- "Believe me, you could use a good kiss. You've been so busy giving orders, you've forgotten how to be a woman."
- ―Han Solo
| "Beginning" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Star Wars | |
| Title: | "Beginning" |
| Storyline: | "The Empire Strikes Back" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 39 |
| Cover price: | .50 |
| Cover date: | September, 1980 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Jim Shooter |
| Writers: | Archie Goodwin |
| Pencilers: | Al Williamson; Carlos Garzón |
| Inkers: | Al Williamson; Carlos Garzón |
| Cover artists: | Al Williamson; Carlos Garzón |
| Cover inker: | Al Williamson; Carlos Garzón |
| Colorists: | Glynis Wein |
| Letterers: | Jim Novak |
| Assistants: | Jo Duffy; Danny Fingeroth |
| Editors: | Archie Goodwin |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Star Wars #38 |
| Next: | Star Wars #40 |
"The Empire Strikes Back: Beginning" is the title to the thirty-ninth issue of the first Star Wars ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Archie Goodwin with artwork and inks by the team of Al Williamson and Carlos Garzón. Williamson and Garzón also rendered the cover art illustration to this issue. The book was colored by Glynis Wein and lettered by Jim Novak. The story was edited by Archie Goodwin with Jo Duffy and Danny Fingeroth as assistant editors. This issue shipped with a September, 1980 cover date and carries a cover price of .50 cents per copy.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- 2-1B
- C-3PO
- Carlist Rieekan
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (As a Force spirit)
- R2-D2
Villains
Minor characters
- Bren Derlin
- FX-7
- Jabba the Hut (Referenced only)
- Tigran Jamiro (Unnamed)
- Yoda (Referenced only)
Organizations
Races & Animals
- Force spirits
Locations
- Dagobah System (Referenced only)
- Hell (Referenced only)
- Hoth System
- Ord Mantell (Referenced only)
Items
- Droids
- Astromech droid
- KPR servant droid
- Medical droid
Vehicles
Ranks & Titles
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- Star Wars was created by writer, director and executive producer George Lucas. It first captured the imaginations of movie goers in May, 1977 with its inaugural installment, which has since come to be identified by its full title, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The movie led to two sequels, a prequel trilogy, a third trilogy, several spin-off films, and numerous television programs, animated projects, novels, comic books, and video games, as well as developing into a merchandising giant.
- This is the first chapter in the official comic book adaptation of the 1980 feature film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Based on a script by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan from a story by George Lucas.
- This issue was originally printed in the Marvel Super Special #16 illustrated magazine edition in the Spring of 1980.
- Beginning with this issue, the cover price on the series raises from .40 cents per copy to .50 cents per copy.
- This issue identifies Jabba as Jabba the Hut. In most sources, he is identified as Jabba the Hutt (with two "T"s).
- This issue shows a scene that is not in the theatrical release of the film. It is revealed that at least one additional Wampa had been captured and contained at Echo Base. A shot of the Wampa's left arm smashing through an ice barrier can be seen. A later scene shows Rebel soldiers blasting away at a partially obscured Wampa.
- Luke Skywalker's lightsaber is referred to as a "lightblade" in this issue.
- Han Solo tells the deck officer "I'll see you in Hell", which is a line taken directly from the movie. It is a topical anachronism implying that some form of a Christian concept of Hell also exists in the Star Wars galaxy and carries the same name.
- In the comic, Luke Skywalker slashes at the Wampa with his "lightblade", causing an indeterminate injury. In the film, he clearly cuts off the creature's arm.
Recommended Reading[]
Novels
Comics
See also[]
Media
The World of Star Wars
Star Wars miscellaneous
External Links[]
- Star Wars, Volume 1 #39 at MDP
- Star Wars, Volume 1 #39 at Comics.org
- Star Wars, Volume 1 #39 at Comic Vine
- Star Wars, Volume 1 #39 at Amazon.com
- Star Wars, Volume 1 #39 at Wookieepedia
 This article is part of the official Marvel Comics adaptation of the 1980 feature film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Issues
Main characters
Supporting characters
Antagonists
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