Star Wars issue number 56 represents the fifty-sixth installment in the Star Wars comic book series (from 2015). This particular issue was penned by Kieron Gillen, featured artwork by Andrea Broccardo, and was released to the public on November 7, 2018 through Marvel Comics.
"THE ESCAPE" BEGINS! Following the catastrophe of "HOPE DIES," our protagonists find themselves fleeing. Is it possible for them to evade the patrols? The answer is no. They find themselves cornered on a remote planet. Where have they been left? How can they possibly make it through this?
On the Outer Rim planet named Barnahof, a stormtrooper patrol enters a local cantina in search of the wanted individuals: Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo. Sana Starros declares that she hasn't seen the fugitives, who are actually concealed beneath her table. One stormtrooper points out that there is clearly enough room and beverages for more than just her and her Nuxan companion, Bodo Linx. Starros successfully persuades the Imperials to depart by emphasizing the Nuxan's powerful odor.
After the stormtroopers have gone, Solo complains about being forced to flee without enjoying a Rodian Splice. Since the rebels haven't been able to establish communication with the Rebel Alliance, Bodo suggests utilizing his connections on Brentaal IV. Leia expresses her gratitude to Bodo for his assistance, but the Nuxan responds that the Galactic Empire excels at turning "amoral monsters" like himself against their own kind. Solo questions whether that remark was directed at him, but Bodo reminds the smuggler of his history as a mercenary. Before they part ways, Bodo comments that Leia and Luke appear to be rogues, to which Leia jokes that he means they need to bathe.
En route to the spaceport, Starros reaffirms her dedication to the rebel cause. Solo is distressed about the loss of his ship, the Millennium Falcon, but Luke attempts to reassure him that their contact on Brentaal will assist them in reuniting with their ship, Chewbacca, and Admiral Ackbar. Solo remains pessimistic, given that numerous individuals are after the Falcon, including the ship's previous owner, Lando Calrissian.
While piloting the Volt Cobra toward Brentaal IV, Starros informs her passengers that she is the captain, and they are the cargo, dismissing any notion of having a co-pilot. Given that the hyperspace routes leading to Brentaal IV are heavily patrolled, Starros suggests navigating through the Dene Gois Cluster to reach a hyperspace beacon without attracting Imperial attention.
Upon their arrival in the Dene Gois Cluster, Luke inquires about their location. C-3PO, who is secured to R2-D2, informs them that they are in the densest known collection of stable moons, making it an ideal route for smugglers. C-3PO asks about getting new legs, but Han instructs R2-D2 to wheel him away. Before Starros can continue their journey to Brentaal IV, they come across an Imperial Star Destroyer.
In order to avoid conflict with the Empire, Starros suggests concealing the ship behind a planet. However, Leia believes that the Empire has already detected them and that they must flee. Solo proposes that Starros allow the group to eject in an escape pod and hide on the nearby isolationist moon of Hubin. Starros agrees to use the moon's shadow to mask the fact that they ejected. Her strategy is to withstand the Imperial scans long enough to return and retrieve them once the Star Destroyer has departed.
The rebels and droids board an escape pod, despite C-3PO's objections. Sana launches the escape pod toward the moon Hubin, which is covered in forests. After landing, the rebels encounter a large, furry predator called a thanrax, which pursues them. The rebels are rescued by a group of armored hunters, who drive the thanrax away. The hunter's leader demands to know their purpose on Hubin. Princess Leia claims that their ship sustained damage, forcing them to eject in their escape pod. The lead hunter decides to offer shelter to the stranded offworlders.
Later, a humanoid droid mixes various toxins under the instructions of his master. While serving the rebels, he explains that Master Solo's Rodian Splice contains several poisonous elements that must be used in precise proportions to render them safe. He mentions that he has made a few "intelligence" replacements and hopes they will be adequate. Solo expresses his gratitude to the droid and remarks that he could get used to this.
- UPC 759606081134; November 7 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 05611; Cover A; Jamal Campbell 05621; Cover B; Rod Reis 05631; Cover C; John Tyler Christopher