Star Wars (2020) 36

Publisher's summary

DISASTER LOOMS FOR THE REBEL ALLIANCE! With the discovery that the Empire is building a second DEATH STAR, the Rebels are on the verge of despair. But LEIA ORGANA has devised an impossible mission to remind both the Rebels and the galaxy how to hope. It's the FALCON's time to shine, as the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy flies into the belly of the beast!

Opening crawl

After being hunted almost to extinction by
the evil GALACTIC EMPIRE, the REBEL
ALLIANCE finally has an opportunity to
strike back!

GENERAL LEIA ORGANA, with the help of
LUKE SKYWALKER, has discovered a key
weakness in the Empire's defenses that
could allow for a single, desperate mission.

Success could rally the galaxy to the cause
of the Alliance. Failure would mean
disaster….

Plot summary

Aboard the Home One, the flagship of the Rebel Alliance, the high command gathers for a briefing. General Leia Organa explains that an unprecedented opportunity has presented itself, thanks to intelligence from Luke Skywalker. She reveals that Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are currently distracted by an anomaly in the Force, leaving the Empire vulnerable.

Captain Rowne interjects, cautioning that a distracted Empire is not necessarily a weak one. Leia agrees, but argues that they can use this opportunity to rattle Vader and Palpatine while they're already shaken. This is their chance to remind the galaxy that the Alliance is strong and unafraid. The attack will be bigger than the one on the parade, she says, and will inspire rebellions across the galaxy.

Leia's plan is to hit Palpatine where he lives: Coruscant. To the assembled pilots, she explains that this mission will be difficult, but not impossible. She asks for volunteers.

Shara Bey points out the obvious challenge: Coruscant, the heart of the Empire, is the most heavily defended planet in the galaxy. Its orbital defense platforms, legions of fighters, and ground-to-air missile batteries make an attack seem impossible. Leia responds by saying this is a surgical strike, not a brute-force assault. This is a mission for a few very fast and nimble ships. With that, she turns the floor over to Admiral Ackbar, who lays out the tactical plan.

Infiltrating Coruscant

Above the planet, in Security Checkpoint Delta-Three, the transport hauler Pikka's Pride prepares for inspection. The Alliance's approach lane is a dangerous one, but the haulers' cargo—a large pool of organic catalysts and algae farms—provides a perfect cover. The inspectors, overwhelmed by the terrible stench, quickly end their review.

Unbeknownst to the Empire, the hauler is secretly helping the rebels. The Pikka's Pride clears the checkpoint and approaches a farming platform, where it opens its bay doors. The hauler releases its stinking algae and four Rebel ships, including the Millennium Falcon.

Lando Calrissian, piloting the Falcon, explains to a surprised Freyta that he volunteered for the mission because the Empire stole his livelihood and betrayed him, just as they've done to countless others across the galaxy. Sticking a thumb in the Emperor's eye, he adds, is a worthwhile use of his time.

In the Imperial Inspectorate Command Center on Coruscant, a commander receives an alert: four ships are on a fast-attack vector toward the planet. The lieutenant on duty identifies them as three Rebel A-Wings and a YT-1300 freighter—the Millennium Falcon. The Commander expresses her surprise, but refuses to underestimate the Rebels after the destruction of the Death Star. She immediately orders the activation of the orbital platforms and scrambles half the planetary defense fighter wings.

The attack

Coruscant's platform weapons destroy one Rebel pilot. The remaining ships make it through the platforms, only to be met by incoming TIE Fighters. Lando notes that the enemy pilots are reservists—basically newly-trained cadets. The Rebels head for Monument Plaza, which has been cleared of all civilians after the Empire-Day parade attack. But the remaining ships take heavy fire from yet another set of platform weapons. Lando realizes the statue was bait to lure them in.

Pilot Nien Nunb's A-Wing takes heavy damage, and Lando tells him to hold on, that he has a plan. He pilots the Falcon close to the doomed ship, and Chewbacca catches the pilot as he jettisons. Chewbacca is hurt in the rescue, and Nien helps Lando co-pilot the Falcon. Lando explains that they need to go as deep as they can, to the planet's lowest levels where there are no sensors.

Flying through the city's underground, the Rebels are attacked by gangs, but they persevere. On the deepest levels, they find giant monsters and ancient artifacts, including old Rebel starships. The Falcon dives lower and lower until it finally flies out the other side of the planet. Lando notes that they lost pilots Freyta Smyth and Bryen Rowne.

Despite Lando's assertion that the mission was a trap, Leia says they accomplished much, since the battle was broadcast across the galaxy. Back on Coruscant, the Imperial Commander knows the Emperor won't be happy. She dispatches repair crews as we see the Emperor's statue partially destroyed.

Continuity

A Star Wars Legends Heraklon-class transport appears in one panel.

Media

Cover gallery

Final cover Stephen Segovia

Reveal cover by Stephen Segovia

Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary variant cover by Chris Sprouse

Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary variant cover "Paploo's Speeder Bike Adventure"

Classic Trade Dress variant cover by Jerry Ordway

Action Figure variant cover by John Tyler Christopher

Variant cover by Lee Garbett

Collected in

• Star Wars Vol. 6: Quests of the Force

Appearances

This Appearances list is incomplete. You can help Wookieepedia by expanding it.

Sources

• SWCE 2023: Marvel Reveals Star Wars: Dark Droids Horror Event and More on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Jerry Ordway Pays Homage to Marvel's Original 'Return of the Jedi' Comic Adaptation in New Classic Trade Dress Variant Covers on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)

Notes and references

External links

• Star Wars (2020) #36 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)