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Post by thwhtguardian on May 3, 2021 8:01:36 GMT -5
Princess Leia, Imperial ServantNovember 6th to December 31st, 1979 Written by Russ Helm Penciled and Colored by Russ Manning LA Times Syndicate  Summery: While on a deep space mission for the Rebellion, Princess Leia and another rebel agent named Hume discover that their ship is dangerously low on fuel and are forced to drop out of hyperspace in the middle of Imperial space...and are immediately confronted by an Imperial star destroyer, and not just any destroyer but Vader's own! Always impetuous, Leia wants to stay and fight but Hume knows the Rebellion can't lose one of its most important leaders and so he knocks her out and places her into an escape pod that blasts off just as the ship is destroyed. When Leia awakens in the pod she finds herself on the planet Phelarion where she uncovers an Imperial mining out post using slave labor and operated none other than the wife of the commander of the Death Star, Grand Moff Tarkin. Knowing this camp is her only chance she quickly disguises herself and joins the ranks of the slaves. Once in the camp Leia tries to blend in with the other slaves, but her beauty leads Lady Tarkin to key in on her and she is taken from the masses to be Tarkin's personal maidservant. Under Lady Tarkin's tutelage, Leia learns that the Tarkin mine isn't just an important source of Megonite for Imperial munitions but it is also to be the site of the Imperial Conclave, an important Imperial political event that could not only prove dangerous for her but could also prove to be her way off the planet. And as if all that weren't enough Leia also gets wrapped up in a smuggling scheme led by two of the slaves, she over hears them in a corridor and they capture her thinking she will expose them. However, Leia uses her diplomatic skills to convince them that rather than being a liability she is actually an asset as along with her elevated status as personal servant to Lady Tarkin she can travel the compound unquestioned which gives her access to the communications array, which she uses to make contact with one of their smuggler buddies off world. Before they can escape though Vader arrives on site and quickly uncovers the Megonite shortage and tracks it back to the smuggler's secret cave, and the storm troopers give chase nearly catching Leia in the process but at the last possible second the smuggler's friend shows up...and it's Han Solo, who rockets them all to safety aboard the Millennium Falcon. Review: While the story isn't perhaps as layered as the last two it had a fantastic sense of intrigue that I don't think I've ever experienced in another Star Wars story. Between Leia sneaking around the compound overhearing Imperial planning and getting involved in a plot to smuggle munitions off the planet it feels more like a spy story than a science fiction plot, which is pretty refreshing. Also refreshing is the take charge attitude that Leia shows us here, she's not a damsel in distress or just tagging along she's the protagonist here and from page one she's strong, intelligent and in control which is great to see. But perhaps the most interesting aspect is seeing how Tarkin's death has affected his wife, he was one of the chief antagonists in a New Hope so it's both interesting just to learn that he has a family and that they saw him as a hero.  The anger that Lady Tarkin feels with the Rebellion for taking her husband is interesting as it is the same emotional reason that many hate the Empire, making this one of the few times that we see that this is a civil war and that there are strong, complicated feelings on both sides, not just a simple good versus evil.
Grade:B
I agree with all of this. This was an enjoyable story, though more of a spy story than science fiction or space fantasy. I also found it interesting that they showed us Lady Tarkin, and even more interesting how apparently devoted to her husband she was, and how angry she was with the rebels for killing him aboard the Death Star. I also loved seeing Leia as a strong, resourceful, and intelligent character. And I have to say, Russ Manning draws the most adorable Princess Leia. Ranks right up there with Al Plastino's Supergirl.  Anyway, sorry for that digression, but, having praised the story, there were a few things I didn't like. For one thing, Vader says he doesn't eat or drink?! That's a bit much, Mr. Manning. I'm a little surprised Lucasfilm okayed that. Also, in the scene where Leia was in Lady Tarkin's chambers sending the signal, and the guard surprised her and he somehow died, it was not at all clear to me what happened there. I guess the meganite somehow exploded and killed the guard, but I really couldn't make out what happened there. The scene where Leia sprayed something (perfume??) into that visiting dignitary's face also baffled me. Han Solo being the friend who shows up at the end to rescue them was a bit much, too. I guess it sort of makes sense that he'd have a thief/smuggler friend, and that he might be involved in this shady deal, but it just seemed like too much of a coincidence. A few really minor nits included Lady Tarkin, surprised, saying "meteorites at this time of year?" as if meteorites are seasonal; her clumsy way of finding the meganite thieves by merely barding into the barracks and saying "who stole my meganite?" and the fact that those crooks were so careless as to let Leia listen in on their conversation like that. Discretion, guys! This chick shows up and 5 minutes later she knows your whole scheme because you're openly blabbing about it. Anyway, like I said, overall, and enjoyable story. I'd give it a B, too. I never had a problem with the eating or drinking comment, I don't think it was ever laid out in any comic or book but I always assumed Vader was "fed" intravenously by his suit and likewise his waste was recycled in some way. |
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,202 
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Post by Confessor on May 3, 2021 8:27:45 GMT -5
...I always assumed Vader was "fed" intravenously by his suit and likewise his waste was recycled in some way. We need to get to the bottom of this.  |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 10, 2021 13:00:52 GMT -5
The Second Kessel RunJanuary 1st to February 25th, 1980Written by Russ Helm
Penciled and Colored by Russ ManningLA Times Syndicate Summery: The story begins above the planet Zerm where we find Professor Renn Volz testing his newest invention the Ion Ring which successfully tames the violent weather which has long plagued Zerm. However, though well intended ,the Empire sees a different use for the Professor's humanitarian invention: the successor to the Death Star! Imperial Captain Bzorn storms onto the Ion Ring, kidnapping the Professor's daughter, Mira, and threatened to kill her if he did not comply with the Imperial commands and so fearing for his daughter's life the Professor complies and turns the rebel planet of Randa into a snow filled wasteland.
Meanwhile Han and Chewie are apparently somehow back in Jabba's good graces as they are about to embark on spice run and on their way they pick up Luke and the droids to join in on the adventure. As they get ready to lift off Han notices a stow away...Mira, who escaped her captors. She tells our heroes about her father, his invention and the Imperials use of it and the Falcon blasts off on a rescue mission. Using another of the Professor's ingenious invention's, the sub space transmitter, Mira projects ghostly images of herself aboard the Ion Ring distracting the Imperials while Han and Luke board the ship under the guise of captured rebels(why not it worked previously with a Wookie prisoner aboard the Death Star).
Seeing his daughter alive again Professor Volz commences the ship's self-destruction and the whole gang escapes aboard the Millennium Falcon as the starship explodes beyond them.
Review: After a string of great entries this story feels like a slight step backward; it's fairly simple rescue mission plot though packed with great action just feels like a retread of the rescue of Princess Leia from the Death Star in a New Hope especially with it's use of a new Imperial superweapon and the whole Wookie prisoner shtick. It lacks the emotional complexities of the previous chapters and has a very empty feeling in terms of the universe itself; we go to several planets here and none of them feel very unique which was not the case with either Kashyyk or Phelarion. It's not offensively bad as the Constancia Affair, it's just very bland; about the only thing of note is that we finally get a Luke Skywalker who looks like Mark Hamill:
While Manning had consistently portrayed Chewie, Han and Leia his Luke always looked a little generic but her he clearly has Hamill's chin.
Grade: B-
Some elements of note:
First appearance of Kessel, although here it is a world of lush vegetation rather than the craggy asteroid we would know as Kessel later on.
Spice here is some kind of edible herb rather than the drug it would later become, I don't know if this was at the beheast of Lucas to try and make it seem that Han wasn't a drug smuggler or if Spice just hadn't been defined yet.
And although not officially connected to the Marvel continuity the idea here that Han would get back with Jabba which was originally in the Marvel books in issue #28 makes it seem like these guys were perhaps aware of what was going on in the Marvel books. Yeah, this was a decent enough story, but nothing special. Luke seemed kinda whiny and overly defensive of Mira to me. I was surprised to see Han smuggling for Jabba again. I guess Manning assumed that Han was smart enough to go pay off Jabba after the events of the movie. |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 11, 2021 18:30:57 GMT -5
Bring me the Children February 26 to April 21, 1980 Written by Don Christensen Penciled and Colored by Russ Manning LA Times Syndicate  Summery: While making a delivery of pre-imperial books to a school on Harix Luke Skywalker is force down by two TIE fighters. When he finally makes it to the school he finds it under the control of a squad of Stormtroopers and that the teacher Myoris and all her students were being held prisoners as bate for the rebellion. As Luke is preparing to leave and inform the rebellion on what has happened he stumbles across Myoris' son, Berd, and the two then set off for the base. Berd wants to go right back to Harix to rescue his mother but the Rebel leaders believe it to be too risky but Leia and Luke believe in Berd's plan and with the help of Chewbacca and Han they get a group of Han's old spacer buddies together to free the students of Harix. Review: This is yet another Star Wars story that seems to draw upon the Seven Samurai, much like the Abuda-3 story which ran from issue #7-10, and it makes me wonder if these references were shout outs to George Lucas and his love of Kurosawa, or if he perhaps even requested that they write these kinds of stories. At any rate, it's a quick little story with a lot of action and in my eyes its a much better adaptation of the Seven Samurai than the one which ran earlier in the Marvel series. It doesn't do much to develop the main characters but I really liked the idea of a school looking for books with out Imperial propaganda, it gives it a slight realistic edge to the story that gives it that lived in kind of feel that is key to Star Wars. On top of that, I love how Manning draws Leia:  She undeniably sensual and feminine, but there's an edge to her expression that really conveys a sense of strength and independence which is 100% Princess Leia. Grade: B+ Of Note: This is the first story that Vader mentions Luke Skywalker by name, and while obviously the idea that Luke was Vader's son was known to the writers at the time(and perhaps not even known to Lucas himself) this does not necessarily present itself as a continuity gap either than the fact that he has no emotional response that would hint that he knew Luke was his son.  I thought this was a weird idea for a Star Wars story. An OK story, nothing great, but the art was nice. It appeared to me in one panel that Luke understands Chewie, which I don't think would be correct. I'm also not quite sure how Luke and Han created that avalanche. I guess Luke made a swipe with his lightsaber? |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 12, 2021 15:18:32 GMT -5
As Long As We Live...April 22 - June 16, 1980
Written by Don Christensen
Art by Russ Manning
LA Times Syndicate
Summery: Luke Skywalker and two other Rebel pilots make a journey to a planet called Arda-2 to get to the bottom of a growing conspiracy about how the Empire's TIE fighter's are increasingly able to track X-wings. Luke claims that a device made by the planet's leading company manufactures is responsible despite the chief executives claims that Arda-2 is neutral in the conflict and would not give either side an unfair advantage. Not believing the executive's claims Luke threatens to bring Princess Leia in on the discussion, at which point a shadowy man named Mag Doum, decides he must act as it was He who had been purchasing parts from the factory and secretly selling them to the Empire. In order to keep his plot a secret he pressures two locals who are in debt to him into kidnapping Leia. Luke sets after the father son team of kidnappers but misses out that the pair separated; with one man taking Leia into a cave while the other carried on leading Luke astray. However, not far after the cave the older kidnapper, Kiros, crashed his speeder and only survived due to Luke's intervention, after which he explained what went on and led Luke to the caves only to discover what they believed to be signs of the death of Leia and Zon(Kiros' son) shaken the two depart to out Mag Doum's scheme. They confront Doum in front of the whole city but in the outrage Doum escaped, however Kiros was able to follow him and stow away on Doum's ship as he made his get away. Unbeknownst to Kiros however his was very much alive as Leia was able to save the pair from the Kdak, and it is after that is revealed by Kiros that Doum has signaled Darth Vader and that the dark lord of the sith is on his way. Realizing that the neutrality is out of the question the executives use the technology against the imperials causing Vader to retreat, although not before both Kiros and Zon died. Review: This is a serious step in the right direction as Don Christensen and Manning give us an interesting thriller with kidnapping and corporate espionage. This is a fun fast paced adventure with not only a lot of fun action but gives us both some interesting character beats for Luke and Leia; we see that luke is not just an ace pilot but also in a position of trusted ambassador for the Rebellion and we see once again that Leia is no damsel in distress. On top of that we get an interesting villain in Mag Doum, he's suitably sleezy with a serious under current of malice making him a fun, if short lived, villain. My favorite part however was the Kdak, which was a creepy cross between a slug and a squid:  I love a good monster and Manning doesn't disappoint.
Grade:B+ I agree that this was a good plot, among the better than I've seen in these Manning stories (and definitely better than the Gerber story) though I do respectfully disagree on Leia's characterization. She did seem a bit too much the damsel in distress to me here, at least compared to what I've seen in the Marvel comics. A couple of other nits are that they said Chewie freed Zon from jail. How'd he do that? They didn't explain. Are they saying that he bent the bars? That would make Chewie a little stronger than I had envision. Also, Darth Vader saying "Blast them into the next galaxy" just doesn't sound right to me. Still, overall, an enjoyable enough story and, as you said, fast paced with a lot of action. |
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Post by dbutler69 on May 12, 2021 15:23:38 GMT -5
The Frozen World of OtaJune 17 - August 10, 1980Written by Don Christensen
Art by Russ Manning and Rick Hoberg
Inked by Alfredo Alcala
LA Times Syndicate
Summary: Luke is in hot pursuit of a TIE fighter in an attempt to capture it for the Rebellion but when they both crash on the frozen planet Ota Luke is surprised to find that the Imperial pilot is none other than Boba Fett. The two draw weapons and Luke quickly gains the upper hand but with out warning their shoot out is interrupted by a strange group of aliens on floating sleds called Snogars who kidnap both Luke and Fett in an attempt to get them to fix their city’s generators which they inherited by an ancient race that was far more technologically advanced than they are. Luke wishes to try and help their captors but before he can begin to reason with the Snogars Boba Fett blows up the generators in order to cover his escape, enraging their captors and forcing Luke to follow Fett. Noticing that Luke has failed to check in Han, Chewie, Leia, and the droids follow Luke's trail to the planet and Han goes alone in a search for Luke. However, Han's search is cut short when, just like Fett and Luke before him, he is then kidnapped by the Snogars as well. As Han is dragged off by the strange dwellers of Otta Fett sees Han and decides he can cash him in to Jabba for some extra money, revealing that Fett's quarry is an Imperial defector known as the Mole. Before Fett can make good on his plans however Luke comes to the rescue with a swift kick to the back, but Fett is able to make his escape and resume his hunt of the former spy. The hunt leads him, and Han and company, to a section of the ancient city that still has power, which turns out to be the home of the spy. As Fett drops in it appears he'll be able to cash in on the bounty placed on the Mole by Darth Vader, but before he can the Mole fixes the generator which turns on an eltro magnet which sticks Boba Fett to the wall allowing the Mole to escape with the Rebels aboard the Falcon. Review: This is probably the best story yet, which is both excellent it's good reading but also sad because it's the last installment with art by Manning and indeed is the last story he worked on as he passed away while still working on this story causing Rick Hoberg to step in and finish the chapter, but we'll get to that after. To start with, this is an interesting story not only due to Manning but also because it features Bobba Fett who had sky rocketed in popularity after his appearance in the animated short from the Christmas special and in May of 1980, just a month before this strip came out, The Empire Strikes Back. With but a few short minutes of screen time and an even fewer number of words spoken the mysterious helmeted bounty hunter became one of the best loved characters in the Star Wars universe and this was his first adventure off screen and unlike many of these early translations from screen to page this appearance felt spot on with Fett retaining that same laconic speech pattern and better yet Manning got his look spot on:  which was much closer than his animated look:  Though I suppose Manning had the benefit of seeing the final product, but it's still pretty impressive, but that only goes to underscore the second reason why this strip is important; that it's Manning's last work and an unfinished one at that. Although Hoberg continued to adopt Manning's distinct framing style out of respect to Manning, and the coloring kept his pallet as well the differences were clear especially in the faces. Here we see Manning's Luke and Han:  And Hoberg's:  Which, you can see are far more detailed. All in all though, it isn't so jarring as to ruin the story which is good because its a lot of fun and I can only imagine that it must have been even cooler as a kid who had possibly just seen Empire for the first time before reading this comic strip. Grade: A I guess this is a decent enough story, but to be honest, I can't get past the mischaracterization (at least as I see it) of Boba Fett. If it was some random imperial officer or stormtrooper, I would have been able to enjoy the story more. One nit here - Threepio saves Leia from the electronet, but wouldn't the electronet have damaged his circuits, especialy since he's standing on snow, rather than him shorting out the net? I also think Leia was a little bit the damsel in distress here, but I do like how she befriended the natives and got them to help out. The diplomat at work! I just have to say again, that I love the way Russ Manning draws Leia. She is adorable! I'm in love. ♥ |
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 12, 2021 16:52:07 GMT -5
The Frozen World of OtaJune 17 - August 10, 1980Written by Don Christensen
Art by Russ Manning and Rick Hoberg
Inked by Alfredo Alcala
LA Times Syndicate
Summary: Luke is in hot pursuit of a TIE fighter in an attempt to capture it for the Rebellion but when they both crash on the frozen planet Ota Luke is surprised to find that the Imperial pilot is none other than Boba Fett. The two draw weapons and Luke quickly gains the upper hand but with out warning their shoot out is interrupted by a strange group of aliens on floating sleds called Snogars who kidnap both Luke and Fett in an attempt to get them to fix their city’s generators which they inherited by an ancient race that was far more technologically advanced than they are. Luke wishes to try and help their captors but before he can begin to reason with the Snogars Boba Fett blows up the generators in order to cover his escape, enraging their captors and forcing Luke to follow Fett. Noticing that Luke has failed to check in Han, Chewie, Leia, and the droids follow Luke's trail to the planet and Han goes alone in a search for Luke. However, Han's search is cut short when, just like Fett and Luke before him, he is then kidnapped by the Snogars as well. As Han is dragged off by the strange dwellers of Otta Fett sees Han and decides he can cash him in to Jabba for some extra money, revealing that Fett's quarry is an Imperial defector known as the Mole. Before Fett can make good on his plans however Luke comes to the rescue with a swift kick to the back, but Fett is able to make his escape and resume his hunt of the former spy. The hunt leads him, and Han and company, to a section of the ancient city that still has power, which turns out to be the home of the spy. As Fett drops in it appears he'll be able to cash in on the bounty placed on the Mole by Darth Vader, but before he can the Mole fixes the generator which turns on an eltro magnet which sticks Boba Fett to the wall allowing the Mole to escape with the Rebels aboard the Falcon. Review: This is probably the best story yet, which is both excellent it's good reading but also sad because it's the last installment with art by Manning and indeed is the last story he worked on as he passed away while still working on this story causing Rick Hoberg to step in and finish the chapter, but we'll get to that after. To start with, this is an interesting story not only due to Manning but also because it features Bobba Fett who had sky rocketed in popularity after his appearance in the animated short from the Christmas special and in May of 1980, just a month before this strip came out, The Empire Strikes Back. With but a few short minutes of screen time and an even fewer number of words spoken the mysterious helmeted bounty hunter became one of the best loved characters in the Star Wars universe and this was his first adventure off screen and unlike many of these early translations from screen to page this appearance felt spot on with Fett retaining that same laconic speech pattern and better yet Manning got his look spot on: which was much closer than his animated look: Though I suppose Manning had the benefit of seeing the final product, but it's still pretty impressive, but that only goes to underscore the second reason why this strip is important; that it's Manning's last work and an unfinished one at that. Although Hoberg continued to adopt Manning's distinct framing style out of respect to Manning, and the coloring kept his pallet as well the differences were clear especially in the faces. Here we see Manning's Luke and Han: And Hoberg's: Which, you can see are far more detailed. All in all though, it isn't so jarring as to ruin the story which is good because its a lot of fun and I can only imagine that it must have been even cooler as a kid who had possibly just seen Empire for the first time before reading this comic strip. Grade: A I guess this is a decent enough story, but to be honest, I can't get past the mischaracterization (at least as I see it) of Boba Fett. If it was some random imperial officer or stormtrooper, I would have been able to enjoy the story more. One nit here - Threepio saves Leia from the electronet, but wouldn't the electronet have damaged his circuits, especialy since he's standing on snow, rather than him shorting out the net? I also think Leia was a little bit the damsel in distress here, but I do like how she befriended the natives and got them to help out. The diplomat at work! I just have to say again, that I love the way Russ Manning draws Leia. She is adorable! I'm in love. ♥His Leia is fantastic, definitely my favorite interpretation of her art wise. |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 27, 2021 8:43:38 GMT -5
The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell
February 9th-April 19th, 1981
Written by Archie Goodwin
Art by Al Williamson
Published by the LA Times
Summery: After the fall of the Death Star the Rebellion is on the look out for a new base and on one such scouting mission Luke and Leia are cut off from their scout ship by a patrol of Storm Troopers. After failing to check in, and lacking the resources for a search and rescue mission the Rebellion simply declares that Luke and Leia are effectively dead, but Han and Chewbacca won't hear it and so set off on their own to save the day, and its lucky they do as the Millennium Falcon arrives just in time to take out an AT-ST just as it is about to take out Luke and Leia. Our heroes manage to escape the Imperials, but not with out sustaining some damage which causes them to seek a planet called Ord Mantell for repairs. While working on the Falcon Han and Chewie are recognized by a pair of bounty hunters by the names of Skorr and Gribbit, whom fearing Han's prowess with a blaster and Chewie in general decide to kidnap Luke and Leia and use them as leverage. The Bounty hunters think they have the upper hand but by secretly having Chewie show up with a cargo ship with a tractor beam Han pulls off a mid air snatch that frees both Luke and Leia from the clutches of Skorr but Skorr has the last laugh as he placed a homing beacon on Luke's lightsaber so he can effortlessly track his quarry, and with Imperial forces closing in it seems the jig is up for Han and the gang. However, thanks to Leia's quick thinking they are able to remove the beacon, place it in a life pod and trick Skorr into tumbling into the Imperial's clutches while the Falcon escapes. Review: Okay, so I know I've written about how I was afraid of losing the sci-fi kitsch look to the strip that Russ Manning introduced...but I'll eat my words because the combination of Al Williamson's beautiful art paired with Archie Goodwin's prose made this strip truly feel like an authentic piece of the Star Wars Universe. You look at the art and that is unmistakably Harrison Ford as Han Solo:  Chewie looks like Chewie, the Millennium Falcon, Tie Fighters and Star Destroyers look like they flew out of the films, and even better yet they sound right too as Goodwin nails the smug, sarcastic voice of Han, the earnest, naive voice of Luke and Leia's strong, feisty demeanor perfectly. This whole story felt like it could have been a deleted scene from the films, and that feeling is only further helped by the fact that the story is based on a line from the Empire Strikes Back, " Well the bounty hunter we ran into in Ord Mantell changed my mind." As a kid I always wanted that story and bam, right here in this comic I finally get it and it was awesome!
Grade: A+ First of all, the art is great! No complaints in this department. I like how Goodwin fills us in on “that bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mandell”. For the most part, I think Goodwin does a god job of capturing the voices of our heroes. I do, however, have a bit of a problem with his handing of Leia. She is, through most of this, an insufferable b!tch. I know she can be acerbic in the films, but she’s not this bad! She does soften up a bit at the end, though. It looked to me that Luke & Leia were holding hands in a couple of panels, but it wasn’t clear, so maybe they weren’t. It was a bit too lucky that Han showed up in the Falcon, and happened to find Luke & Leia, just as the stormtroopers were about to blast them. . I like Han's line about the "fringe benefit" of rescuing them being defying Leia's orders. Gribbet looks too much like a frog and his name is too reminiscent of frogs. The bounty hunter doesn't want Chewie? That implies that there's no bounty on Chewie, which contradicts Return of the Jedi. It was nice to see Leia come up with the idea that saved them in the end. |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 27, 2021 8:44:01 GMT -5
The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell
February 9th-April 19th, 1981
Written by Archie Goodwin
Art by Al Williamson
Published by the LA Times
Summery: After the fall of the Death Star the Rebellion is on the look out for a new base and on one such scouting mission Luke and Leia are cut off from their scout ship by a patrol of Storm Troopers. After failing to check in, and lacking the resources for a search and rescue mission the Rebellion simply declares that Luke and Leia are effectively dead, but Han and Chewbacca won't hear it and so set off on their own to save the day, and its lucky they do as the Millennium Falcon arrives just in time to take out an AT-ST just as it is about to take out Luke and Leia. Our heroes manage to escape the Imperials, but not with out sustaining some damage which causes them to seek a planet called Ord Mantell for repairs. While working on the Falcon Han and Chewie are recognized by a pair of bounty hunters by the names of Skorr and Gribbit, whom fearing Han's prowess with a blaster and Chewie in general decide to kidnap Luke and Leia and use them as leverage. The Bounty hunters think they have the upper hand but by secretly having Chewie show up with a cargo ship with a tractor beam Han pulls off a mid air snatch that frees both Luke and Leia from the clutches of Skorr but Skorr has the last laugh as he placed a homing beacon on Luke's lightsaber so he can effortlessly track his quarry, and with Imperial forces closing in it seems the jig is up for Han and the gang. However, thanks to Leia's quick thinking they are able to remove the beacon, place it in a life pod and trick Skorr into tumbling into the Imperial's clutches while the Falcon escapes. Review: Okay, so I know I've written about how I was afraid of losing the sci-fi kitsch look to the strip that Russ Manning introduced...but I'll eat my words because the combination of Al Williamson's beautiful art paired with Archie Goodwin's prose made this strip truly feel like an authentic piece of the Star Wars Universe. You look at the art and that is unmistakably Harrison Ford as Han Solo: Chewie looks like Chewie, the Millennium Falcon, Tie Fighters and Star Destroyers look like they flew out of the films, and even better yet they sound right too as Goodwin nails the smug, sarcastic voice of Han, the earnest, naive voice of Luke and Leia's strong, feisty demeanor perfectly. This whole story felt like it could have been a deleted scene from the films, and that feeling is only further helped by the fact that the story is based on a line from the Empire Strikes Back, " Well the bounty hunter we ran into in Ord Mantell changed my mind." As a kid I always wanted that story and bam, right here in this comic I finally get it and it was awesome!
Grade: A+ First of all, the art is great! No complaints in this department. I like how Goodwin fills us in on “that bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mandell”. For the most part, I think Goodwin does a god job of capturing the voices of our heroes. I do, however, have a bit of a problem with his handing of Leia. She is, through most of this, an insufferable b!tch. I know she can be acerbic in the films, but she’s not this bad! She does soften up a bit at the end, though. It looked to me that Luke & Leia were holding hands in a couple of panels, but it wasn’t clear, so maybe they weren’t. It was a bit too lucky that Han showed up in the Falcon, and happened to find Luke & Leia, just as the stormtroopers were about to blast them. . I like Han's line about the "fringe benefit" of rescuing them being defying Leia's orders. Gribbet looks too much like a frog and his name is too reminiscent of frogs. The bounty hunter doesn't want Chewie? That implies that there's no bounty on Chewie, which contradicts Return of the Jedi. It was nice to see Leia come up with the idea that saved them in the end. |
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,202
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Post by Confessor on Jul 27, 2021 13:36:24 GMT -5
The bounty hunter doesn't want Chewie? That implies that there's no bounty on Chewie, which contradicts Return of the Jedi. This particular strip was published between February and April 1981, some two years before ROTJ hit cinema screens, and I don't believe that there was ever any suggestion of Jabba having put a price on the Wookiee's head before that film appeared. So, Goodwin can be excused for this because it wasn't actually an error when he wrote the story. |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 27, 2021 14:30:07 GMT -5
The bounty hunter doesn't want Chewie? That implies that there's no bounty on Chewie, which contradicts Return of the Jedi. This particular strip was published between February and April 1981, some two years before ROTJ hit cinema screens, and I don't believe that there was ever any suggestion of Jabba having put a price on the Wookiee's head before that film appeared. So, Goodwin can be excused for this because it wasn't actually an error when he wrote the story. Sure, it's not an error on his part, but what you might call a retroactive continuity error. |
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Post by tonebone on Jul 27, 2021 15:28:01 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that in Fall 1984 & in Fall 1985, two made-for-TV Ewok films came out, the "Caravan of Courage" and "The Battle for Endor". While COC was just OK, I felt Battle for Endor was excellent. This was a great sci-fi drama that had a lot of fantasy-like elements, including a witch that could change form. It was interesting that while these were released only on TV in the U.S., they were released theatrically outside the States. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_of_Courage:_An_Ewok_Adventureen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewoks:_The_Battle_for_EndorBoth of those movies are on Disney+, at least here in the U.S. |
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,202
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Post by Confessor on Jul 27, 2021 15:36:25 GMT -5
This particular strip was published between February and April 1981, some two years before ROTJ hit cinema screens, and I don't believe that there was ever any suggestion of Jabba having put a price on the Wookiee's head before that film appeared. So, Goodwin can be excused for this because it wasn't actually an error when he wrote the story. Sure, it's not an error on his part, but what you might call a retroactive continuity error. Absolutely. It's interesting that as the newspaper strip gets towards the release of ROTJ and continues past it, Goodwin begins to work in characters and sub-plots from the third SW movie, even though the events being depicted in the strip occur a good while before the events of ROTJ. For my money, "The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell" is one of the most enjoyable of all the Goodwin/Williamson newspaper strips. |
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Post by dbutler69 on Jul 29, 2021 9:41:14 GMT -5
Darth Vader Strikes! April 20th-July 26th 1981 Written by Archie Goodwin Art by Al Williamson LA Times  Summery: Fresh off the defeat of the Death Star, Darth Vader has a new weapon in mind for his vengeance against the Rebel Alliance; a Super Star Destroyer a battle ship larger than any other in the Imperial Navy. However, after detailing his plans to the rest of the Admiralty he runs into opposition and although his abrupt show of Force(sorry I couldn't help myself!) quells their arguments they secretly plot behind his back, hoping to dethrone the "wizard" and regain the power they believe is due their rank. Understanding that direct confrontation is useless the Admirals think on the down fall of Moff Tarkin and believe that the solution to their issue with Vader may lie similarly with the Rebels. Meanwhile, back on the fourth moon of Yarvin Luke Skywalker battles with his emotions about Leia and her flirtations with Han. Feeling left out, Luke sulks in the shadows but before he can make moves of his own an unidentified object enters the system and Luke and R2 scramble to intercept it. Strangely, rather than an overt threat our heroes find that the object is a drone craft used for delivering messages in areas that are prohibitive to sight to sight communication and inside the drone the Rebels uncover an astonishing message...from the Imperial Admiralty! In their holographic message the Imperials lay out their shared hatred of Vader with the Rebels and share with them information about Vader's new super weapon along with an opportunity for a rebel to infiltrate the project. Seeing it as a way to gain Leia's attention Luke volunteers and heads to the ship yards of Fondor with R2 and 3PO in tow where they come face to face with Vader's new project:  However, although it first appears that the insertion into the ship yard is successful all is not as it seems as we see that Vader's attack on Admiral Griff was a ruse and that they are well aware of the arrival of the rebel spy. It seems that like the other Admirals Vader sees the Rebels as a perfect weapon against his own enemies; by drawing out his detractors with an over abundance of force(sorry again!) he hopes to discredit them by "uncovering" their relationship with the rebel spy. But as the noose closes around the "conspirators" Griff and Vader encounter something they did not anticipate...their spy is sensitive to the Force and sensing Vader's presence he alerts the other Admirals to Vader's approach. But although the premonition allows Luke to escape with the knowledge he gained of the super star destroyer Vader's aims are achieved as he still captures his enemies along with learning that Obi-Wan had an apprentice. Review: After an almost two month break...we're back! And I couldn't be more pleased to continue reading the Star Wars strip as it seems like it just keeps getting better and better. In this latest chapter we see the creation of Vader's flag ship the Executioner which was seriously one of the coolest looking ships in Star Wars; I've always loved its sleek, predatory design. It took the imposing look of the Star Destroyer to new heights, taking the already imposing dagger shape of the original design to the next logical step with an even greater dagger shape complete with a sharper angle, simplified deck housing resembling the smooth steel of a blade and even the handle. It's simply an amazing design and Williamson, like his depictions of everything else Star Wars, absolutely nails it even in his illustrations of it in its incomplete state. On top of that, not only do we get an authentic Star Wars look but also a story that once again feels authentic as well. Goodwin nails the voices of Luke, Han, Leia and 3PO which is fantastic but better than that he gives us some fantastic insight to Vader. Characterized in a New Hope by Tarkin as a blunt instrument we see here, as well as in Empire Strikes Back, that Vader is the Emperor's right hand man not just because of his imposing stature and skills with the Force but also for his intelligence. Like his nuanced plan to capture Luke in Empire, we see here a truly duplicitous plan to entrap his enemies; Vader could have easily over powered them physically but sees that that would only create more animosity so instead he manipulates them into betraying the Empire. That cloak and dagger aspect gives the story a real mature sense of action that the previous stories lacked and sets up elements that we see unfold in Empire making this a true treat to read. A+ I enjoyed this story a lot. More excellent art by Al Williamson, and a very good story by Archie Goodwin. This story has suspense, and a pretty good Star Wars feel to it. I do find it interesting that there’s a plot here involving Imperial officers trying to overthrow Vader. There was a similar plot in the Marvel comic, though I’m guessing that this came first. Good dialogue here, especially by Threepio. Tanith comes on a bit too strong here. She must be part Zeltron! Luke feels sorry for himself and blames himself for something that’s not his fault (getting stranded on that planet) – that must be Goodwin’s Marvel training. |
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Post by tarkintino on Jul 29, 2021 10:31:37 GMT -5
Goodwin was the lone jewel in the crown of Star Wars comic-related material. He had such a deep understanding the space-fantasy concepts, character & tapestry that made the original film series such a success, and it was always the heart and soul of the daily strip, too.
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