Description

Classic Star Wars: The Vandelhelm Mission                                      One-shot Comic
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: Al Williamson
Colorist: James Sinclair
Letterer: Ed King
Editors: Ann Nocenti & Ryder Windham
Cover by: Al Williamson

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. And Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released on December 20, 2019.

America experienced a resurgence in Star Wars interest in the early 1990s. Among Dark Horse Comics’ many Star Wars releases was The Vandelhelm Mission, written by Archie Goodwin and penciled by Al Williamson. Han Solo feels inadequate after the fall of the Empire. He feels that anyone can do the jobs that he is charged with doing. that is, until Lando Calrissian arrives at the starship yards of Fondor, where the finest ships in the galaxy are built. Lando relieves Han from his duties of improving production at the yards. Han’s new assignment is to accompany two very important children from a former Imperial prison planet back to the yards. It is believed that the children are good luck for production. What seems to be an easy mission turns out to test the skills of the once Correllian pirate. Han finishes the mission with a new feeling of importance.

Story/Spoilers
While Chewbacca is on leave to Kashyyyk, and Leia is meeting with some of the major players in the Alliance of Free Planets, Han is forced to go on a mission to a former Imperial prison planet, with Nien Nunb as his co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon. When he gets there, he is surprised to see that his job is to escort a woman and her child to Vandelhelm to sort out problem with the Metalsmiths Guild supplying the Alliance with “ores and alloys and stuff.” Apparently, the current Guildmaster Orrk has allied himself with the Galactic Empire and was abashed when he found out that the royalty whom Han escorts is coming back. Imperial Admiral Mordur has assured the Guildmaster that the “venerated ones” will die. When the Millennium Falcon comes out of hyperspace, it has come out right in the middle of mined asteroid field. Moff Vordur was expecting a large Rebel cruiser. The plan failed.

On Vandelhelm, the group was greeted by the Guildmaster himself. Han began criticizing the work of the guild. Orrk defends himself by saying how selflessly the metalsmiths work. He also mentions that Han’s passengers are the last descendants of the two families that initially founded the metal-rich planet.

Han returns to the Millennium Falcon, only to find his co-pilot taken hostage by the Imperial stormtroopers. Orrk has also taken the royals hostage, and has revealed his partnership with the Empire to Han. The child jumps on Orrk’s leg, throwing him off-balance. Han uses the moment and shoots the stormtrooper holding Nien. He tries to make a shot at Orrk, but can’t because he might hit the royals. So he jumps on Orrk. Unfortunately for Han, the Guildmaster is of much heavier and stronger build, which results in Han dragging off the platform where the Millennium Falcon was held. However, the woman has shot Orrk, and Han pulled him down, which resulted in his death. Later, Han heard a familiar sound, which was a crackle on Chewbacca’s rifle. Apparently, two stormtroopers have seen the whole scene and emerged from the corner. Nien Nunb has seen that, and shot them in time.

The group goes to the Millennium Falcon. At the same time, Admiral Mordur has entered the command codes for the drone barges filled with ore, and launches them to follow his lead ship, which he pilots to the Sun. Han notices that, and he boards the ship. Eventually, Han and the Admiral fight each other on the command deck of the ship in Zero-G conditions. Han wins, and tries to shut down the signal to drone barges. He can’t. When he thinks that all is already lost, that he, the Millennium Falcon, the crew and the barges are going to burn down in the sun, he hears Lando Calrissian’s voice, who has arrived on a EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate. He tractor-beamed the Millennium Falcon, and tells Han that he used the command code to take the barges in. Apparently, the royals knew the codes, but didn’t tell Han about it. The comic finishes as we see the kid hugging Han.

One-Shot Comic reprints/collects: Star Wars Volume 1 (1985) Issue #98.  Marvel Comics

One-Shot Comic is bagged & triple boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printing
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: March 1995
Format: FC, 36 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.75″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: One-Shot Comic is in Fine condition.  Nice!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Star Wars collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Highly Recommended.

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