Published: March 1, 1978
Writer/Editor: Roy Thomas
Illustrators: Howard Chaykin, Tom Palmer
Colourist: Tom Palmer
Letterer: John Costanza
Consulting Editor: Archie Goodwin
The synopsis;
When the High-hounds attack, a mythical monster is summoned that may mean the end for a village as well as Han and Chewie!
The review;
After assembling his ragtag band of renegades, they all head out to the village that they have agreed to protect. Riding Bantha’s through the planet’s barren terrain Han’s mind wanders through the chain of events that have landed him and Chewie here.
This is the point of the issues so far where I feel there is a slight change in the art, and it reflects how the creative has evolved in the first 2 issues. The flashback page like the one in issue 8 has so much care and attention to it. It concisely wraps up the issues 7 and 8 and leads into a recap about the team Solo has assembled. Conveniently this would serve to bring a new reader up to speed if they had missed out on them.
It doesn’t take long for team to show off their skills to their employer when they go in pursuit of the Man-Hawks that are attacking the villagers tending to their crops. The team start to make good going, but one of the Man-Hawks breaks loose to go after a helpless female villager. Solo is the first to react and rescues her from her attacker. The Man-Hawks take to the skies in retreat leaving Solo with girl in his arms.
Contrary to his actual screen persona, Solo seems to already have a reputation building as a bit of a womaniser. But the team he has assembled also worked well together. Solo is introduced to the village’s elected spokesperson, Oncho. Slightly predictably, the pretty female villager that he has just saved is named Merri and is Oncho’s his daughter. Solo plays down his thanks for his actions much to Amaiza’s amusement. Amaiza at this point seems as though she is going to be the hidden ace in the pack. She already has a tough reputation due to her previous affiliation with the Black Hole Gang, something that Solo has already mentioned in his musings.
We then get a change of scene back to Yavin 4 and Princess Leia. Luke is overdue calling in from his own adventure and she is worried. She pauses to think about Luke and as if connected by the Force, he gets in contact. After revealing his location, Luke’s transmission is abruptly broken off. Leia needs no excuse; she heads for a ship to go and help him. A very impulsive act from the Princess you might agree, but she is her own lady and always has had a belly of fire. It’s quite weird in a way that this issue published in 1978, this scene sort of hints at a direct connection between Luke and Leia. When Leia thinks about Luke, it almost seems like she calls out for him and he responds. We all now know all about the Force link and their actual relationship now, but back then, it was unheard of!
Back on Aduba-3 Solo is approached by Merri’s grandfather to ward him off their intervention saying it is not needed. At this point, Solo snaps back in a way that I felt was a slightly uncharacteristic way. Now I know he scoffs at Obi-Wan and his teaching to Luke on board the Millennium Falcon, but this portrayal comes across quite rude.
Merri’s grandfather is the elder of the village that believes in the old way and is almost shamanic in his persona. He predicts there is a mystical solution to their problems and Solo and his team are not needed. Oncho defuses the situation and tells them they are still needed. Jaxxon calls out and all heads then turn to the sky, Serji-X and his Cloud Riders are on their way.
The attack ensues and Serji-X claims Merri is his target for the raid. He is surprised that Solo’s band of misfits are still there and hadn’t heeded his warning. Effie becomes quite the here early in the battle. He saves Chewie from being speared in the opening moments of the battle, which opens an opportunity for Wookiee to attack. Seeing his master Jimm in trouble he then puts himself in harm’s way and takes a blaster bolt for him and seems to have paid the ultimate price.
Don-Wan, Amaiza and Chewie move to cover the rear of the group, Amaiza is overpowered but a swing of his lightsaber sees Don-Wan cut down by her assailant, but he in turn is gunned down.
A howl rises from Merri’s grandfather, he is beckoning at a cliff wall, requesting that someone or something awakens from its slumber. Then to Solo’s dismay the rocks explode to reveal a lizard like behemoth from within.
The events of the battle are very interesting, especially how Effie became hero of the moment by saving Chewie and then making the ultimate sacrifice for Jimm. Here’s hoping the damage isn’t too bad and a hydro spanner and few donated parts can see him revived. The fallen team member is Don-Wan. Dressed in his shining armour, he reminds me of a Knight of the Round Table from the tales of King Arthur, but he is valiant in his own demise as he knows he has saved Amaiza from certain death.
This is an action-packed issue with plenty going on. I really enjoyed that we now have a second story being established that will run within this one. Both with very different goals to achieve, Solo and Chewie trying to make ends meet, while Luke is embarking on his burgeoning career as member of the Rebel Alliance.
I must admit, with it being so long since I read these comics, some of the storyline has faded from my memory. At times this experience of rereading each issue is bringing memories flooding back of the story, pieces of art and characters. While they are not perfect, the nostalgia trip and those little flecks of magic keep me coming back for more.
Solo’s discord towards the old shaman is now coming back to haunt him. Issue 10 is entitled “Day of Behemoth!”, so let’s see what the creative team have in store for us!
Availability;
The original Marvel Star Wars series ran from 1977 to 1986, encompassing 107 issues. Star Wars (1977) #9 is currently available in digital format from the Marvel Online Comic Store, via the Marvel App, comiXology or by subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from Marvel. Please check with Amazon UK and US or your local comic bookstore for availability.
