The Last Jedi – The Storms of Crait 1, a comic book published by Marvel, features the combined writing talents of Ben Acker and Ben Blacker, complemented by the artistic skills of Mike Mayhew. This standalone story unfolds prior to the events of Star Wars: Book XII The Escape, and it was made available to the public on December 27, 2017.
This December, the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Last Jedi is set to electrify movie theaters worldwide...and the effects of this cinematic event will resonate throughout the vast expanse of the galaxy! To begin, uncover the secrets of the mineral-rich planet Crait! In the distant past, before it became a conflict zone between the Resistance and the First Order, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa guided the Rebellion to this very location in their quest for a new sanctuary! Courtesy of writers Ben Acker & Ben Blacker (known for Star Wars Join the Resistance) and artist Marco Checchetto (Star Wars: Shattered Empire), delve into the origins of this winter's grandest adventure!
A segment of the Alliance Fleet is currently being pursued by the forces of the Galactic Empire. During an unscheduled engagement with numerous TIEs, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker engage in a dispute regarding Han's strategy and its role in their predicament. Han flippantly dismisses it as a non-plan, while Leia and Mon Mothma endeavor to identify fresh coordinates for the small fleet to execute a jump. Han, Luke, along with several other X-wings, provide defense for two EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates as Mothma and Organa make the decision to initiate a jump to 'Rendezvous Point C', also known as Baraan-Fa.
Upon arrival at Baraan-Fa, multiple Alliance ships are in the process of landing and establishing a base camp, as Mothma and Organa collaboratively seek a suitable location for a Rebel base. Leia proposes Sabanash and the Moon of Ooloponi before requesting permission to lead a squadron to Crait. Mothma points out the planet's desolate condition, which Leia interprets as a strategic advantage. Leia reveals that she possesses a contact named Trusk Berinato, a connection established through her father, who asserts the presence of an abandoned mine on Crait that would be perfectly suited for the Rebellion. Luke is subsequently selected by Leia to take charge of the mission.
Upon their arrival, utilizing a GR-75 medium transport and the Millennium Falcon, the Alliance begins unloading weaponry onto the saline terrain and is greeted by Berinato, who is accompanied by a modest contingent of droids. Han voices his reservations regarding Berinato as he extends a warm welcome to Leia, expressing his condolences for the loss of her father. Subsequently, Luke, Leia, and Han embark on a tour of the area in V-4X-D ski speeders, with Berinato providing narration. Following the receipt of new instructions from the princess, Luke conveys his irritation with the mission, drawing parallels to his former life as a farm boy.
Han, Leia, and Chewbacca subsequently accompany Trusk into the mineral mines, where he reminisces about his time working within them. Privately, Han reiterates his distrust of the Q'Itane to Leia. Simultaneously, Luke and Wedge Antilles are engaged in the creation of trenches within the salt flats. Abruptly, a green worm emerges from the earth. Wedge prepares to discharge his blaster, but Luke draws a comparison between the worm and sand worms he encountered on Tatooine during his childhood. Han and Chewbacca are also contending with the worms. This prompts Luke to initiate an environmental assessment of the terrain, leading to the discovery of subsurface water deposits that serve as the worms' habitat. Suddenly, Luke decides to venture out on a ski speeder with Wedge, where they discover several flash-dried corpses scattered across the salt flats. Luke and Wedge promptly return to base to alert the others to the cause of this phenomenon.
As Han and Chewbacca unload equipment into the mines, Trusk presents Leia with a bottle of Alderaanian wine from the year of her birth. This clumsy attempt to secure a favorable deal proves unsuccessful. Leia reveals her awareness of Berinato's squad of stormtroopers awaiting his signal, and she proposes a counter-offer. At that moment, Luke returns, and Leia bestows a kiss upon his cheek, expressing her desire for him to remain unchanged. Luke informs her of the urgent need to evacuate, citing a different reason. Luke realized that Crait is subject to lethal salt storms after discovering the desiccated remains with Wedge. Upon being confronted, Trusk reveals to the rebels that Task Force 99, also known as SCAR Squadron, is already en route.
While positioned above the planet, the stormtroopers comprising Task Force 99 descend from their shuttle onto the salt flats, mounted on 74-Z speeder bikes. They swiftly intercept the rebel leaders, who are fleeing on ski speeders as the salt storm commences. Chewbacca eliminates Mic from the sky, but the troopers continue to gain ground. Luke pivots to confront the group directly, but his speeder is destroyed by Zuke. Luke manages to extract himself from the wreckage of his speeder, at which point Kreel arrives to challenge him to a duel. Luke and Kreel engage in a lightsaber battle amidst the falling salt, as Wedge and several other rebels arrive in speeders to counter SCAR Squadron.
Han, Leia, and Chewbacca successfully return to the Falcon, only to be intercepted by Trusk. Meanwhile, Kreel hurls insults at Luke as their duel intensifies. Luke begins to retaliate, but suddenly, the same worms from before breach the surface and seize Kreel's legs. Nearby, the rebel soldiers have finally subdued SCAR Squadron. In a moment of vindictive force, Wedge drives a piece of metal through Zuke's armor, experiencing the full weight of his strike as retribution for the Empire's wickedness. At the Falcon, Trusk restrains Leia with his blaster, and shoots Han in the shoulder as he attempts to draw his DL-44. Leia rushes to Han's aid, then swiftly pivots and shoots Trusk in the hand. Just then, the remaining rebels arrive to inform Leia and Han of the imperative need to evacuate before the storm claims their lives.
Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Leia informs Mon Mothma that the scouting mission was unsuccessful. Mothma offers reassurance to Leia, affirming that her intuition regarding people is among her most valuable assets. Han receives medical attention and is recovering from his blaster wound, while Luke gazes at the stars from the cockpit. He confides in Leia that he is an insignificant individual, "trying to make a big difference". Leia implores him never to change.
- UPC 759606088492; December 27 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00111; Cover A, Marco Checchetto 00121; Cover B, Caspar Wijngaard 00131; Cover C, Movie