Star Wars Comics: Dark Force Rising #3-4, X-Wing Rogue Squadron #20-22

My Recent Reads

Dark Force Rising #3

Originally Published July 30, 1997

Based on the novel of the same name by Timothy Zahn

Writer: Mike Baron

Artist: Terry Dodson

In-Story Timeline: 9 ABY

via Wookieepedia

• Luke meets C'Baoth who starts training him in the ways of the Force... the Dark Side of the Force.
• Han and Lando are on New Cov trying to dig up evidence on a spy among Senator Borsk Fey'lya's advisers.  Their efforts are interrupted when Thrawn's forces arrive on the planet.  A couple of new friends help them to escape.
• Thrawn threatens the Noghri who are hiding Leia, Chewie and Threepio.  So far, they haven't caved but Leia's getting nervous.
• Kirk, Spock and McCoy make a cameo in one of the panels.  I never would have seen it without the heads up from Wookieepedia but it's there.  If you're curious, page 18, fourth panel from the top, lower left.

Dark Force Rising #4

August 27, 1997

Based on the novel of the same name by Timothy Zahn

Baron/Dodson

via Wookieepedia

• Mara Jade is back!  But whose side is she on?  
• Thrawn's?  She cuts a deal with him to get information but then he betrays her.  
• Talon Karrde's?  She does seem inclined to protect him.
• Luke's?  Well, that seems unlikely at this stage but when the our favorite Jedi finally catches on that C'Baoth isn't such a great guy, Mara helps him escape.
• Han and Lando meet with Garm Bel Iblis, a former Senator and a General with the Rebellion.  Unfortunately, he refuses to help them.

X-Wing Rogue Squadron #20: Requiem for a Rogue, Part 4

June 2, 1997

Michael A. Stackpole and Jan Strnad/Gary Erskine

4 ABY

via Wookieepedia

• The good guys win.
• But not without high cost.  Dllr and Herian sacrifice themselves for the good of the cause.

X-Wing Rogue Squadron #21: In the Empire's Service, Part 1

August 6, 1997

Stackpole/John Nadeau

via Wookieepedia

• It turns out the Empire has their own cracker jack pilot, one Baron Fel.  The character is an obvious homage to the Red Baron.
• He is being sent to destroy Rogue Squadron.  And apparently he has a personal beef with Wedge, too, though we don't yet know what it is.

X-Wing Rogue Squadron #22: In the Empire's Service, Part 2

September 3, 1997

Stackpole/Nadeau

via Wookieepedia

• We learn more about Baron Fel.  In truth, he seems a decent guy.  He's faithful to his wife.  He's motivated by the idea of protecting the citizens of the empire.  I always appreciate characters like this - a sympathetic face on the enemy.  Lux Bonteri is a good example from Clone Wars.
• He's certainly a more honorable man than his general on Brentaal IV, Soto.  The latter is mostly interested in protecting himself.
• Rogue Squadron and the Imperials, led by Fel, square off over Brentaal.  Several are shot down, but survive.  Janson and Ibtisam are taken prisoner.