Droids 1, a comic book issue from the Legends continuity, marked the beginning of the series Star Wars: Droids. This inaugural issue, with a cover dated April 1986, was initially released in February 1986 by Star Comics. The story, titled "The Destroyer," was penned by David Manak with illustrations by John Romita Sr.. Within its pages, R2-D2 and C-3PO, aided by a long-forgotten Ranger X-One defense robot, successfully overthrow the corrupt governor ruling over Dodz.
The Intergalactic Droid Agency dispatches R2-D2 and C-3PO to the small planet Dodz. Their mission: to serve Lott Kemp, a crystal merchant designated as their new master. However, upon their arrival, the droids discover Kemp is missing and his residence is in ruins, setting the stage for a brand-new adventure!
The Intergalactic Droid Agency sends R2-D2 and C-3PO to the diminutive world of Dodz, where they are to be in the service of Lott Kemp, a crystal merchant. Arriving on Dodz, the droids find that Kemp has vanished, and his home lies in a state of destruction. Subsequently, Artoo and Threepio encounter Jost Ellon, an orphaned boy who lives in hiding from Governor Kugg, a ruthless alien oppressing the citizens of Dodz. Kugg, with his deadly droid, Destroyer, demands exorbitant taxes from the people. While venturing to Ellon's residence, Artoo and Threepio come across a Ranger X-One, an antiquated defense droid previously used to safeguard crystal mine workers. After activating the Ranger, Ellon, along with the droids, make their way to the Citizen's Monthly Council to challenge Kugg. However, they arrive to find that the council has already conceded to Kugg's tax demands, intimidated by Kugg and his Destroyer, which nearly obliterated the Council in the process. Driven by a desire to liberate his world, Ellon, supported by Artoo and Threepio, infiltrates Kugg's mansion to halt the tax payment and pit Ranger X-One against Destroyer, aiming to defeat Kugg and liberate Dodz. With assistance from Artoo, they succeed and Kugg is sent to face Intergalactic trial. Artoo and Threepio then depart from the planet to address severe microsynapse damage sustained by Artoo during the clash between the two war droids.
To commemorate Star Wars Day on May 4, 2016, Marvel Comics re-issued Droids 1 as a component of their True Believers initiative. This program involves the reprinting of well-known comic titles, offering them at a suggested retail price of US$1.
- UPC 071486020493; April 1 , 1986 ; Star Comics ; First printing [3]
- (No UPC) ; December 15 , 2015 ; Marvel Comics; Digital edition [5]
- UPC 759606085088; May 4, 2016; Marvel Comics; True Believers edition [4]