HAPPY STAR WARS DAY and MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU! Our coverage continues of the Marvel Star Wars comics published between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi! In this episode, Rob Kelly joins The Irredeemable Shag to dive into Marvel STAR WARS #49 (July 1981), written by Mike W. Barr with art by Walt Simonson and Tom Palmer. Titled “The Last Jedi,” this issue marks the beginning of Simonson and Palmer’s legendary run, featuring a story about a lost prince and the Rebellion’s desperate mission to restore him to his throne. Finally, we wrap up with YOUR listener feedback from the previous episode!
- 00:00:30 – Introductions
- 00:10:35 – Guest’s origin with Star Wars comics
- 00:15:30 – Guest’s favorite Star Wars expanded universe character
- 00:19:45 – Star Wars #48 cover discussion
- 00:25:25 – Star Wars #48 interior discussion
- 01:14:05 – The Golden Plif Award
- 01:17:40 – Your listener feedback from the last episode
- 01:32:25 – Sign off
- Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?
- Leave comments on our website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/swe2j-06/
- Email the show at: EmpireToJedi@gmail.com
- Follow Rob Kelly:
- Fade Out Podcast: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/show/fade-out/
- M*A*S*HCast Podcast: https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/show/mashcast/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robkellycreative.bsky.social
- Subscribe to the MARVEL STAR WARS: FROM EMPIRE TO JEDI Podcast:
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marvel-star-wars-from-empire-to-jedi/id1812325155
- Don’t use Apple Podcasts? Use this link for your podcast catcher: http://feeds.feedburner.com/empiretojedi
- Also available on Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music
- Follow MARVEL STAR WARS: FROM EMPIRE TO JEDI on social media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpireToJedi/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/empiretojedi.bsky.social
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/EmpireToJedi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empiretojedi/
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@empiretojedi
- This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:
- Visit the Fire & Water website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
- Like our Fire & Water Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
- Follow Fire & Water on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fwpodcasts.bsky.social
- Follow Fire & Water on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireandwaterpodcast/
- Support The Fire & Water Podcast Network on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fwpodcasts
Thanks for listening! May the Force be with You, Always!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This was great fun, thanks for making room for me on the very cramped Y Wing, Shag!
Personally, I will never grow tired of the Rob & Shag combo. You’re like R2-D2 & C-3PO, Siskel & Ebert, Adam Savage & Jamie Hyneman, or Shawn Spencer & Burton Guster.
Star Wars #49 was not only The Last Jedi, it was the last issue I bought to complete my run of the Original Marvel Series. As I’ve mentioned previously, the Jedi aspect of Star Wars has been one of the least interesting to me. So once again, I deprived myself of an extremely entertaining comic for many years. For me Tom Palmer is THE Star Wars comic book artist. Just as Perez was for The Teen Titans and Kubert was for Sgt Rock.
Since you asked, here’s what I did for Star Wars Day.
I dressed in my new Mandalorian armor looking shirt. Many would call it Boba Fett but I prefer to think of it as Cobb Vanth. Using a remote shutter, I took a couple of photos of myself holding my Kit Fisto lightsaber to share around with “Happy Star Wars Day” greetings.
I listened to three podcasts over the day: Star Wars-related episodes of “The Unpracticed Disorganized Acting Company”, “The Wonderful World of Darklords”, and the newest episode of “Marvel Star Wars: From Empire to Jedi”. When I wasn’t listening to those podcasts, I listened to the score for “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Every Monday, I visit a friend for lunch and we play a game or two. Today, I made us Ice Cream Yodas (sodas) to have with our lunch. We played Star Wars Villainous with him playing Moff Gideon and myself playing Darth Tyranus. He won and then we watched three episodes of “Star Wars: Clone Wars”.
My mom messaged me while I was there and asked if I could come over and watch the original Star Wars with her. Since I wasn’t available today, I’m going to tomorrow.
Back home, I made two dishes from “Star Wars: The Ultimate Cookbook” for dinner. I took photos of what I made, displayed with my emotional support droid (BB-14J). Check social media to see those.
I might be missing something but I think that’s enough for here and now. 🙂
This is one of my favorite Star Wars stories named “The Last Jedi”. Definitely Top 3, maybe higher.
The two-seater “extended cab” Y-Wing dates back to Splinter of the Mind’s Eye, but, based on the size of the cockpit in these pages, this ship would’ve been the size of the Falcon.
I don’t know why Luke didn’t dress like a pirate all the time. Clearly the women in his galaxy were thirsty for that type of man.
The two-seater Y-wing also appeared in the cartoon section of the Star Wars Holiday Special. That Y-wing could also disconnect the cockpit, which could then operate independently!
It’s funny how the existence of the 2-seat Y-wing persists in EU stuff despite never appearing in a movie!
I had the Y-wing toy as a kid. Weirdly I had that and the B-wing long before I had an X-wing. The Y-wing was an awesome toy. It could drop a bomb, the gun turret spun and made laser sounds, it had landing gear, and unlike the X-wing toy, which had a molded in R2, the Y-wing had an empty slot for an astromech droid!
In one of the Expanded Universe novels–the second book of the Jedi Academy Trilogy “Dark Apprentice”, I think–Admiral Ackbar and Leia travel in a modified two-seater B-Wing.
Prince Denid looks like Yanni!
Your episode on this comic and your positive review made me go back and read it! I’ve always written this one off as lame for some reason and probably haven’t read it in over 30 years! I am pleased I was mistaken bc it’s a fun read!
Another great episode Shag! You’re absolutely right – this WAS the issue that changed the course for this title. It literally was treading water for a year. Even at 10-11 years old, I wasn’t happy with the stories as they lacked that Star Wars “feel”. As a kid, I wasn’t feeling Carmine Infantino’s art. At 55, I see he is a legend and love his off model ships and Darth Vader, but not in 1981.
This title would go on to a glorious 2-3 incredible run and I’m looking forward to the ride. I think one of the reasons it clicked with me (aside from the art and fun stories) was the humor. Star Wars is NOT dark. There are laughs to be had. I still remember the Imperial trooper wearing a non regulation hat while working on the Tarkin. Great stuff, and one of my all time favorite runs from a lifetime of collecting.
Leia being accused of playing spin the bottle was extremely titillating to my 10 year old self. LOVE the show, and it brings back warm memories
Are we sure the marvel Luke isn’t a secret time lord and this y wing isn’t really a Tartis in chameleon mode think about it’s bigger on the inside and on the outside just a theory .
What my brother and I did on May 4th
We did our work out while watching the Droids cartoon , then after we were done he watched Star Wars rebels on Disney xd . I did chores why listening to the Star Wars shadows of the empire soundtrack.
Then we went to library to request Star Wars rebels the graphic novel and marvel epic Star Wars droids and Ewoks for us . That’s everything Star Wars lady we did.
It would be funny if Prince Denid really was Vandal Savage, At least have Ted Knight wander over for a Starman/ Star Wars crossover
I’ll bet they could have sold a lot of Pirate Luke Skywalker action figures.
My main question is about Jedidiah’s nickname, Jedi. It could be pronounced Jed-die, like the knights, or Jed-dih like when saying his full name, or Jed-dee. Honestly, I fell into liking the last one because it deliberately avoided using the obvious pronunciation, and it sounded like a childhood friend’s name like Tommy or Billy. Then it becomes almost comical to say “The Last Jed-dee!”
I was lucky enough to meet Tom Palmer once at a HeroesCon, either 2017 or 2018, and he was very nice while I listened to him tell stories to fans. For me, he was THE Avengers artist, as he inked over a hundred issues. His longevity and productivity were remarkable. And by coincidence, he’s very significant to my podcast this year. What a guy.
Great episode guys! You have a fun chemistry. You should think about recording together again.
I have come around to Tom Palmer. I couldn’t stand his inks in the 80s because they overpowered everyone. Palmer and Byrne? Looks like Palmer. Palmer and Perez? Looks like Palmer. Palmer and Van Gogh? Palmer.
However, I know see that, when paired with the right penciller, like John Buscema, he shines. And he’s a great artist in his own right.
The series is a fun revisit of an era where we only got Bea Arthur and breadcrumbs to satisfy our love of Star Wars. Great job!
The moment I saw the cover in your social media posts, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. This was probably my favorite issue of the Star Wars series. The evil Empire lady always gave me some confusing feelings as a kid. Sure, she’s evil, but she’s also hot! What should mustache Luke do? Combine that with the Jedi alien, double-crosses, riding frogs, and Leia getting some, this issue had it all. By the way, I don’t blame Leia for her actions with the prince guy whether it was an act or not. The last time she saw Han, Leia told him she loved him and he said, “I know.” Leia was probably thinking, “What the hell kind of answer is that? Screw this guy!”
Anyway, always great to hear the godfathers together. Terrific show.