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Star Wars Legends Epic Collection #33
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Original Marvel Years, Vol. 5
Determined to rescue Han Solo from his carbonite prison, the heroes of the Rebel Alliance undertake mission after mission to track him down…while staying one step ahead of the Empire! But Darth Vader remains equally determined to capture Luke Skywalker, and — with the evil Emperor Palpatine — prepares one final trap to reunite father and son. It all culminates in a gorgeous comic-book adaptation of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi — but the story doesn’t end there! The rebels have one final mission: to defeat the last remnants of the Empire and create a New Republic to unify the galaxy once more. But another Dark Lord is waiting in the wings!
COLLECTING: Star Wars (1977) 74-88, Star Wars Annual (1979) 3, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) 1-4
COLLECTING: Star Wars (1977) 74-88, Star Wars Annual (1979) 3, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) 1-4
496 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
About the author
Jo Duffy
481 books9 followersAlso published under the name Mary Jo Duffy and/or Mary-Jo Duffy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 29, 2021
A pretty good volume that weaves new stories around Return Of The Jedi.
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August 1, 2026The Original Marvel Years, Vol. 5 is a fitting almost finale to Marvel's pioneering Star Wars run, and one that reminded me just how ambitious, creative, and unapologetically fun these comics were. Rather than simply filling the gaps between the films, these stories expand the Original Trilogy with a constant sense of adventure, making the galaxy feel much larger than what was seen on screen.
The pre-Return of the Jedi material is especially entertaining. Jo Duffy and the other writers juggle espionage, bounty hunters, Imperial intrigue, and desperate Rebel operations with remarkable energy, while Luke, Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, and the droids are kept constantly on the move in their relentless search for Han Solo. Knowing where the story is ultimately headed never diminishes the excitement, because the journey itself is packed with clever twists and memorable set pieces.
The adaptation of Return of the Jedi is also a highlight. Beautifully illustrated and respectful of the film, it captures the epic scope and emotional weight of the finale while taking full advantage of the comic-book medium. It serves as both a celebration of the movie and the natural climax of years of serialized storytelling.
What surprised me most, however, were the issues set after the destruction of the second Death Star. Instead of stopping where the film ends, the series explores the uncertain aftermath of the Emperor's fall. The Rebels quickly discover that winning the war is only the beginning, as scattered Imperial forces continue to fight and the challenge of building a New Republic proves just as daunting. These stories feel remarkably forward-looking, anticipating ideas that would become central to the Expanded Universe years later. The final tease of another Dark Lord waiting in the shadows is a wonderfully intriguing way to close the volume.
The artwork is consistently impressive throughout. With artists such as Ron Frenz, Luke McDonnell, David Mazzucchelli, Al Williamson, Klaus Janson, Bob McLeod, and Tom Palmer contributing, the collection offers a fascinating variety of visual styles while maintaining the cinematic spirit that defines Star Wars. Some chapters are more polished than others—as is inevitable in a long-running monthly series—but the artistic quality remains remarkably high.
Reading these stories today is also a fascinating historical experience. Created before decades of novels, comics, and reference books established a definitive continuity, the creators had enormous freedom to invent worlds, technologies, villains, and adventures. That freedom gives these comics a unique charm that modern Star Wars stories rarely possess.
This Epic Collection is both an excellent almost conclusion to Marvel's original run and a reminder of why these comics remain beloved by longtime fans. They're imaginative, energetic, occasionally delightfully eccentric, and overflowing with the sense of wonder that has always made Star Wars special.
The pre-Return of the Jedi material is especially entertaining. Jo Duffy and the other writers juggle espionage, bounty hunters, Imperial intrigue, and desperate Rebel operations with remarkable energy, while Luke, Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, and the droids are kept constantly on the move in their relentless search for Han Solo. Knowing where the story is ultimately headed never diminishes the excitement, because the journey itself is packed with clever twists and memorable set pieces.
The adaptation of Return of the Jedi is also a highlight. Beautifully illustrated and respectful of the film, it captures the epic scope and emotional weight of the finale while taking full advantage of the comic-book medium. It serves as both a celebration of the movie and the natural climax of years of serialized storytelling.
What surprised me most, however, were the issues set after the destruction of the second Death Star. Instead of stopping where the film ends, the series explores the uncertain aftermath of the Emperor's fall. The Rebels quickly discover that winning the war is only the beginning, as scattered Imperial forces continue to fight and the challenge of building a New Republic proves just as daunting. These stories feel remarkably forward-looking, anticipating ideas that would become central to the Expanded Universe years later. The final tease of another Dark Lord waiting in the shadows is a wonderfully intriguing way to close the volume.
The artwork is consistently impressive throughout. With artists such as Ron Frenz, Luke McDonnell, David Mazzucchelli, Al Williamson, Klaus Janson, Bob McLeod, and Tom Palmer contributing, the collection offers a fascinating variety of visual styles while maintaining the cinematic spirit that defines Star Wars. Some chapters are more polished than others—as is inevitable in a long-running monthly series—but the artistic quality remains remarkably high.
Reading these stories today is also a fascinating historical experience. Created before decades of novels, comics, and reference books established a definitive continuity, the creators had enormous freedom to invent worlds, technologies, villains, and adventures. That freedom gives these comics a unique charm that modern Star Wars stories rarely possess.
This Epic Collection is both an excellent almost conclusion to Marvel's original run and a reminder of why these comics remain beloved by longtime fans. They're imaginative, energetic, occasionally delightfully eccentric, and overflowing with the sense of wonder that has always made Star Wars special.
October 12, 2021
Definitely flounders a bit (and is thoroughly retconned, in some cases), but I still enjoy this classic take on the Star Wars universe.
Probably could have done without the alien puberty bit...
Probably could have done without the alien puberty bit...
June 12, 2022
*3 and a half stars*
March 25, 2025
Given how this was for the most part written before Return of the Jedi came out it's pretty solid. The regular cast of characters are hunting for a rebel spy who has disappeared and has intel they need. Then we get an actual adaptation of Jedi. After that the stories aren't as good as they try and find their footing in a post Jedi setting. It's mostly going to different worlds and trying to talk them into joining the new republic they hope to set up.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews