The comic strip Iceworld originated from the creative minds of Archie Goodwin as the writer and Al Williamson as the illustrator. The Los Angeles Times Syndicate originally published this comic. Subsequently, it was featured in both Classic Star Wars 12 and 13, and later compiled within Classic Star Wars Volume 2: The Rebel Storm. Furthermore, it was accessible on the webstrips section of StarWars.com, which was part of Hyperspace. In contrast to the majority of story arcs released following Darth Vader Strikes, the Star Wars Scrapbook was not included in this particular narrative.
While evading Imperial forces, Luke Skywalker and C-3PO are compelled to seek refuge within a comet, which results in a crash landing on an ice-covered planet. With his spacecraft damaged and communication systems offline, he is forced to endure the harsh night. As his heat source depletes, he loses consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, he finds himself atop a creature. A woman and her father are in a dispute regarding his destiny. When he awakens, he startles the man, an Imperial Governor concealed on the planet. The man attempts to shoot him, but Luke responds by striking with his lightsaber, obliterating the blaster. Skywalker then instructs 3PO to confine the man.
The following day, Skywalker and the woman, Frija, journey back to his wrecked spacecraft with the intention of salvaging the communication devices. Skywalker expresses gratitude to Frija for rescuing him, and she responds that she is pleased to have discovered him. She further reveals the reason for their isolation on this planet, Hoth. As Skywalker concludes the retrieval of parts, the Governor reappears, having escaped from his confinement. He attempts to shoot Skywalker, but Frija intervenes by pushing him aside to protect Luke. She then mounts a tauntaun to safeguard the communications equipment. The Governor targets the equipment, but instead shoots Frija. Placing blame on Luke, he turns the blaster towards the young Rebel. Skywalker is then compelled to slice the blaster, but inadvertently strikes the Governor, revealing him to be a Human replica droid. Frija then calls out to him, and reveals herself to also be a droid. She tells him the truth, that they were created to be decoys. She expresses gratitude for him bringing purpose to her existence, and subsequently deactivates. Luke then buries the two droids in unmarked graves and contacts the Rebel leaders, suggesting this world as a potential future sanctuary.