| Slot: |
Star Wars 1 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0718696010
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 1 - The beginning of the six part 1977 movie adaptation which is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope.
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller and Inker: Howard Chaykin
Signed by Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels & David Prowse on 10/24/09.
Star Wars issue 1 was the beginning of Star Wars in comics and predated the release of the original Star Wars film. This issue adapted the original movie with a screenplay and production images. The film and adaption definitely had differences from one another. I suspect some of these changes were associated with post production editing of the film. Another observation a lot of people make is how rushed the artwork looked. From my understanding, a lot of pressure was on Howard Chaykin to have this issue ready as quick as possible. The artwork definitely improved with later parts of the adaptation.
I have read articles over the years describing how critical Roy Thomas was towards Marvel being the publisher of Star Wars comics and how these comics kept the company cash flow going in the tough comics business years of the late 1970s.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 1 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1010113004
|
Owner Comments
The Star Wars #1 35 cent variant (along with issues #2, 3 and 4) have always seemed shrouded in mystery for me. I have seen online info about the rarity of these books. I have read posts that described the price variants being a test of price increases by shipping a small percentage of higher priced issues to select cities to measure consumer response.
Over the years, I have looked for official documentation to describe why the price variants existed and what cities hosted the tests. Because of this interest - I included an image of a letter from Sol Brodsky, Vice President of Operations for Marvel Comics Group. This letter was dated from May 19th, 1978. I am very thankful to the Flying Donut Trading Company for posting this letter (source: http://www.flyingdonut.com/35centletter.jpg ). I assume the Flying Donut Trading Company is also FlyingDonut from the CGC boards (who has provided beyond valuable info over the years).
This letter is special for two reasons. The 1st is that it verifies that the price variants were a “test”. The 2nd reason is that it confirms that Memphis, TN was one of SIX (6) cities selected for this test.
Other test cities from 35 cent variant websites included:
- Toledo, OH,
- Tuscaloosa, AL,
- Wilmington, NC, and
- San Antonio, TX (less references list this city though).
I would totally love to find other references to back this info up too someday.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 2 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1117895001
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 2: Six Against the Galaxy.
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Steve Leialoha.
Signed by Mark Hamill on 8/26/12 at Star Wars Celebration VI held in Orlando, FL.
This issue included the second part of the adaptation of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. It included a variety of differences from the film for both spellings and depictions. The largest difference was definitely the inclusion of Jabba though. Some dialogue was at least of a similar intent to what was later included in the 1997 Star Wars Special Edition scene for Jabba the Hutt. However, this issue later applied a retroactive continuity (retcon) correction such that it was actually Mosep Binneed who was acting on behalf of Jabba. Mosep was a Nimbanel seen in the background during the Mos Eisley scenes.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 2 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 2 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0956283001
|
Owner Comments
From the perspective of the CGC census, 35-cent price variants for Star Wars issues #2, 3 and 4 are less common than issue #1. This may be the result of how long the price variants of these other issues were commonly known to collectors though.
During the early 1990s, I recall the Overstreet Price Guide listing the Star Wars issue #1 35-cent price variant – but not the other issues. Someday, I hope to find the specific edition of the Overstreet Price Guide which listed the 35-cent price variants for these particular issues.
I give credit to the internet forums leading to the awareness of these variants. The increased awareness probably led to the Overstreet advisors recommending the addition of these price variants in the guide along with price variants of other Marvel titles from the same era.
From what I can tell from internet articles, Five (5) of the Six (6) test cities to include 35 cent variants websites included:
- Memphis, TN
- Toledo, OH,
- Tuscaloosa, AL,
- Wilmington, NC, and
- San Antonio, TX (less references list this city though).
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 3 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 3 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1146325001
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 3: Death Star!
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Steve Leialoha.
Signed by Howard Chaykin on 10/14/12.
A scan of the page depicting the destruction of the planet Alderaan by the Death Star.
This issue experienced less deviations from the film. Exceptions include some designations such as where the film includes a line: "Prisoner transfer from cell block 1138.", the comic includes a similar but not identical line: "Prisoner transfer from Block TX-138". These are both still references to George Lucas' 1st film known as: THX-1138 though.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 3 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 3 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1969708001
|
Owner Comments
From the perspective of the CGC census, 35-cent price variants for Star Wars issues #2, 3 and 4 are less common than issue #1. This may be the result of how long the price variants of these other issues were commonly known to collectors though.
During the early 1990s, I recall the Overstreet Price Guide listing the Star Wars issue #1 35-cent price variant – but not the other issues. Someday, I hope to find the specific edition of the Overstreet Price Guide which listed the 35-cent price variants for these particular issues.
I give credit to the internet forums leading to the awareness of these variants. The increased awareness probably led to the Overstreet advisors recommending the addition of these price variants in the guide along with price variants of other Marvel titles from the same era.
From what I can tell from internet articles, Five (5) of the Six (6) test cities to include 35 cent variants websites included:
- Memphis, TN
- Toledo, OH,
- Tuscaloosa, AL,
- Wilmington, NC, and
- San Antonio, TX (less references list this city though).
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 4 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695002
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 4: In Battle with Darth Vader.
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Steve Leialoha, Cover artist: Rick Hoberg.
Signed by Roy Thomas on 7/20/13.
This issue depicts the lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. As can be seen from the interior image, the lightsaber blade colors were not consistent in the early issues. Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber blade color varies from red to white to red again.
The cover also depicts a scene that definitely did not literally occur in the film. Some could argue that it may have emotionally occurred within Luke Skywalker's mind as the characters escaped the Death Star though. :)
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 4 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1969709002
|
Owner Comments
From the perspective of the CGC census, 35-cent price variants for Star Wars issues #2, 3 and 4 are less common than issue #1. This may be the result of how long the price variants of these other issues were commonly known to collectors though.
During the early 1990s, I recall the Overstreet Price Guide listing the Star Wars issue #1 35-cent price variant – but not the other issues. Someday, I hope to find the specific edition of the Overstreet Price Guide which listed the 35-cent price variants for these particular issues.
I give credit to the internet forums leading to the awareness of these variants. The increased awareness probably led to the Overstreet advisors recommending the addition of these price variants in the guide along with price variants of other Marvel titles from the same era.
From what I can tell from internet articles, Five (5) of the Six (6) test cities to include 35 cent variants websites included:
- Memphis, TN
- Toledo, OH,
- Tuscaloosa, AL,
- Wilmington, NC, and
- San Antonio, TX (less references list this city though).
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 5 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 5 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695003
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 5: Lo, The Moons of Yavin!
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Steve Leialoha, Cover artist: Rick Hoberg and Dave Cockrum.
Signed by Roy Thomas on 7/20/13.
The market tests of the 35-cent price variants of various Marvel titles (which included Star Wars issue #1, 2, 3 and 4) distributed to a limited number of cities were deemed successful. All titles adopted the “new” 35-cent cover price. Henceforth, from issue #5 onward - there are no 35-cent price variants. The 35-cent version was the standard version (until further cover price increases occur starting with issue 23 in 1979).
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 6 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 6 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695004
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 6: Is This the Final Chapter?
Writer: Roy Thomas, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Rick Hoberg and Bill Wray, Cover artist: Rick Hoberg and Dave Cockrum.
Signed by Roy Thomas on 7/20/13.
The cover of this issue depicted a scene that really did not occur in the film. :)
The last interior image of story was included to show that this issue indicated that more stories were on-the-way which would later be known as the Expanded Universe (and much later be known as Legends).
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 39 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 39 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1195281014
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 39: The Empire Strikes Back: Beginning.
Story adapted by Archie Goodwin with art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.
Signed by David Prowse on 3/15/13.
This issue began a six part adaptation of the Empire Strikes Back. I have always considered this to be the best adaptation of any film.
Of interest, Star Wars issues 39 to 45 were released after Marvel Super Special 16 (Magazine Size) and a digest sized format release too. However, there have been lots of debates about what is considered the 'original printing' of the Empire Strikes Back adaptation as a lot of collectors do not collect the magazine or digest sized comics. Hence issues 39 to 45 have stayed important. :)
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 40 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 40 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1117896001
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 40: The Empire Strikes Back: Battleground Hoth!
Story adapted by Archie Goodwin with art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.
Signed by Mark Hamill on 8/25/12 at Star Wars Celebration 2012 thanks to the Great OneStopComicShop.
This issue continued the adaptation of the Empire Strikes Back and I loved the AT-AT cover!
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 41 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 41 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1595408001
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 41: The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial Pursuit!
Story adapted by Archie Goodwin with art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.
Signed by Anthony Daniels on 5/28/16.
The majority of the Star Wars movie adaptations from the prequels, originals and sequels tended to not depict C-3PO and R2-D2 on their covers. From my understanding, Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon noticed this for their Empire Strikes Back covers and thus decided to include the Droids in the upper left corner box starting with issue 39. I decided to have this issue signed by Anthony Daniels since this cover depicted the Millennium Falcon in the asteroid field but also depicted C-3PO at least in the upper corner.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 42 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 42 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0147233001
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 42: The Empire Strikes Back: To Be a Jedi.
Story adapted by Archie Goodwin with art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.
Signed by Jeremy Bulloch on 3/18/11 at Toronto Comic Con.
Within the Star Wars collection, there were not many issues defined as KEY issues. However, the issues that included Boba Fett covers (issues 42, 68 and 81) have arguably been considered KEY or at least semi-KEY issues.
This issue featured the 1st comic book appearances of Boba Fett, IG-88, 4-LOM, Bossk, Dengar and even Yoda. To consider this issue their first appearances, it means that one must not consider Marvel Super Special 16 to count though. Marvel Super Special 16 was published before issue 39 but was magazine sized.
|
| Slot: |
Star Wars 43 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 43 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0147233003
|
Owner Comments
Star Wars 43: The Empire Strikes Back: Betrayal at Bespin!
Story adapted by Archie Goodwin with art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon.
Signed by Billy Dee Williams on 3/19/11 at Toronto Comic Con.
This issue featured the 1st cover appearance of Lando Calrissian (and maybe his 1st appearance in comics depending on one's perspective of the magazine sized Marvel Super Special 16).
This issue also included pin-up artwork featuring famous artists that included: Frank Miller, Terry Austin, Michael Golden, John Byrne and Marie Severin.
|