Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace #4
May 1999
"The Phantom Menace" part 4, 28ppg, $2.95

Story: George Lucas
Script: Henry Gilroy
Penciler: Rodolfo Damaggio
Artist: Al Williamson
Letterer: Steve Dutro
Colorist: Dave Nestelle
Color Separator: Harold MacKinnon
Cover Artist: Hugh Fleming
Book Design: Mark Cox
Book Design: Darin Fabrick
Editor: Dave Land
Publisher: Mike Richardson

CHARACTER
Featured
Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn (dies)

Supporting
Boss Nass, Jar Jar Binks, Captain Panaka, Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, Gungan warrior, Bravo Leader (unnamed, except for callsign), Bravo pilot, Naboo pilot (three separate pilots appear, unnamed or unrecognizable), Sabé, Daultay Dofine, Neimoidian officer, Officer Dolphe (unnamed, Naboo pilot)

Villain
Darth Maul, Darth Sidious (as holo)

Other
Eritaé, Sio Bibble

CREATURE
kaadu, fambaa

DROID
droideka (destroyer droid), battle droid, OOM-9

LOCATION
Naboo

ORGANIZATION
Naboo royal guards, Naboo pilots

SPECIES
Gungan

STARSHIP
droid starfighter, Naboo N-1 Starfighter, Trade Federation Droid Control Ship

TECHNOLOGY
ascension gun

VEHICLE
Trade Federation AAT (Armored Assault Tank), Trade Federation MTT (Multi Troop Transport), Gian speeder

COMMENTS
This issue concludes the official four issue adaptation of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Unlike previous adaptations of the films that were published on a monthly basis (thereby taking up to 6 months to tell the tale) this series was published over 4 consecutive weeks in May, 1999 to coincide with the May 19, 1999 release date of Episode I. The Trade Paperback edition and Issue #1 of this adaptation were both released on May 5, with issue #3 being released on the movie premiere date.

Published both with an artwork cover by Hugh Fleming and a photo cover variant.
SYNOPSIS
This chapter opens with Boss Nass making Jar Jar a general in the Gungan army as the Jedi, Panaka and the Queen plan their infiltration into the city.

Via hologram, Sidious orders the extinction of the Naboo and Gungans. The Trade Federation Battle Droid army and the Gungan army meet on a battle field in the Naboo countryside.

Queen Amidala and her guards enter the hangar shooting at all Battle Droids that stand in their way. Anakin decides to hide in Naboo fighter as the Queen and the Jedi race out of the hangar.

Above the planet, the Naboo fighters engage the Droid Control Ship. Back in the hangar, Darth Maul enters and confronts Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

Some droidekas roll in threatening Padmé. Anakin uses his ships weapons to blast the wheel droids. He then accidentally blasts off into the skies, towards the battle above.

The battle continues on the plain as Amidala is delayed in her push to the throne room and Anakin engages the enemy droid starfighters.

On the battle plain, Jar Jar manages to accidentally destroy a number of enemy droids through his clumsiness. Captain Panaka and the Queen manage to evade their pursuers and ascend up a wall outside the palace.

The Naboo fighters can't get through the shields of the control ship as Anakin narrowly avoids crashing against the outside of the mighty spacecraft.

In the generator room, the Jedi battle the fierce Sith, who matches them blow for blow. They combatants are momentarily separated by containment beams.

The droid army destroys a shield generator as Jar Jar accidentally destroys another Trade Federation tank.

The queens group is captured entering the palace throne room. By sheer luck, Anakin enters the hangar of the droid ship.

Back at the generator room, the containment beams switch off and Darth Maul engages Qui-Gon again. Qui-Gon is satbbed by Mauls lightsaber and Obi-Wan roars in anger.

Jar Jar and his Gungans soldiers are captured. The queen's decoy distracts the viceroy and Amidala is able to take control and capture him.

In anger, Obi-Wan attacks Maul and is forced back into a pit. He hangs from an outcropping over the bottomless pit.

In the control ship, Anakin blasts the reactor core of the ship, detonating it and causing the ship to explode. Obi-Wan is able to summon Qui-Gon's weapon to him, leaping over the Sith lord and slicing him in half. Qui-Gon asks Obi-Wan to train the boy, just before he dies. The battle droids fall to the ground, deactivated.

Later, back at the palace, Palpatine returns as Chancellor of the Senate, thanking the Queen for setting the people free.

The Jedi, Amidala, and Palpatine gather around a funeral pyre for the fallen Qui-Gon Jinn.

Obi-Wan and Yoda discuss Anakin's training, and Yoda decides that he should be allowed to train the boy. The city celebrates the defeat of the Trade Federation.


Related Issues
Episode I – The Phantom Menace #1 Episode I – The Phantom Menace #2 Episode I – The Phantom Menace #3 Episode I – The Phantom Menace Comic Pack


Trade Paperbacks and Alternate Covers
Star Wars Omnibus: Episodes I-VI – The Complete Saga Episode I – The Phantom Menace Original Graphic Novel Hardcover Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of The Sith Trade Paperback #2 Episode I – The Phantom Menace Trade Paperback Episode I – The Phantom Menace Limited Edition Hardcover
The Phantom Menace 4 Photo Cover

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