Description

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – The Fall of the Sith Empire                  Trade Paperback
First Edition with Die-Cut Cover.  Awesome!!
Writer: Kevin J. Anderson
Artist: Dario Carrasco Jr.
Inkers: Mark G. Heike, Bill Black & David Jacob Beckett
Colorist: Ray Murtaugh
Letterer: Willie Schubert
Editors: David Land & Bob Cooper
Cover by: Duncan Fegredo

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. The 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; and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released on May 19, 2005, Then Star Wars: The Force Awakens was 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 October 1993, Dark Horse Comics took us deeper into the Star Wars universe with Tales of the Jedi. The epic drama of Star Wars was said to have happened “long ago, in a galaxy far away.” In that same galaxy, but even longer ago, lies the tale of the Jedi Knights. That was a time of peace, forged by the vast confederation of star systems known as the Galactic Republic. The Galactic Republic was a democracy, famed for its wise and fair leadership. When danger threatened, it also could call on its protectors, the Jedi Knights. Against the Dark Side, these heroic warriors fought for the cause of good, using their lightsabers and the power of the Force.

Now… a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Tales of the Jedi – The Fall of the Sith! The Sith Empire has rallied its forces for an all-out battle for control of the galaxy. Their goal: Crush the Republic. And with so many Sith masters amongst them, the goal is not unachievable. As Naga Sadow readies his fleet to attack, one lone person threatens to undermine the entire campaign – Jori Daragon. She isn’t a Jedi. She doesn’t come from a military background or have a history of fighting. She’s an explorer, a mapper of hyperspace who stumbled on the plans of the Sith. And she just may be the savior of the Republic.

Story/Spoilers
In part #1, “Desperate Measures”, Five thousand years before the birth of Luke Skywalker, young Gav and Jori Daragon accidentally set in motion one of the most devastating wars the galaxy has ever known. Fleeing trouble in the Koros system, which has been newly unified by the benevolent Empress Teta, Gav and Jori race into unexplored hyperspace, hoping to make their fortune – but their path lands them right in the heart of the awesome Sith Empire! Taken prisoner by Sith Lords, Gav and Jori are used as pawns by the ambitious Naga Sadow – who has just declared himself the new Dark Lord. The twins spend weeks hiding under Sadow’s treacherous protection, while the Dark Lord begins training Gav in the Sith magic of illusions. Naga Sadow has plans, though, to use the brother and sister as scapegoats: he wishes to expand the Sith Empire, to launch a war of conquest against the Republic – but first he must defeat his deadly rival, Ludo Kressh. Dropping hints and planting spies, Sadow lures Kressh into attacking his seemingly vulnerable fortress. In the full devastation of battle, Naga Sadow separates Gav and Jori, forcing Jori to take their impounded ship, ”Starbreaker 12”, to escape alone back to the heart of the Republic. After Jori flees, Sadow springs his surprise on Ludo, wiping out the rival’s fleet while Ludo himself barely escapes. Now with his opponent trounced, Sadow can move the military might of the Sith Empire on its greatest conquest – against the unsuspecting Republic. A secret transmitter hidden in Jori’s ship will show them exactly where to go…

Next in part #2, “Forces in Collision”, During the chaos of a civil war in the Sith Empire, Republic captive Jori Daragon sees a chance to steal her ship, ”Starbreaker 12”, and flee the stronghold of Naga Sadow, the Dark Lord of the Sith. Only the navicomputer on ”Starbreaker 12” holds the coordinates for her to get home, to safety – even if it means she must leave her beloved brother, Gav, behind in Sadow’s clutches. What Jori doesn’t know, however, is that Naga Sadow has himself engineered the crisis so that she will rush back to the rich star systems of the fabled Republic. With a tracking device hidden on her ship, he can lead the military might of the Sith Empire on a sweeping conquest. Sadow has intentionally kept Gav, training the young man as his protégé. When the ship of Sadow’s defeated rival, Ludo Kressh, appears over the fortress world, broadcasting a message and demanding to be heard, the Dark Lord of the Sith tricks Gav into firing a preemptive strike that blows Ludo’s ship out of the skies. Now no one will challenge Sadow’s ambitions, and the way is clear for him to take the Republic as his own… Meanwhile, Jori survives the rigorous flight across the galaxy, arriving back at Koros Major, capital of Empress Teta’s newly unified seven worlds. She bears her message of grave import, broadcasting an emergency on all channels – but Jori stumbles headlong into her own tarnished reputation. She and Gave have left under bad circumstances, skipping out on large debts and obligations, fleeing the law. No one will listen to Jori or her urgent warning. She has cried wolf too many times in the past. Instead, under the weight of numerous warrants for her arrest, Jori is taken into custody, her ship impounded. As her accounts of the legendary Sith Empire fall on deaf ears, Jori is dragged off to trial…

Next in part #3, “First Encounter”, After escaping from Naga Sadow and the Sith Empire, Jori Daragon arrives back in the Republic, broadcasting her warnings. But no one will believe her, not her old friend Aarrba the Hutt, and not the judge. She loses possession of ”Starbreaker 12” to the greedy, reptilian merchant lord Ssk Kahorr, and she is sent off to a harsh colony world to serve her penal sentence… Jori wastes no time escaping from the planet, though. She MUST deliver her warning to Empress Teta, no matter what. She succeeds in stealing an ore hauler, flies back to Cinnagar, and ejects to safety as her stolen ship is shot down. Jori makes her way through the city streets, boldly climbs the exterior of Empress Teta’s palace, and breaks inside. Meanwhile, her brother Gav is still stinging from Naga Sadow’s tricks. The Dark Lord reminds Gav of his downtrodden life in the Republic, and how it will be different under Sith rule. Sadow’s fleet takes shape from the scattered planets of other Sith Lords: vast ships, huge battle beasts, heavy weaponry. Sadow will direct battle from his sinister meditation sphere. Still tempting his protégé Gav, Sadow gives him military command of the fleet. Reeling with uncertainty about attacking his home, and wishing Jori could be with him, Gav takes the helm. The Sith war fleet launches toward the Republic, following the beacon hidden inside ”Starbreaker 12”… In her palace, Empress Teta meets with her Jedi advisors Memit Nadill, Odan-Urr, and his ancient Master Ooroo. Ooroo has arrived because he, too, senses the dark undercurrents, frightening visions that suggest a terrible impending war…even though the officials on Coruscant will not heed the warnings. Suddenly, Jori drops from the balcony, breathless, shouting her story before the guards can silence her. Empress Teta hears enough, though, to know this is confirmation of their greatest fears. Jori nearly collapses with relief when the Empress and her Jedi summon their defensive fleet and prepare for battle. But it may already be too late, because Naga Sadow is on his way…

Next in part #4, “The Dogs of War”,. The merchant lord Ssk Kahorr is out joyriding in the ”Starbreaker 12”, recently confiscated from Jori Daragon, when Naga Sadow’s entire war fleet homes in on the locator hidden aboard. Sith ships appear like a stampede out of hyperspace and annihilate ”Starbreaker 12”. Sadow tries to soothe Gav’s outrage by assuring him that his sister wasn’t aboard. Then the Dark Lord goes into isolation in his meditation sphere, where he will direct the various prongs of their conquest and prepare Sith surprises for the defenders… Empress Teta sends her Jedi advisor Memit Nadill to Coruscant to summon the Republic’s military might – but the sky is filled with thousands of Sith pyramidal drop transports. The ships unleash hordes of ground forces, giant beasts ridden by Sith Lords and Massassi warriors. When the Republic Jedi meet Sith sorcery in the city streets, it is new and frightening. Nadill and the other Jedi rally their forces around the Senate Hall to make their last stand… Wearing battle armor, Teta launches everything she has against the Sith fleet – but seeing the enormous invasion force, she doesn’t know if she can defend her own worlds. The beautiful city of Cinnagar must be preserved! Jori wants to fight as a pilot, but most ships were damaged in the recent wars. With a gleam in her eye, Jori goes to Aarrba the Hutt’s repair dock, where she’s sure she can scrounge up something. The rebels recently beaten on Kirrek offer to fight if the Empress will grant them amnesty. Odan-Urr, who helped defeat the rebels, and his Master Ooroo offer to help them. The armies gather in a fortified citadel as Sith drop ships disgorge huge fighting forces. Swarms of Massassi warriors sweep over the plains toward the stronghold, and the defenders prepare for the fight of their lives… Gav runs the blockade over Cinnagar, hoping to shut down the defenses and take the world in a bloodless victory…but he has really come for Jori. He looks for his sister at Aarrba’s repair dock. Seeing Gave, the Hutt is outraged, provoking the Massassi bodyguards to retaliate. As he stands in shock over the dying of Aarrba, Jori arrives, horrified at what her brother has done…

Finally in part #5, “End of an Empire”, The great Hyperspace War begins. On desolate Kirrek, Odan-Urr uses his battle meditation against the enemy forces, but finds it difficult to sway the single-minded fury of the Massassi. Master Ooroo instructs all others to withdraw. As bloodthirsty Sith forces boil over the citadel walls, the jellyfish master splits open his crystalline case. Poisonous gas billows out, and the attackers drop like mown grass. But with every moment, Ooroo’s irreplaceable cyanogen atmosphere drains away… In Cinnagar, Jori confronts her brother next to the body of Aarrba the Hutt. Devastated by what he has done, Gav flees in his ship. Jori zooms after him, unable to understand what he is doing. Gav returns to the red giant where Naga Sadow has taken his meditation sphere. Gav’s petty anger has caused a devastating war; Sadow has tricked him one too many times. Gav fires on the sphere, destroying Sadow’s concentration, and his illusionary forces… On Coruscant, Memit Nadill and other Jedi barricaded in the Senate Hall battle as Massassi swarm over the buildings. Explosions light the sky. Then nine-tenths of the enemy forces vanish – mere illusions! The Jedi charge out, rallying. The Sith invaders reel with the turn of their fortunes, and they flee for their pyramidal ships. Memit Nadill and the other surviving Jedi raise their lightsabers in triumph. At the meditation sphere, Sadow sends a message, begging Gav to come alone, so they can talk. But when Gav arrives at the damaged sphere he finds it empty, abandoned. Sadow has lured him here – while the Dark Lord has escaped. Stranded, Gav watches Sadow’s flagship soar off. Teta’s fleet arrives, led by Jori; after Gav transmits crucial information, Sadow’s flagship reappears with the remnants of his battered Sith fleet. On the verge of defeat, Sadow triggers a secret weapon aboard his flagship, causing the destruction of the red giant star. Sadow’s defeated fleet vanishes into hyperspace to the presumed safety of their own Sith Empire. Gav warns everyone to escape, especially Jori. He’s trapped on the damaged sphere, and there’s nothing she can do to rescue him – no time. She must GO! Teta’s fleet lurches after Sadow in hot pursuit just after the star explodes. Waves of solar flares engulf the meditation sphere, incinerating Gav. Jori just sees the flash of light, the last instant of her brother’s life, and then she is off after the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Trade Paperback reprints/collects: Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – The Fall of the Sith Empire (1997) Issues #1-5.  Dark Horse Comics.

Trade Paperback is 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 Printing
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: May 1998
Format: FC, 136 pages, TPB, 10.25″ x 6.75″
ISBN-10: 1569713200
ISBN-13: 9781569713204

Collectible Entertainment note: Trade Paperback is in Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful!  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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