Star Wars (1977) 51

Intelligence received by General Rieekan from Rebel informants reveals the Galactic Empire's construction of a novel superweapon, designated the Tarkin. Recognizing the immense threat this weapon presents, Rieekan summons the surviving members of the Death Star assault team: Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Chewbacca, along with the droids C-3PO and R2-D2. These three Rebels, accompanied by the two droids, are dispatched to the planet Hockaleg within the Patriim system. Their mission: to infiltrate an Imperial construction crew and gain access to the Tarkin. Unbeknownst to them, Darth Vader observes their arrival aboard the colossal weapon and initiates a plan to capture his elusive nemesis, Luke Skywalker. However, the Dark Lord remains unaware of a clandestine plot brewing amongst his own ranks, fueled by resentment towards his brutal treatment of fellow Imperial officers.

This issue marks the commencement of David Michelinie's and Walt Simonson's tenure as the regular creative team for the title. The names of Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer (the inker), and Louise Jones (the editor) are subtly embedded within the close-up view of the Tarkin blueprints during the briefing room scene.

The introduction of creatures known as gundarks occurs in the Expanded Universe through this issue, although their depiction diverges significantly from their later portrayals in both the Expanded Universe and canonical materials. These creatures from this specific issue were later retconned and classified as long-necked gundarks.

Despite losing his lightsaber in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke possesses and utilizes one in this issue. This discrepancy is also present in issues 45 and 49 of the series, however, the artwork in those instances did not clearly define the hilt's design. Conversely, this issue depicts the hilt as resembling his first lightsaber, the weapon he lost in issue 44 (which corresponds to the events of The Empire Strikes Back).