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Writer: Archie Goodwin Artist, Cover Artist: Al Williamson Colorist: Steve Buccellato Editor: Anina Bennett Cover Colors: Gregory Wright CHARACTER Featured Luke Skywalker Supporting Imperial admirals, Tanith Shire, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa Solo, Chewbacca, Varn (unnamed) Villain Darth Vader, Admiral Griff CREATURE flying serpent DROID C-3PO (See Threepio), R2-D2 (Artoo Detoo) LOCATION Fondor, Ophideraan, Kabal ORGANIZATION Serpent Masters, Stormtroopers STARSHIP drone barge, TIE fighter | ||
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This issue continues reprinting the fourth Archie Goodwin strip and the thirteenth overall. It is commonly called "Darth Vader Strikes" and ran between Apr 20, 1981 to Jul 26, 1981. It also begins the fifth Archie Goodwin strip and the fourteenth overall. It is commonly called "The Serpent Masters" and ran between Jul 27, 1981 to Nov 1, 1981.
This is the first issue to credit Gregory Wright as the Cover Colorist.
For an in-depth comparison of this issue to the original comic strips, please see the Classic Star Wars Issue Index.
Luke and the droids wander through the steam tunnels of the planet Fondor to meet with the Imperial Admirals that will help him destroy Darth Vader's newest starship project. They are all unaware that Admiral Griff and Darth Vader have set up a trap to snare these would-be conspirators.
As Luke meets up with the Admirals, he senses the Dark Side of the Force. They are soon surrounded by the white armored Stormtroopers of the Empire. Luckily Tanith Shire has followed Luke and taken his droids to the controls for the steam tunnel. She orders Artoo to turn the vents on, which causes a backup of steam in the tunnel, allowing Luke to escape.
The traitorous admirals are rounded up, but Luke, Tanith and the droids manage to make their way onto a drone barge and escape the ship building planet. Vader is now aware of another Force user, a disciple of Kenobi's and begins to plan accordingly.
Meanwhile onboard the drone barge, Threepio informs his human masters that there is not enough air to last them the trip. Tanith then confesses that the lack of oxygen is the least of their worries as the ship will crash. She works as a thief and arranges for drone barges to crash often to sell the parts. Luke gets Artoo to trigger the fire extinguishing system and release fire fighting foam to help cushion their impact. The barge crashes into Ophideraan, coming apart into hundreds of pieces.
Luke, Tanith and the droids survive, but Luke is now stuck on a planet with vital information for the rebellion and no way to get back to his friends. Friends who are currently being pursued by a small squad of Imperial TIEs! Between Han's flying and Leia's shooting ability, the Falcon manages to destroy all the fighters and safely land on Kabal.
Leia feels guilty for presumably forcing Luke on his most recent mission. Han tells her that she's being ridiculous. She dismisses Han and sets off into the spaceport. Han follows her and shows her what she is missing, by giving her a kiss.
At dawn on the strange planet, a trio of serpent masters fly toward the camp. Tanith explains that she crashes barges for the serpent masters to scavenge. The riders of these strange creatures all wear stormtrooper armor, and order the rebels to put away their weapons. They zap the droids and take Luke and Tanith into custody so they can deliver them all to the Supreme Serpent Master. They will be put into slavery, if they can survive long enough.