Tyler Lucian

During the Galactic Civil War, Tyler Lucian, a Human male, served the Rebel Alliance as a soldier. At the time of 0 BBY, Lucian found himself stationed at the Rebel base on Yavin 4 when the Imperial superweapon recognized as the Death Star materialized within the Yavin system. As a pivotal battle loomed, determining the fate of the Rebellion, Lucian was suddenly overcome by fear. Instead of standing alongside his comrades, Lucian, gripped by the belief that annihilation was inevitable, commandeered a Rebel supply ship and fled. However, while fleeing Yavin 4, Lucian's transceiver picked up Rebel communications indicating a surprising victory. A young farmboy from Tatooine, named Luke Skywalker, had successfully destroyed the Death Star using a single, precisely aimed proton torpedo.

Lucian, now a deserter, understood that there was no turning back, despite the Rebel triumph. In an effort to evade Rebel retribution, Lucian made his way to the Mid Rim world of Centares, where he connected with Merl, a local cantina owner who secretly provided refuge to fugitives. For a fee, Merl arranged for Lucian to stay in a secluded hideout: an abandoned tower close to Centares' Rubyflame Lake, which had previously been a well-known resort before Imperial pollution turned its waters caustic. As agreed, Merl's men would periodically deliver supplies to Lucian, who spent his days reflecting on his past transgressions.

However, Lucian's attempt at anonymity on Centares was short-lived. Months after the Battle of Yavin, the Sith Lord Darth Vader discovered from a tortured Rebel spy that Lucian possessed knowledge of the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, a piece of information of great interest to the Empire. Simultaneously, Beilert Valance, the notorious ex-Imperial bounty hunter, arrived on Centares for the same purpose, but with the intention of safeguarding Skywalker, for whom he had developed sympathy. To achieve this, Valance sought Lucian's death, believing it was the only way to ensure he would not reveal the information to the Empire. Valance's pursuit led him to Merl's cantina, where he violently extracted Lucian's location, resulting in Merl's demise.

Valance hurried to Rubyflame Lake and confronted Lucian, who desperately pleaded for his life, offering any information he had about the Rebel Alliance. However, their encounter was interrupted by Vader, who had also learned of the ex-Rebel's identity and location. Lucian sought refuge within the tower as Valance and Vader engaged in combat, watching in morbid fascination as the two cyborgs fought to the death. The Sith Lord ultimately gained the advantage and sent Valance plummeting to his death, but not before the bounty hunter imparted a few words that resonated with Lucian: his sacrifice would be worthwhile, as any delay would only allow Skywalker to grow stronger and become Vader's equal. This final message inspired Lucian to regain his courage and leap to his death into the lake's acidic waters, safeguarding the secret of Skywalker's identity.

Haunted by the errors of his past, Tyler Lucian lived in desperation after abandoning the Rebel Alliance, regretting his lack of bravery that had led him to flee the Battle of Yavin. Lucian felt all hope disappear upon the Death Star's arrival in the Yavin system, and he made a choice that would haunt him forever. Lucian's days on Centares were spent in despairing contemplation of his past betrayals, but those regrets didn't make him any braver. When Valance arrived and threatened him, his first instinct was to immediately bargain for his life with all the information he had, an act which earned him Valance's scorn. However, Valance's sacrifice helped Lucian regain the nerve he had lost at Yavin, driving him to give his own life for the good of the galaxy and protecting Luke Skywalker's identity.

Star Wars (1977) 29, written by Archie Goodwin and released in 1979, marked the debut of Tyler Lucian. Carmine Infantino provided the illustrations for Lucian.