Star Wars 27: Return of the Hunter

Star Wars 27: Return of the Hunter is the twenty-seventh issue in the Marvel Star Wars series of comics.

Plot summary
The bounty hunter Beilert Valance has come to the world of Feriae Junction where he shoots a cantina patron named Marko Tyne and then retreats to his agent, Skinker to collect the bounty. Valance's payment is a collection of rebuilt droids, which he then melts into slag with several blasts from his weapon. Valance has an irrational hatred of all droids, and he hunts them down wherever he can find them. Valance's next mission is to find Luke Skywalker. Not only is Luke a droid-owner, but he also apparently treats them as equals which Valance finds repulsive.

Luke meanwhile, has taken C-3PO with him in a blockade runner and is mapping out the perimeter of the Galactic Empire's most recent blockade. He deftly maneuvers the runner out of the way of an oncoming Imperial cruiser before making the jump to hyperspace. Now Luke has to find a trading post so that he can find parts needed to make repairs to the disabled R2-D2. He lands the blockade runner on Junction.

Valance meanwhile has discovered that an Imperial spy has been trying to alert the Empire as to Valance's presence on Junction (Valance is an Imperial defector). Valance shoots the spy, killing him before he can transmit a signal.

Luke and Threepio arrive at Skinker's salvage yard. They acquire the parts they need, but before long Valance returns and finds them. He tries firing at Luke with his blaster, but Luke deflects the shot with his lightsaber. The blast arcs back, striking Valance in the face. Part of his flesh is melted away to reveal cybernetic parts beneath. Valance hates droids because he is now forced to live as a cyborg (due to injuries sustained from an aerial torpedo). But Valance manages to get Luke's blaster and saber away from him and is prepared to kill him. In a rare moment of bravery, C-3PO stands between Luke and Valance declaring that he is ready to sacrifice himself for his master. Moved by behavior which is typically uncharacteristic for a droid (and exceptionally uncharacteristic for Threepio), Valance decides to let them go.

Behind the scenes
Beilert Valance first appeared in Star Wars #16. His next appearance is in Star Wars #29.

Luke makes reference to Han Solo's experience at navigating through asteroid fields. This helps solidify continuity, as we will later see Han maneuvering the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid belt in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

R2-D2 suffered injuries in Star Wars #26.

Collections

 * Classic Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... Volume 2: Dark Encounters
 * Omnibus: A Long Time Ago... Volume 1