The Constancia Affair, a comic strip, was syndicated through the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and appeared in newspapers across the United States and Canada during 1979. Russ Manning both wrote and illustrated the series. The title wasn't official until Dark Horse Comics reprinted it as a comic book, exclusively for KB Toys, in 1998, calling it Star Wars Special: The Constancia Affair. Unlike other Russ Manning strips, it wasn't included in Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures.
It was one of the initial five story arcs of the strip, which were licensed by Black Falcon Ltd., a short-lived subsidiary of Lucasfilm.
C-3PO is recounting tales of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo to Mistress Mnemos, the BRT supercomputer.
C-3PO begins with a narrative set in the vastness of space. An Alliance to Restore the Republic vessel is obliterated by an Imperial-class Star Destroyer. Found in the debris are C-3PO and R2-D2. The droids are unsure of how they arrived there and express concerns about Luke's well-being. Just as their power is about to deplete, the Millennium Falcon appears, piloted by Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Gyla Petro. Chewbacca retrieves the droids, recharges them, and listens to C-3PO's account. Han, believing Luke is still alive, starts a search for him.
C-3PO informs Han that Luke was traveling with a passenger named Gamine and that they were en route to Constancia. As they approach Constancia, they encounter Imperial forces. Gyla expresses her reluctance to participate in the conflict, but Han proceeds to navigate the Millennium Falcon through Constancia's ring. All of the TIE Fighters pursuing the Millennium Falcon are destroyed during the chase. Within the icy ring, the Falcon discovers and enters a massive doorway.
Upon landing, Han is greeted by Sharlee, who informs him that they are now at Outpost 8. Luke and Gamine then enter the room and recount their arrival. Sharlee had rescued Luke using Outpost 8's tractor beam. Gamine, in an attempt to enlist Han's aid, shares her experiences with him telepathically. The Galactic Empire had threatened to destroy the Constancian's planet unless they used their telepathic abilities to assist them. However, the Rebel Alliance has devised a plan to assist them, and they must deliver that message to the planet.
Han consents to help and dons battle armor. Sharlee and Han board a life pod and exit the ring. As they traverse the ring, the Imperials detect them, prompting them to send out a distress signal. The Imperials intercept the life pod, and Han and Sharlee engage in combat, firing at the Imperials with their armor. The ship surrenders, and the Imperial fleet orders them to destroy the Falcon. Han and Luke eliminate the remaining TIE fighters and successfully land on the planet's surface. They are met with a grand celebration by the Constancians.
Mistress Mnemos interrupts the narrative, questioning the reason for the celebration. Gamine had arrived on the planet in time to save them, and eventually, statues were erected in their honor. C-3PO then proceeds to narrate the story of how Han first encountered Gyla.