One issue every two months Han Solo, Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are heading to the planet to rescue Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 and Lando Calrissian, who have spent the past several days holding out against Imperial attacks after an earlier raid using the captured Star Destroyer Liberator goes awry and the warship crashes. $29.99. The cast was: Later in 1995, a Dark Empire: Collector's Edition CD set was released that collected the two Dark Empire audio dramas as well as an exclusive adaptation of Empire's End. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Cam Kennedy George Lucas personally shot down this concept, and instead directed them to bring back the Emperor through cloning. [17], The later Dark Horse comic Crimson Empire trilogy takes place after and references events from the Dark Empire trilogy. All three comic series detailed the resurrection of Emperor Palpatine in clone bodies. 2nd Edition - 1st printing. The Vipers, which are attuned against energy attacks, are cut to shreds under the monsters' mauling. Luke and Kam fly to Ossus and chances upon the Ysanna, a warrior tribe which has rudimentary Force powers. Meanwhile, Shug and Salla gained control of a Hunter Killer patrol droid to blast Han and Chewie free. One of the most influential tales in the history of Star Wars, Dark Empire II gets a brand new edition that includes Empire… On Nespis VIII, Anakin Solo is born and the Alliance plots the final destruction of the Empire. The codes the Alliance had stolen or bartered with slicers for did not work, and Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian were shot down over the former Imperial City. [7], Kenner released four action figures based on the series in 1998: Luke, Leia, Palpatine, and an Imperial sentinel (originally intended to be a new character called 'Atha Prime' for Kenner's aborted 1984 'Power of the Force' line of toys); the cases for each of the figures folded out into 3-D backdrops based on the comic. The name generally applies to both the original Dark Empire, as well as its two sequels Dark Empire II and Empire's End. When he revealed his purpose, Palpatine allowed his current incarnation to die, hoping to reach one of the clones before Luke destroyed them all. The dark shadow of Palpatine seems to creep across the galaxy once again, and the Empire awaits his return. The physician had deliberately inserted genetic material and contaminants into all stored samples of the Emperor's original body, to the effect that the resulting bodies would be nowhere as resistant to the ravaging effects of the Dark Side as the original. Luckily, Palpatine had numerous clones to laugh in the face of death itself, allowing him to rule indefinitely. Luckily, Luke managed to install a code into R2-D2's memory banks to shut down the Devastators. Called the World Devastators, the machines are designed to convert everything in their path into raw materials for building more war machines on the spot. Tom Veitch could hardly have known what George Lucas had planned for the prequels, which would not be made for another seven years. General information [3], The original idea for Dark Empire revolved around the Empire using an impostor in Darth Vader's armor (or a replica of it) to use as a continuing symbol of fear to help force far-flung worlds into obedience. When Leia discovers that Palpatine is interested in possessing her third child, she steals the Holocron and the group successfully breaks out of Byss while having to leave behind Luke again. It was adapted by John Whitman from the source material by Tom Veitch. He uses the time to train the Ysanna siblings as Kam and Empatojayos practice their Jedi skills as well. Though the great war machines were down, the crew managed to power up the factories until control was restored, but R2-D2 created a new code to make the Devastators recycle each other. Once safely aboard an Alliance cruiser, Luke, his eyes once again blue, proclaimed: Dark Empire was originally planned to be published by Marvel Comics (a single print ad for it was even released) but eventually found its way as a project at Dark Horse Comics when they acquired the Star Wars license. The Dark Empire encourages costuming creativity by allowing membership of custom Sith characters, in addition to characters from the Star Wars movies and expanded universe (books, comics, etc). At this time, Luke Skywalker had reached Byss, a Deep Core world enveloped in the power of the dark side. It is unclear whether Lucas suggested the concept himself or merely approved it when pitched; Veitch has made conflicting comments regarding this.[4]. Despite Han's objections, Leia boarded the shuttle, which took her to the Emperor's Eclipse-class Super Star Destroyer. The Empire has been mysteriously reborn under an unknown leader, wielding a … One of these is the arms manufacturing planet Balmorra, whose planetary governor, Beltane, has begun supplying the Rebels with the latest military vehicles, such as the Viper X1 Automadon, a war droid designed to convert energy from enemy laser fire into power for its own turbolaser cannons. Years after the battle of Endor, a new danger threatens the galaxy. The Dark Empire is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. [6] By the end of the decade, it had sold over 100,000 copies. Meanwhile, the Rebels in combat over the planet Mon Calamari received aid from the Alliance reserves, including the new E-wings. In Dark Empire, Luke straight-up turns to … $14.99 + shipping. Galoob Micro Machines Star Wars Shadows of the Empire II mini figure Palpatine. December 12, 1991 Collects Star Wars: Dark Empire (1991) #1-6, Star Wars: Dark Empire II (1994) #1-6, Star Wars: Empire's End (1995) #1-2, Star Wars: Dark Empire Handbook. Penciller(s) That link gets made in the new Star Wars… Sedriss returns to Byss, where he kills two Dark Side Adepts who've been killing other clones of Emperor Palpatine that Luke missed. Unknown to him, his personal physician had been corrupted by Carnor Jax, backed by a number of other high-ranking Imperial personnel. Luke traveled with the Emperor to capture his sister, aboard the recently completed and christened flagship, the Eclipse. The result was the complete destruction of the Eclipse and Palpatine (supposedly, though his spirit escaped to fight another day). Star WARS Dark Empire II. However, the Hutts have put a large bounty on Han and Leia, with Spince selling him out to Boba Fett (revealed to have survived being devoured by the Sarlacc during the events of Return of the Jedi); the two escape Nar Shaddaa aboard Salla's ship, the Starlight Intruder, with the Falcon attached. He revealed that he planned to overshadow Leia's third child stirring in her womb as his next new body. Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo had gone to Nar Shaddaa, to find transport to the Deep Core. The initial series is notable for being one of the first Star Wars comics to be produced by Dark Horse Comics, who had acquired the comic rights to the Star Wars franchise in the early 1990s. Massive World Devastators, more powerful and unstoppable than the Death Star, ravage entire planets, while the ruthless heirs of Jabba the Hutt place a monumental price on the heads of Princess Leia and her husband, Han Solo. Meanwhile, on Mon Calamari, the Devastators were still invincible. In the course of the fighting, Jem is killed and Rayf saves Leia's twins from being kidnapped. 6 However, the clones were one crucial step from long life; they were more ravaged by the dark side than sustained by the Force. Part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, the trilogy follows events in the Star Wars franchise six years after Return of the Jedi, specifically the aftereffects of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy. Sensing the futility and seeing the horror of what is happening in Mon Calamari, Luke humbly surrenders to becoming the Emperor's new apprentice. Salla Zend and Shug Ninx mobilizes fellow smugglers nearby to rescue the Rebel strike group and escape Byss. Personally, I'm not convinced it was actually him". But before he can revive that elite corps of protectors, he must first rebuild himself! Back in the 90s, fans were starting to lose interest in STAR WARS, in fact, fans of the galaxy far, far away was at an all-time low. Rebel commanders discuss the appearance of the Imperials coming out of the Deep Core and discover that Admiral Ackbar's homeworld of Mon Calamari is now under attack by a fleet of Imperial war machines. After landing the Falcon in Shug Ninx's garage, meeting Han's former girlfriend, Salla Zend, Han and Leia went to Han's old living quarters. Veitch and Kennedy were approached by Lucasfilm based on their success with The Light and Darkness War. It consists of a six-issue limited series written by Tom Veitch and drawn by Cam Kennedy, followed by a second six-issue limited series by Veitch and Kennedy, followed in turn by a two-issue limited series written by Veitch and drawn by Jim Baikie. Meanwhile, Lando's attack force began their attack on the Imperial fleet. They fight off the Ysanna attacks and sensing they are indeed Jedi, the Ysanna chief welcomes them. The Dark Empire audio drama was a full cast audio adaption of Dark Horse Comics ' Dark Empire comic book series. Dark Horse Comics Additionally, Dark Empire was originally set shortly after the Battle of Endor (as that was the timeframe in which the previous Marvel Comics series had left off). Six years after the fall of the Empire in Return of the Jedi, the battle for the galaxy's freedom rages on. The Imperials aboard the machines still have the factories running and attack the Rebels. She found Luke, who claimed he was free of the dark side, despite his eyes continuing to shine yellow. Showing 6 Results. Star Wars Dark Empire #1 (Wizard Ace Variant) Guide Watch. Princess Leia and Han Solo struggle to hold together the New Republic while the … However, Luke informed them of a great disturbance in the Force. [18], Following the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, several critics interpreted the circumstances of Palpatine's return as amounting to a tribute to Dark Empire. 2 Printings … But, in this case, the book in question was a 1991-1992 comic book miniseries called Dark Empire, published by Dark Horse Comics back when new Star Wars … Suddenly, three Devastators fell into the sea because Luke Skywalker shut them down from Byss. Tom Veitch Han turns the tables by flying close to the tower, forcing the tractor beam to lock onto the structure and pull it instead at full power. Han, Leia and Chewie fly back to Nar Shaddaa to find Vima-da-Boda, at least where Leia last saw her. With Emperor Palpatine apparently perishing aboard the Eclipse, more worlds defy Imperial edicts, especially those that have been recently reconquered. Letterer(s) On one of these raids to the Coruscant system, in the Star Destroyer Liberator (formerly the Adjudicator), an Imperial-class Star Destroyer captured at the Battle of Endor and, over a five-year period, repaired and modified for covert missions, and its sister ship, the Emancipator (originally the Accuser) entered the Coruscant system, where three Star Destroyers demanded novel and unusual codes for clearance. [1][2] After difficulties with Marvel, the project was picked up by Dark Horse Comics.[3]. Dave Dorman The various series have been collected into trade paperbacks: The entire metaseries has also been collected into a single hardcover, which also includes Star Wars Handbook 3: Dark Empire, a collection of illustrated essays on the characters, locations, and other elements of the story: Six years after the events of Return of the Jedi,[5] the Millennium Falcon leads a Rebel task force to Coruscant. The final installment, Empire's End, was a two-issue limited series published in 1995. The droids prove superior to existing Imperial defenses until Palpatine releases an army of Dark Side-mutated monsters on the attackers. Publisher Star Wars Comic Packs Dark Empire 2 #1 Emperor Palpatine Clone & Luke Skywalker. Publication information Dark Empire I was a six-issue limited series published bimonthly in 1991 and 1992. The Jedi Holocron educates Luke about the planet Ossus, a former Jedi-populated world destroyed by the Sith thousands of years earlier. Dark Empire is a tale of enemies reborn, heroes tested, and is a new dawn for the Star Wars universe. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Written by Tom Veitch. Completed ", From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga, Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dark_Empire&oldid=1006004753, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz release group identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Original material for the series has been published as a set of, This page was last edited on 10 February 2021, at 14:55. How Wookieepedia treats Canon and Legends, Boba Fett: Mystery Man in Not-So-Shining Armor, The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, Of Rebel Dreams and Dark Empires: The Making of a Star Wars Legend, Of Light and Darkness: The Making of Dark Empire – Part II, Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. Veitch was criticized for having many pivotal events occur within a single panel or entirely off-panel, which many fans found jarring, while other fans criticized the resurrection of the saga's main antagonist.[source?] At this time, R2-D2 was modified to carry the Master Signal for the World Devastators. Prior to the Eclipse's arrival, the Holocron Leia stole from the Emperor delivered a thousand-year-old prophecy to Leia, which told of her battle against the young Emperor: As the Eclipse came out of hyperspace, the Emperor demanded to the Alliance for Leia to come to his ship alone, with the holocron; he even promised to discuss a truce. As the Rebels celebrate on Mon Calamari, Alliance command determines that the World Devastators are part of a larger Imperial offensive to conquer the galaxy. At that moment, a Force storm came out of a hyperspace wormhole. Han reunites with smuggler friends Shug Ninx, Salla Zend, and Mako Spince to make it happen. The original idea for Dark Empire revolved around the Empire using an impostor in Darth Vader's armor (or a replica of it) to use a… Cam Kennedy The recently rescued Lando and his crew were dispatched aboard the Emancipator to fight a holding action while the main Rebel fleets assembled. However, Luke revealed that he had cast an illusionary projection of himself to make them believe he had boarded so they would escape. A fierce duel occurs between Luke Skywalker and his Jedi team and Palpatine; finally, Han Solo wrongly shoots the Emperor, allowing him to be out of his physical form and get what he wanted: Anakin's body. Han, Leia, Chewie, and the droids are brought before Luke and Palpatine. The newly resurrected Palpatine scoffed at Luke's attempts to vanquish him. Luke told everyone to go but R2-D2 stayed with him. However, an enraged Palpatine unleashes a titanic force storm to utterly obliterate the Rebel Alliance fleet. [12][13], Dark Empire has appeared on several top ten lists related to the Expanded Universe. At the same time, a small Imperial fleet, led by the massive flagship Eclipse, appears above Da Soocha. On New Alderaan, Leia prepares for the birth of her third child as Han and Chewie attempt to rendezvous with Lando's group. Luke then vows to revive the Jedi Order. In Vision of the Future, Timothy Zahn included a conversation that refers to the events of Dark Empire with Luke Skywalker mentioning "the resurrected Emperor" and Mara Jade retorting, "Whatever. Leia travels on her own and appeals to Luke to break away from the Emperor. The Empire in retreat, Luke Skywalker is on a quest to rebuild the Jedi. October 20, 1992 On today's Star Wars Legends, we finish our Dark Empire discussion with a look at Palpatine's plan to conquer the universe. Unfortunately, he missed one. It was she who appealed to the good inside Luke, redeeming him. The ship docks and Luke is closely escorted to a chamber, where he is stunned to see Emperor Palpatine alive.