Star Wars #8

This 1978 Marvel issue takes the galaxy "beyond the movie" as the cover boldly promises, assembling a ragtag crew of eight figures — Han Solo front and center with blaster raised, Chewbacca looming large beside him, and a colorful assortment of alien and human allies including a striking green rabbit-eared warrior — all poised for action on an alien world. A small inset portrait of Luke Skywalker with lightsaber reinforces the "deadly mission" teaser, making it clear the story has ventured well past familiar territory. Gil Kane and Tony DeZuniga deliver a wonderfully dynamic composition that captures exactly the spirit of wide-open adventure Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin were bringing to the expanded Star Wars universe.