Star Wars #61 represents the sixty-first installment in the canon comic book series titled Star Wars. Kieron Gillen penned the story, Andrea Broccardo provided the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on February 6, 2019.
Accompanied by Clan Markona, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker journey to the Imperial Impound Yard on Novka aboard Scar Squadron's commandeered Imperial landing craft. Lacking the correct authorization code, the rebels crash their shuttle into the control tower, disabling it. With a damaged wing, the rebels, along with Clan Markona and their shuttle, enter the impound yard, swiftly eliminating the stormtrooper guards in a brief firefight. Sana Starros retrieves her confiscated vessel, the Volt Cobra, while Clan Markona boards a hijacked YT-2400 light freighter.
C-3PO, Han, Leia, Luke, and R2-D2 rendezvous with Qensog, a Herglic information dealer who communicates in an uncommon Huttese dialect, on Brentaal IV. C-3PO converses with Qensong, who initially displays anger, but C-3PO manages to soothe him and maintain eye contact. Qensong then provides C-3PO with the coordinates for the Alliance Fleet.
Skywalker, unfamiliar with Huttese, initially misinterprets Qensog's behavior as uncooperative. However, C-3PO clarifies that the Herglic was entirely helpful regarding the coordinates but disagreed about providing replacement leg plating. C-3PO mentions that he had to insist when a LOM-series protocol droid arrives with several silver leg plates.
Later, Skywalker informs Tula that his group is en route to meet Admiral Ackbar and the Home One. He furnishes the Markonas with the coordinates of General Hera Syndulla's ship, the Geist. Skywalker extends an invitation for the Markona Clan to accompany them to Ackbar, but Tula remains distressed by the indirect role Skywalker and his companions played in the demise of her father, Markona.
While acknowledging that Skywalker is not directly responsible for her father's death, she finds it difficult to look at Skywalker without being reminded of her loss. Before departing, she expresses gratitude for their kiss but declares it their last, without regrets. Sensing Skywalker's sadness over the breakup, Solo reassures him that it could have been far worse.
Skywalker agrees, but expresses relief that Tula is not like Dr Aphra. Starros expresses surprise that Luke harbored feelings for Aphra, commenting that Skywalker is fortunate that guys and Aphra do not mix. She jokes that Skywalker survived one Death Star and should not seek another.
While traveling to the Kaliida Nebula aboard the Volt Cobra, the rebels initially find no sign of the Home One. Skywalker fears they've walked into a trap, while Han wonders if C-3PO argued with the Herglic. Leia urges Han to remain calm as he transmits the transponder code to the Home One.
After a brief pause, they hear Admiral Ackbar's voice over the comlink as the Home One emerges from the nebula. Ackbar expresses his relief that Leia and her companions survived the assault on the Mako-Ta Space Docks. Leia is relieved that they have located the rebel fleet. The Volt Cobra docks inside the Home One's hangar, where Chewbacca greets Han.
Chewbacca reveals that he and the engineer Meorti have been repairing the Millennium Falcon since the events at Mako-Ta. Han is initially irritated that Chewbacca allowed a stranger to work on his ship but warms up to Chewie, telling him that he missed him while fingering his chance cube.
Meanwhile, Admiral Ackbar expresses his happiness that Princess Leia survived despite recent setbacks. Leia informs Ackbar that she has obtained several technical documents that will enable them to destroy Shu-Torun. Ackbar is uneasy about Leia potentially diverting rebel forces to pursue a personal vendetta against Queen Trios. Leia clarifies that this is a small-scale sabotage mission and that destroying the planet will significantly impact the Imperial economy. When Ackbar inquires about her plan, Leia replies, "with a plan they're never going to expect."
Returning to the late Thane Markona's Estate on Hubin, Sergeant Kreel questions his troops about the perimeter's security. Misty reports that they have successfully contained the thanraxes, shooting a lone thanrax taking its chance. Zuke jokes about going out to teach the creatures a lesson.
Kreel asks Aero about the progress in manufacturing a transmitter. Aero responds that the majority of the parts are counterfeit and suspects foul play. Kreel finds the butler droid MK-1 overly friendly. "Mic" informs Kreel that he sliced into their computers and discovered that the rebels are planning to attack Shu-Torun.
- UPC 759606081134; February 6 , 2019 ; Marvel Comics [1] 06111; Cover A; Jamal Campbell 06121; Cover B; Marte Gracia, Sara Pichelli 06131; Cover C; John Tyler Christopher