The Rebel Four

"The Rebel Four" is a 4-page comic story that appeared in Star Wars Tales 9 and was collected in the TPB collection Star Wars Tales Volume 3. Both the script and art is provided by Jay Stephens. The story is a parody of the Fantastic Four comic series.

Plot summary

The Rebel Four spring into action.

The Rebel Four spring into action.

On the planet Vatleria, long abandoned by its inhabitants, Imperial stormtroopers patrol the stone ruins, where they have established a new base. Unbeknownst to the troopers, they are being observed by an IG-series droid, who confirms the accuracy of information supplied by an informant regarding the Empire's presence on the world to their three shadowy companions. One of the members questions the droid on what their plan is, to which they respond that they will stop the Imperials. The droid brings their team, the Rebel Four, into a huddle, sharing a confident belief that they will overcome their Imperial adversaries. Loudly announcing "It's Rebellin' time," the team runs into the ruins and their names are revealed: The droid is F4-MF, and they are accompanied by the Wookiee Grimgrim, the blaster rifle-wielding humanoid Soo Rcharrz, and the jetpack-equipped humanoid Falaem Onn.[1]

The team attacks the stormtroopers, observed through a viewscreen by the Sith Lord Darth Vader, who dismisses the team's attack and presses a button. The Rebel Four are suddenly ensnared by ropes which pull each of them into their own unique death chambers, where they are grusomely executed. F4-MF is stretched into pieces, Onn is burned to death, Grimgrim is crushed by rocks, and Rcharrz is obliterated. In the aftermath, Vader expresses disatisfaction at how easily the Rebels were defeated, and expresses a desire to face a Jedi in lightsaber combat to an Imperial officer. The officer is incredulous and believes that Vader should be proud of the Empire's victory, and the Sith responds by telekinetically strangles the officer. The ending text reveals that Vader will fulfill his desire for a duel with a Jedi will soon be fulfilled, and that Vader will ultimately find peace.[1]

Release and reception

"The Rebel Four" is a four page comic story written[1] pencilled, inked, lettered, and colored by Jay Stephens.[2] The comic was created for the anthology series Star Wars Tales, published by Dark Horse Comics.[1] "The Rebel Four" was first published in the ninth issue of the series,[1] which was originally intended to be published on September 12, 2001,[6] but was eventually released on October 10, 2001.[7] The comic includes an introduction by assistant editor Philip Simon in which the various creative talents involved are represented as Jawas, with Stephens working next to artist David McCaig.[1]

"The Rebel Four" is the third story within Star Wars Tales 9, following "Resurrection" and "Hate Leads to Lollipops."[1] The entirety of the ninth issue was collected within the trade paperback Star Wars Tales Volume 3, published on February 26, 2003.[8] In that collection, "The Rebel Four" was preceeded the comic story "Trooper," the first story in Star Wars Tales 10.[4] Stephens' story was additionally republished in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 8 by Marvel Comics[2] on November 14, 2023.[9] "The Rebel Four" was placed between "Junkheap Hero," a 2001 story originally published in Star Wars Tales 6, and "The Rebel Club," a story from the nineteenth issue of Tales.[2]

Continuity

In-universe

The ending of "The Rebel Four" states that Vader will face combat with a Jedi soon, referencing his duel with[1] his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, depicted in the 1977 original trilogy film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.[10] Therefore, the events of the comic must take place during or prior to 0 BBY, when the events of A New Hope occurred according to The New Essential Chronology.[5] The notes next to Stephens' signature at the bottom of the last page of the comic describe it as a "mash note" for 1977.[1] Additionally, the ending states that Vader will eventually find peace, alluding to his redemption in the 1983 film Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.[11]

Media

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Collected in

Appearances

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Organizations and titles

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Miscellanea

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 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 StarWarsTales-Icon "The Rebel Four" — Star Wars Tales 9
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 8
  3. ↑ HorselessHeadman Star Wars Tales 9 on Dark Horse Comics' official website (backup link)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Star Wars Tales Volume 3
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Rebel Four" ends with the statement that Darth Vader will fulfill his wish for combat with a Jedi soon, referencing his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Rescue of Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, which takes place in 0 BBY according to The New Essential Chronology.
  6. ↑ StarWars.com September 2001 Comics on StarWars.com (original site is defunct)
  7. ↑ HorselessHeadman Star Wars Tales 9 on Dark Horse Comics' official website (backup link)
  8. ↑ HorselessHeadman Star Wars Tales Volume 3 TPB on Dark Horse Comics' official website (backup link)
  9. ↑ PenguinRandomHouseComicsRetail STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION: THE EMPIRE VOL. 8 on Penguin Random House's Comics Retail website (backup link)
  10. ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
  11. ↑ Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
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