Star Wars #12 marks the twelfth installment of the Marvel comic book series titled Star Wars. It also serves as the concluding chapter, the fifth issue, of the second story arc within the series, known as Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon. This particular issue, penned by Jason Aaron and visually brought to life by Stuart Immonen's artwork, was made available to the public on November 18, 2015.
- A face-off unfolds on the Smuggler's Moon! [1]
- Bonus: [Lightsabers](/article/lightsaber]! A plethora of Lightsabers! [1]
- And lastly: the unvarnished truth concerning Sana Solo! [1]
Han Solo, positioned advantageously, orders Dengar to back away from Chewbacca. Princess Leia Organa chimes in, noting that his supposed "wife" is trigger-happy. Unfazed, Dengar threatens to detonate a thermal detonator in their vicinity. However, Chewbacca intervenes, seizing Dengar and tossing him over the building's edge, resulting in an explosive disappearance.
Han inquires about Chewbacca's presence on Nar Shaddaa. The Wookiee explains that he's there to save Skywalker. C-3PO wonders if he was helpful while Leia urges them to pursue the TIE fighters squadron.
As TIE fighters close in on Grakkus the Hutt's Palace, the roggwart "Kongo" uses a cybernetic arm to seize Skywalker. Amidst the crowd's cheers, Skywalker wishes for Ben to work his magic. Just then, Kongo receives an electric shock from his collar.
Before Grakkus can respond, his three IG-100 MagnaGuards are taken out by Gamemaster, who declares the arena closed and the Hutt under arrest. TIE fighter pilots enter Grakkus' viewing box and the arena. Simultaneously, Squad Five neutralizes the remaining MagnaGuards, and R2-D2 retrieves Skywalker's lightsaber from Grakkus' storage.
As the TIE pilots escort Grakkus into the arena, the Hutt complains about Gamemaster's lack of "gratitude." The Imperial agent counters that only a Hutt would consider being spared as "kindness," revealing himself as an Imperial spy. Gamemaster states that the Empire is interested in his Jedi artifacts. Grakkus threatens to unleash the crowd, but Gamemaster retorts that he won't hesitate to shoot him.
Grakkus then unveils his secret weapon: "Arena Protocols Grakkus Five," a localized electromagnetic pulse weapon that disables the Imperials' blasters and communications. Using his strength and cybernetic legs, Grakkus attacks the Imperial TIE fighter pilots, revealing his combat skills. As the crowd places bets, a TIE fighter pilot requests backup, but Gamemaster explains that the EMP has limited communications.
At that moment, Kongo, now free from the shock collar, attacks the Imperials. Skywalker is seized by two TIE fighter pilots. However, R2-D2 launches Skywalker's lightsaber to him. Skywalker ignites the weapon and defeats the TIE pilots.
Concurrently, Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, and Starros enter Grakkus' palace as spectators flee from the rampaging roggwart "Kongo." Sana insists on staying with Solo, unwilling to lose her "investment." Solo and his allies attempt to use their blasters on Kongo, but they are ineffective. Leia spots stormtroopers ahead. Suddenly, they encounter R2-D2, who provides them with lightsabers.
Wielding lightsabers, Chewbacca, Solo, and Princess Leia defeat several stormtroopers. Luke Skywalker confronts Gamemaster, who tackles him. Gamemaster reveals himself as an undercover stormtrooper aiming to bring Skywalker into Imperial custody. However, he is interrupted when Grakkus seizes Gamemaster, intending to feed him to his creatures. Gamemaster grabs a lightsaber from Grakkus's neck and severs his mechanical limbs, causing him to fall.
Skywalker reunites with Han and R2-D2, who has recovered Ben's journal. Skywalker wishes to retrieve the holocrons from Grakkus' museum but is forced to escape when stormtroopers armed with functional blasters invade the arena.
Meanwhile, Leia rescues Sana Starros from the debris. Starros reveals that she isn't actually Solo's wife and that their marriage was part of a failed robbery. As Leia assists her out of the arena, Starros considers renegotiating their arrangement. After escaping the rampaging roggwart, the rebels and Starros leave Nar Shaddaa aboard the Millennium Falcon and Volt Cobra.
As stormtroopers take Grakkus into Imperial custody, Sergeant Kreel, having abandoned his Gamemaster persona, reports to Darth Vader. He informs the Sith Lord that Grakkus has aided in eliminating remnants of the Jedi, but the "boy" remains at large in the galaxy.
Vader questions him about the boy's identity, but Kreel is unable to provide a name. Vader, crushing a holocron, declares that the boy will be crushed like the rest of the Rebellion and asks the Sergeant to share all he knows. Simultaneously, Skywalker contemplates Kenobi's journal aboard the Falcon.