Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire was a transmedia project launched by Lucasfilm Ltd. in 1996. A variety of products were released, such as a novel, a series of comics, a video game, collectible cards, a musical score, and a line of toys. This narrative serves as an interquel, taking place between the events of the films Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.
Dash Rendar, a skilled smuggler and mercenary, accompanied by his droid co-pilot Leebo, arrives on Hoth to deliver the usual provisions to the secret Rebel base located there, together with a supply of assault blasters intended for Princess Leia Organa. Upon landing in the hangar, he is surprised to encounter Han Solo, who has since joined the Rebellion since their previous encounter. Their conversation is interrupted by an approaching Imperial force. Dash directs Leebo to load their cargo onto the evacuating transports and collect their payment, while he joins Rogue Squadron in the impending battle. Based on Solo's recommendation, Commander Luke Skywalker agrees to provide Rendar with an available snowspeeder for combat.
During the subsequent battle, Dash engages the advancing walkers, AT-ST units, and Viper probe droids, successfully destroying several AT-AT walkers before the Imperials destroy the Base's deflector shield generator, compelling the Rebels to retreat. Dash is stranded as the base is overrun by snowtroopers who have destroyed the main generators; Leebo informs Rendar that the hangar doors of Bay 3 cannot be opened to allow the Outrider to depart until power is restored. Fighting through the Imperial forces, Rendar proceeds to the lower levels of the base and activates the emergency generators, restoring power to the hangar door. As he returns to Bay 3, he confronts an AT-ST, which he manages to destroy using seeker missiles from his modified blaster pistol. Leebo pilots the Outrider, navigating it through the Hoth asteroid belt while Rendar uses the ship's gun turret to defend against the TIE Fighter and TIE bomber attackers. After escaping the asteroids, the Outrider jumps to safety, and Rendar rejoins the Rebels.
Onboard the Redemption, Leia receives news that an Imperial Strike Cruiser has detected the fleet; Wedge Antilles leads the Rogues into a space engagement to protect their rendezvous point from discovery. Meanwhile, Leia observes that Luke has changed after his encounter with Darth Vader and wonders about the details of their interaction.
On the Executor, Vader is contacted by Palpatine, who scolds him for failing to capture Luke on Bespin. Palpatine then instructs Vader to finalize the shipping arrangements for the Death Star II plans with Prince Xizor, the head of the Black Sun crime syndicate; a conversation that Xizor is privy to as a guest within the Imperial Palace. Xizor deduces that the young Skywalker, pursued by both Sith Lords, might be related to Vader. Upon departing, Xizor tells his servant Guri of his plan to eliminate Luke, discredit Vader, and elevate his own standing with the Emperor. Guri has made arrangements with bounty hunters, and Xizor prepares to meet Jabba Desilijic Tiure.
The Slave I, carrying Han Solo encased in carbonite, exits hyperspace above Tatooine, and Boba Fett hopes to deliver it to Jabba; however, he discovers that a signal beacon—installed during his time on Cloud City—has been activated. The IG-2000 arrives, leading to a perilous confrontation with IG-88D, who intends to claim the bounty on Solo. The Slave I sustains damage, but Fett outmaneuvers the droid. Believing it destroyed, Fett retreats to the planet Gall for repairs; however, the droid also survives and travels to Ord Mantell in search of spare parts in the planet's junkyard.
Luke and Leia arrive on Tatooine. Luke has used a Jedi mind trick on a circus tent guard and practices his abilities on the acrobat string, reflecting on his training with Yoda, the Force, and his encounter with Vader. Leia sleeps in Ben Kenobi's hut and experiences a nightmare, recalling Han's capture and their last kiss.
Xizor, in his palace, contemplates his schemes to undermine Vader and his other illicit activities, such as hiring the Pike Sisters and meeting with his lieutenant Mayth Duvel, who presents him with a valuable rare ruby from the Nezriti Organization; Xizor is unimpressed.
In his castle, Vader tests his injured shoulder by battling an ASP droid with a lightsaber, while briefing his agent, Wrenga "Jix" Jixton about his foresight that Luke will approach Jabba to rescue Han. Jix is dispatched to Tatooine to join Jabba's gang, tasked with both capturing Luke and ensuring his survival.
Meanwhile, Lando, seeking redemption for his betrayal, has sent Rendar to find traces of Han Solo. Having tracked IG-88 to Ord Mantell, he is sent there to learn Fett's whereabouts. IG-88D is hiding in a salvage plant which, as Leebo's scans reveal, is connected to a hover train. Rendar travels from train car to train car, battling trainyard vagrants and automated defenses, until he reaches one whose tracks run parallel to those of the train leading to his destination. As the two trains move alongside each other, Rendar leaps across the gap and makes his way to the front. Leebo remotely jams the hovertrain's auto-brakes, causing it to crash and break the door of the salvage plant. Inside, Rendar finds IG-88D, who reveals that he had indeed tracked Fett to the Zhar system. Determined to prevent Rendar from stopping him from taking Solo from Fett, the droid opens fire. Rendar fights back and defeats the droid.
Back on Tatooine, Leia and Chewie are waiting for Lando in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina, as Chewie defends Leia from harassment by suspicious individuals. Lando finally arrives with Threepio and Artoo and shares Rendar's information that Han has been located.
On Coruscant, Vader concludes his diplomatic exchange with Xizor, during which he attempted to appear more superior and polite than Vader. Ultimately, they arrange for 300 ships from Xizor Transport Systems (XTS) for the construction of the Death Star II on Endor. Xizor walks in a luxury hall while a man, Hoff, makes an assassination attempt against him; Xizor kills him single-handedly. The event is watched by Palpatine and Vader, who suspects that Palpatine orchestrated the attempt, only to test Xizor.
Luke, in Kenobi's hut, attempts to construct a new lightsaber using a book left for him by Ben. He contemplates his memories of him and the adventures in Cloud City when he sees his Rebel friends coming. They tell him about Fett's whereabouts; while thinking on how to get there and approach the bounty hunter, Chewie proposed to ask help from the Rebellion.
On Coruscant, Xizor attends a meeting of Black Sun "Vigos." Several agents are present: Durga, Kreet'ah, Clezo, Wumdi, Perit, and Green. Aware of Green's ambitions and network of double agents, Guri strangles him to intimidate the other ambitious Vigos and emphasize that Xizor does not tolerate such cooperatives. After the meeting concludes, Xizor summons Jabba to meet with him.
Vader is naked in his medical chamber and ponder his meeting with Luke. He attempts to Force heal a part of his body and succeeds, but the satisfaction cuts his tie with the dark side and the healing collapses.
Rendar has traveled to the Imperial moon base on Gall in the Zhar system to confirm Fett's presence. Having landed in Smuggler's Gorge he makes his way through Imperial patrols along the cliffside before reaching the entrance to the base through which he fights his way to the observation tower. Once there, he accesses the computer and learns that Fett was docked in the second tower, on the other side of the nearby canyon. Stealing a jetpack, Rendar crosses the canyon and arrives to a large hangar containing an AT-ST. After disabling it, he opens and follows the facility's ventilation system near a waiting hoversled with which he reaches the Slave I. But Fett is also there; the two mercenaries duel in the air with their jetpacks until Fett flees into his ship. Slave I takes off and Fett tries to aim its weapons against Rendar, who is able to damage the ship with his various ammunitions from his modified blaster pistol.
As Luke continues tampering the lightsaber jewel in the company of his friends, Lando arrives bringing confirmation by Rendar that Slave I is on Gall.
Meanwhile, Xizor welcomes Jabba who came from Tatooine. During their conversation Jabba gives out that the smuggler Solo was an affiliate to Skywalker, and that his delivery was delayed. When Jabba leaves, Guri puts out the information that the bounty hunters after Skywalker would be advised to locate Boba Fett.
Meanwhile, the rebels are on board the Millennium Falcon on their way to Gall's moon, Kile. Chewie plays a game with Threepio (probably dejarik), and Lando makes a failed attempt to prepare "Giju stew" for dinner.
Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewie rendezvous with Wedge and the Rogues on Kile and are reintroduced to Dash Rendar. Wedge briefs the new arrivals on the layout of the Imperial base and two Star Destroyers, each with a wing of starfighters. Skywalker proposes to attack, drawing off the defending TIE fighters, while Rendar leads the Falcon and its crew to Fett's coordinates.
After his defeat by Rendar, Fett meets Bossk and Zuckuss in a cantina, who negotiate with him to share the bounty of Han. He firmly refuses and takes out a sniper placed to ambush him. Then his system warns him that Slave I has been breached.
Vader is in his castle, doing lightsaber training with an ASP droid. The slight ache in his shoulder where Luke had cut through his armor during their fight feels better to him.
Meanwhile the Rogue Squadron attacks the Star Destroyers above Gall, and Luke hones his Force skills. Dix Rivan is killed, and the second Star Destroyer starts to approach. As the Falcon follows the Outrider on the planet, Rendar dares Lando's piloting skill, as Lando tells Leia about Rendar's past. To avoid Imperial sensors, they fly few meters above the trees and then into the Grand Trench. After they pass the sensor station and lift out of the canyon, they come to the shipyard where Slave I is. Less than a minute away from the target, however, Rendar leaves, being hired to lead, not fight. Cursing, Leia and Lando man the turrets to fend of the TIEs as they approach Fett.
Above the planet, as the Rogues retreat in a mock hyperspace jump, Wes Janson's malprogrammed R2 seizes control of his X-wing and attempts to shoot Luke down. After avoiding it, Luke manages to shoot Wes' R2. The Rogues land on Kile and examine Wes' Artoo. It was malprogrammed by an agent. Rendar arrives on the base explaining to Luke and Wedge why he was forced to withdraw.
Meanwhile, Fett arrives at Slave I to find 4-LOM with other bounty hunters attempting to steal Solo's slab and shoots them down, before seeing the Falcon approaching and takes off. The Falcon has sustained too much damage and Fett's departure marks the failure of the mission.
Luke and Wedge find that Janson's droid had been programmed by their technician Viera Cheran, who attempts to shoot Luke, before being shot by Wedge. As Luke welcomes Leia, Lando, and Wedge investigate her account and discover 10,000 credits paid by dummy corporations, tracing to Saber Enterprises. Being a front organization for the Empire's anti-espionage operations, they believe that she was paid by Vader.
On Coruscant, having just ended the relationship with his mistress, and dined at Menarai, he sends Guri to Ororo Transportation, a rival to Black Sun, and arranges a second meeting with Vader.
Leia decides to contact an underground organization and find out who who wants Luke dead. Unfortunately she decides to ask Black Sun, unaware that this is the very organization they are looking for. Luke is sent to follow Fett on Tatooine, again not knowing that Xizor already expects him to do so so. However, she also secretly hires Rendar to follow and protect him.
Xizor visits the Emperor's skyhook and meets Vader. Presented as a faithful servant to the Empire, he gives the largest Vergesso asteroid in the Lybeya system, as a secret Rebel shipyard. In reality the Vergesso Base belongs to Ororo Transportation. Palpatine sends Vader and Admiral Okins to destroy the "Rebel" base, an order which is a setback to Vader's plans to watch over Xizor.
Lando and Leia travel to Rodia, where they meet Avaro (Greedo's uncle), who promises them to bring a contact of Black Sun.
Back on Tatooine, Luke is in Ben's hut finishing his lightsaber. Meanwhile Jixton has arrived in Mos Eisley, and manages to challenge and impress Big Gizz and his gang by stealing Spiker's swoop bike and thus gains a job for Jabba. He is puzzled to learn that Jabba got a transmission that Vader (actually Xizor) wants Luke dead, which interferes with Vader's instructions to ensure Luke's survival. After a discussion in Chalmun's cantina that Dash overhears, Jix and the gang race over to kill Luke. Dash steals a swoop and runs after them.
Luke is testing his lightsaber with Artoo when he sees the bikers arriving. He takes out one of the riders, kick one off and take his swoop to flee towards Beggar's Canyon. During the frail, Luke is unknowingly aided by Jix who sabotages his fellows' attempts to hit Luke. The pursuers are halved and Luke loses them by passing through the Stone Needle when Rendar arrives, drops into the canyon and opens fire causing them to scatter and flee. Big Gizz remains hidden and attempts to shoot Luke, but Jix hit his head with a stone.
While Vader is en route to the Vergesso asteroid, Xizor visits Palpatine and reveals that he was the "generous" informant of the secret "Rebel base". Vader concludes the battle in his Interceptor, and on his way back he contacts the Emperor. Enraged, he sees Xizor in the hologram beside him.
Back in his Palace, Xizor is informed that Leia attempts to contact Black Sun. Charmed by her beauty, he sends Guri to bring her. He then watches a recording of Guri's earlier meeting with the heads of Ororo Transportation, Z. Limmer, Tuyay, and Dellis Yuls; killing them after denying to cooperate with Black Sun.
Having Dash explained that he was sent by Leia, and the gang belonged to Jabba, Artoo detects the approach of a courier droid. It is carrying a message from Koth Melan to Leia, claiming to have vital information for the Alliance and requesting a meeting as soon as possible on Bothawui. Skywalker decides to go, followed by Rendar.
On Coruscant, as Vader expresses his concerns on giving the Death Star plans to the Rebels, Palpatine says that he knows best. Leia gets tired waiting for Black Sun and Avaro explains that it's not up to him, not knowing that Guri is already coming for her. Before that, she sends the route of Suprosa to their Bothan double agent.
Meanwhile Fett hides in an asteroid field when 4-LOM resumes operation. Before Fett disables him once more, Bossk's ship picks up his signal and attacks a stranded Slave I. Zuckuss and his team board the ship and apprehend Fett. As Furlag leads him to the force cages, Fett opens a trapdoor under his feet and gets his weapon. He kills everyone but keeps Zuckuss alive to communicate with Bossk. He sends Bossk's shuttle back to him; when Bossk's colleague looks inside he sees his fellows dead, along with a detonation device, when Fett jumps to hyperspace.
Luke and Dash make their way to the Intergalactic Trade Mission on Bothawui. Rendar bribes a guard but on the 16th floor, the protocol droid R0-4 refuses to let them in without an appointment until Rendar pulls his blaster. The Bothan accepted the pair as Leia's representatives, explaining about a new unknown Imperial military project. A secured supercomputer containing the plans is being transported from Coruscant to Bothawui aboard the Suprosa, a Mobquet Medium Transport masquerading as a fertilizer freighter. Melan plans to capture it and had put together a team for the mission, joined by Skywalker and Rendar, who looked forward to an extra reward. In a hidden base outside the city, they meet the Blue Squadron.
On Coruscant, as Vader expresses his concerns on giving the Death Star plans to the Rebels, Palpatine says that he knows best.
Lando, Chewie and Leia pass a long time in Avaro's casino. Lando gambled and played and won most of his games while Leia was fed up waiting. Eventually Avaro tells her that Guri would meet them shortly.
Guri's Bothan agent brings the route plans of the Suprosa to the Bothan Spynet, and Blue Squadron, joined by Ace Azzameen of the Rebel Alliance, move to the coordinates.
The vessel doesn't surrender as Luke demands and the Y-wings start disabling the engines. The Suprosa opens fire, destroying a ship and the Bothans break off to regroup. As they pull back, the freighter fires a Diamond Boron Missile. Rendar fails to shoot it down and it destroys a group of four Y-wings, killing eight Bothans and another two. Despite the losses, the Rebels soon disable the freighter and Rendar takes the Outrider in to conduct the boarding operation. He docks the Outrider and boarded the freighter to look for the supercomputer.
Following Leebo's directions, Rendar works his way towards the main cargo hangar, encountering heavy resistance from the crew and Stormtroopers. Upon reaching the hangar, Rendar destroys a loader droid which attacked him with spring-loaded arms. After Rendar located the supercomputer and disabled the hangar force field, Leebo brings the Outrider into the hangar to collect the smuggler and the supercomputer.
On Rodia, Guri inspects the Rebels at the Next Chance casino. After a brief meeting she cuts it short claiming that she has business to attend, leaving the Rebels with the distinct impression that there was something unusual about her.
On the Outrider, Koth and Luke discuss about the supercomputer's significance while Dash blames himself for missing the missile. Luke sends Dash to Rodia to find Leia. Himself and Koth moves to Kothlis with Koth. En route to Kothlis, the party is attacked by Claw and Hunter which are driven off by Blue Squadron, and a special Bothan encryption team arrives at Kothlis to attempt to bypass the self destruct device of the supercomputer.
Guri reports to Xizor that Leia is dangerous and advocates killing the Rebels. However, Xizor has other plans and asks her to be brought to Coruscant. He then meets Palpatine showing recordings of how successfully the plans entered Rebels' hands. With securing the plans, the Alliance gains trust in Xizor. The plans are in truth, outdated, and the second Death Star is fully operational, unlike what the schematics read.
Lando installs a doppraymagno scanner in their hotel room waiting for Guri, before notified that Dash arrived on Rodia and welcome him. Guri then returns to Rodia and during their meeting, the scanner quickly confirms Leia's suspicions: Guri is not Human. C-3PO puts a sleeping potion in her tea, so that they can conduct a closer examination but it fails; the two continue to trade diplomatic small-talk until Guri, tired of proceedings, attempts to abduct Leia only to be restrained by Lando, Chewbacca, and Dash.
Bounty hunters storm the safehouse, interrupting Luke, Koth, and a Bothan special decryption team as they work on the supercomputer. A Bothan manages to conceal the supercomputer during the ensuing fight. Koth is killed, and Luke is taken prisoner, discovering that there are two bounties on his head: one for him alive and one for him dead. Unbeknownst to Luke, Vader desires him alive, while Xizor wants him eliminated.
Following extensive discussions among Leia, Guri, and Xizor, Leia and Chewie accompany Guri to the Stinger and journey toward Coruscant. To ensure their safe passage, Guri disguises them as the Ubese bounty hunter Boushh and Snoova. Meanwhile, Lando learns from Dash that Luke is still on Kothlis and heads there.
Palpatine dispatches Vader to Kothlis, ostensibly to retrieve the supercomputer but also to capture Luke. This order once again thwarts Vader's intentions to keep an eye on Xizor. In the meantime, Luke, confined to his cell, uses his abilities to influence the mind of his guard, who then locks himself in the cell to take a nap. Luke escapes, retrieving his lightsaber and comlink.
After "Boushh" and "Snoova" successfully navigate Coruscant customs, Leia encounters Spero, a Ho'Din who owes her a debt, and provides him with information about Black Sun.
On Kothlis, Luke fends off a group of bounty hunters who discover him. Lando then arrives in an explosion and flees with Luke on a stolen landspeeder. They escape on the Falcon towards Tatooine, just as the Executor arrives. Simultaneously, the Death Star plans are transmitted to the Razor above the planet.
Vader is informed by Skahtul that someone is seeking Luke's death, and he suspects that this bounty originates from Black Sun, after Skywalker's escape.
Leia and Chewie reunite with Guri. They follow Howzmin and board a maglev car bound for Xizor's palace. Xizor welcomes the visitors and provides them with suitable accommodations.
Elsewhere, Fett repairs the lasers on Slave I and shares his plans with Zuckuss to deliver Solo to Jabba.
As Lando attempts to fix the Falcon's failed hyperdrive, Vader senses Luke near an asteroid and sends pilots to investigate. However, Luke senses Vader's approach. The Falcon manages to escape the field and prepare for hyperspace, but three dozen TIE fighters arrive. The ship enters hyperspace just in time, heading for Tatooine. Enraged by the loss of his prey, Vader orders the bombing of a "suspected Rebel base" on one of Kothlis' moons.
At Jabba's Palace, Jix bypasses security and contacts Vader on the Executor to report the swoop bike incident involving Luke. Vader learns that Jabba also has a bounty on Luke's head, placed by someone using Vader's name.
Howzmin escorts Chewie to Leia's room. Chewie observes Leia acting strangely as she prepares for him. She makes excuses, stating that she is on a diplomatic mission. Meanwhile, Xizor is preparing his pheromones for their meeting in meditation. As the Falcon travels to Tatooine, Luke senses that Leia is in danger, despite Lando's assurances.
Leia attempts to negotiate with Xizor regarding business between the Alliance and Black Sun, and then reveals that she is there for Luke, at which point Xizor kisses her. After an intense seductive encounter, Leia is interrupted by Chewbacca, who reveals hidden microphones and cameras. She instructs him to escape and notify Luke. Meanwhile, Vader returns to Coruscant and informs the Emperor about Skywalker's escape. He suggests that Xizor might be the one seeking his death. Palpatine grants Vader leave to search for Skywalker.
Leia regains her composure, and after stalling for time to allow Chewie to escape, she knees Xizor in the groin. Enraged, he sends her back to her room. Chewie is intentionally allowed to "escape" (though not easily), with the hope that he will lead Luke to rescue Leia, delivering him into Xizor's hands. He is unconcerned that Luke escaped Kothlis or Vader's orders.
Luke insists on contacting Leia and receives a message from Chewie stating that she is in danger. They alter course for Coruscant. Using skillful flying, they evade sensors, hide in "sensor shadow," and land on the planet without incident.
Luke, Dash, and Lando receive Chewie's message and travel to Coruscant, where they meet up. They stealthily navigate the sewers of Black Sun to infiltrate Xizor's palace. Using the Force, Luke communicates to Leia that he and the group are nearby and will soon rescue her from Xizor. After engaging in a firefight with security guards, with Luke demonstrating his increasingly refined lightsaber skills, the group locates Leia and begins to lead her out of the palace.
They enter a hallway where they encounter Xizor, Guri, and several of his aides, leading to a battle in which Xizor and Guri are impressed by Luke's abilities as a Jedi. Luke and Lando threaten Xizor with thermal detonators, which they send down the garbage chute, causing widespread panic and forcing everyone to flee Xizor's palace.
The Millennium Falcon, piloted by R2-D2 and C-3PO, swerves wildly towards Luke and his companions, enabling them to escape onto the ship above Coruscant.
Xizor boards his skyhook and dispatches four of his starfighters to attack the Rebels, with Dash defending them using the flak cannons on the Outrider. Rogue Squadron arrives in X-wings, and a fierce battle is already in progress when TIE fighters appear, but the TIEs only attack Xizor's fighters. During the conflict, Guri, Xizor's assassin human replica droid, manages to escape using a paraglider.
An enraged Xizor demands that Vader explain why Imperial forces are attacking him. Vader confronts him via hologram aboard the Executor over Coruscant, reminding Xizor that he was warned to stay away from Luke, but Xizor deliberately disobeyed those orders. When Xizor refuses to comply with his ultimatum to stand down, Vader orders the Executor to destroy the Skyhook.
A massive explosion occurs, and the Outrider is presumed destroyed, but Dash makes a last-second jump to hyperspace, as he believes that his experiences with the Rebels have been too dangerous and that there is more money to be made elsewhere.
On Tatooine, Fett deceives the pursuing bounty hunters with a disguised Zuckuss and a covered-up 4-LOM, making them appear to be himself and a carbonite block speeding away from the Slave I. The real Fett delivers the actual carbonite block containing Han to Jabba and receives his payment. Meanwhile, Luke, Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO prepare to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt.
Luke prepares his holographic message for Jabba and places his lightsaber inside R2-D2.
Shadows of the Empire began with a dinner conversation between Lou Aronica of Bantam Spectra and Lucy Autrey Wilson of LucasBooks. Aronica proposed that Lucasfilm's extensive licensing agreements would facilitate the creation of a multimedia project that could tell a comprehensive story across various mediums. The company then envisioned the project as "a movie project without the movie." An initial planning meeting took place in the summer of 1994, and it was decided that the project would be completed within the next two years, aiming for a 1996 release, a year in which no major Star Wars products were anticipated. According to Roffman, Lucas initially intended to release the Special Editions in 1996 and the first film of his prequel trilogy in 1997 (for the 20th anniversary of Star Wars); however, when those projects were moved to 1997 and 1999 respectively, the company decided that 1996 would be an ideal time to release their multimedia project. Shadows was intended to be the first work to tie into the events of the original trilogy of films. Lucasfilm initially planned to set the project between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, but Jon Knoles convinced them that the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi would be a more fruitful period for storytelling. After George Lucas approved the concept, Wilson and Howard Roffman wrote a brief outline of the premise, which involved Luke Skywalker being threatened by an assassination plot and a bodyguard foiling it.
In November 1994, LucasArts representatives, other licensing representatives, and Lucasfilm executives convened at Skywalker Ranch to begin serious work on the project, determining which elements were best suited for each medium. Author Steve Perry, representing Bantam Spectra and hired to write the novel, named the "bodyguard" Dash Rendar and also provided the names of Guri and Koth Melan. Perry took detailed notes of the discussion and used them to create an outline for his book. This outline served as the foundation for all other aspects of the overall project and was met with extensive memos containing changes and additions. On November 22, Kausch compiled a memo with initial ideas about the ships of the two new protagonists. In the initial outline, the climatic final battle was to have a happy ending, with all the protagonists and the Rebels escaping the battle before its conclusion.
Adding a secondary plot about Luke constructing his own lightsaber, as seen in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and mentioned by Vader, was Jon Knoles' idea.
By January 1995, John Wagner had prepared an outline for the comics. On April 17 of that year, a video game storyline was completed.
Art director Troy Alders hired Michael Butkus to create drawings for The Essential Guide to Characters and character design sketches for Shadows, which he produced between January and April 1995. Doug Chiang designed the main spaceships. Kilian Plunkett, the penciller for the comic book adaptation, contributed proposed art during the conceptual stage. Dave Williams created concept sketches for Applause figures.
The two main original characters of the project were designed to be memorable and archetypal: the young and heroic Dash Rendar and the evil mogul Xizor, the most powerful being in the Empire, capable of defeating Darth Vader and taking his place next to the Emperor. Both characters had tragic pasts in which they lost their families, with Rendar rebelling against the Empire and Xizor orchestrating Vader's destruction. Experimental concept sketches of these characters began in January 1995, with Xizor going through a more "monstrous" phase before settling on a more charismatic reptilian alien. Plunkett initially depicted Dash as a rugged, disheveled brawler before Butkus's more heroic and good-looking "Top Gun-like" braggart was chosen. Luke was costumed in a way that suggested a transition between the two movies, wearing a khaki tunic/vest. The finalized versions of the characters were reached around April and June of that year. Drew Struzan also completed the cover of the novel, featuring Luke's and Xizor's final appearances, around that time.
Continuity editor Allan Kausch participated in the project to ensure consistency of events across all media. He assembled a timeline/flowchart showing the events and actions of each character, providing it as a guide to each participant in the project. On June 19, he wrote a memo summarizing the basic action of the Beggar's Canyon Incident to ensure it would be followed by all creators.
Sue Rostoni compiled an informational package containing pictures and descriptions of the new ships that would be featured in the project, relative to the classical ships of the original trilogy. The prominent new ships included the YT-2400 light freighter Outrider, the StarViper-class attack platform Virago, the Aggressor assault fighter IG-2000, the Conqueror-class assault ship Stinger, and the swoop bikes. To include them in the video game, Jon Knoles derived schematics from Doug Chiang's sketches as faithfully as possible, with Chiang's approval, and then proceeded to create the computer model, with one such schematic of the Outrider dated February 22 1995. The ships were also featured in The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels, which was in production around the same time; in the summer of 1995, Bill Smith developed the backstories of the vessels.
Key scenes would take place in the Imperial Palace and Xizor's Palace, a new original location. For the former, Ralph McQuarrie's concept art and Kevin J. Anderson's description from The Illustrated Star Wars Universe were used. Knoles also provided Plunkett with images from the earlier Star Wars: TIE Fighter, where the Palace was first seen, and the interior of a Gothic cathedral for inspiration. McQuarrie's unused concept art for the Palace interior was used for Xizor's Palace instead.
Around that time, Industrial Light and Magic was producing the effects for the Special Edition trilogy. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope would feature an extended digital view of Mos Eisley. Concept art and storyboards from ILM were used as the basis for similar scenes in the comic book; the video game would feature a 3D rendering of the spaceport, informed by the layout as it would appear in the Special Edition.
At the San Diego Comic-Con in July 1995, the Hildebrandts celebrated their return to Star Wars and their participation in the card series at the Topps booth, while Kilian Plunkett and Anthony Daniels signed autographs at the Dark Horse Comics area. Wagner and Plunkett, who were already collaborating on the comic adaptation, met in person for the first time there.
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, while working on the collectible cards illustrations, visited LucasArts, where Jon Knoles demonstrated the Shadows video game to them.
The project's success later served as a model for the 2007 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed multimedia endeavor.
The primary narrative unfolds in Steve Perry's novel, Shadows of the Empire, published by Bantam Books. It introduces Prince Xizor, the Falleen overlord of the largest criminal organization in the galaxy, known as Black Sun. His ambition is to usurp Darth Vader's position at Emperor Palpatine's side. Xizor also seeks revenge against Vader for the extermination of his family. Upon learning the identity of Luke Skywalker and his connection to Vader, Xizor makes his move. To exact his revenge, Xizor plots to kill Luke, believing it will curry favor with Palpatine and serve as retribution against Vader. Meanwhile, Vader continues to seek out Luke to convert him to the dark side following their encounter on Bespin. Luke finds himself targeted by the two most powerful beings in the galaxy, aside from Palpatine himself.
Concurrently, Han Solo remains frozen in carbonite and is being transported to Jabba the Hutt by the bounty hunter Boba Fett. Leia Organa, along with Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca, enlists the help of Dash Rendar, a smuggler and acquaintance of Han's. Events transpire that intertwine the paths of Leia and the Rebels with Xizor and Black Sun, culminating in a battle over Coruscant involving Xizor, Vader, and Rogue Squadron. The novel also reveals how Leia and Lando plan Han's rescue and the construction of Luke's new lightsaber. Thus, the stage is set for Return of the Jedi.
A prequel novel to the original Shadows of the Empire story was planned, to be written by Charles Grant, but was canceled due to Lucasfilm Licensing moving from Bantam to Del Rey.
Christopher Golden wrote the junior novelization of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, which was published by Bantam Doubleday Dell in October 1996. It is based on the story and novel by Steve Perry and is aimed at children aged 8–12.
While the comics depict many elements from the novel, they place a greater emphasis on the intrigue between Boba Fett and his fellow bounty hunters, notably Bossk, Zuckuss, and 4-LOM. They also tell the story of Jix, Darth Vader's special agent tasked with protecting Luke from Xizor. Upon learning that Luke was on Tatooine, Xizor hired Jabba to kill him. The job was given to his swoop gang, which had been infiltrated by Jix as part of Vader's assignment. John Wagner wrote the series, and Kilian Plunkett provided the illustrations.
Steve Perry, the author of the Shadows novel, served as a consultant for the comics. While the stories in the book and comics rarely intersected, it was essential that characters, scenes, and dialogue aligned when they did.
The first tie-in was Battle of the Bounty Hunters, the first-ever Star Wars pop-up comic, which was simply a reprint of the battle between Boba Fett and IG-88 from the first issue of the primary series.
Some comics were also released by toy companies. Kenner released a two-part special which was a reprint of some scenes from the original comic like Battle of Gall. Some of the Lewis Galoob Toys included a Galoob Micro-Machines Mini-Comic and a Shadows of the Empire AMT/ERTL Model Kit Mini-Comic was distributed in ERTL model kits. These mini-comics like the Kenner version were mainly a reprint but they also included some original scenes.
LucasArts' Shadows of the Empire video game was among the first available for Nintendo's 64-bit system, Nintendo 64. The Nintendo 64 game, released on December 3, 1996, shortly after the console's release (September 29, 1996), was the most commercially successful product in the Shadows of the Empire line. The computer version followed almost a year later (September 17, 1997), featuring enhanced graphics and fully 3D CGI-rendered cutscenes with dialogue, unlike the picture/text cutscenes of the N64 version. In the game, players control Dash Rendar as he assists Luke Skywalker and rescues Princess Leia from Prince Xizor.
The game is divided into four parts (or chapters). The first takes place at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back, with Dash assisting in the Battle of Hoth in a snowspeeder and eventually fleeing Echo Base. In the second part, Dash confronts bounty hunters from the movies, such as IG-88 on Ord Mantell and Boba Fett. In the third chapter, Boba Fett has escaped, and the player's mission changes: they must save Luke Skywalker's life by battling a gang of bikers in Mos Eisley—as depicted in the comics—and then recover Imperial secret plans of the second Death Star, with Skywalker's help. Finally, in the last chapter, Dash, Luke, and Lando travel to Coruscant to rescue Princess Leia from Xizor's stronghold. While some parts of the game contradict elements from the book and comic book, the overall story remains consistent.
The soundtrack for the project, composed and recorded by film and TV composer Joel McNeely, was brought to life by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus. Varèse Sarabande handled its publication. Only tracks one ("Star Wars Main Title" and a segment of "Carbon Freeze"), eight ("The Imperial March" and "The Force theme"), and ten ("The Imperial March") feature familiar themes extracted from the movies. In addition, the disc provides an interactive track for use on personal computers, offering concept art and supplementary details about the project.
Among the companies responsible for producing the toy line for the Shadows of the Empire endeavor was Kenner. Kenner's Shadows of the Empire assortment comprised action figures, vehicles, and "two-pack" combinations showcasing both fresh and established characters.
Lewis Galoob Toys, well-known for their "Micro Machine" line of miniature toys and playsets, also created a comprehensive Shadows of the Empire toy series. This included three miniature sets and a boxed Action Fleet set containing two swoop bikes with riders and four miniature articulated figures. The classic Star Wars characters (Luke, Vader, the Emperor) were included in the sets, alongside the new characters (Xizor, Dash Rendar, Guri, and Leebo).
Applause, Inc. obtained licensing to produce a selection of resin figurines and statuettes. Dave Williams, an artist, developed concept art for these figures, along with storyboards depicting events from the saga, which were then refined into specific poses for the proposed resin figurines. Applause manufactured at least two dolls, one for Dash Rendar, and another for Xizor, as well as a Limited Edition Statuette called "Villains", which showcased a bust of Palpatine accompanied by figures of Xizor and Darth Vader, and an embossed figure of a TIE Interceptor with Stormtroopers.
Other envisioned scenes and figures included: Vader's meeting with Xizor; Luke confronting Dash regarding Leia following the Battle of Gall; and Luke's and Dash's confrontation with Gizz's Gang.
Topps, the trading card company, developed the Shadows of the Empire trading card series. The 100-card Shadows of the Empire set from Topps uniquely captures the narrative across the book, comic series, and game platforms, making it a sought-after collectible. The cards feature artwork by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, the twin artists known for creating some of the most iconic Star Wars imagery, including the famous poster that remains a symbol of the original trilogy. The 100-card set utilized double UV-coating and a robust 20 pt. card stock for enduring collectibility, presenting full-bleed painted images on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" card. The Shadows of the Empire card series is notable for its 72 cards that essentially storyboard the events from Steve Perry's novel. In addition to these, there are six cards dedicated to vehicles, another six to the comics, and six more related to the video game. Each pack contained nine cards.
A comic book series tie-in, Star Wars: Shadow Stalker, written by Ryder Windham, was launched in January 2000. This series served as a prequel to the original Shadows of the Empire story, delving deeper into the adventures of the character Jix from the original narrative. The series also integrated characters from the Archie Goodwin Star Wars newspaper strip story "Iceworld" (reprinted by Dark Horse comics in Classic Star Wars).
The Jabba Tape continues the saga of Big Gizz and Spiker—members of Jabba's swoop gang—following Jabba's demise. Both Shadow Stalker and The Jabba Tape were initially published serially in Star Wars Galaxy. This led to a subsequent adventure in the story Sand Blasted.
Steve Perry, the author of the Shadows of the Empire novel, penned a sequel to the original story. This project, known as Shadows of the Empire: Evolution, was presented as a series of five comic books. The story unfolds after Return of the Jedi. With Xizor, the leader of the Black Sun criminal organization, defeated, Guri, a beautiful human-replica droid and Xizor's personal assassin, is left to contemplate her future without a master. Amidst the ongoing power struggles in the underworld, Guri seeks to discover traces of her humanity—if it exists at all. However, in her quest to alter her programming and achieve humanity, Guri becomes the target of both bounty hunters and Rebels (led by a Jedi-in-training named Luke). Secrets hidden within her android mind make her a valuable prize. Evolution marked Perry's debut in the world of comics. These books were later compiled into a graphic novel.
Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance, while not officially a component of the project, features a campaign comprising seven missions that occur during the timeframe of Shadows, requiring the player to recreate events referenced in the novel and the game. This encompasses missions to obtain the design schematics of the Death Star II. The game portrays Ace Azzameen aiding Dash Rendar in capturing the Imperial freighter Suprosa, which carried the Death Star II plans, and subsequently flying to the Vergesso Asteroids during the Battle of the Bajic Shipyards (mentioned in the novel) for a concurrent rescue mission. The player also witnesses the Imperial assault to Kothlis from space. The events surrounding the Battle of Kothlis and the schematics of the Death Star are also featured in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader. The Outrider can also be briefly spotted in Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, in the sequence following the opening crawl and the Dooku/Palpatine conversation. As the space arena comes into view, the Outrider flies from the bottom middle of the screen towards the lower right side. It may be difficult to see, but it is present.
In the 1996 Return of the Jedi radio drama, Brian Daley includes several allusions to events from Shadows. For example, in the radio drama, after Han is rescued, he criticizes Lando for allowing C-3PO to pilot the Millennium Falcon—an event depicted in Shadows of the Empire.
The 1997 Special Edition re-release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope incorporates swoop bikes, ASP labor droids, and the Outrider. Although initially created for the Special Edition of A New Hope, the Sentinel-class landing craft (also known as the "Imperial landing craft") also debuted in Shadows of the Empire. This is the craft observed taking off in A New Hope when the stormtroopers are patrolling Tatooine on dewbacks.
Xizor makes a cameo appearance during the podrace in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. A Micro Machines model was used to represent him.
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