The book is near mint with pristine pages and the going price was $15. But, I managed to talk the dealer down to $10, mostly because he knew next to nothing about it and I promised I would do some research on this book and one day get back with him on it.
I happen to have a complete run of the Marvel comic series under the Dark Horse trade title of 'Star Wars: A Long Time Age' and comparing every story from the adaptation of the first film up to the comic's version of Empire Strikes Back, again, it was confirmed that these are never before published Star Wars comics and perhaps the rarest of the bunch.
Well, That last statement is partially true. Marvel Illustrated Books: Star Wars is comprised of 4 issues that for one reason or another, never made it into the actual series. They either didn't make a publication deadline or perhaps were rejected by Lucasfilm, who had final say over stories before they could be published by Marvel- IN THE STATES!!! (More on that shortly.)
The first story called 'The Way of the Wookiee' takes place right before the events of Episode IV. In the prequel story, Han and Chewie pick up a shipment for Jabba the Hutt. However, when Chewbacca comes to the defense on an old Wookiee adversary, the smugglers find themselves betrayed by their spice distributor.
Then in another prequel tale, learn of how Princess Leia became adept with a blaster despite that her home planet of Alderaan forbids the use of weapons.
The remaining two stories take place right after the destruction of the Death Star. First in 'the Day AFTER the Death Star' the Rebel Alliance almost loses their newest hero, when Luke Skywalker recklessly goes on a joyride to unwind from the post-celebration festivities. This was a really awesome story as in it, we learn the REAL reason Chewbacca didn't receive a medal in the final scene of Episode IV.
The final adventure is a very short one in which Luke must rescue Leia from Imperial forces on a diplomatic mission to a barren ice planet. I thought the main reason this story didn't see monthly publication status wasn't over length but because of the setting of the ice planet being too much like Hoth and Lucas might have been afraid that this might spoil what he had in store for Empire.
Turns out, I was wrong...
Of the 4 tales in this book, 3 were published in the UK's Star Wars Weekly. It was common practice that if a story didn't make the cut by Lucasfilm, it wasn't scrapped but sent across the pond as the Marvel UK title wasn't restricted by the rules imposed by 20th Century Fox and George Lucas. The fourth story, about the ice planet, was short because it was the final chapter in a Star Wars serial published in the Marvel magazine Pizzazz, which was cancelled before this final chapter could see print.
Speaking of rules, if you expect to see Darth Vader here, don't. Lucas was strict that the characters of Luke and Vader were not to met up prior to Episode V. But there is plenty of Imperial nasties and bounty hunters in this elusive Star Wars collection. A very enjoyable read with very good, but not great art, and fairly decent storytelling. As for rarity of this book, I was unable to find a copy at Milehighcomics.com and only one copy was available on eBay. Seller was asking for $55!
Featuring artwork by Marvel/DC legends Carmine Infantino, John Romita, Marie Severin, and Dave Cockrum along with being written and edited by Archie Goodwin and Jim Shooter this book is a Who's Who of some of the best talent to fill the bullpen at the House of Ideas in the late 70s.
Worth Consuming
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment