Star Wars 3: Death Star! represents the third installment in the Legends comic book series titled Star Wars. The narrative was penned by Roy Thomas, drawing from a story and screenplay created by George Lucas, with illustrations by Howard Chaykin. Marvel Comics initially released it on June 7, 1977. This particular issue presents the story "Death Star!," an adaptation of scenes originating from the movie Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
Wilhuff Tarkin, holding the title of Grand Moff, uses the Death Star to obliterate the planet Alderaan, as the captured Princess Leia Organa witnesses this horrific event with despair. Simultaneously, Obi-Wan Kenobi and [Luke Skywalker](/article/luke_skywalker-legends], accompanied by the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, are en route to Alderaan aboard the Millennium Falcon, with Han Solo and Chewbacca serving as pilots. Upon nearing their destination, they encounter the remains of the destroyed planet and are subsequently seized by the Death Star. While aboard the Death Star, they discover Princess Leia's imprisonment and embark on a mission to rescue her from her captors.
Tom Orzechowski is credited as "Orz" within this issue. Steve Leialoha receives credit under his own name as an illustrator and as "Leia" in the color credits.
The original cost for this issue was 30 cents. Several reprint versions also exist and are easily identified by the word "Reprint" located in the top-left corner of the cover or on the inside indicia. Another way to identify them is by the price and number inside a diamond on the cover without a date or UPC.
In the film, the stormtrooper who abandons his post while guarding the Millennium Falcon is identified as TK-421. However, in this comic adaptation, his designation is TX-421.
During the prison exchange, when the officer questions Luke Skywalker about Chewbacca's destination, Luke replies, "Prisoner transfer from Block TX-138." In the film version, Luke states, "Prisoner transfer from cell block 1138." Both lines reference George Lucas's debut film, THX 1138.
- UPC 071486028178; June 7 , 1977 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1]
- (No UPC) ; September 29 , 2015 ; Marvel Comics; Digital edition [3]