— Ch. 1 · Origins And Development —
Star Wars (1977 comic book).
~6 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Charles Lippincott, Lucasfilm's publicity supervisor, approached Stan Lee at Marvel Comics in 1975 about a Star Wars comic book. Lee declined the proposal until the film was completed. Writer Roy Thomas met Lippincott around this same time and was asked to write the comic at George Lucas's request. Thomas accepted after seeing a production sketch of the Cantina sequence. He decided the project resembled Planet Comics, a space opera he admired. Stan Lee finally greenlit the project in 1976 during a second meeting arranged by Thomas. Lee reportedly agreed when he heard Alec Guinness would be involved. Lucas also requested artist Howard Chaykin for the series. Chaykin visited Lucasfilm's offices on the Universal Studios Lot to gather reference art. Issue #1 of Star Wars went on sale the 12th of April 1977. The series ran from 1977 through the 27th of May 1986. It lasted 107 issues and three annuals. Former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter stated that strong sales saved Marvel financially in 1977 and 1978. Movie tie-in comics rarely sold well at that time. Lee negotiated an arrangement giving no royalties to Lucasfilm until sales exceeded 100,000 copies. Once that quota was surpassed, legal arrangements could be revisited. The comic provided much-needed income while newsprint costs rose and retail outlets declined.
Narrative Adaptations
Han Solo and Chewbacca depart Yavin to repay Jabba the Hut after the Rebel Alliance destroys the Death Star. Space pirate Crimson Jack steals their reward money before they can leave. The despondent duo is hired to protect farmers from a gang. On their way back to Yavin, Jack captures the Millennium Falcon. He holds Princess Leia captive as she follows Luke Skywalker to a water planet. Luke has crash-landed there and learned that local denizens use jamming devices to bring down ships for salvage. Native sea serpents revolt against the jamming frequencies and attack the crew. The conflict escalates when the governor increases the frequency to bring down Jack's cruiser. The Falcon crew picks up Luke and destroys the jamming device. Han defeats Jack in combat. They discover wreckage of a House of Tagge ship made to look like a Rebel attack. They take shelter on the Wheel, a neutral gambling station. Its administrator detains Leia. Han and Chewie are forced to fight in gladiator battles. Luke, Leia, and the droids escape in a small craft. Darth Vader arrives and almost captures them. Han disables his Star Destroyer's tractor beam. Luke and Leia return to the base on Yavin where they thwart attacks by the Tagge family.