Star Wars 42: The Empire Strikes Back: To Be a Jedi constitutes the forty-second installment in the Marvel Star Wars comic book saga.
Luke Skywalker observes his X-wing fighter, which has recently touched down, gradually submerging within the Dagobah swamps. He attempts to establish a campsite, but then encounters a small, green being who immediately begins searching through his possessions. The being discovers that Luke is seeking a Jedi Master by the name of Yoda and offers to escort him to him. They go back to the being's residence, where Luke starts to display impatience. It is then revealed that the being is, in fact, Master Yoda. Yoda believes Luke is too old and imprudent to be taught the Jedi ways, but the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi encourages Yoda to proceed with his training. Yoda commences Luke's rigorous training, involving both physical and mental exercises. He challenges Luke to broaden his understanding and application of the Force.
While Luke undergoes his training on Dagobah, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO persistently evade Imperial warships within an asteroid field. Han directs the Millennium Falcon downward towards a substantial asteroid and enters a cave situated inside one of its craters. He lands the Falcon deep within the cave's interior as Imperial TIE bombers release their ordnance onto the asteroid's exterior. However, their stay is brief, as they soon realize that the "cave" they entered is actually a gigantic space slug. Han accelerates the Falcon, and they swiftly exit the creature's mouth before it can devour them.
Re-engaging in the battle with the TIE fighters, Han pivots the Millennium Falcon and initiates a direct, potentially fatal, course towards the Avenger. He swerves away at the last possible moment and then affixes the ship to the rear of the star destroyer's deflector shields. Captain Needa of the Avenger is now compelled to inform Darth Vader of the Falcon's escape.
Concurrently, Darth Vader engages in a private conversation with Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine mentions a new adversary – Luke Skywalker. Vader proposes that instead of eliminating Skywalker, they should attempt to convert him to their side. Palpatine concurs with the strategy and instructs Vader to prepare for Skywalker's live capture.
Han and the others await the Imperial fleet's routine garbage disposal before activating lightspeed. As they do so, Han disengages the Falcon from the Avenger's hull and drifts inconspicuously away with the rest of the refuse. Vader enlists a group of bounty hunters to locate and capture the Millennium Falcon, and one of these hunters, Boba Fett, begins to pursue Solo in his personal vessel, Slave I.
Having successfully evaded the Empire, Han sets a course for the planet Bespin. Bespin is the last known location of a long-time acquaintance of his – Lando Calrissian.