Star Wars (2015) 40

For other uses, see Star Wars 40.

Star Wars 40 is the fortieth issue of the Marvel comic book series Star Wars. It was written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Salvador Larroca. It was released on December 13, 2017.

Publisher's summary

As Queen Trios' forces move in to strip what's left of Jedha, the Rebellion and the remaining Partisans struggle to save the planet for its survivors! The echoes of Rogue One continue to be heard through the Rebellion!

Opening crawl

Part III
THE ASHES OF JEDHA 
It is period of high tension in the galaxy. The
Galactic Empire has sent Queen Trios of
Shu-Torun to Jedha in an attempt to collect the
remaining weapon-powering kyber crystals that
survived the Death Star's attack.

Meanwhile, Rebel leaders Princess Leia and Luke
Skywalker, joined by smuggler Han Solo, have met
with the surviving members of Saw Gerrera's
Partisans. The group is led by the Tognath named
Benthic, to whom the rebels offer supplies to help
the natives cause.

But when General Kanchar of the Empire drops an
orbital drill onto the planet, destroying more
homes of the struggling civilian survivors, the
heroes of the Rebellion decide it's time to bring
the fight to the Imperials....

Plot summary

The first victory

On NaJedha, the Imperial drill machine burrowed into the planet's surface, guarded by a lone stormtrooper. Benthic stealthily took down the guard and motioned to Luke, asking him to open the hatch.

Luke ignited his blue lightsaber and precisely cut a hole into the hatch. He and Benthic leaped inside, quickly taking down the Imperials within. Benthic ordered a stunned officer to lower the shields. When the officer refused, Benthic shot him, then ordered a technician to do it instead. After the technician lowered the shields, Benthic shot him as well. As Benthic and Luke made their way out, they instructed Han Solo on the Millennium Falcon to open fire. Han complied, destroying the massive drill.

A new threat emerges

Aboard a Star Destroyer, a furious Commander Kanchar received news of the drill's destruction. He explained to his officer that he wouldn't kill him for this failure, stating that it would take two more or one "very incompetent failure" before he took that step.

Kanchar then turned to Queen Trios, criticizing her people as weak for letting the citadel be overrun so quickly. However, looking out a nearby port window, they saw a much larger drill, the Leviathan being readied. The Queen explained that the Leviathan was a continent-class crawler used for offworld excavations of low-gravity moons. She doubted she could get it back into orbit and told Kanchar to consider it a symbol of her commitment.

A new path and old memories

In a nearby cave, Chulco expressed his sadness to Luke, explaining that he felt lost from the Force. He told Luke that a shrine of the central isopter overlooked the void where the great temple once was and that it could help them get through the "fog of confusion." He explained that those who tended the shrine were neither Jedi nor disciples, but were wise in the Force.

Luke told Leia that he needed to leave with Chulco, and he was suddenly struck by memories of her father, Bail Organa. In the memory, Bail was telling Leia to retrieve the Death Star plans and get them to the rendezvous. He called it the most important thing he had ever asked of anyone and told his daughter he trusted her more than anyone.

Luke then explained that his decisions were not just based on feelings; he needed to finish his Jedi training before he could defeat Darth Vader.

Chulco and Luke set out on a steed. Chulco commented that the increasing heat indicated they were getting close. Suddenly, a massive sand slug erupted from the ground, sending the heroes flying. Chulco explained that the sand slug was a herbivore and should not be acting this way, surmising that the darkness of the planet must have upset it. Luke defeated the sand slug, and as he and Chulco continued on, Luke noted that the Force felt very different on this world.

They soon came upon two people in shrouded garments and helmets, their destination finally within sight.

Media

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Cover gallery

Collected in

Appearances

By type
Characters Organisms Droid models Events Locations
Organizations and titles Sentient species Vehicles and vessels Weapons and technology Miscellanea

Characters

Organisms

Droid models

Events

Locations

Organizations and titles

Sentient species

Vehicles and vessels

Weapons and technology

Miscellanea

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Marvel-TemplateLogo Star Wars (2015) #40 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
  2. ↑ Star Wars Helmet Collection: Silvanie Phest Highlights of the Saga: The Battle for Jedha

External links

Star Wars (2015)
Skywalker Strikes: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6
Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon: 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
Vader Down: 13 · 14
Rebel Jail: 16 · 17 · 18 · 19
From the Journals of Old Ben Kenobi: 7 · 15 · 20
The Last Flight of the Harbinger: 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25
Yoda's Secret War: 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30
The Screaming Citadel: 31 · 32
Out Among the Stars: 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37
The Ashes of Jedha: 38 · 39 · 40 · 41 · 42 · 43
Mutiny at Mon Cala: 44 · 45 · 46 · 47 · 48 · 49
Hope Dies: 50 · 51 · 52 · 53 · 54 · 55
The Escape: 56 · 57 · 58 · 59 · 60 · 61
The Scourging of Shu-Torun: 62 · 63 · 64 · 65 · 66 · 67
Rebels and Rogues: 68 · 69 · 70 · 71 · 72 · 73 · 74 · 75
Trade paperbacks
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13
Vader Down · The Screaming Citadel · From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Epic Collection Vol. 1 · Epic Collection Vol. 2 · Epic Collection Vol. 3
Hardcovers
1 · 2 · 3 · Han Solo · Omnibus 1 · 2
Other
Droid Dilemma · The Sand Will Provide · Shu-Torun Lives
Empire Ascendant · Annuals: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4
Color Your Own · Star Wars Saga · WEBTOON
Related media
Star Wars (2020) · Star Wars (2025) · Star Wars: Darth Vader · Star Wars: Doctor Aphra
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