Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - The Special Edition

Star Wars Graphic Novelisations #6

by Archie Goodwin, Al Williamson, Carlos Garzón

Dark Horse presents the third thrilling chapter in the greatest space fantasy ever! The Emperor and Darth Vader make the final preparations to destroy the Rebel Alliance once and for all. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker, now a Jedi Knight, must rescue Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, from the palace of Jabba the Hutt. Shipping to coincide with the theatrical release of the third Star Wars Special Edition movie, this collection includes a 30-page gallery featuring the original pre-production sketches by Ralph McQuarrie, as well as production sketches of the Special Edition movie release.

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Marvel

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work. For Warren he was chief writer and editor of landmark horror anthology titles Creepy and Eerie, and for Marvel he set up the creator-owned Epic Comics as well as adapting Star Wars into both comics and newspaper strips. He is regularly cited as the "best-loved comic book editor, ever."

Reviews

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Τρίτο κόμικς της σειράς Star Wars που κυκλοφορεί σε προσφορά από την Καθημερινή της Κυριακής, στο οποίο παρακολουθούμε την ιστορία της τρίτης ταινίας (Επεισόδιο VI). Λοιπόν, η ιστορία εδώ είναι απλωμένη σε λιγότερες σελίδες σε σχέση με τα δυο προηγούμενα κόμικ και παρατήρησα ότι κάποιες σκηνές της ταινίας έλειπαν ενώ κάποιες άλλες ήταν πιο συντομευμένες. Τίποτα το τρομερά ενοχλητικό πάντως. Επίσης τον Τζάμπα αυτή την φορά τον βλέπουμε με την κανονική του μορφή, έτσι όπως τον "απολαύσαμε" στις δυο ταινίες. Το αναφέρω αυτό γιατί στο πρώτο κόμικ είδαμε έναν εντελώς διαφορετικό Τζάμπα. Η μεγάλη διαφορά του συγκεκριμένου τόμου σε σχέση με τους δυο προηγούμενους, είναι ότι υπάρχουν σαν μπόνους είκοσι σελίδες με ολοσέλιδα σκίτσα διαφόρων χαρακτήρων, σκηνών κλπ όλης της σειράς. Και είναι όλα τους ό,τι πρέπει για κορνιζάρισμα. Όσον αφορά το σχέδιο, είναι πολύ καλό και όμορφο, σαν αυτό του δεύτερου τόμου, ενώ ο χρωματισμός παραμένει εξαιρετικός. Ελπίζω να συνεχιστεί το όλο κόνσεπτ της Καθημερινής και να δούμε και άλλα κόμικς από το υπέροχο αυτό σύμπαν.

[OmniBen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review - for the 6 people in the world who don't know the plot)
Read as part of the Star Wwars Original Marvel Years omnibus 3.
I have never been the biggest Star Wars fan. For whatever reason, it was never on my radar growing up, and it wasn't until high school, with one of my good friends being a big Star Wars fan, did I start to understand this franchise and just how popular it really was. That said, despite being a dyed in the wool nerd, I still haven't gone all in on the Star Wars films. I think I've seen the original trilogy once each. Sacrilege I know, but hey, it's true. So whilst I was familiar with the story through vague memories of watching I two or so decades ago, as well as picking up most of it through some collective geek osmosis, There were a few things I didn't quite remember, and it was nice to have it refreshed.
Archie Goodwin did a fantastic job of taking what was, in my opinion, probably the lesser of the three original movies (although A New Hope isn't all that stellar either in my opinion), and turning it into a really, really good four issue mini series. All the necessary choice cuts are present and accounted for, with none of the fat. I'd need to watch the film again to be sure, but the lesser moments in RotJ are skimmed over, and instead, we have more time with Jabba, Yoda, Darth Vader and the Emperor, and not so much with the Ewoks.
The art is absolutely fantastic as well, and easily worth the price of admission alone. A sight gripe would be the addition of a finisher and inker on the final issue when it had been basically the sole domain of Al Williamson. Issue four wasn't bad per se, it was just different, and a little jarring and unnecessary to have an artistic change on the final issue.
Regardless, if you can track down the floppies, or look for it digitally, this is an excellent way to revisit a beloved story. They don't make Star Wars like this anymore. 4/5


OmniBen.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The TRUE sequel of Star Wars, originally subtitled "Revenge of the Jedi"; it was later changed to "Return of the Jedi" because of the fact that revenge is against the moral codes of the Jedi. It's the ultimate finale to the Star Wars trilogy, with the Rebels making a final stand on the forest moon of Endor, going up against a huge army of Imperial Star Destroyers, TIE Fighters, Stormtroopers and even a Super Star Executor-Destroyer. Also, an amazing ending that many fans still consider to be the true conclusion: Anakin Skywalker redeems himself in the final moments of his life by saving his son and destroying Darth Sidious, thus restoring balance to the force and avenging the fallen Jedi.

The story is well-written, filled with many iconic scenes including The Sarlacc Pit sequence (except for the way Boba Fett "dies" there is silly and disappointing as Han accidentally hits Boba's jetpack, which sends him flying, crashing, and then falling into the Sarlacc Pit, which then fricken BURPS! Fortunately, it was later confirmed in novelizations that Boba Fett managed to climb safely out of the Pit), the final duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, and the Battle of Endor, which is one of the most memorable and fantastic battles in the Star Wars universe, taking place both in space and on the ground. With Darth Sidious dead and the Galactic Empire toppled, the galaxy can now enter a new era of peace. We can visit many planets celebrating since from A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back such as Tatooine, Bespin, and Endor and even new ones will come up soon such as Naboo and Coruscant (my favorite). Palpatine, however, plans his strategy around breaking the morale of the Rebellion before destroying them utterly, which he sees as a means to the end of turning Luke to the Dark Side. At no point does he take into account the possibility that the Rebels might defeat his inefficiently deployed fleet, nor that Anakin might not like seeing his son tortured to death in front of him. Even Jabba's love of theatrics backfires with both the Rancor pit (whose concept is sound but the switch that controls the gate was left within reach of its victims) and the Sarlacc.

Luke, Han, Leia, and the other protagonists are still likable characters. Even the teddy bear-like ewoks/wickets are cute and lovable creatures, but in general, they feel out of place given how serious the trilogy has been so far and many consider that it was simply an attempt of the franchise to aim at children. The Ewoks should've been replaced by the Wookies and that the team should've been on Kashyyk instead of Endor; as it would've made much more sense for the Stormtroopers to lose to Wookies than some teddy bears. Also, several of the fights between the Stormtroopers and the Ewoks, who are so small they can't possibly pose a physical threat to full-grown men in armor. It looks like the Ewoks gently tap them to death. The intent was probably to show them gaining the upper hand in spite of their primitive equipment through sneaky guerrilla tactics, but it doesn't quite translate. Anyway, back to the topic: Obi-Wan Kenobi's appearance in the movie is especially memorable. The Emperor is also a very intimidating villain despite never lifting a finger throughout majority of the movie as you can feel how sinister he is as he mainly uses his words instead of his actions to draw you in; the other villains do some dumb things. Han Solo returns after being frozen in carbonite and captured by Boba Fett at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Luke finally completes his training with Yoda as he's become a patient, disciplined warrior who can match Darth Vader physically and intellectually. One notable example goes to Luke using the Force to lift C-3PO after his inability to lift his X-Wing in the previous film. Yoda's death, however, is sad and depressing. While he does start to touch upon the dark side since he uses Force Choke on two guards at Jabba's and defeats Vader with anger, he refuses to succumb to it and decides he would rather die a Jedi than become Vader. Luke's conversation with Darth Vader before meeting the Emperor is emotional. When Luke says that his father is truly dead, Darth Vader starts to feel sadness after hearing that. Then there's a really touching moment where Vader accepts death by having Luke take his helmet off so he can look at Luke with his own eyes and not the abomination he had become. He then admits to Luke about how he was right about him as a way of saying goodbye before passing away.

So there you have it, the amazing end to Star Wars, and maybe it was just me, but I don't think Disney's The Force Awakens and its many sequels are even necessary after this. Whatever. Who cares. Anyway, that's the end of my review for these comix.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a good story. But missing a few bits of story that was in the movie. I guess that is what happens with adaptations. Still not a fan of the "updated" art used in these comics collected reprints. If you are going to make a reprint make a reprint with original art and all otherwise you made a reboot.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

In terms of quality, this book is not as good as The Empire Strikes Back, suffering as it does from having fewer issues. Things are rushed, although if you hate Ewoks there are mercifully very few of them here. The art though is better than A New Hope, and as in the movie, Jabba's Palace is the best part.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 62-page graphic novelisation, drawn with moody backgrounds and an occasionally lurid palette. The story is a bit rushed once it reaches Endor, but for the most part this is an exciting, faithful retelling and a boon prior to home media release.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice adaptation of the movie. Recommended

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well put together comic adaptation and nicely presented.

I would recommend it to all comic and star wars fans.

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the movie and I used to love this comic which I have read and owned in different versions over the years. (Decades. Oh my.) Having reread this now I have to admit that this adaptation doesn't hold up that well to nostalgic memory.
The pacing of the story seems to be a bit off in places, dramatic moments in the movie don't really come across as such in the adaptation, sometimes it is not quite clear what exactly is going in in a panel and some elements are altogether missing (Yoda's death).
Still, it is Star Wars and that this adaptation is not perfect does not mean that it is bad.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wanted to own and read these Marvel comics of Star Wars. With the release of The Force Awakens the reprints of the original Classic Star Wars comics are for sale in Holland.
The drawings and text follow the plot with some slight exceptions which aren't distracting. The different issues are separated with larger drawing of different characters in Return of the Jedi

[Tony Romine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Return of the Jedi is the final installment of the original Star Wars trilogy. It was adapted into comic book form for Marvel Comics in 1983 as a 4 issue limited series and later collected into a graphic novel. The story concerns the Rebellion's attempt to destroy the second Death Star and end the Empire's reign of terror and Luke Skywalker finishing his Jedi training and confronting Darth Vader.

This adaptation is fairly standard for it's time. The artwork is from the same artist as the Empire Strikes Back comics, so it's really the stand out here. Unlike that comic though, Jedi is told in only 4 issues, not 6 and the story isn't as drawn out. It hits all the major points without losing the dramatic appeal of the film. The final fight between Luke and Vader is sort of cut short though, sort of glosses over how intense it really gets with Luke being pinned down. They also don't reveal at all what Vader looks like without the mask or even his ghost at the end, which I bet was something they weren't allowed to do to get people to go to the movie.

A fairly decent adaptation, but as with the others of the trilogy, not better than the film.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, if somewhat thin in places, adaptation of the film. This book followed the storyline, over several small books bound into one. What it didn't do was include the entire plot. Points I felt were important, such as Anakin's funeral, the whole party at the Ewok village at the end with the Force Ghosts, much of the battle of Endor, all were omitted.

I did like the additional dialogue. It expanded on plot points not covered in the movie, and provided insight at crucial moments. The art was amazing too. Detailed, vivid, but nuanced and highly evocative of the action. It really brought the scenes to life.

There was also a small section at the end showcasing original art, in black and white.

A wonderful adaptation of my favorite film of the series.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if it was just my copy but this was really hard to read. The type was really blurry and squashed together so I could hardly make out what the words were. The words were also really small which doesn't help.
A nice book but it'd be better if the text was a bit bigger and clearer. Makes a nice novelty item for Star Wars fans.
Also I'm not sure if this is just a comic book thing or what, but what's up with the randomly bolded words? Usually you bold something for emphasis so I don't understand why some words were bolded. It felt pretty random to me.

[Molly Lazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The speed at which the story is told, in four issues rather than six, makes everything feel especially exciting. I found this to be just as good as the film, though I do wish that there was more of Princess Leia in the book, as she had some great moments in the movie. Goodwin's script is incredibly epic in tone, giving a really legendary feel to the story. Chris Sotomayor's colors are stunning, as always.

[Maud · Rating 1 out of 5]

La adaptación de la tercera parte de la trilogía original de Star Wars. De alguna forma tiene un ritmo incluso peor que el de la película y arruina varias de las escenas más memorables. Completamente intrascendente.

[İyi Yaşa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was as good as the movie itself, to say the least...

[Jaime K · Rating 4 out of 5]

As compared to Classic ESB, this is better. I feel like more of the story is told and doesn't drag as much.

The art is good too.

[Kathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this installment and loved to see the movie visualized in comic form.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I love how vintage this feels. It was great. The art was stunning, but the type font was quite hard to read. Overall, it's a graphic adaptation of a film do it wasn't anything new.

[Punkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
So much shorter than the other two adaptations, but concept art as a bonus.😊

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how I spent Valentine's Day. But in honestly I really enjoyed this volume.

[Aaliyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished early a bit boring.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty faithful adaptation of the movie for only 4 issues. Some little things may be left out. I'd never suggest reading this first, but once you've already seen Jedi, this is a good refresher.

[Christopher Rush · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a confusing decision why they turned the longest movie into the shortest graphic novel adaptation: trimming it down from 4 issues to 6 probably seemed like a good idea, since much of what was trimmed included the lengthy lightsaber battle between Darth Vader and Luke - but the very ending is terribly rushed and anticlimactic. The absence of the shot of Anakin Skywalker (Sebastian Shaw, of course), Obi-Wan, and Yoda at the end is incredible. Similarly, the last time we see Yoda we are left with the impression he has just gone to sleep, not ascended into the Force. These omissions are disappointing. Many of the major scenes are also trimmed down to a small box or compressed far too much: Leia's destruction of Jabba, the time with the Ewoks, so much of Han's team assault on Endor - all of it is trimmed down to a bare summary, as if the creators of this one were either tired of the project or just felt "well, they've seen it already, they know how it goes, we can just hit the highlights." The treatment of Wicket is a good example: instead of showing how Leia and Wicket meet and all of that, we are told in a narrator box "this is the young Ewok that did this and did that and did this and now he's about to do this." Disappointing. Most of the dialogue is closer to the movie, which is a good thing, but unfortunately that actually makes the differences even more noticeable. Almost every key scene could have been done better had they continued the 6-issue adaptation pattern. The sketchbook history at the end is nice to get one's money's worth for the absence of quality adaptation, but it would have been better had they just been in the late '90s sketchbook releases (perhaps they are) and treated the movie with more attention and time and respect. It's worth reading but probably only because "it's Star Wars."

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completing my reading of the original trilogy Marvel adaptions, this suffers again with the issues that its siblings did, in that it was written and drawn from a shooting script with limited access to production stills. It also has some peculiar cuts (I don’t think this is an abridged version), with Leia killing Jabba removed completely (on one page he’s bellowing for Skywalker to be killed, the next Leia is trying to get away from his corpse) and she also doesn’t meet Wicket, instead appearing after the rest of the gang have been taken to the Ewok village. Some of the dialogue is off (Han refers to C3P0 as “Bright Eyes”, like he did in the “Empire” adaption) and some key sequences have been cut (Han & Leia in the Ewok village, plus her explaining to him that Luke is her brother). The strip moves at pace, though key sequences (the speeder bike sequence and the Death Star assault) are very truncated and some of the drawings are instantly recognisable from stills/production art of the film though I didn’t like the art style in general. Overall it’s good fun, like the others, but I wouldn’t call it a full adaption by any means. Worth a look.

[Todd Bauerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third volume in Marvel's retelling of the Original Trilogy comic adaptations, you find the same high quality content. This comic adaptation has a special place in my heart. I remember getting each new issue, and discovering the fourth and final issue in the trunk of my mom's car while grocery shopping.

I read those pages until the covers came off. Then I read the collected edition with the blue cover released later that year. I still have those old books, and I was glad to get this new edition as well.

This is a must have for a collector, and all three look splendid on the shelf next to the new Marvel Epic Legends collection. I sincerely hope Marvel co iTunes this tradition with the prequel adaptations soon.

[Lorien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like the previous comics from the original trilogy this was released before the movie. As such this was just like the others in that key moments that made this movie great, as well as my favorite, are missing. The battle is skipped over entirely, settling for poor narration instead of brilliant visuals I expect and demand of the comics I read. Lots of key moments for characters are missing, such as the death of Yoda, Vader's reveal, Han's moment with Leah at the generator, and everything with Wicket. All but a few shots of the battle are skipped. It's just... Lame.

I would say it's the age when the comic came out, but the first volume was better. I've read it but that's all that I can say for it. Very blah and poorly done.

[Mikepottz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Issue #4. General Lando in the magnificent, gorgeous Millennium Falcon leading the Rebel campaign. Awesome TIE fighters in action. A duel of Luke and Vader, lightsabres slicing through the air. Luke has gained much strength and ability since the last duel with his father. Luke doesn't want to hurt him but an overwhelming frenzy consumes him. Luke severs his father's arm and stares at the great body, more mechanical than flesh. The Emperor tries using the force but Vader saves his son and tosses the Emperor into the abyss below. A tender moment of Luke seeing his dad's face. All restored this comic series has been captivating, illustrations beyond impressive and a nice thing to have in the collection.

[Kelly K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Again, this was from the original Marvel comic run.

The main problem that I had specifically with this volume, was how quick the end was. The final fight with Vader was the most important scene in the whole damn saga and this just glanced over it. My favorite part of the whole film is the final discussion Luke has with Vader and I feel this was done poorly in the comic.

A problem that I had with the whole series in comic form was that they gave Luke a damn 8-pack and Leia size G breasts. Completely inaccurate and unnecessary.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3538739.html

The comic adaptation of Return of the Jedi has only four issues, rather than the six for the two previous films. The action sequences, which are after all the main point, are well done.

In general I approve of the tightening up, yet I felt that we skipped a couple of interesting points here; most notably the ghost scene at the end with the shades of Anakin, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi is absent, and though it's a bit silly I felt it gave closure to the story.