Star Wars #17 represents the seventeenth installment in the comic book series Star Wars published by Marvel. This particular issue, brought to life by writer Jason Aaron and artist Leinil Francis Yu, saw its release on March 23, 2016.
At the [Sunspot Prison](/article/sunspot_prison] facility, Princess Leia Organa, the smuggler Sana Starros, alongside their rebel troopers, successfully overwhelmed the IG-RM bodyguard and enforcer droids within the west sector. However, they then discovered that the mysterious intruder had seized control of the command center and taken the warden hostage. Communicating through a comlink, the intruder informs Princess Leia that his intention is not to facilitate a prison break, but rather to execute all the inmates. The warden scoffs at this notion, only to be struck by the intruder's pistol.
As the intruder attempts to provoke Leia, she and Starros urgently make their way to cell block seven, where they witness IG-RM droids systematically eliminating prisoners within their cells. Leia condemns the intruder's actions as murder, but he counters by reminding her that the prisoners are, in fact, war criminals. He argues that war holds no inherent nobility. While Starros finds herself somewhat swayed by the intruder's argument, she ultimately chooses to remain loyal to Leia as the intruder frees seventeen convicted murderers from their confinement.
Having squandered the Rebel Alliance's financial resources, Luke Skywalker manages to persuade a blue Twi'lek merchant to compensate him and Han Solo with 5,000 credits for transporting a cargo of nerfs aboard the Millennium Falcon. Han Solo expresses his annoyance with Skywalker's actions but agrees to proceed with the transportation job.
Returning to Sunspot Prison, Princess Leia and Starros manage to overpower several Imperial prisoners, including the notorious war criminal Kolar Ludd, a member of the Imperial Special Forces known for the destruction of entire villages. Leia and Starros lead the prisoners into Sector 9, only to have the intruder remotely seal the doors and activate the sun shield. The prisoners are instantly reduced to ashes by the star's intense heat.
The intruder then mocks Leia, asserting that her reluctance to stoop to the Empire's level of brutality will inevitably lead to the Rebellion's defeat. He openly embraces his role as a murderer. Leia demands to know the intruder's identity, but he replies that he has seen the true face of the enemy reflected in her eyes. He declares his intention to eliminate all the prisoners.
Simultaneously, in space, the Millennium Falcon finds itself pursued by a squadron of TIE fighters for the illegal transportation of livestock. Luke informs Han that they are delivering the nerfs to the impoverished Outer Rim planet of Ibaar, which is currently under Imperial sanctions. Luke and Han engage in a heated argument regarding the hyperdrive and the mess caused by the nerf droppings.
Back at Sunspot Prison, Chelli Lona Aphra is awakened from her slumber by an attack from an IG-RM droid. Fortunately, Princess Leia and Starros intervene, neutralizing the droid. Despite the existing animosity between Leia, Starros, and Aphra, they decide to set aside their differences and collaborate in order to defeat the "mad man" who has seized control of the prison.