Stories about Luke Skywalker in the period after Return of the Jedi have been pretty scarce to come by over the last decade, but it seems that is slowly beginning to change. And in the recent Battle of Jakku comic, Luke is more involved in the New Republic efforts than we previously knew – which I think is a great thing.
In one of the recent issues, Battle of Jakku: Republic Under Siege #4 (written by Alex Segura), the New Republic leaders are beginning to prepare for a massive battle at Jakku, where intelligence has suggested the Empire is gathering forces for a last stand. Chancellor Mon Mothma and Admiral Gial Ackbar realize that this means they don’t have many resources to spare for other skirmishes, since the attention will be directed to Jakku. Luke Skywalker, however, pushes back by suggesting they need to attack Governor Ubrik Adelhard’s forces to eliminate that threat as well, and he volunteers to lead it.
So Luke jumps in his X-Wing and, alongside Lando Calrissian (flying the Lady Luck) and the bounty hunter-turned-ally Valance, leads a small rebel fleet to attack Adelhard’s Star Destroyer. The mission is a success, both because of their efforts and because of a betrayal on-board the Destroyer by one of Adelhard’s advisors. This Imperial threat, it seems, has been silenced – at least for now. As the rebels prepare to leave, Luke tells them that they’ll be in time to aid the efforts at Jakku.
I love that we’re seeing Luke Skywalker actually very involved in the war effort even after the Battle of Endor, and that he’s leading a space battle alongside Lando in attacking an Imperial threat – all based on his plan in speaking to New Republic leadership. We know that during this time Luke is exploring the history of the Jedi and collecting Jedi artifacts, but he’s also still aiding the rebel cause that he’d been loyal to for several years previously. I’m thrilled by this, and by the implication that he’ll have a role at Jakku too, and hope that we continue to fill in the gaps more of Luke’s involvement during this final year of the Galactic Civil War.
Star Wars Thoughts 