't be until 1990 that the movie would official premiere in the Soviet Union.

Star Wars' release in 1979 did disappointing box office numbers for Mokép, the distributor of the films in Hungary.  For the debut of the Empire Strikes Back on January 28th, 1982, Mokép did more marketing.  For example, they commissioned an unlicensed comic book adaptation, scripted by Tibor Cs. Horváth and drawn by artist Attila Fazekas, that would be available when the movie premiered.  Fazekas had not seen the movie, but instead relied on pictures found in foreign magazines and made up the look of several creatures including the Wampa, Mynocks, the Dragonsnake, and Ugnaughts when he had no material to reference.  The adaptation is only 28-pages, with crossword puzzles filling the remaining pages in this 36-page comic.  Several scenes were altered or cut in the story so it would fit in the low number of pages.  For example, the Probe Droid is destroyed by Rebel pilots in Snowspeeders, Princess Leia is knocked unconscious by a collapsed ceiling when Echo Base is attacked by the Imperials and wakes up in the Millennium Falcon already in space, and Darth Vader is never shown hiring bounty hunters to pursue the Falcon.  In fact, Boba Fett is treated more like an Imperial soldier in the story, even getting shot by Lobot when our heroes are escaping Cloud City.  Despite the frantic pace of the adaptation, the final page shows two panels with C-3PO asking Chewbacca to finish his repairs.  The comic adaptation, like the movie, was a hit and an unlicensed two-part adaptation of the original Star Wars movie was published later in 1982 by the same creators.

Like the two-part Star Wars adaptation, A Birodalom Visszavág Teljes Képregény - Keresztrejtvények or The Empire Strikes Back Full Comic - Crossword Puzzles, is smaller than a standard U.S. comic, measuring 5 3/4" x 8 1/4".  It is also has black and white interior pages.

A Birodalom Visszavág Teljes Képregény - Keresztrejtvények a - Tibor Cs. Horváth and Attila Fazekas, Hungary (1982)

Unlike many of the other unlicensed movie adaptations found in other countries, these Hungarian comics have extremely nice artwork.  Lucasfilm must agree because they permitted a two-part adaptation of the Return of the Jedi also drawn by Attila Fazekas.  These comics were released in 2012 and 2013 as a Hungarian Star Wars Fan Club exclusive.

When acquiring a copy of this comic for your collection, you need to be aware that many of the copies have the crossword puzzles partially or completely filled in.

Star Wars #42

Writer Kieron Gillen took over the Star Wars title with issue #38 and has been doing a terrific job of filling in the story between movies.  His inaugural story is the six-part The Ashes of Jedha where our heroes visit the planet Jedha which was targeted by the Death Star in Rogue One.  Star Wars #42 is pivotal for the character of Han Solo.  In Star Wars, Solo clearly has no desire to join the Rebellion, wanting to just collect his reward and leave.  But, after the first movie, something has change because in The Empire Strikes back General Rieekan says to him, "You're a good fighter, Solo.  I hate to lose you." and by the time Return of the Jedi occurs, he has risen to the rank of General in the Rebel Alliance.  In issue #42, we see him take charge of the Partisan forces attack on the Leviathan.  At first, Han is reluctant, even after he saves the troops after Benthic, the Partisan's leader, is injured.  Chewbacca assures him he needs to lead the attack if they want to have a chance of surviving.

Star Wars #42a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 2018)

The standard cover for Star Wars #42 shows Han Solo leading Rebel soldiers into a battle while X-Wing Fighters fly overhead.  The scene does not actually play out like this in the comic because he is not leading Rebel soldiers and no X-Wing Fighters are there, but it is symbolic of his new role as leader.  The cover is similar to a cover by Matt Kindt for Rebel Heist #3 published by Dark Horse.

Star Wars: Rebel Heist #3b - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (July 2014)

On the Rebel Heist cover, it is Chewbacca that is leading the attack.  The Chewbacca Come on and Fight! cover is based on the Come on Canada! World War II propaganda poster by Hubert Rogers.

Thrawn Leaves Wild Space in February

There are currently two publishers of Star Wars comics in the U.S., Marvel and IDW.  I will analyze the numbers from just Marvel this month since IDW had no offerings.

Comichron released the February 2018 estimated sales earlier this week and only one title, Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1 sold more than 100,000 copies.  The main Star Wars title did return to the top 10 list in the 8th position, but considering only an estimated 55,000 units sold places a book in the top 10, this isn't shocking.  Marvel's Legacy initiative continues, but despite the competition, the main Star Wars title remains Marvel's best selling ongoing title.

---

Marvel

Title	Issue	Monthly Rank	Estimated Sales	Last Estimated Sales	Percent Change
Star Wars	43	8	56,045	53,710	+4.35%
Darth Vader	11	11	53,275	53,420	-0.27%
Thrawn	1	13	52,295	n/a	n/a
Darth Vader	12	17	49,134	53,275	-7.77%
Doctor Aphra	17	60	30,398	30,365	+0.11%
Poe Dameron	24	86	24,937	25,379	-1.74%

The main Star Wars title saw an increase after double shipping last month.  It is easy to see why Marvel continues to double ship; the individual issues sales decline a little during the month the title double ships, but rebound the following month.  This month, the Darth Vader title double shipped and the title dipped.  I expect the sales to rebound next month.

Doctor Aphra and Poe Dameron are little changed from last month.  Next month, Poe Dameron #26 catches up to the events of The Force Awakens, so expect an uptick in sales for that issue.

The first issue of the Thrawn mini-series came out with the lowest sales yet for the first issue of a modern Star Wars mini-series, selling less than Jedi Republic - Mace Windu's 62,543 estimated unit sales debut.  There are a few factors working against the Thrawn mini-series: it is not an original story but is based on a 2017 novel by Timothy Zahn, the character is not from a live-action Star Wars movie, and comic sales are weak.  Thrawn was introduced in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire novel way back in 1991.  This novel was the first of three that make up the Thrawn Trilogy and, along with Dark Horse's Dark Empire mini-series, kicked off the Expanded Universe.  The character is quite popular and the decision was made to re-introduce Thrawn in current canon during the first episode of Star Wars Rebels season three.

Part of the problem with comparing Thrawn to previous mini-series arises from the fact that comic sales overall are down considerably.  Even though Thrawn has the lowest debut of a Star Wars mini-series, it still ranked 13th on the monthly chart, meaning only 12 other titles sold better initially in February!  This needs to be considered in the comparison.  Mace Windu #1 was released only 6 months prior, but even Star Wars #34 from 6 months ago sold an estimated 66,628 initial units and was ranked 9th for the month of August.  Compared that to Star Wars #43 which sold over 10,000 units less but is ranked 8th.

Month/Year	Total Estimated Sales	# Issues	Average Sale per Issue
January 2015	985,976	1	985,976
February 2015	526,451	3	175,484
March 2015	596,299	4	149,075
April 2015	537,812	4	134,453
May 2015	324,835	3	108,278
June 2015	396,931	4	99,232
July 2015	597,023	5	119,404
August 2015	430,241	5	86,048
September 2015	551,880	5	110,376
October 2015	953,289	10	95,329
November 2015	1,003,954	8	125,494
December 2015	507,545	6	84,591
January 2016	465,698	5	93,139
February 2016	288,355	4	72,088
March 2016	355,554	5	71,110
April 2016	533,976	5	106,795
May 2016	299,189	4	74,797
June 2016	545,833	6	90,972
July 2016	359,166	5	71,833
August 2016	322,499	5	64,500
September 2016	174,420	3	58,140
October 2016	339,778	5	67,956
November 2016	269,975	5	53,995
December 2016	303,886	4	75,972
January 2017	161,014	3	53,671
February 2017	262,889	4	65,722
March 2017	214,603	4	53,650
April 2017	274,262	5	54,852
May 2017	285,363	6	47,560
June 2017	495,588	9	55,065
July 2017	326,062	7	46,580
August 2017	425,473	9	47,274
September 2017	418,023	9	46,447
October 2017	299,174	7	42,739
November 2017	330,496	7	47,214
December 2017	252,923	7	42,153
January 2018	263,320	6	43,887
February 2018	266,084	6	44,347

The average sale per issue of 43,887 would rank 22nd on the top 300 chart for the month of February.  Marvel's Star Wars trade paperbacks, reprints, and reorders are not accounted for with these numbers.  The Star Wars trade paperbacks are strong sellers.

---

Take a look at the Star Wars Sales Estimates Charts and please read the blog posting February 2018 comics sales estimates online; Wild Hunt's 101k lowest for bestseller since 2011.

Marvel's Star Wars Line Enters Its Fourth Year

There are currently two publishers of Star Wars comics in the U.S., Marvel and IDW.  I will analyze the numbers from both publishers separately.

Comichron released the January 2018 estimated sales last month and the Marvel Star Wars titles, now in their 4th year of publication, continue to amaze.  Month after month, Marvel has releases new #1s or returned to original numbers for their superhero titles as part of their Legacy initiative.  The main Star Wars title has proven resilient.  While no Star Wars title placed in the top 10 for the month of January, they did take positions 11 through 13.  DC held 6 of the top 10 positions and Image took one with the Walking Dead title.  Marvel took the remaining 3 positions with 2 #1 issues and a renumbered Avengers title.  IDW's Star Wars Adventure title appear to have found it sales level this month and could prove to be IDW's best selling ongoing title.

---

Marvel

Title	Issue	Monthly Rank	Estimated Sales	Last Estimated Sales	Percent Change
Star Wars	41	11	56,545	61,064	-7.40%
Star Wars	42	12	53,710	56,545	-5.01%
Darth Vader	10	13	53,420	51,692	+3.34%
DJ	1	31	42,427	n/a	n/a
Doctor Aphra	16	63	30,365	31,839	-4.63%
Poe Dameron	23	87	25,379	28,922	-12.25%

Star Wars double shipped this month and, like it did two months ago when it also double shipped, the title slipped more than usual, decreasing by an estimated 7,354 units or 12.04% from issue #40.  Darth Vader #10 saw a slight increase in unit sales and came short of Star Wars #42 by an estimated 290 units.  The main Star Wars title has been hammered lately online because of the artwork by Salvador Larroca while the Darth Vader title is praised for its look into an era rarely explored between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars.  It would be interesting if the Darth Vader title overtook the main Star Wars title in sales.

The Last Jedi - DJ is the 7th one-shot released by Marvel. December's The Last Jedi - Storms of Crait sold an estimated 49,257 units, so DJ sold 13.87% less units.  Storms of Crait has the advantage of featuring the main heroes from the original trilogy, while DJ stars a minor character from The Last Jedi.  As predicted, the sales for DJ seem respectable in comparison.  DJ's sales are inline with Rogue One - Cassian & K2SO Special #1 which has sales of 43,765 units.

Doctor Aphra continued the usual monthly loss of sales we've come to expect from comics, while Poe Dameron declined over 3,000 units.  I'm surprised since the story arc, Legend Found, leads into The Force Awakens.  Poe Dameron #26 takes place during the events of The Force Awakens and I expect and uptick in sales for that issue.

Month/Year	Total Estimated Sales	# Issues	Average Sale per Issue
January 2015	985,976	1	985,976
February 2015	526,451	3	175,484
March 2015	596,299	4	149,075
April 2015	537,812	4	134,453
May 2015	324,835	3	108,278
June 2015	396,931	4	99,232
July 2015	597,023	5	119,404
August 2015	430,241	5	86,048
September 2015	551,880	5	110,376
October 2015	953,289	10	95,329
November 2015	1,003,954	8	125,494
December 2015	507,545	6	84,591
January 2016	465,698	5	93,139
February 2016	288,355	4	72,088
March 2016	355,554	5	71,110
April 2016	533,976	5	106,795
May 2016	299,189	4	74,797
June 2016	545,833	6	90,972
July 2016	359,166	5	71,833
August 2016	322,499	5	64,500
September 2016	174,420	3	58,140
October 2016	339,778	5	67,956
November 2016	269,975	5	53,995
December 2016	303,886	4	75,972
January 2017	161,014	3	53,671
February 2017	262,889	4	65,722
March 2017	214,603	4	53,650
April 2017	274,262	5	54,852
May 2017	285,363	6	47,560
June 2017	495,588	9	55,065
July 2017	326,062	7	46,580
August 2017	425,473	9	47,274
September 2017	418,023	9	46,447
October 2017	299,174	7	42,739
November 2017	330,496	7	47,214
December 2017	252,923	7	42,153
January 2018	263,320	6	43,887

The average sale per issue of 43,887 would rank 30th on the top 300 chart for the month of January.  Marvel's Star Wars trade paperbacks, reprints, and reorders are not accounted for with these numbers.  The Star Wars trade paperbacks are strong sellers.

---

IDW

Title	Issue	Monthly Rank	Estimated Sales	Last Estimated Sales	Percent Change
Forces of Destiny - Leia	n/a	135	14,937	n/a	n/a
Forces of Destiny - Rey	n/a	139	13,505	n/a	n/a
Star Wars Adventures	6	142	13,361	13,733	-2.71%
Forces of Destiny - Ahsoka & Padme	n/a	147	12,464	n/a	n/a
Forces of Destiny - Hera	n/a	149	12,214	n/a	n/a
Forces of Destiny - Rose & Paige	n/a	155	11,793	n/a	n/a

Star Wars Adventures fell a modest 372 units.  It is possible this title has found its sales level and if so, this will be IDW's top selling ongoing title.

The Forces of Destiny sub-brand focuses on stories featuring female characters and IDW published 5 one-shots in January.  The best selling one-shots feature Princess Leia and Rey, outselling the Star Wars Adventures #6.  One-shots featuring Ahsoka & Padme, Hera, and Rose & Paige round out the remaining offerings.  These titles are perfect for the audience IDW is aiming for with their main Star Wars title and I hope they decide to publish an ongoing Forces of Destiny title.

Month/Year	Total Estimated Sales	# Issues	Average Sale per Issue
September 2017	81,318	2	40,659
October 2017	23,739	1	23,739
November 2017	15,917	1	15,917
December 2017	13,733	1	13,733
January 2018	78,274	1	13,046

---

Take a look at the Star Wars Sales Estimates Charts and please read the blog posting January estimates find Doomsday Clock steady, Hawkman soaring; Comichron adds on-sale dates to comics charts.