Star Wars (1977) 79

Experience brand new escapades featuring the world-renowned characters from the most magnificent science fantasy saga ever conceived! Prepare to be amazed by the high-speed pursuit in this issue, showcasing Lando alongside an inebriated Wookiee, as their quest to locate Han Solo presses onward!

Following their assignment to locate Han Solo in a prior edition, Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca journey to the planet Arcan IV with the intention of interviewing former associates of Solo, specifically Lemo and Sanda's gang. To avert raising any suspicions, the pair opt to travel to the planet aboard Lando's vessel, the Cobra, rather than the Millennium Falcon. Both Lando and Chewbacca adopt disguises to gain entry into Lemo and Sanda's den, with Calrissian identifying himself as Captain Drebble, asserting his search for Solo. In an endeavor to persuade the gang to assist the Rebels in their search for Solo, Lando fabricates a story claiming that Han was secretly an exceptionally skilled treasure hunter, referencing his discovery of the ancient idol Vol as substantiation. Calrissian is cognizant of the gang's pursuit of two precious relics, namely the Dancing Goddess and the Minstrel, and he subtly suggests that Solo could potentially aid them in locating these artifacts. In actuality, Calrissian's sole objective is to glean any information the gang might possess regarding Solo's current whereabouts.

Under the guise of fellow pirates, the Rebels inadvertently provoke the animosity of one of the gang's members, Koruu, who makes an attempt to shoot "Captain Drebble" in the back. However, Lando swiftly retaliates, launching a knife into Koruu's chest, resulting in his demise and earning the gang's respect. Lemo and Sanda extend an invitation to the two Rebels for dinner, harboring plans to ascertain "Drebble's" intentions before eliminating him. During the course of the dinner, the gang endeavors to intoxicate Lando with Deltron spice wine in the hopes of extracting his plans. Nevertheless, before Lando succumbs to excessive intoxication, he overhears the gang's belief that Solo is en route to Tatooine, where he is to be handed over to Jabba the Hutt. Lando feigns familiarity with the rumor, recounting their earlier visit to Tatooine, during which Fett had yet to arrive. Upon hearing the pirates' assertions, the Rebels definitively ascertain that Han is destined for delivery to Tatooine. Regrettably for Lando, he inadvertently mentions Chewbacca's name during his account of their journey to Tatooine, prompting the gang to brandish their weapons. Chewbacca aids their escape by swinging his bench at the gang, sending several of them sprawling across the room. Chewbacca and Lando make a hasty retreat from the establishment and commandeer a hover car, fleeing into the city. As Lemo and Sanda's gang gives chase, Lando is compelled to halt briefly to solicit directions from a prostitute. However, the woman is in a disgruntled state, as her clientele has dwindled due to the presence of pirates on the planet. Mistaking Lando for an associate of the same group, she provides him with misleading directions, leading him down a perilous street towards oncoming traffic. As Lemo and Sanda close in on the Rebels, both factions find themselves navigating through the chaotic traffic.

Lando and Chewbacca skillfully maneuver their vehicle into an unoccupied street, while several members of Lemo and Sanda's crew perish in their attempt, crashing their craft into adjacent buildings and other vehicles. Nevertheless, the pirate gang persists in their pursuit, unleashing blaster fire upon the fleeing duo. Growing weary of the barrage, Chewbacca leaps from Calrissian's hovercar onto one of the pirates' vehicles. After ejecting the rival group from their vehicle, the Wookiee assumes control. Now operating in separate hover cars, Lando instructs Chewie to rendezvous at the Cobra, and they diverge. As they simultaneously evade their pursuers, they inadvertently position themselves for a head-on collision by taking opposite routes. Upon impact, both Lando and Chewbacca are ejected from the wreckage, landing directly in front of Dafi, a member of Lemo and Sanda's gang. Although the pirate initially intends to kill the pair, she fortuitously notices a small statue that had fallen from Lando's pocket. The Minstrel, one of the artifacts sought by the gang, had been in Calrissian's possession all along, having been won in a card game long ago. Upon beholding the statue, Dafi is overcome with desire for the artifact, seizing it from the Rebels. When the remainder of the gang arrives, she mistakenly believes they have come to pilfer her prize, and she commences firing her blaster indiscriminately at the group. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Chewbacca and Lando stealthily return to the Cobra. Lando is elated to have verified the ultimate destination of Han Solo—Jabba's headquarters on Tatooine. As the duo departs the planet, Lando contemplates the gang's intentions with the Minstrel, suggesting it might warrant investigation after they rescue Han. Furthermore, he ponders the potential consequences had the gang discovered his possession of the Dancing Goddess, the other statue they sought.