Set Description:
The original Marvel Star Wars series was published from 1977 to 1986. This series was an outlet for NEW Star Wars adventures between the original trilogy films. The stories ranged from great to funny-weird. I like the whole series because I still see it with all the fond memories of when I was a kid back in the 1980s.
This set is mostly signature series books. Some of the signatures took a lot of work to acquire. In some cases - through my own efforts and in other cases - from the efforts of various CGC facilitators. Sadly, some of the artists, writers and actors I really wanted signatures from are no longer with us (such as Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson). I will definitely cherish the signatures I successfully acquired though.
Ideally, this set would have been a pure 9.8 Signature Series run. However, there remain some very problematic books to track down as strong signature series 9.8 candidates.
Additionally, I have chosen to keep the 35 cent price variants as non-signature series books due to their incredible rarity. I also have some other exceptions explained separately (such as a 9.9 and 10.0).
Many thanks for visiting my Star Wars comic set. May the Force be with you and your collecting endeavors!
2020 Update: I have managed to acquire higher grade copies of the issues #3 and #4 Price Variants.
2023 Update: I yield…. Specifically, I acknowledge that With-U-Is-The-Force! will remain the leading set for years to come. Of interest, there have been a lot of new Variants added over the last year. In some cases, Variants added twice-over (i.e. reprint and reprint/multi-pack). In a lot of ways, this set appears to have become a custom set. For instance: if the multi-packs are included, there should be multipack editions all the way up to issue #18. If there is a Newsstand edition for issue #38, there should be Newsstand Editions from issues #24 to #107. If there is an issue #50 Facsimile Edition (from 2019), there should also be a #1 Facsimile Edition (from 2019). If the Facsimile Editions from 2019 are considered part of the set, then #108 (also from 2019) should be part of the set. In essence, it is recommended that the content of this set be reviewed. Maybe a set without variants should be created and then this set could have every single variant added to it. My two cents.
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Star Wars 1 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0718696010
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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.
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 1 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1010113004
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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.
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 2 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1117895001
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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.
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 2 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 2 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0956283001
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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).
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 3 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 3 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1146325001
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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.
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 3 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 3 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1969708001
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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).
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 4 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695002
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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. :)
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 4 REPRINT/Multi-Pack Edition |
| Item: |
Star Wars 4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4329335019
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 4 35 Cent Price Variant |
| Item: |
Star Wars 4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1969709002
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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).
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 5 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 5 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695003
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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).
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 5 REPRINT/Multi-Pack Edition |
| Item: |
Star Wars 5 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4301623010
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 6 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 6 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1191695004
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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).
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 6 Multi-Pack Edition |
| Item: |
Star Wars 6 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4077883006
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 6 REPRINT/Multi-Pack Edition |
| Item: |
Star Wars 6 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4301201016
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| Slot: |
Star Wars 7 |
| Item: |
Star Wars 7 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1146325002
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Owner Comments
Star Wars 7: New Planets, New Perils!
Writer: Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin, Penciller: Howard Chaykin, Inker: Frank Springer, Cover artist: Gil Kane and Tony DeZuniga.
Signed by Howard Chaykin on 10/14/12.
Maybe (and probably) the 1st expanded universe Star Wars story. Star Wars issue 7 was published in 1977 and included a Han Solo and Chewbacca focused story titled "New Planets, New Perils" which occurred after Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
It was within the letters column 'Star-Words'. which stated that the comic series would be about Han Solo and Chewbacca until George Lucas had better defined what the next film would be about. This made perfect sense to me because the 1st novel "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" written by Alan Dean Foster was written such that it could be filmed as a low-budget sequel in case Star Wars [Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)] was not a success. "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" was radically different from the Empire Strike's Back and focused on Luke and Leia. Therefore having the 1st comics focus on Han and Chewbacca was a fine way to buy time in my opinion. :)
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