Force in Focus: Star Wars #47

"Droid World!"
May 1981

In a Nutshell
Artoo & Threepio run into trouble on a world populated by droids.

Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: Rick Parker
Editor: Louise Jones
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
Chased by a hoard of angry droids, Artoo & Threepio find themselves trapped above a massive furnace, prompting Threepio to recall events that led to their current predicament. After accidentally damaging a captured Imperial war droid while examining it, Threepio and Artoo agree to seek the help of Kligson, a reclusive droid expert residing on a moon that has come to be known as Droid World. Kligson agrees to help repair the war droid so long as he can keep it, a deal Threepio accepts because Artoo can simply record the repair work to gain the knowledge they need. However, when they land on the planet, they find themselves in the midst of an Imperial-backed uprising led by Imperial security droid ZX3, and end up poised above the furnace after ZX3 seemingly kills Kligson. However, Artoo & Threepio are saved by Kligson, who faked his death via a robot duplicate, having used the presence of the Rebel droids to confirm his suspicions about ZX3. Kligson proceeds to use the repaired war droid to put down the uprising, and Artoo leaves with the information the Rebellion needed. As Luke flies them away from Droid World, Threepio expresses concern that the Empire will ultimately find Kligson and ruin the peace & solitude he seeks, only to see Droid World itself flying away to a new location.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #45

"Death Probe "
March 1981

In a Nutshell
Luke is trapped aboard a Rebel ship with a murderous probe droid.

Writer: Archie Goodwin
Penciler: Carmine Infantino
Inkers: Day & Stone
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: John Costanza
Editor: Louise Jones
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Plot
A Rebel ship is attacked by a larger, more sophisticated Imperial probe droid. The droid quickly dispatches the crew and takes control of the ship, much to the pleasure of Admiral Krall, the mastermind behind the advanced droid. Meanwhile, Luke is on a routine patrol when he encounters the ship, which blasts his X-wing out from under him. Fortunately, Luke and Artoo are able to escape the wreckage and reach the commandeered ship. They fight way their through the ship as the droid uses its automated systems against them, eventually realizing the droid has taken full control of the ship and intends to explode its reactor once it reaches the rest of the Rebel fleet. Using the Force to mask his movements, Luke is able to override the droid's control, then he and Artoo board an escape pod as the ship jumps to lightspeed. Moments later, it emerges from hyperspace and flies into Admiral Krall's Star Destroyer, just as the droid detonates the reactor, destroying both ships.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #37

"In Mortal Combat"
July 1980

In a Nutshell
Darth Vader enacts his final vengeance on the House of Tagge.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: Nel Yomtov
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Domina sends Luke & Darth Vader into the Crystal Valley for their duel, a dangerous location she hopes will kill them both. Meanwhile, the Millennium Falcon, held hostage by Baron Tagge, approaches the valley, and Han uses the rough landing to retake the ship. Tagge rushes into the valley, where's he bested by Vader, who reveals that he's corrupted Domina as part of his revenge on Tagge. He begs Vader to kill him, but Vader says he has one more task for him. Shortly thereafter, Luke comes face to face with Vader, and they duel, with Luke sensing fear in Vader. Believing he can win, Luke overpowers his foe, only to realize too late that he was fighting Tagge, Luke's mind having been clouded by Vader. The dark lord reveals this as his final punishment for Tagge and a chance to test Luke, whom he finds wanting, but Luke manages to escape. Coming out of the valley, he finds Han and Leia waiting with Domina, who says that the Order of the Sacred Circle won't turn its influence against the Rebels, but her wrath will always be against Luke for killing her brother. Later, Jabba the Hutt learns of the destruction of Crimson Jack's ship, in which he had invested. With the ship's log blaming Han for the loss, Jabba reinstates the bounty on the smuggler's head, making the Rebellion the only place left where Han and Chewbacca are welcome once again.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #36

"Red Queen Rising"
June 1980

In a Nutshell
Luke is manipulated by Domina into a duel with Darth Vader.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
In orbit around Monastery, the Millennium Falcon is captured by Darth Vader's Star Destroyer. Hiding Leia in one of the smuggling compartments, Han attempts to pass himself off as a legitimate spacer, but Captain Wermis knows him and his ship, and imprisons Han and Chewie. On the planet below, Luke rescues Domina from an attacking jungle cat, only to learn the creature was actually her docile pet, weakening him in the eyes of the watching elders, which was Domina and Darth Vader's (who goaded the creature into attacking) plan all along. In orbit, Leia climbs out of the hidden secondary compartment, telling Threepio to warn Luke, via Artoo, about Vader's apparent schemes. Just then, Domina arrives to take Luke to plead his case for the Rebellion before the elders. However, when he enters the chamber, he discovers that Domina has maneuvered to be named the All-High Priestess, who declares he and the Rebellion are threats to the natural cycle of galactic life. When he argues that Vader is influencing Domina in order to turn her order against the Rebellion, Vader challenges him to a duel, which Domina condones. Meanwhile, Leia manages to free Han and Chewbacca and arrange for the escape of the Falcon, but as they race away from the Star Destroyer, a revived Baron Tagge appears, leveling a blaster and ordering them to take him to the planet's surface.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #35

"Dark Lord's Gambit"
May 1980

In a Nutshell
Darth Vader learns Luke's identity and plots to destroy him.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: Nelson Yomtov
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Darth Vader returns to his Star Destroyer, having learned the name of the pilot who destroyed the Death Star: Luke Skywalker. He then rendezvous with General Tagge, revealing that his older brothers Orman and Silas still live, but are in stasis. He agrees to keep them that way, in exchange for the general's loyalty. Later, near Yavin, Luke helps rescue a civilian ship, which proceeds to land at Yavin Four. It contains representatives of the Order of the Sacred Circle, led by Sister Domina, A religious group devoted to the circle of life, they have remained neutral in the war between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, but are currently being swayed by the Empire to join their side. In order to maintain balance, they are seeking a representative from the Alliance to make a similar pitch. Though Leia, as one of the Rebel's best diplomats is tagged for the job, Domina takes a shine to Luke, and asks that he perform the mission. Luke is eager to do so when he learns the Imperial representative is Darth Vader.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #34

"Thunder in the Stars!"
April 1980

In a Nutshell
Luke races against time to destroy Omega Frost.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
As Han leads the Rebel fleet towards Junction, Silas Tagge oversees the preparation of Omega Frost in the asteroid field leading to the planet. Nearby, Luke abandons the effectively-useless TIE fighter he used to escape from Baron Tagge, trusting in his jet pack, and the Force, to lead him to one of the Omega Frost towers. As the Rebel fleet drops out of hyperspace and enters the asteroid field, Silas gives the order to hold until they're halfway into the field to activate Omega Frost. Luke manages to reach the asteroid carrying one of the towers, but it is protected by a force field, preventing him from damaging it. Spotting Luke, Silas gives the order to activate the weapon, but the Rebel fleet is just outside the freezing effect. However, Silas is confidant they'll be unable to stop or turn around in time, at least not without destroying the fleet in the process. However, Luke is able to cut into the ground beneath the tower, to where the field is no longer protecting the device, and destroys the tower, ending the Omega Frost effect. Unfettered, the Rebel fleet emerges from the asteroid field, attacking the Tagge ship and Imperial cruiser waiting there, while Han prepares to rescue Luke from his asteroid.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #33

"Saber Clash!"
March 1980

In a Nutshell
Luke duels Baron Tagge

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
As the Millennium Falcon races away from Tatooine, it spots a Tagge mining ship taking on passengers, whom Luke assumes is the Baron. Hiding in a nearby asteroid belt, Han is able to bring the ship close enough to the mining vessel for Artoo to use the Falcon's augmented sensors to learn the destination: Junction, which the Rebels have been using as a source of supplies. Later, the Falcon emerges from hyperspace to discover the mining ship rendezvousing with an Imperial Star Destroyer. Spotting the crew transferring cargo to the Star Destroyer manually, Luke dons a spacesuit and gets close enough to tap into their communications, learning that Tagge plans to use the Omega Frost on Junction. Luke races back to the Falcon to warn the Rebels, but is captured by Stormtroopers, though he is able to warn Han about Tagge's plans.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #32

"The Jawa Express"
February 1980

In a Nutshell

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Stranded, Luke makes repairs to the Landspeeder, but the vehicle needs coolant. Threepio and Artoo offer up their own coolant, enabling Luke, Han and Chewbacca to evade a nearby Imperial patrol. Han worries that the droids' coolant won't last long, but Luke says they only need to reach the ship he flew to Tatooine. When they arrive where he landed the ship, however, they discover Jawas picking it apart. Han trades the droids for passage to Mos Eisley aboard the Sandcrawler, promising Luke he'll use some his bonus from Jabba to buy them back. En route, the Sandcrawler is attacked by Stormtroopers, who believe Luke and Han to be aboard. They fight off the troopers, after which, they stumble across some strange machinery in the desert. As they inspect the equipment, Luke suddenly orders everyone away, just before the machinery activates, freezing everything in its vicinity.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #31

"Return to Tatooine!"
January 1980

In a Nutshell
Luke returns to Tatooine, and runs afoul of Baron Tagge.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
In deep space, Baron Tagge meets with his brother Ulric, announcing that their family's revenge on Darth Vader will come to fruition on the backwater world of Tatooine. Meanwhile, Luke has returned to his homeworld on orders from General Dodonna to recruit some additional blockade runners. Concerned by the sudden increase of Imperial activity on the planet, Luke and the droids head for Mos Eisely, stopping along the way at Luke's old home, where he runs into his old friends, Fixer and Camie, now married and working for the Tagge family. Hoping to avoid another Imperial patrol, Luke heads into a nearby canyon, where he encounters a bantha, seemingly frozen to death. But before he can investigate, Stormtroopers arrive and blast the bantha to pieces, prompting Luke to vow to discover what's going on once he's completed his mission.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #30

"A Princess Alone!"
December 1979

In a Nutshell
Princess Leia helps inspire rebellion on an Imperial factory world.

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Princess Leia infiltrates the Imperial factory world of Metalorn, posing as one of the local labor force. Meanwhile, Baron Tagge has arrived on the planet as well, meeting with the governor and inspecting the operation on behalf of the Emperor. When a report comes in of a Stormtrooper being attacked, they use the combined Weapon Detection System created by Tagge and the Information Control program written by the governor to track the assailant into the sub-levels. There, Leia fights off a squad of Stormtroopers, ultimately escaping detection by abandoning her stolen blaster. She proceeds to sneak into a mess hall, where she meets an old teacher from Alderaan, Arn Horada. However, she's interrupted by Tagge, who managed to identify her as Princess Leia and deduce which person on the planet she'd be there to see.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #29

"Dark Encounter"
November 1979

In a Nutshell
Darth Vader battles Valance the Hunter

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Aboard his Star Destroyer, Darth Vader tortures a Rebel spy, learning the name of Rebel deserter, Tyler Lucian, who knows the identity of the pilot who destroyed the Death Star. On Centares, Valance the Hunter, seeking the same man, roughs up a cantina owner and his patrons in order to learn the whereabouts of Lucian. After running afoul of some Stormtroopers, Valance finds Lucian hiding out in the tower of an old resort, long abandoned after the Empire poisoned the water, but he arrives just moments before Vader. Meanwhile, on Yavin Four, Artoo is restored to full operation, while Luke learns that Leia has left on a mission alone. Back on Centares, Valance and Vader fight, with Valance unwilling to let Vader get the identity of the Death Star destroyer from Lucian.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #28

"Whatever Happened to Jabba the Hut?"
October 1979

In a Nutshell
Han and Chewbacca square off against Jabba the Hutt. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
On the planet Orleon, Han and Chewbacca are trapped in a cave, pinned down by Jabba the Hutt and his goons. With their food stocks nearly gone, Han thinks back to how they got stuck in their predicament, going to ground in one of their old smuggling hideouts to effect repairs after escaping Darth Vader, only to inadvertently trip a tracking device Jabba had left in the cave in the event that Han returned there. Suddenly, Han spots something in the cave and blasts a stone mite, a scavenger which consumes metal. Just then, Jabba's goons attack again, triggering an explosion that destroys the entrance to the cave. Racing back to the Millennium Falcon, Han fires up the engines, working to remove the mites from the hull, which draws the attention of Jabba, who quickly backs away from the cave once he discovers the stone mites.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #27

"Return of the Hunter"
September 1979

In a Nutshell
Valance confronts Luke. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Letters: J. Constanza
Colorist: R. Goldberg
Editor-in-Chief: J. Shooter

Plot
Inside an outworld cantina on the planet Junction, Valance the Hunter captures another bounty, then turns him in to a junk dealer named Skinker to claim the reward. Having analyzed Rebel supply methods, Valance has deduced it's only a matter of time before the Rebel he's after shows up on this world. Sure enough, after evading an Imperial ship, Luke and Threepio arrive on Junction, seeking supplies as well the parts needed to repair the damaged Artoo. Spotting Skinker's shop first, they head inside, and Skinker sends an underling to fetch Valance. Meanwhile, back on Yavin Four, Princess Leia and General Dodonna argue about Leia's role in the Rebellion. Back on Junction, Valance kills an Imperial spy before he can report on Luke's presence to Darth Vader, then proceeds to confront Luke at Skinker's shop.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #26

"Doom Mission!"
August 1979

In a Nutshell
Luke destroys Tagge's base on Yavin, ending the siege. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Luke and Leia, stranded aboard their disabled ship, are rescued by a flight of Rebel X-wings. After sharing their intel about Baron Tagge and the means his ships are using to fly through Yavin with General Dodonna, the Rebels realize that the TIE fighters must be using some kind of device to find the Imperial station on the planet. Reasoning that the TIE which crashed on one of the other moons likely had such a device, Luke flies off with Artoo in a Y-wing to retrieve it from the wreckage. He lands near the crash, but the TIE pilot survived, and manages to blast Artoo before Luke takes him out. Later, Luke returns to the Rebel base with the gadget and the damaged Artoo. That night, General Dodonna tells Luke and Leia that they've figured out how the device works, but whomever uses it to destroy the base is unlikely to return.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #25

"Siege at Yavin!"
July 1979

In a Nutshell
Baron Tagge lays siege to the Rebel base on Yavin Four. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Letterer: Joe Rosen
Colorist: Ben Sean
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Another wave of Imperial TIE fighters attack the Rebel base on Yavin Four, and though the Rebels are able to once more repel the attack, they are no closer to finding the source of the fighters and ending the siege. Meanwhile, Luke and Leia trade in Senator Greyshade's yacht for a less conspicuous ship, in the process overhearing word of the siege and the likely involvement of the wealthy House of Tagge. Determined to get back to Yavin, Luke and Leia follow in the wake of a Tagge family mining ship heading towards the system. Aboard that ship, Baron Tagge receives word of being followed, and orders mines deployed as soon as the ship drops out of hyperspace, prompting some fancy flying from Luke to trigger the mines without destroying his himself and his friends.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #23

"Flight Into Fury!"
May 1979

In a Nutshell
The Star Warriors escape the Wheel and evade Darth Vader. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Luke exits Greyshade's yacht, angry that Leia agreed to leave with him and upset after watching Han die in the arena, gunned down by Chewbacca. In the arena, however, Han turns out to have faked his death, and after Chewbacca defeats the final contestant, he leaves carrying the "body" of his friend. Just then Commander Strom suddenly storms into the casino, having recovered from the drug Greyshade slipped him. He orders his troops to take control of the station, and to kill Greyshade and the rebels on sight. Master-Com manages to warn Greyshade, but the Stormtroopers destroy his body, just as another group of troops accost Han and Chewbacca en route to the Falcon. Just then, Luke senses the arrival of Darth Vader just outside the Wheel. Back aboard the station, Master-Com, in a new body, rendezvous with R2-D2 and helps him broadcast his recording of the Wheel's security guards reclaiming the money stolen by the Empire, inciting an uprising against the Imperial forces.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #22

"To the Last Gladiator!"
April 1979

In a Nutshell
Han and Chewbacca attempt to survive the Wheel's arena. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: B. Sharen
Letterer: C. Robbins
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
In the zero gravity environment of the Wheel's arena, Han and Chewbacca team-up against the other combatants, much to Commander Strom's costernation. But Senator Greyshade points out that they both signed contracts to participate, which state that the matches are to the death, and can have only one winner. Should they fail to abide by those rules, both can be killed. Just then, Strom passes out, the result of the drugged drink given to him by Greyshade. Elsewhere, Luke, Leia and the droids continue to follow Greyshade's security forces, taping their reclaimation of the funds stolen by the Imperials in the name of the Rebels. But they're spotted and a fight breaks out, which ends with the arrival of Greyshade, who ushers the Rebels aboard his private yacht at gunpoint.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #21

"Shadow of Dark Lord!"
March 1979

In a Nutshell
Luke & Leia are reunited on the Wheel just as Darth Vader sets course for the same. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Gene Day
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
Leia escapes from the Wheel's executive tower, helped by the fact that most of the Wheel's security forces have been dispatched by Greyshade for special duty. Meanwhile, Luke confronts his fears in the form of Darth Vader, regaining consciousness and escaping from the Wheel hospital in the process. Leia, having retrieved Artoo and Threepio from the casino, reunites with Luke, and he explains that he went unconscious when he felt an evil presence through the Force, confirming that Darth Vader is alive. On the planet Ultaar, Vader investigates a destroyed Rebel outpost, learning from one of the survivors that the attack was carried out by Valance the Hunter.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #20

"Death Game"
February 1979

In a Nutshell
Han faces his first opponent in the Wheel's arena. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
The patrons of the Wheel watch in outrage as an X-wing fighter attacks a pleasure ship departing the station, after which the fighter is quickly destroyed by nearby Imperial forces. Senator Greyshade then departs for a meeting with Commander Strom, leaving behind the captive Leia, who is outraged that Greyshade is going along with the Imperial scheme to frame the Rebels and gain control of the station. Greyshade assures Strom that aside from Leia, the rest of the Rebels aboard the Wheel will soon die, and they watch Han's scheduled arena fight begin. Intentionally slated into the wrong class, Han is forced to fight a massive being with four arms, who quickly overpowers him.

Force in Focus: Star Wars #19

"The Ultimate Gamble"
January 1979

In a Nutshell
Senator Greyshade learns of the Imperial's plans while Han tries to win enough to get his friends off the Wheel. 

Writer/Editor: Archie Goodwin
Artists: Carmine Infantino & Bob Wiacek
Colors: Gaff
Letters: Irv W.
Consulting Editor: Jim Shooter

Plot
As Stormtroopers corner Luke and the droids, Artoo manages to tap into the computer and lower a containment wall between them. Meanwhile, Leia and Han are similarly cornered by Stormtroopers, but are saved by the arrival of Wheel security forces sent by Greyshade, who take Leia to Greyshade and Han back to the Falcon to help them search it. Elsewhere, Chewbacca manages to reach the upper levels of the Wheel, but when he's confronted by security he attacks, and is ultimately kniocked out and taken to the gladiator pits. Meanwhile, Han is forced to help search the Falcon for the profits Greyshade believes he stole from the destroyed merchant ship, while Leia tries to explain to Greyshade that Strom is setting up the Rebels in order to enact a takeover of the Wheel. Just then Strom enters his office, enraged that Greyshade interfered in the apprehension of the Rebels and is harboring Leia.