A two-page comic titled "The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to Be Underestimated", which emphasizes the importance of good intel for military success, initially appeared in Star Wars Tales 19. Subsequently, it was included in the compilation Star Wars Tales Volume 5. Ken Lizzl penned the story, Lucas Marangon provided the illustrations, and Steve Dutro handled the lettering. The narrative centers on a small Imperial group dispatched to seize the quiet planet of Gibbela. Contrary to their expectations of minimal opposition, the Imperials were utterly defeated by a shape-shifting local.
On the agricultural planet of Gibbela, a world far removed from established trade routes, a diminutive humanoid farmer of the native population is seen cultivating a field. A small Imperial force arrives at the farm in a Sentinel-class landing craft, with plans to take control of the entire planet. A number of stormtroopers and an officer exit the shuttle and demand the farmer's submission. Unexpectedly, the farmer transforms into a massive, clawed monster and slays them all. Reverting to its original size, the creature resumes farming, repurposing the armor and weapons of the fallen Imperials as tools. In later times, spacers steer clear of Gibbela due to its dangerous inhabitants.
The concise, two-page comic story, "The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to Be Underestimated," was initially featured in Star Wars Tales 19 from Dark Horse Comics, released on May 14, 2004. It was subsequently included in the Star Wars Tales Volume 5 collection, which became available on February 23, 2005. Ken Lizzl is credited as the writer, Lucas Marangon as the artist, and Steve Dutro as the letterer.
Initially, the canon status of "The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to Be Underestimated" was uncertain, categorized as S-canon, because its initial publication was in Star Wars Tales prior to issue 21. However, The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, published in December 2008, made reference to the events depicted in the comic within its entry for Gibbela. This elevated the comic to C-canon, also known as Continuity Canon, encompassing all published works recognized as officially part of the established continuity.