Description

Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back                  Trade Paperback Lot
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Al Williamson & Carlos Garzon
Colorists: James Sinclair & Frank Lopez
Letterer: Rick Veitch
Editors: Bob Cooper, Edward Martin III, Jo Duffy & Archie Goodwin
Cover #1 by: Al Williamson & Matthew Hollingsworth
Cover #2 by: Cam Kennedy & Matthew Hollingsworth

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars is an American epic space opera franchise centered on a film series created by George Lucas.  The film series began with Star Wars, released on May 25, 1977. This was followed by two sequels: The Empire Strikes Back, released on May 21, 1980, and Return of the Jedi, released on May 25, 1983. Then more than two decades after the release of the original film, the series continued with a prequel trilogy; consisting of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released on May 19, 1999; Episode II: Attack of the Clones, released on May 16, 2002; Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released on May 19, 2005; and  finally the epic saga concluded with Star Wars: The Force Awakens released on December 18, 2015;  Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released on December 18, 2017. Star Wars: The Last Jedi, released on December 18, 2017. And Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released on December 20, 2019.

In 1994, Dark Horse Comics reissued the issues #39-44 of Marvel Comics’ 1977 original Star Wars series as Classic Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back. With a newly colored, prestige-format, this 2 issue trade paperback series faithfully recaptures that initial excitement of attending the first showing of the film. With the best Star Wars comics creative team to ever put pen to paper, Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson, unite once again to adapt the second Star Wars movie to comic form in a way that truly returns us to the thrilling adventures of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, the swashbuckling Han Solo and his trusted furry companion Chewbacca, the cruel Darth Vader, and the faithful droids Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio – just like those childhood memories you had when you stood in line for two hours to see the movie for the first time! These two volumes brings the Marvel Comics adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back into print for the first time since 1980. Al Williamson’s classic art is supplemented by brand-new interior coloring, as well as a new covers by Al Williamson and Cam Kennedy commissioned especially for this 2 volume series.

Now… a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… The Empire Strikes Back! Learn more about the ruthless Galactic Empire, the mysterious Jedi Master, Yoda, and the courageous Luke Skywalker as some of the story gaps, not fully explained in the film are presented in this classic adaptation of George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back!

Story/Spoilers
In issue #1, Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance has been driven from their former base on Yavin IV by the Galactic Empire. Princess Leia leads a contingent including Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in a new base on the icy planet Hoth. The Imperial Fleet, led by Darth Vader, continues to hunt for Rebels’ new base by dispatching probe droids across the galaxy. While investigating a potential meteor strike, Luke is ambushed by a monstrous wampa. He manages to escape from its cave with his lightsaber, but soon suffers from the snowy wasteland temperatures. The spirit of his late mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, instructs him to go to the Dagobah system to train under Jedi Master Yoda. He is found by Han, who uses the warmth of Han’s dead tauntaun for shelter and brings him back to base to recover. On patrol, Han and Chewbacca discover the asteroid is actually a probe droid, which alerts the Imperial Fleet to the Rebels’ location. The Empire launches a large-scale attack, using gigantic AT-AT Walkers to capture the base. Han and Leia escape on the Millennium Falcon with C-3PO and Chewbacca, but their hyperspace drive malfunctions. They hide in an asteroid field, where Han and Leia grow closer. Vader summons bounty hunters including the notorious Boba Fett to assist in finding the Falcon. Luke, meanwhile, escapes with R2-D2 in his X-wing fighter and crash-lands on the swamp planet Dagobah.

Features re-colored reprinting of the earlier Marvel adaptation with pre-production sketches from McQuarrie and others, concept artists for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (film).

Trade Paperback reprints/collects: Star Wars (1980) Issues #39-41.  Marvel Comics

Finally, in issue #2, Luke Skywalker meets a diminutive creature who is revealed to be the Jedi Master Yoda; after conferring with Obi-Wan’s spirit he reluctantly accepts Luke as his pupil. After evading the Imperial Fleet, Han sets a course for Cloud City, a floating gas mining colony in the skies of the planet Bespin run by Han’s old friend, Lando Calrissian. Unknowingly, the Millennium Falcon has been tracked by Boba Fett; shortly after they arrive, Lando leads the group into a trap and they are handed over to Darth Vader. Vader plans to use the group as bait to lure out Luke with the intent of capturing him alive and presenting him to his master, the Emperor. During his intensive training on Dagobah, Luke sees a premonition of Han and Leia in pain and, against Yoda’s wishes, leaves to save them. Vader reneges on his agreement with Lando and takes Leia into custody. He intends to hold Luke in suspended animation via carbon freezing, and as a test freezes Han in a block of carbonite. He hands the frozen Han over to Fett, who intends to leave for Tatooine to deliver Han to Jabba the Hutt to claim a bounty. Lando, who was unwillingly forced into cooperating with the Empire, initiates an escape and frees Leia and the others. They try to save Han but are unable to stop Fett from departing, and flee Cloud City in the Falcon. Luke arrives at Cloud City and falls into Vader’s trap. The two engage in a lightsaber duel that leads them over the city’s central air shaft where, as his mentors warned, Luke proves to be no match for Vader and his nemesis severs his right hand, causing Luke to lose his father’s weapon. After Luke refuses to join Vader against the Emperor, Vader reveals that he is Luke’s father as he tries to coerce him. Horrified, Luke throws himself down the air shaft. He is ejected beneath the floating city and makes a desperate telepathic plea to Leia, who senses it and persuades Lando to return for him in the Falcon. R2-D2 repairs the Falcon‍ ’​s hyperdrive, allowing them to escape the Imperial Fleet and a now-despondent Vader. Some time later aboard a Rebel medical frigate, Luke is fitted with a robotic prosthetic hand, as Lando and Chewbacca set off in the Falcon to find Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett in order to save Han. As the Falcon flies off, Luke, Leia, R2-D2, and C-3PO look on and await their contact.

Features re-colored reprinting of the earlier Marvel adaptation with pre-production sketches from McQuarrie and others, concept artists for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (film).

Trade Paperback reprints/collects: Star Wars (1980 – 1981) Issues #42-44.  Marvel Comics

Trade Paperback lot contains: Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1994) Issues #1-2.  Dark Horse Comics.

Trade Paperbacks are bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printings
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: 1994
Format per Trade Paperback: FC, 68 pages, TPB, 10.25″ x 6.75″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: Trade Paperbacks 1,2 are in Fine to Fine + condition.  Nice Set!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Star Wars collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

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