Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars #49
Summary
41 years later, the events leading up toHan Solo’scarbonite rescue in theStar Warstimeline have been revealed in full. Having been frozen in carbonite and set to be delivered to Jabba the Hutt inThe Empire Strikes Back, several key events happened not only to the frozen Solo, but also to his Rebel friends as they made preparations to save him. Now, Marvel’s canonicalStar Warsseries set between Episodes V-VI is about to come to a close, having revealed the moment when the Rebels were finally ready to save the infamous smuggler turned Rebellion hero.
Charles Soule’sStar Warsseries began in 2020, picking up right whereEmpire Strikes Backleft off. Fleshing out the stories of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, and more, several significant events have been revealed in the last four years which have helped build tothe decision to save Han Solo before the Battle of Endoras seen inReturn of the Jedi. Now, the penultimateStar Wars #49by Soule and Jethro Morales seesLeia and her fellow Rebels finally deciding to make Han’s rescue their top priority:
Looking over schematics of Jabba’s Palace, this truly is an epic moment in the canonStar Warscontinuity, taking place just before the final issue withStar Wars #50and the actual rescue mission itself inReturn of the Jedi.
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Marvel’s Star Wars Series Set Up Han’s Rescue In Multiple Ways
The Time Has Finally Come To Save Solo
Beginning with the very first issues of Soule’sStar Wars, a return to Cloud City was featured where the Rebel heroes gave aid to Lando’s people. During this mission, Luke searched for his father’s blue-bladed lightsaber (to no success), while Leia learned how to undo the carbon freezing process so she’d be able to thaw Han once he was retrieved. Likewise,Lando’s secret dealings with Jabba the Huttallowed him to get familiar with the layout of the gangster’s stronghold with a few visits, including learning where Solo was specifically being displayed as Jabba’s favorite decoration.
Even before the frozen Solo got to Jabba,the Rebellion tried to save Han after he was stolen from Boba Fett by the reformed crime syndicate Crimson Dawn. Using Solo as a bargaining chip to further her own plans,Crimson Dawn’s Lady Qi’raalways intended to return her former love interest to the Rebellion after using him to create mass galactic chaos, though Fett ultimately retrieved his bounty and delivered Solo to Jabba as promised.
Leia Confirms Why The Rebellion Chose To Save Han Solo Before The Battle of Endor
Wanting To Choose Her Own Future
Likewise, several Imperial engagements, the discovery of a second Death Star,Lando Calrissian’s war tribunal, Luke’s ongoing Jedi training, and the need to reform the scattered Rebellion after Hoth all took precedence over saving Han Solo.However, it seems as though the time has now come for the Rebels to finally get Han back. It certainly is the most fitting sign that this currentStar Warsseries is nearing its natural conclusion ahead ofReturnof the Jedi.
To that end, it’s very satisfying to see Leia’s reasoning for saving Han inStar Wars #49.Wanting to fight for her future as much as for the present, Leia is determined to save the man she loves for the sake of who she wants to be after the Galactic Civil War comes to an end, surrounded by those she cares for and loves (like Han).Choosing to have a future that Han Solo is a part of, it’s a very exciting way to set up the classic rescue mission that opensReturn of the Jediin theStar Warscanon.
Star Wars #49is on sale from Marvel Comics.
Han Solo
Hailing from Corellia, Han Solo deserted the Empire to become a smuggler, and he spent years working for the Hutts as a spice runner. Han’s life changed forever when he agreed to transport Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker to Alderaan from Tatooine, and he soon became an important member of the Rebel Alliance. Han’s romance with Leia Organa became the stuff of legend, and they married shortly after the Battle of Endor. Sadly, their relationship ended in tragedy when their son Ben fell to the dark side - eventually killing Han. Still, memories of Han helped bring Ben back to the light.
