Writer: Archie Goodwin Art: Michael Golden Luke and Leia are being pursued by an Imperial star destroyer when their hyperdrive malfunctions catapulting them into a starless void beyond the galaxy. There they encounter a massive organic-based vessel which promptly swallows their ship. Once inside they are confronted with serious of deadly encounters with the seemingly empty ship; Luke battles a robot that possesses a lightsaber-like weapon, Leia is nearly sucked out of an airlock into space. They soon discover that the sole occupant and pilot is a survivor of an age old war fought between two now extinct species. In order to survive in the void, the pilot has actually merged with the ship to become a single being. Reconsidering its actions against Luke and Leia, the pilot/ship transports them back to their own galaxy where it defeats the pursing star destroyer and releases them. This is a story that you really have to read for yourself to get the full effect of it. The plot is helped along by what is hands down the best art in the series up to this point, and some of the best of the entire run. Michael Golden is a legend of the industry and this issue is a perfect example of why. The strangeness of the organic ship, the bizarre nature of its interiors, and the look of the pilot: they all work towards creating one of the most alien creatures of the entire franchise. The emotions on the faces of Luke and Leia as the encounter one test by the ship after another are palpable and heighten what is a truly original story by the great Archie Goodwin. Its a great stand alone issue by two comic book titans.
I've been a huge sci-fi fan ever since going to see "Star Wars" at the tender age of 3 (and yes I actually do remember it! I love pretty much any intelligent and entertaining film and television series (some of my all time favorites are 2001, Lawrence of Arabia, Battlestar Galactica [SyFy], and The West Wing). Must thank the stars above for such things as HBOGO and Netflix (Am thoroughly enjoying Ripper Street btw). I've also been an avid comic book collector since childhood. I earned a bachelor's degree in creative writing with a second emphasis in film studies from Florida State University (Go Noles!) and definitely enjoy sitting back and watching pretty much any sports. I wish I had a joke to end with, but I don't so I'll simply say "The End."
