Star
Wars #108 is the sequel to the original run of Marvel comics, which ended in
issue #107 in June of 1986. This original comic line was of questionable canon,
even before Disney purchased Lucasfilm, and the characters of this comic line
have been largely forgotten by fandom. Nonetheless, Marvel revived this series
for a single issue “Forever Crimson” a sequel of sorts to Star Wars #50 “The
Crimson Forever”. So before reviewing Star Wars #108, let’s start with Star
Wars #50:
May 19th 1981
Star Wars #50
Star Wars #50
“The Crimson Forever”
Chapter I
This double-sized issue (written by Archie Goodwin) starts shortly after the
events of “The Empire Strikes Back”. Lando and Chewie are on a mission to
rescue Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt. But an urgent plea from
Princess Leia brings them to a hidden Rebel base on the volcanic planet of
Golrath. Here, Commander Luke Skywalker lies unconscious, stricken by a deadly
plague known as “The Crimson Forever”. The plague, it seems has been caused by
a mysterious red crystal, perhaps of exogalactic origin. It just so happens
that Chewbacca has encountered this crystal before which leads us to…
Chapter II: Rage in the Red
Nebula
Han Solo and Chewbacca are trying to dodge an Imperial blockade which brings them to a remote trade planet called Terminus. They don’t last long on Terminus, however. They are soon captured by treasure hunters who enslave them and send the two on a mission to hunt down two red jewels from the Red Nebula way out in Wild Space. Fighting through traps and monsters, Solo is able to nab one of the jewels but only momentarily. Han is ambushed by the treasure hunters who take the jewel from his clutches (ala Raiders of the Lost Ark) and leave Han stranded on the planet. Unfortunately separating the jewels is a bad idea, since it causes the illness known as “The Crimson Forever”.
Chapter III: Against the
Scarlet Night
Leia, Lando, & Chewbacca
are on a mission to reunite the jewels of the Red Nebula, hoping to end the
sickness that ails Luke Skywalker. In the nebula they find an old mining ship
once owned by the House of Tagge (more on them later). Aboard the seemingly
derelict ship, they find that “The Crimson Forever” has struck the crew. But
soon they are captured by Domina Tagge and her gang of bounty hunters (IG-88,
Bossk, Dengar, 4-Lom, a Zuckuss). Domina Tagge is the youngest of the Tagge
family and has inherited the house after her three older brothers were defeated
by Luke and the other Star Warriors (see issue #37 “In Mortal Combat”). Domina reveals
that her plan is to use the crystals to destroy her enemies- namely The
Galactic Empire and The Rebel Alliance. However, while Domina and her crew have
been carrying out their evil plans, they have inadvertently stranded themselves
in the Red Nebula. Domina and her gang make a deal with Leia, trading a ride
home for the second life crystal and soon both gems are reunited ending “The
Crimson Forever” forever (or at least, for now). Luke is saved from permanent
hibernation and all is resolved… (or is it?)
38 Year Later….
May 29th 2019
Star Wars #108
“Forever Crimson”
Chapter I: “The Legend of
Valance the Hunter”
Valance the Hunter was a
character established in “Star Wars #16: The Hunter”. Originally a
stormtrooper, Valance was almost killed in an X-Wing bombing raid. When he woke
up he was more machine than man. He was so angry about his new life as a cyborg
that he grew to despise all machines, specifically droids. He especially hates
Luke Skywalker the boy he calls “droid lover”. Though in “Star Wars #27: Return
of the Hunter” C-3PO convinces Valance to change his mind about droids and
their masters. In “Star Wars #29: Dark Encounter” Valance actually gives his
life to defend Luke Skywalker’s identity from Darth Vader. Vader defeats
Valance at Rubyflame Lake and Valance sinks to the bottom, never to be heard
from again. Or so it seems…
Chapter II: Near Misses and
Narrow Escapes
It
is the age of the New Republic. The Empire has fallen and Han Solo and Chwebcca
are on Planet Stenos. They have been hired to smuggle a single piece of purple
fruit known as an oranky bloom. When things go south they run into Jaxxon and
Amaiza Foxtrain. Jaxxon is a giant green rabbit and Amaiza a white haired
gunslinger, both introduced in “Star Wars #8: Eight for Abuda-3”.
Meanwhile…
Chapter III: A Scavenger’s
Mistake
Captain Thea of The
Wandering P’orp (claiming to be a New Republic soldier, but secretly working
for Domina Tagge) is purchasing a heap of junk that has been scavenged from
Rubyflame Lake. Since the durasteel was tough enough to survive the geothermal
heat of the violent lake, they figure it will come in handy. Unfortunately,
Captain Thea and her crew do not notice that within the pile of junk lies the
lifeless metallic body of Valance the Hunter!
Chapter IV: Old Worries in
the New Republic
Leia,
Luke, R2, 3PO and Plif (a small creature introduced in “Star Wars #55: Plif!”)
are negotiating peace talks on the planet Noquivzor, though it isn’t going
well. Suddenly the Millennium Falcon arrives with Han, Chewie, Jaxxon, and
Amaiza bearing bad news. Domina Tagge has resurfaced and is back to her old
tricks. The galaxy is once again, in danger.
Chapter V: For Fear of What
Might Wake
The
crew of the Wandering P’orp is ferrying their newly purchased durasteel to Domina
Tagge when on chunk suddenly comes to life. It is the cybernetic skeleton of
Valance the Hunter. The skeleton starts demolishing all organics onboard but spares
a translation droid who tells Valance the legend of the “Life Jewels” of the
Red Nebula. When these twin jewels are together, they give the power of
healing. Valance, hoping to become organic once more, decides to seek out these
jewels.
Chapter VI: On The Way To
Forever
Arriving
in the Crimson Nebula, the crew of the Millennium Falcon (Which now includes
Han, Chewie, Luke, Leia, Jaxxon, Amaiza, R2, 3PO and Plif) are ambushed by the
ship of Domina Tagge.
Chapter VII: Snatched Away
From The Sun
As
the two ships battle across the stars, the Falcon sends down an escape pod
carrying Luke, Leia, R2, and Jaxxon to the derelict ship housing the “Life
Jewels” (which have been there since the end of “Star Wars #50: The Crimson
Forever”. The Star Warriors track down the jewels but are then ambushed by
Domina, Bossk, Dengar and IG-88. Then in a moment of betrayal, Jaxxon takes off
with the crystals.
Chapter VIII: The End Of The
Hunt
Valance
arrives on the scene and fights off Jaxxon for the Life Jewels. Luke arrives on
the scene and convinces Valance to spare the life of Jaxxon. Valance is about
to use the gems to restore his organic body when Domina arrives on the scene
and shoots the hunter in the back. Domina throws one of the jewels into the fiery
heart of the Red Nebula, hoping that the separation of the gems will bring back
the “Crimson Forever” plague, but Valance, still holding one jewel, jumps into
the nebula himself. Before Valance is burned alive by the fiery core of the
Nebula, he joins the Life Jewels finally restoring his organic form. Valance
the Hunter, in the last moments of his life, finally finds peace.
Dark Horse Comics (Link)
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Crimson Empire Crimson Empire
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Legacy Vol. 1 Star Wars: Legacy
Vector Star Wars: Vector
Legacy Vol. 2 Legacy Volume 2
Infinities Infinities
The Star Wars The Star Wars
Star Wars Tales Star Wars Tales
Marvel Comics
Original Marvel Comics Original Marvel Comics
Star Wars #108 Star Wars #108
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