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Marvel Star Wars (1977-1986) #50-67
Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago... Vol. 3
Collects Star Wars (1977) #50-67, Star Wars Annual (1979) #2. Discover – or rediscover – these stories written shortly after the release of the motion picture The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial officers plot against Darth Vader, Leia fights alone on a world that has never felt the Empire's threat, Lando Calrissian and Lobot battle to save their beloved Cloud City and many more. It's a big galaxy, and these adventures go far beyond what you saw in the films!
469 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2011
17 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Chris Claremont
3,275 books890 followersChris Claremont is a writer of American comic books, best known for his 16-year (1975-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industry's most successful properties.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
Claremont has written many stories for other publishers including the Star Trek Debt of Honor graphic novel, his creator-owned Sovereign Seven for DC Comics and Aliens vs Predator for Dark Horse Comics. He also wrote a few issues of the series WildC.A.T.s (volume 1, issues #10-13) at Image Comics, which introduced his creator-owned character, Huntsman.
Outside of comics, Claremont co-wrote the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy, Shadow Moon (1995), Shadow Dawn (1996), and Shadow Star (1999), with George Lucas. This trilogy continues the story of Elora Danan from the movie Willow. In the 1980s, he also wrote a science fiction trilogy about female starship pilot Nicole Shea, consisting of First Flight (1987), Grounded! (1991), and Sundowner (1994). Claremont was also a contributor to the Wild Cards anthology series.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 15, 2020
The art for Marvel 50-67 is better than a lot of the art before this. Walter Simonson did most (if not all) of the penciling for these, and his work is very good.
There is a bit less of "previous issue" notes, but there are still enough to be annoying. If I don't know a part of the past story--ESPECIALLY as it pertains to the movies!-- that's my fault.
I initially gave this 4 stars, but it is a solid 3.5. Maybe not bad enough to drop to a 3, but my goodness. Why is so much happening in the one-year interim, especially since the "go after Han" continuously is an afterthought?
50. The Crimson Forever
- Good artwork and colours
-Crimson Forever is a plague that begins by turning the eyes red and then the entire body (a death sentence). It's caused by two jewels are separated.
- Luke is the only one to recover from it. The Force, perhaps?
51. Resurrection of Evil
- Good art and colours
- The Rebels are looking for bases but learn of a creation worse than the Death Star - The Tarkin.
- Vader sets a trap for Luke...and his officers plot against him.
52. To Take the Tarkin
- Good art and colours
- R2 tricking the computer about a fire was perfect and so R2
- Leia "fixing" the laser cannon was also great.
53. The Last Gift of Alderaan
- Good art but too much text
- Leia crashes in the Shiva system, where there are warriors of 12 tribes in a newfound alliance against outcasts.
- I like how, at first, Leia and the others didn't understand each other.
54. Starfire Rising
- Still too much text
-The warrior leader Aron falls in love with Leia during their capture. I know he's known her a few months, but hello! He's married! His wife is a good character though.
- AND Leia reminds them of their kids. So she's half Aron's age at least and yet he still "loves" her? That is gross.
- Then Leia cries cause she's never killed before. Um. Yes she has, she's been in the midst of war for four years, not just in the background like Aron thinks.
- Chewie, Luke & Lando come to the rescue.
55. Plif!
- I love the colouring!
- Leia & Chewie are looking for a new base and find Hoojibs, a small telepathic race whose speaker is Plif. The Hoojibs made me think of Ikrit form the JJK series :)
- The Hoojibs are willing to share their planet
56. Coffin in the Clouds and 57. Hello, Bespin, Goodbye!
- More great art and colours
- Lando goes to Bespin only to find something wrong. Lobot is acting odd and the Empire has used the Ugnaughts as slaves.
- Why do they call him "The" or "A" Lobot? That phrasing is on and off.
- Shira. Brie. Can I kill her now?
- Things I wouldn't have likely caught before 2020: The Ugnaughts tell Lando they'll lynch him. My goodness.
58. Sundown!
- Leia and the others plan to hide the fleet inside the sun with help from the Hoojibs.
- The heat causes unexpected instability (too much too soon) and R2 and 3PO come to the rescue :)
- Luke and Lando are on a mission of their own.
59. Bazarre
- Luke & Lando search for black market TIEs and fall into a trap by someone who's taken umbrage with Lando.
60. Shira's Story
- The Rebels use the TIEs to attack the Empire
- Shira concocts a b.s. story of her past. Granted, if I didn't know her future, I wouldn't know it was b.s. but still...
61. Screams in the Void
- This one had too many 'last issue' notes
- Leia feels odd about Shira Brie. Huh, WONDER WHY
- Admiral Geil thwarts the Rebels' TIE plan
- Luke shoots Shira down, thinking she was an enemy
62. Pariah! and 63. The Mind Spider
- GREAT. ART.
- Luke has really matured in the Force and in his reactions to things. This shows it well.
- Also done well is the portrayal of pilots' feelings when one of their own is shot down by one of their own.
- Chewie helps Luke escape and find answers on Shira's "home" but more questions are found as Luke learns of Shira's deceit. Then it becomes a fight to leave so that Chewie and Luke can bring back the damning evidence.
64. Serphidian Eyes
- I love the vibrant colour! Though Luke looks odd
- The first page was done very well
- Luke needs to change the mind of Serphidi king, a tyrant, to help him aid the Rebellion
65. Golrath Never Forgets and 66. The Water Bandits
- Great detail with the art!
- The stones of a former Rebel base hold memories and images of the Rebels being there. Luke and Leia go with others to try to get the stones before the Empire arrives.
- Luke almost kissing Leia, at this point, is OOC. Leia flying a Y-Wing is just odd.
- Giel is cunning and a good Imperial officer. He's actually a favourite villain within these comics.
- Luke couldn't go to hyperspace and lands on a planet. He's mistaken for a brigand but is rescued by a local - who I didn't trust at first because she was captured by the brigands immediately after.
Annual #2: Shadeshine!
- The art was too round, more cartoon-like.
- On Ventooine, Luke and Lando are looking for Shadeshine, an energy source. But they find out that Han, a savior on the planet, destroyed it years ago.
- Han looked like Indiana Jones with a green cape, which made me laugh.
- Satabs, tyrants and life suckers, use Shadeshine for their evil ways - and the source has a dark secret of its own.
67. The Darker
- While the others come up with a way to find Han, R2 is lost in a tunnel the Hoojib have avoided. 3PO and Chewie follow with some Hoojibs in tow and find an underground city run by The Darker.
- 3PO discovers how to destroy the being with some series mind control.
There is a bit less of "previous issue" notes, but there are still enough to be annoying. If I don't know a part of the past story--ESPECIALLY as it pertains to the movies!-- that's my fault.
I initially gave this 4 stars, but it is a solid 3.5. Maybe not bad enough to drop to a 3, but my goodness. Why is so much happening in the one-year interim, especially since the "go after Han" continuously is an afterthought?
50. The Crimson Forever
- Good artwork and colours
-Crimson Forever is a plague that begins by turning the eyes red and then the entire body (a death sentence). It's caused by two jewels are separated.
- Luke is the only one to recover from it. The Force, perhaps?
51. Resurrection of Evil
- Good art and colours
- The Rebels are looking for bases but learn of a creation worse than the Death Star - The Tarkin.
- Vader sets a trap for Luke...and his officers plot against him.
52. To Take the Tarkin
- Good art and colours
- R2 tricking the computer about a fire was perfect and so R2
- Leia "fixing" the laser cannon was also great.
53. The Last Gift of Alderaan
- Good art but too much text
- Leia crashes in the Shiva system, where there are warriors of 12 tribes in a newfound alliance against outcasts.
- I like how, at first, Leia and the others didn't understand each other.
54. Starfire Rising
- Still too much text
-The warrior leader Aron falls in love with Leia during their capture. I know he's known her a few months, but hello! He's married! His wife is a good character though.
- AND Leia reminds them of their kids. So she's half Aron's age at least and yet he still "loves" her? That is gross.
- Then Leia cries cause she's never killed before. Um. Yes she has, she's been in the midst of war for four years, not just in the background like Aron thinks.
- Chewie, Luke & Lando come to the rescue.
55. Plif!
- I love the colouring!
- Leia & Chewie are looking for a new base and find Hoojibs, a small telepathic race whose speaker is Plif. The Hoojibs made me think of Ikrit form the JJK series :)
- The Hoojibs are willing to share their planet
56. Coffin in the Clouds and 57. Hello, Bespin, Goodbye!
- More great art and colours
- Lando goes to Bespin only to find something wrong. Lobot is acting odd and the Empire has used the Ugnaughts as slaves.
- Why do they call him "The" or "A" Lobot? That phrasing is on and off.
- Shira. Brie. Can I kill her now?
- Things I wouldn't have likely caught before 2020: The Ugnaughts tell Lando they'll lynch him. My goodness.
58. Sundown!
- Leia and the others plan to hide the fleet inside the sun with help from the Hoojibs.
- The heat causes unexpected instability (too much too soon) and R2 and 3PO come to the rescue :)
- Luke and Lando are on a mission of their own.
59. Bazarre
- Luke & Lando search for black market TIEs and fall into a trap by someone who's taken umbrage with Lando.
60. Shira's Story
- The Rebels use the TIEs to attack the Empire
- Shira concocts a b.s. story of her past. Granted, if I didn't know her future, I wouldn't know it was b.s. but still...
61. Screams in the Void
- This one had too many 'last issue' notes
- Leia feels odd about Shira Brie. Huh, WONDER WHY
- Admiral Geil thwarts the Rebels' TIE plan
- Luke shoots Shira down, thinking she was an enemy
62. Pariah! and 63. The Mind Spider
- GREAT. ART.
- Luke has really matured in the Force and in his reactions to things. This shows it well.
- Also done well is the portrayal of pilots' feelings when one of their own is shot down by one of their own.
- Chewie helps Luke escape and find answers on Shira's "home" but more questions are found as Luke learns of Shira's deceit. Then it becomes a fight to leave so that Chewie and Luke can bring back the damning evidence.
64. Serphidian Eyes
- I love the vibrant colour! Though Luke looks odd
- The first page was done very well
- Luke needs to change the mind of Serphidi king, a tyrant, to help him aid the Rebellion
65. Golrath Never Forgets and 66. The Water Bandits
- Great detail with the art!
- The stones of a former Rebel base hold memories and images of the Rebels being there. Luke and Leia go with others to try to get the stones before the Empire arrives.
- Luke almost kissing Leia, at this point, is OOC. Leia flying a Y-Wing is just odd.
- Giel is cunning and a good Imperial officer. He's actually a favourite villain within these comics.
- Luke couldn't go to hyperspace and lands on a planet. He's mistaken for a brigand but is rescued by a local - who I didn't trust at first because she was captured by the brigands immediately after.
Annual #2: Shadeshine!
- The art was too round, more cartoon-like.
- On Ventooine, Luke and Lando are looking for Shadeshine, an energy source. But they find out that Han, a savior on the planet, destroyed it years ago.
- Han looked like Indiana Jones with a green cape, which made me laugh.
- Satabs, tyrants and life suckers, use Shadeshine for their evil ways - and the source has a dark secret of its own.
67. The Darker
- While the others come up with a way to find Han, R2 is lost in a tunnel the Hoojib have avoided. 3PO and Chewie follow with some Hoojibs in tow and find an underground city run by The Darker.
- 3PO discovers how to destroy the being with some series mind control.
March 14, 2015
You accept the fact that these comics are non-canonical, it's harder to accept the continuity errors inherent in the comics themselves; Luke's powers wildly fluctuating from issue to issue being the most egregious example.
March 1, 2019
I truly enjoy these old school Star Wars comics. I used to collect them when I was a kid and it's a blast to go back now and read them again. The stories are fun and I am a fan of the art style from then.
February 2, 2014
In this third of the series of Marvel Star Wars comics collected in omnibus editions by Dark Horse Comics, there are two major areas that make this a volume well-worth reading. These two elements are better artwork and Lumiya.
In the comics collected in Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago... Volume Three, the improved artwork that began getting better and better around the time of Marvel's adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, managed to improve even more, and maintain this high standard. Of course, when Frank Miller worked on some of the issues, that is no surprise. Whatever one thinks of Miller's overly dark story lines, his art is top-notch.
Really, it's hard to say enough praise for the art in these issues. There is an absence of the generally cartoonish look from early issues. These comics have consistent renderings that captured the look of the characters from the films. To be sure, the artwork still has some issues. Luke is the main problem as he is very inconsistently drawn. And his '80's hair is even worse than in the first two actual films. But the rest, such as Han (when he comes in via flashback as he's in carbonite at this point), Leia, Lando, and especially Chewbacca, are very nicely rendered. Especially Chewie. Oh my goodness, the early issues had Chewie looking like some guy in a furry costume with eye slits in the suit. The character was drawn so badly I winced at times when seeing him. But since Empire's adaptation, he has been superbly drawn.
As for the other major element of the collected issues in the omnibus, that is the most interesting development. Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith, is not yet introduced as such, but Shira Brie (Lumiya before she takes up the name) is introduced, and the first act of her story against Luke is completed. There isn't much to see here, but the fact that she has made an appearance at all is good as far as I'm concerned. She's my, bar-none, favorite “expanded universe” Star Wars character from the Marvel Comics era. She has been recently re-introduced in the novels, but I don't pay attention to those overly dark and edgy stories. This is the Shira Brie I remember, and I'm happy to see her introduced.
The quality of storytelling, and yet loss of the intangible “fun” of the galaxy far, far away that I identified in the previous review is still noticeable, but the incredibly beautiful artwork and introduction of Shira mostly make up for any loss of nostalgic first-movie fun.
Highly Recommended.
In the comics collected in Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago... Volume Three, the improved artwork that began getting better and better around the time of Marvel's adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, managed to improve even more, and maintain this high standard. Of course, when Frank Miller worked on some of the issues, that is no surprise. Whatever one thinks of Miller's overly dark story lines, his art is top-notch.
Really, it's hard to say enough praise for the art in these issues. There is an absence of the generally cartoonish look from early issues. These comics have consistent renderings that captured the look of the characters from the films. To be sure, the artwork still has some issues. Luke is the main problem as he is very inconsistently drawn. And his '80's hair is even worse than in the first two actual films. But the rest, such as Han (when he comes in via flashback as he's in carbonite at this point), Leia, Lando, and especially Chewbacca, are very nicely rendered. Especially Chewie. Oh my goodness, the early issues had Chewie looking like some guy in a furry costume with eye slits in the suit. The character was drawn so badly I winced at times when seeing him. But since Empire's adaptation, he has been superbly drawn.
As for the other major element of the collected issues in the omnibus, that is the most interesting development. Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith, is not yet introduced as such, but Shira Brie (Lumiya before she takes up the name) is introduced, and the first act of her story against Luke is completed. There isn't much to see here, but the fact that she has made an appearance at all is good as far as I'm concerned. She's my, bar-none, favorite “expanded universe” Star Wars character from the Marvel Comics era. She has been recently re-introduced in the novels, but I don't pay attention to those overly dark and edgy stories. This is the Shira Brie I remember, and I'm happy to see her introduced.
The quality of storytelling, and yet loss of the intangible “fun” of the galaxy far, far away that I identified in the previous review is still noticeable, but the incredibly beautiful artwork and introduction of Shira mostly make up for any loss of nostalgic first-movie fun.
Highly Recommended.
May 30, 2016
5 stars
Nice to read more stories from Star Wars. Nice to see Leia, Luke, Chewbacca, Lando, and everyone else again. Interesting that Shira Brie was an Imperial agent. Wonder if she will ever come back. Hope they will be able to rescue Han soon. Which they will. Haha.
Can't wait to read more Star Wars comics!!!
Nice to read more stories from Star Wars. Nice to see Leia, Luke, Chewbacca, Lando, and everyone else again. Interesting that Shira Brie was an Imperial agent. Wonder if she will ever come back. Hope they will be able to rescue Han soon. Which they will. Haha.
Can't wait to read more Star Wars comics!!!
October 13, 2020
WARNING! Potential Spoilers approach!
Volume Three of the 'A Long Time Ago...' series of Star Wars comics is where the real fun begins for me. Set after The Empire Strikes Back, this collection of Marvel Comics from the 1980s has some of best story-arcs of the entire run during the Original Trilogy.
Such stories include:
- The Crimson Forever: A four-part miniseries that partially wraps up the storyline of the Tagge household from the previous volume.
- Resurrection of Evil and To Take the Tarkin: An interesting storyline where the Empire constructs basically Death Star 1.5 before the construction of Death Star II from Return of the Jedi (Begs the question, where do those the Empire get the materials and money to manufacture these moon-sized space stations of such incredible power?) and the Alliance has to launch a strike-team into it to destroy it. As usual, Darth Vader is overseeing the construction in order to capture Luke, but the twist is a considerable amount of high-ranking Imperial Officers are determined to assassinate the Dark Lord of the Sith out of revenge.
- The Last Gift from Alderaan and Starfire Rising: A slightly odd storyline for Princess Leia, but in retrospect, it helps solidify her conviction and determination in other stories as she wants to make sure the Empire never destroys another civilization like her homeworld of Alderaan. Basically, Leia crashlands on a primordial world that is right out of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'Barsoom' novels with a dash of Robert E. Howard mixed in. She uncovers an Imperial conspiracy against the ruling family on the planet and must rise to the occasion to defeat the conspirators without the help of Luke and Lando, mostly.
- Plif!: One of my favorite characters is introduced, who appropriately is the titular character in the story. Leia and a group of Rebels investigate a potential world to establish a secret base on and encounter Hoojibs, which turn out to be tiny telepathic bunnies that eat energy who have been driven from their ancestral home by a winged Kaiju-like monster. Plif himself is basically the spokesperson for his people (or whatever the terminology is) and aside from being an adorable rabbit-like animal, he has an interesting personality.
- The Return to Cloud City arc: Lando returns to Cloud City to find it completely empty after the events of Episode V. The story greatly expands the alien race briefly introduced in Empire known as the Ughnaughts (Not sure I spelled that right), who were the workers in the Carbonite Chamber in Empire Strikes Back. The comics establish also that Bespin's ecology is different from the gas giant planets in our system, as it has an inhabitable land similar to Dagobah. Also, the character of Shira Brie is introduced in this storyline.
- Sundown: Probably one of the more outlandish storylines in the volume. Leia basically wants to hide the entire Rebellion Fleet inside a star in order to protect it from discovery and causing a repeat of the battle of Hoth.
- Bazaare: Luke and Lando attempt to purchase Imperial TIE Fighters from a shady dealer for future Alliance operations and encounter trouble.
- The Screams in the Void arc: After a desperate raid on an Imperial Armada, Luke is framed for murder by Vader and he must exonerate himself by discovering Shira's true identity.
-Serphidian Eyes: A completely pointless story-line that is just filler and doesn't really fit into the timeline of the comics.
- Golrath Never Forgets and The Water Bandits: A satisfying resolution to the Screams in the Void arc involving Luke's trial as well as resolution to why the Rebellion moved from Golrath to Arbra, plus another good adventure for Luke Skywalker.
Shadeshine!: An odd flashback-story involving Han Solo.
The Darker: An attempt at some horror in the Star Wars universe. It's definitely not a Ridley Scott sci-fi/horror film, though.
All in all, a great volume of Star Wars Legends universe. I recommend getting a copy of it.
May the Force be with You!
Volume Three of the 'A Long Time Ago...' series of Star Wars comics is where the real fun begins for me. Set after The Empire Strikes Back, this collection of Marvel Comics from the 1980s has some of best story-arcs of the entire run during the Original Trilogy.
Such stories include:
- The Crimson Forever: A four-part miniseries that partially wraps up the storyline of the Tagge household from the previous volume.
- Resurrection of Evil and To Take the Tarkin: An interesting storyline where the Empire constructs basically Death Star 1.5 before the construction of Death Star II from Return of the Jedi (Begs the question, where do those the Empire get the materials and money to manufacture these moon-sized space stations of such incredible power?) and the Alliance has to launch a strike-team into it to destroy it. As usual, Darth Vader is overseeing the construction in order to capture Luke, but the twist is a considerable amount of high-ranking Imperial Officers are determined to assassinate the Dark Lord of the Sith out of revenge.
- The Last Gift from Alderaan and Starfire Rising: A slightly odd storyline for Princess Leia, but in retrospect, it helps solidify her conviction and determination in other stories as she wants to make sure the Empire never destroys another civilization like her homeworld of Alderaan. Basically, Leia crashlands on a primordial world that is right out of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'Barsoom' novels with a dash of Robert E. Howard mixed in. She uncovers an Imperial conspiracy against the ruling family on the planet and must rise to the occasion to defeat the conspirators without the help of Luke and Lando, mostly.
- Plif!: One of my favorite characters is introduced, who appropriately is the titular character in the story. Leia and a group of Rebels investigate a potential world to establish a secret base on and encounter Hoojibs, which turn out to be tiny telepathic bunnies that eat energy who have been driven from their ancestral home by a winged Kaiju-like monster. Plif himself is basically the spokesperson for his people (or whatever the terminology is) and aside from being an adorable rabbit-like animal, he has an interesting personality.
- The Return to Cloud City arc: Lando returns to Cloud City to find it completely empty after the events of Episode V. The story greatly expands the alien race briefly introduced in Empire known as the Ughnaughts (Not sure I spelled that right), who were the workers in the Carbonite Chamber in Empire Strikes Back. The comics establish also that Bespin's ecology is different from the gas giant planets in our system, as it has an inhabitable land similar to Dagobah. Also, the character of Shira Brie is introduced in this storyline.
- Sundown: Probably one of the more outlandish storylines in the volume. Leia basically wants to hide the entire Rebellion Fleet inside a star in order to protect it from discovery and causing a repeat of the battle of Hoth.
- Bazaare: Luke and Lando attempt to purchase Imperial TIE Fighters from a shady dealer for future Alliance operations and encounter trouble.
- The Screams in the Void arc: After a desperate raid on an Imperial Armada, Luke is framed for murder by Vader and he must exonerate himself by discovering Shira's true identity.
-Serphidian Eyes: A completely pointless story-line that is just filler and doesn't really fit into the timeline of the comics.
- Golrath Never Forgets and The Water Bandits: A satisfying resolution to the Screams in the Void arc involving Luke's trial as well as resolution to why the Rebellion moved from Golrath to Arbra, plus another good adventure for Luke Skywalker.
Shadeshine!: An odd flashback-story involving Han Solo.
The Darker: An attempt at some horror in the Star Wars universe. It's definitely not a Ridley Scott sci-fi/horror film, though.
All in all, a great volume of Star Wars Legends universe. I recommend getting a copy of it.
May the Force be with You!
April 7, 2016
50. The Crimson Forever
This story got off to a little bit of a weird/slow start, but quickly picked up. I enjoyed the new characters and the humor that was involved, especially chewy being treated like a baby. The art seemed to be average for that time period with solid detail. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
51. Resurrection of Evil
Wow, something more powerful then the deathstar who would ever think of such a thing. There is not much to this except vader using the force to walk some poor major out into the vacuum of space. The rebel are still looking for another base and Han Solo. My rating for this issue is 4.0 out of 5.0.
52. To Take the Tarkin
Wow, the shire size of the tarkin is incredible which seem to have a weapon as powerful as the death star. There are is some encounters that with Vader that show demonstrate the power of the force. I did like the cunning of the princess, smoothness of Lando and the resourcefulness of Luke. This made for a very solid story with a impactful ending My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
53. The last gift from Alderaan
There was some action and some romance, but mostly just relationship building. This is not all bad seeing that this story evoked quite a bit of emotion. The new character along with princess leia made for a great story line with nice surprise at the end. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
54. Starfire Rising
This has a feeling of Star wars a new hope. This is basically a princess leia story. There are quite a dew comparisons, far to many to name. I think the character of Lando is dead on and comes across very well. I enjoyed this story quite a bite and it really does a great job of showing emotions that make us human. My overall rating of this story is a 4.7 out of 5.0.
55. Blif!
This is an above story about a small creature that has lost his home to a larger creature. In this story Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance come to their rescue. While cute the creatures talk telepathically which is pretty cool. The lesson at the end of the story is what makes this worth reading. My rating on this issue is a 3.5 out of 5.0.
56. Coffin in the Clouds
Princess Leia seems have found something else suspicious. Luke Skywalker is running off to find Lando with some new female character. while all is going on Lando has found Cloud City deserted, Lobot has gone berserk and the city is littered with bombs. At the end of this issue Lando finds himself and quite a bit of trouble which spills into the next issue. My rating for this issue is 4.1 out of 5.0.
57. "Hello, Bespin, Good-Bye!"
There was an actual ugnaught sighting in this story. Luke Skywalker also comes to the rescue and we get a chance to see him use the force. this was a rather interesting story were we got to see Lando interact with the ugnaughts, rather enjoyable. I would have to say above average. My rating for this issue is a 3.5 out of 5.0.
58. Sundown!
When hiding your space ships inside of the sun there has to be a calculated risk involved. The princess decided to walk the line in this issue but, it a good thing C3-po and R2 were there to save the day. A strange story nonetheless but it came together at the end. My rating for this issue is 4.2 out of 5.0.
59. Bizarre
Looks like luke and lando has dealings with a real weasel. They still manage to think ahead and get themselves out of this one. There is really not much more to this story except luke looking for Tie Fighters. My rating for this issue is 4.0 out of 5.0.
60. Shira's Story
This story was really intriguing because we get to see how Shira joined the rebel alliance. There is a good amount of action and it seems that someone has feelings for Luke. I enjoyed this story about her life and thought it had a good glow. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
61. Screams in the Void
This one was very strange involving some interesting creatures. It's hard to describe without giving away the main plot. I will say that they did a great job at building suspense as you will look forward to the next issue. my rating for this issue is 4.0 out 5.0.
62. Pariah!
We definitely find out some important information that will allow Luke to maintain his hero status. There is also some cool expressive art the had some real emotional appeal. I can't forget Chewy's heroics which are always well placed. my rating for this issue is 4.7 out 5.0.
63. The Mind Spider
It appears Luke as stumbled upon some huge secerets which could very well clear his name. The path is never easy when it come to a skywalker adventure and this is no different. He even has to go into dangerous territory which looks like a giant exo-skeloton of a spider. My rating for this story is 4.4 out of 5.0.
64. Serphidian Eyes
This story has Star Wars written all over from the alien creatures to the inside dealing of government. I thought this was a really interesting story with good characters and a neat plot line. My rating for this issue is 4.8 out of 5.0. Very enjoyable read.
65. Golrath Never Forgets
Just check out these rocks and how they function. The Rebels seem to be in a little trouble to say the least and they have quite the mission a head of them. There is a imperial commander who may be in a little trouble with the dark lord. My rating for this issue is 4.1 out of 5.0.
66. The water bandits
What a great story that carries so much substance and so much of what star war is all about. I say the use of the force, a lightsaber and a decent villian. Most of all Iove the principle of faith being used in this stroy and how It provided a life changing blessing to the character who exhibited it. There were also countless others who benefited from the characters decision to believe. My rating for this issue is a 5.0 out of 5.0. Will come back to this story in the future.
Annual #2: Shadeshine!
Another interesting but odd story which absolutely taps into the personality of Han Solo. While not as good as the last issue it still manages to tell the story of greed and power. We also get a picture of just how dangerous the star wars universe really is. My rating for this issue is 3.8 out of 5.0.
67. The Darker
We actually get to end the story on an R2 and 3-po adventure. I would have to say that the creature was a little to sci-fi for me but the story was a little above average. My rating for this issue is 3.0 out of 5.0.
This story got off to a little bit of a weird/slow start, but quickly picked up. I enjoyed the new characters and the humor that was involved, especially chewy being treated like a baby. The art seemed to be average for that time period with solid detail. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
51. Resurrection of Evil
Wow, something more powerful then the deathstar who would ever think of such a thing. There is not much to this except vader using the force to walk some poor major out into the vacuum of space. The rebel are still looking for another base and Han Solo. My rating for this issue is 4.0 out of 5.0.
52. To Take the Tarkin
Wow, the shire size of the tarkin is incredible which seem to have a weapon as powerful as the death star. There are is some encounters that with Vader that show demonstrate the power of the force. I did like the cunning of the princess, smoothness of Lando and the resourcefulness of Luke. This made for a very solid story with a impactful ending My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
53. The last gift from Alderaan
There was some action and some romance, but mostly just relationship building. This is not all bad seeing that this story evoked quite a bit of emotion. The new character along with princess leia made for a great story line with nice surprise at the end. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
54. Starfire Rising
This has a feeling of Star wars a new hope. This is basically a princess leia story. There are quite a dew comparisons, far to many to name. I think the character of Lando is dead on and comes across very well. I enjoyed this story quite a bite and it really does a great job of showing emotions that make us human. My overall rating of this story is a 4.7 out of 5.0.
55. Blif!
This is an above story about a small creature that has lost his home to a larger creature. In this story Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance come to their rescue. While cute the creatures talk telepathically which is pretty cool. The lesson at the end of the story is what makes this worth reading. My rating on this issue is a 3.5 out of 5.0.
56. Coffin in the Clouds
Princess Leia seems have found something else suspicious. Luke Skywalker is running off to find Lando with some new female character. while all is going on Lando has found Cloud City deserted, Lobot has gone berserk and the city is littered with bombs. At the end of this issue Lando finds himself and quite a bit of trouble which spills into the next issue. My rating for this issue is 4.1 out of 5.0.
57. "Hello, Bespin, Good-Bye!"
There was an actual ugnaught sighting in this story. Luke Skywalker also comes to the rescue and we get a chance to see him use the force. this was a rather interesting story were we got to see Lando interact with the ugnaughts, rather enjoyable. I would have to say above average. My rating for this issue is a 3.5 out of 5.0.
58. Sundown!
When hiding your space ships inside of the sun there has to be a calculated risk involved. The princess decided to walk the line in this issue but, it a good thing C3-po and R2 were there to save the day. A strange story nonetheless but it came together at the end. My rating for this issue is 4.2 out of 5.0.
59. Bizarre
Looks like luke and lando has dealings with a real weasel. They still manage to think ahead and get themselves out of this one. There is really not much more to this story except luke looking for Tie Fighters. My rating for this issue is 4.0 out of 5.0.
60. Shira's Story
This story was really intriguing because we get to see how Shira joined the rebel alliance. There is a good amount of action and it seems that someone has feelings for Luke. I enjoyed this story about her life and thought it had a good glow. My rating for this issue is 4.4 out of 5.0.
61. Screams in the Void
This one was very strange involving some interesting creatures. It's hard to describe without giving away the main plot. I will say that they did a great job at building suspense as you will look forward to the next issue. my rating for this issue is 4.0 out 5.0.
62. Pariah!
We definitely find out some important information that will allow Luke to maintain his hero status. There is also some cool expressive art the had some real emotional appeal. I can't forget Chewy's heroics which are always well placed. my rating for this issue is 4.7 out 5.0.
63. The Mind Spider
It appears Luke as stumbled upon some huge secerets which could very well clear his name. The path is never easy when it come to a skywalker adventure and this is no different. He even has to go into dangerous territory which looks like a giant exo-skeloton of a spider. My rating for this story is 4.4 out of 5.0.
64. Serphidian Eyes
This story has Star Wars written all over from the alien creatures to the inside dealing of government. I thought this was a really interesting story with good characters and a neat plot line. My rating for this issue is 4.8 out of 5.0. Very enjoyable read.
65. Golrath Never Forgets
Just check out these rocks and how they function. The Rebels seem to be in a little trouble to say the least and they have quite the mission a head of them. There is a imperial commander who may be in a little trouble with the dark lord. My rating for this issue is 4.1 out of 5.0.
66. The water bandits
What a great story that carries so much substance and so much of what star war is all about. I say the use of the force, a lightsaber and a decent villian. Most of all Iove the principle of faith being used in this stroy and how It provided a life changing blessing to the character who exhibited it. There were also countless others who benefited from the characters decision to believe. My rating for this issue is a 5.0 out of 5.0. Will come back to this story in the future.
Annual #2: Shadeshine!
Another interesting but odd story which absolutely taps into the personality of Han Solo. While not as good as the last issue it still manages to tell the story of greed and power. We also get a picture of just how dangerous the star wars universe really is. My rating for this issue is 3.8 out of 5.0.
67. The Darker
We actually get to end the story on an R2 and 3-po adventure. I would have to say that the creature was a little to sci-fi for me but the story was a little above average. My rating for this issue is 3.0 out of 5.0.
October 16, 2017
This is the third of five volumes that collect the old Star Wars comics from the 1970's and 1980's, originally released as monthly serials by Marvel. If you've read the other volumes (or if you remember the original comics) you know what to expect: episodic story lines with larger-than-life events, garish artwork, lots of action and plots that sometimes violate the Star Wars canon.
Nonetheless, I liked this third omnibus a bit more than the last. It seems to me that the writers tried to keep most of these tales within the lines of what was normative for the Star Wars universe. There are superweapons, double agents and questions of the Dark and Light side of the Force. The Rebellion and the Empire are front and center, or are fighting through proxy wars on avariety of primitive planets. Rarely is there a stand-alone story that doesn't have anything to do with the larger meta-narrative. There are better linking elements across the various stories too, creating greater continuity.
Yes, some of the stories are silly. But these are comic book tales after all. Some will roll their eyes, while others will enjoy these flashy, anachronistic stories for what they are. You know which side of that divide you stand on.
Nonetheless, I liked this third omnibus a bit more than the last. It seems to me that the writers tried to keep most of these tales within the lines of what was normative for the Star Wars universe. There are superweapons, double agents and questions of the Dark and Light side of the Force. The Rebellion and the Empire are front and center, or are fighting through proxy wars on avariety of primitive planets. Rarely is there a stand-alone story that doesn't have anything to do with the larger meta-narrative. There are better linking elements across the various stories too, creating greater continuity.
Yes, some of the stories are silly. But these are comic book tales after all. Some will roll their eyes, while others will enjoy these flashy, anachronistic stories for what they are. You know which side of that divide you stand on.
October 20, 2019
I'm reading the Omnibuses in order and I've come to the conclusion that you will have the comics where the artwork is really good and the characters are drawn well (they look like who they're supposed to and are drawn consistently). And then you have the ones that are not good, have overly exaggerated poses, show the Princess with a voluptuous figure which she did not have in the movies. So... some good artwork some bad artwork. Some stories I like better than others.
Why am I reading these and will continue on to the next Omnibus? Nostalgia. I remember some of these comic covers, some of the panels and it's fun to see them again, though sometimes when it's a panel that's badly drawn or part of a story I don't like rediscovering them comes as a disappointment.
Read this if you're a fan of comics, campy comics (though not as bad as earlier Omnibuses), Star Wars.
Why am I reading these and will continue on to the next Omnibus? Nostalgia. I remember some of these comic covers, some of the panels and it's fun to see them again, though sometimes when it's a panel that's badly drawn or part of a story I don't like rediscovering them comes as a disappointment.
Read this if you're a fan of comics, campy comics (though not as bad as earlier Omnibuses), Star Wars.
August 17, 2019
It's too bad that the classic Star Wars books took so long to get good. At the beginning of this volume Archie Goodwin is writing, still doing his basic Flash Gordon with funny monsters routine. Then David Michelinie takes over with Walt Simonson doing the art and the book takes a huge leap forward in quality. Stories have matured, but is it enough? I think it's pretty good. And if you collect classic Star Wars stuff, this is quality. But if you are a completionist, you might have to wade through the very goofy, awkward first couple of volumes.
October 11, 2024
I really enjoyed some of the stories in this volume, though again they were alongside the not-so-great stuff. With Han out of the picture, Leia really has a chance to shine and the writing improves markedly when Archie Goodwin isn't holding the pen. I also can't help but love the Hoojibs, ridiculous though they are. Shira Brie is introduced and she's an interesting character. She reappeared decades later in the Legacy of the Force novels (which are, incidentally, not as fun as these comics lol).
May 5, 2020
The best thing about these old comics is...
[will complete this review when I can think of something]
[will complete this review when I can think of something]
December 21, 2024
Fantastic
Much better than the first volume and I love Shira Brie! Can't wait to continue the story and get to Lumiya.
Much better than the first volume and I love Shira Brie! Can't wait to continue the story and get to Lumiya.
May 9, 2015
I haven't read these stories since I first purchased them in my pre teens. I still have close to a complete set, but haven't picked them up due to there being so many novels that have come out over the last 20 years. My favorite stories were the ones that came out right before and after Return of the Jedi, which will be in the next two volumes, but a few important characters are introduced here. That being said, this collection is one of the best things that I've ever seen put out. The Omnibus itself gets 5 stars from me. The stories are actually closer to four stars, but sometimes cheese of the stories lead me giving it a total of 3 stars. It's probably impossible to expect much more out of a series done during the Marvel eighties.
The biggest problem with this collection is the fact that it often feels like they took Conan stories of the time, that weren't used for that comic, and adjusted them for a space fantasy. There is also the problem with how they address Luke's force powers. Some stories they don't even come up, while others he has to concentrate in order to feel it, but this can be anything from lifting some objects and making them move to a purpose, or being able to reach out through space and take over the mind of an Imperial captain in a completely different ship. Then he'll randomly have the power to trigger bombs that he's never seen. Very sloppy consistency.
Then there is the search for Han. While they managed to give plausible explanation for why Lando and Chewbacca broke off their search for Han, they never really try to explain why they didn't immediately start back with the mission.
While I don't want to be too negative with the stories they gave us back then, they definitely feel like silly filler half of the time. There are two amazing story arcs to take place in this omnibus. And, when you get past the constant advertising for previous issues, it is mostly a five star read. I'm excited to read the other four volumes next.
The biggest problem with this collection is the fact that it often feels like they took Conan stories of the time, that weren't used for that comic, and adjusted them for a space fantasy. There is also the problem with how they address Luke's force powers. Some stories they don't even come up, while others he has to concentrate in order to feel it, but this can be anything from lifting some objects and making them move to a purpose, or being able to reach out through space and take over the mind of an Imperial captain in a completely different ship. Then he'll randomly have the power to trigger bombs that he's never seen. Very sloppy consistency.
Then there is the search for Han. While they managed to give plausible explanation for why Lando and Chewbacca broke off their search for Han, they never really try to explain why they didn't immediately start back with the mission.
While I don't want to be too negative with the stories they gave us back then, they definitely feel like silly filler half of the time. There are two amazing story arcs to take place in this omnibus. And, when you get past the constant advertising for previous issues, it is mostly a five star read. I'm excited to read the other four volumes next.
February 8, 2017
The comics were from 50 to 67 I think. The ones in the 50's were terrible. The story line was beyond bad. It got much better around 59 where the story was much better. A big problem was issue 64 did not follow after 63 when it came to the actual time line. In 64 they had Luke going on a mission with 2 others, but in issue 63 they still have Luke as a traitor... So that is a problem. It gets back on track though. I think I am at the half way point in the overall series though.
October 10, 2012
I was happy with each story that I read which explained a lot of what was going on in between Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi. I like how also it shows the growth of Luke Skywalker that you don't get to see as much where he seems to go from a young imature youth in the New Hope to still imature in Empire Strikes Back to Cool and collected in Return of the Jedi.
March 4, 2013
More nostalgia! The stories set right after ESB make the most sense. After all, the whole Rebellion can't be put on hold for Han Solo. Still, there is a sense of filler as time after time after time our heroes get diverted from their quest. Despite that, there are strong stories and solid art to be had.
July 21, 2013
The comic book writers of the time must have watched a lot of Star Trek because pretty much every story arc is Luke, Leia and/or Lando ending up stranded or hiding on an unknown planet where they get in some hijinks with the natives.
July 24, 2014
Some strange stuff. I didn't realize Marvel had so many comics between Episodes IV and V. It was clear that they had no idea what was coming in Episode VI, they were still pushing the Luke/Leia romance/jealously angle pretty hard.
May 22, 2011
Nostalgia value is still high, but things really started getting trippy or more like old Star Trek episodes. Still, waiting for Vol. 4.
December 16, 2012
Best one of the classic Star Wars collections so far. Stories feel a lot more like part of the universe and some great art from Simonson and Infantino.
March 3, 2014
Took several tries to get into this volume. But it's been a fun trope through the 1980's movie spin-off comic world.
January 27, 2015
This is my favorite in the Omnibus series, so far.
April 12, 2017
I've read the classic Marvel comics so many times during the late 80s en early 90s that these stories are dear to me as a fan. Especially the stories between Episode V and VI are truly great.
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