Star Wars 88: Figurehead represents the eighty-eighth installment in the Marvel Star Wars comic book saga.
Marvel persists in delivering brand-new adventures set after the events of Jedi! Princess Leia and Mon Mothma embark on what seems like a simple diplomatic mission, but they quickly encounter Imperial troops vying for control of a crucial stronghold! And the Imperials are actually winning! Jo Duffy pens "Figurehead," with Bob McLeod providing the pencils and Tom Palmer handling the inks![2]
The highly anticipated return of a fan-favorite character! From the Star Wars universe emerges... Shira Brie! Luke Skywalker considers Shira his second most dangerous adversary! We challenge you to discover who Luke's most dangerous enemy is—but only if you purchase this amazing issue!
The post-Jedi exploits of our beloved heroes continue! In this issue, Princess Leia, while on a diplomatic mission to a different world, encounters a cyborg antagonist who will play a significant role in future events![3]
Mon Mothma, Leia Organa, and a delegation representing the new Alliance of Free Planets journey to the planet Herdessa to engage in discussions with the influential Herdessan Guild. Given the planet's recent economic boom, the Alliance seeks to negotiate potential political integration. However, upon arrival, Princess Leia is met with a wave of jeers and disapproval. While contemplating this unfriendly reception, Leia is struck directly in the face by a wad of mud. The Herdessan Guild attempts to minimize the incident, attributing it to disgruntled troublemakers and assuring the delegation that the planet's security force will apprehend the culprits. Lumiya, the cyborg leader of the security forces, leads her troops in pursuit, while the delegation retreats to more comfortable surroundings to begin negotiations. Following an elaborate meal, the Herdessan Guild members, Brylin, Tof, and Gaza, begin to arouse suspicion among the Alliance members. They refuse to allow the planet's citizens to participate in the diplomatic meeting, and the negotiations stall, with the Guild suggesting that the Alliance simply spend the day relaxing and enjoying the planet's amenities.
Annoyed by the lack of progress, Leia excuses herself for a walk. Outside the Guild headquarters, she witnesses Lumiya arresting the woman who threw mud at her, Suzu. The woman desperately resists the cyborg, fearing that she and her partner, Finn, will be executed as an example to deter any future resistance against the Guild. Shocked by these claims, Leia intervenes in the arrest, enabling Suzu to escape Lumiya's grasp. Determined to recapture her fugitive, Lumiya attempts to shoot Suzu down with blasters concealed within her hands. Leia attacks Lumiya, knocking her to the ground to prevent her from harming an unarmed individual. Leia then pursues Suzu, seeking to uncover the truth behind the situation. Lumiya fires her blasters at Leia, but the Princess manages to escape and finds Suzu hiding in a bombed-out building with several hungry and impoverished Herdessans. Suzu reveals to Leia that only those affiliated with the Guild have benefited from the planet's prosperity, while those outside their circle are subjected to torture or forced into slavery. Before Leia can decide how to address the situation, the hideout is raided by Lumiya and her security forces. The Herdessan rebels are quickly overwhelmed, falling swiftly to Lumiya's forces. Leia escapes the carnage, hoping to find a way to level the playing field.
Lumiya chases Leia through the streets, where Leia discovers that the middle class is too afraid to challenge the guild, resulting in a government that faces no opposition in its oppressive actions. Meanwhile, Mothma and the rest of the Alliance delegation are captured by the guild, who intend to sell them into slavery. Having allied themselves with the Galactic Empire, the guild drops the charade, and stormtroopers appear in the streets to suppress the minor uprising sparked by the shootout with the Herdessan rebels. Having lost track of Leia, Lumiya uses a loudhailer to order the populace to evacuate their homes so that they can ensure that no one is harboring the Princess. Leia and Suzu, having both evaded the Imperials, conceal themselves in nearby bushes, attempting to formulate a plan. Lumiya announces that if Leia is not captured within two minutes, she will begin executing the prisoners. When the time expires, Lumiya selects Finn from the group and prepares to execute him. Unable to watch her lover be killed, Suzu jumps out of the bushes and points behind her, indicating Leia's supposed location.
The stormtroopers search the bushes, but Leia and Suzu have outsmarted the Imperials. Leia emerges from the opposite side of the courtyard and opens fire, quickly freeing several of the captives and providing them with weapons. The Herdessans gradually begin to push back the Imperials, and Lumiya confronts Leia. The princess fires a blaster bolt at the cyborg, striking one of her power packs and causing an explosion that removes Lumiya from the battle. The tide of the battle completely shifts when the middle class finally decides to revolt, flanking the Imperial forces and capturing the guild members and their troops. With the battle won and many of the Imperials in custody, Mon Mothma informs Leia that it is time to leave—they must warn the rest of the Alliance that the Empire is continuing to operate at an increased capacity, even so soon after their recent defeat at Endor. Before the Alliance departs, Leia warns Suzu and Finn that Lumiya disappeared after the battle and that they should remain vigilant. From the bushes, Lumiya, severely damaged, vows that Leia will soon learn just how dangerous she truly is.