The early forms of Star Wars are compelling what characters and names shifted from Han Solo’s alien Ureallian appearance to the capital of the Empire, Alderaan, a floating city! The designs inspired by Ralph McQuarrie’s art are shown in The Star Wars #0 (2014) and the early pages by Scott Kolins that got the approval of George Lucas. The adapter is J.W. Rinzler who started writing on Star Wars with The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005). Then, he went deep into The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (2010) and The Making of Return of the Jedi: The Definitive Story Behind The Film (2013). Rinzler had died in 2021. The rough draft by Lucas was completed in 1974.
The limited series by Rinzler and Mike Mayhew lasted eight issues. Mayhew also provided art for Star Wars #15 (2016) that began From The Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi. #15 It was published by Dark Horse Comics and is of course considered Legends. The cover reflects one of the early Star Wars posters by Tom Chantrell with Luke facing forward with his blaster, Leia with her blaster at his side, and Han running up with his blaste and Darth Vader behind them. Mayhew has General Luke Skywalker, next to him is Princess Leia in her newly designed uniform, and the Ureallian Han Solo! The roll up explains the time before the Great Rebellion with the Jedi-Bendu as the “bodyguards of the Emperor”!
They are part of the Imperial Space Force, but then went extinct by the New Empie and the Knights of the Sith. We see an Aquilean Fighter streaking over a planet! The starship has triple engines and two triangular panels. Its flight is seen planetside on the Fourth Moon of Utapau. Of course, the planet in Revenge of the Sith (2005), where Obi-Wan faced General Grievous. There is a young man with a breath mask and long rifle. He heads over to a makeshift base with an abandoned ship with a single cockpit like the Millennium Falcon. Annikin Starkiller removes his goggle and then tells his father about the ship. His father, Kane Starkiller, is bearded, with a headband and parts of armor. His younger brother, Deak, is also seated with a cube in is hand. Deak was the name of Luke's friend at Tosche Station in the cut scene.
Kane chastizes Deak for not concentrating. It is interesting to see the early father dynamic. Annikin reports that there was only one ship, a Banta Four. Kane tells Annikin to get prepared and Deak has solved the cube’s problem, a confusing “Corbet Dictum.” Deak runs off to get ready, his clothes are similar to Luke’s desert tunic. Over a ridge, Kane is scanning the landed ship, he says that the pilot is trying to draw them out. Kane heads to confront the warrior. The two brothers discuss the situation, Deak focuses on the ship with electrobinoculars when the image is distorted. It is a figure in black robes and mask with teeth curving out like a Japanese oni mask! A Knight of the Sith. He ignites a red blade that startles Annikin and then slashes Deak! Annikin ignites his lazer sword. I would really like to know how it was changed to lightsaber. Lazer sword seemed like the usual name for it.
The red-eyed Knight of Sith glares at him. Annikin’s strike is parried by the knight who drives him back with his lazer sword. Kane leaps at him with his lazer sword, this reminds me of Qui-Gon with Darth Maul, and he lands bi-secting the Knight of the Sith! Kane is silent looking at his son and then turns to find the body of Deak! A violent beginning for a Star Wars story. Annikin tries to apologize. Kane sets a torch to Deak’s burial fire and then goes to the Banta Four ship. He tells Annikin to set a course for Aquilae. Alderaan, the capital of the New Galactic Empire, has four one-man starships, Imperial Stardestroyers racing over the Plaza of the Daders. It is aerial maneuvers over rows of Imperial Ai Tanks, more roundish disks than the droid AAT Battle Tank, and crowds.
The scenary looks like the level of the Prequels and looks like the unlimited budget of comic book artwork. It is interesting if it would be designed circa late 70's. Governor Hoedaack is there with the Emperor who is dressed wtih formal robes and looks more like Flash Gordon’s Ming the Merciless. He announces that the battle is to defeat Aquilae, an independent system that has sheltered the last Jedi. The Emperor has offered the Treaty of Alliance to Aquilae, but it is efuesed. He hasm made Hoeaack First Lord of the Aquilaen system. The planet has not appeared in current Star Wars. The shocktroopers cheer, “Death to the Jedi!” They look like stylized stormtroopers with sealed helmets and V shaped visors.
Still, one man walks away from the crowds, this is Clieg Whitsun. His name was used for Uncle Owen’s father and last name was Aunt Beru’s maiden name. He greets his friend, Bail Antilles, a large man in a fur coat, at a bar. His first name was later used for Bail Organa. Bail works for the Galactic Traders who says all ships are grounded. Clieg wants to warn Aquilae. The scarred face of Darth Vader turns to see Governor Hoedaack who wants to celebrate. Vader has the shoulder armor from the films, but short, shaved hair. The window out of the city looks like Corsucant vistas. He is cautioned by the bulky alien, Supreme Tribunal Member Vantos Coll. Vantos tells him that Aquilae is led by a Jedi. He says that General Skywalker was the first bodyguard of the Emperor and led the Jedi Rebellion.
Vader says Seig Darklighter was the leader. The first name is another unused name and we know Biggs’ last name. Vantos was there during the rebellion. This shifts to the Palace of Lite on Aquilae. A large panel that shows an elaborate palace that hints at Jabba’s Palace designs, but with pteranodon-like creatures flying overhead. King Kayos and Queen Brehad rule there. Breha was the name of Leia’s adopted mother. The king sits with the Aquilean Council and one member, Count Sandage, tells him that the Chrome Companies can’t support him. This is very like the blockade of Naboo. Sandage was a name used for a Podracer and strangely not Count Dooku. Almost a full splash page, General Skywalker, bearded with a headband, and white uniform walks in. He is about middle aged with a bald head.
One of the council, Tarkin says that war is a “remote possibility.” He sends Count Sandage to give the answer of the treaty. King Kayos’ children, Biggs and Windy, burst in to tell about Leia. Windy is the name of another friend at Tosche Station. Queen Breha, hugs her daughter, the teen Leia (!). The characters shift around, but appears Leia was originally had a mother who was queen! Leia is leaving for studies and General Skywalker wishes her goodbye along with her family. Breha says,, “May the Force of Othes be with you all.”! At the war room of the hidden fortress, General Skywalker checks on the status of ships. Montross reports that a battalion of stardestoyers left for Anchorhead. Suddenly, guards are thrown back by Kane Starkiller and his son! Kane wants his son to be General Skywalker’s Padawan learner. He reveals that most of his body is cybernetic except his head and right arm! The Star Wars #1 is a fascinating origin of Star Wars concepts that became the classic movie. It is a brilliant reconstruction by J.W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew!
Five Lazer swords out of Five!
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