Iskalon/Legends

Iskalon was a planet in the Outer Rim Territories.

History
It was inhabited by members of 17 aquatic races relocated from their original homeworlds in 5,000 BBY, collectively united as "Iskalonians." In the days of the Galactic Republic, before the Clone Wars, Iskalon was often raided for water-breathing slaves. During the Great Galactic War, a group of Imperial fighters known as the Bane Brigade and their Sith commanders attacked the planet.

C. 529 BBY, a number of needy Iskalonian locals were approached by recruiters sent by Hugo Bartyn. Bartyn wanted amphibian fishermen to settle a new city in Lamaredd and tempted these poverty-stricken individuals with promises of untouched seas in a new frontier. Once they arrived, however, they became slave laborers.

The Iskalonians built a city called Pavillion for interaction with non-water breathers, but the city was destroyed in 3 ABY by the Iskalon effect, a huge tidal wave created by an Imperial attack meant to kill Luke Skywalker. The attack also destroyed a small Quarren colony. After the disaster, the Iskalonians largely withdrew from galactic affairs. Regardless, Luke helped the planet later on, when he and local hero Kiro destroyed the Nagai presence on Iskalon. However, the Iskalonians refused to join the New Republic.

The chiaki sea creatures also hailed from Iskalon.

Behind the scenes
Iskalon and the other planet in its system, Gamandar, are references to the Japanese science fiction anime series Space Battleship Yamato, known as Star Blazers in the western market. The two planets Iscandar and Gamilon, which were the twin planets that featured prominently in the first season of Space Cruiser Yamato/Star Blazers are the obvious source for the two similar sounding planets appearing in Marvel Star Wars. Iscandar, like its namesake, was also mostly covered with oceans. As a further reference to the Japanese series, the Rebels were led to Iskalon and Gamandar by the Rebel pilot, Yom Argo. This name referenced how the main ship in the Japanese series, Yamato was re-christened the Argo for American audiences.

In the Japanese Star Wars 1987 video game game, after rescuing Obi-Wan Kenobi on Kessel, Luke Skywalker arrived on Iskalon to rescue C-3PO. Luke had to swim deep underwater to reach where C-3PO was held. Eventually Luke arrived into a chamber where he faced Kurado Vader, a shark-like creature who took the form of Darth Vader. One swipe of Luke's lightsaber and it transformed back into its shark form. After it was defeated, Luke freed C-3PO from the hold he was in and set off for the Death Star to rescue Princess Leia.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Old Republic
 * Star Wars 1987 video game
 * Star Wars 74: The Iskalon Effect
 * Star Wars 75: Tidal
 * Star Wars 76: Artoo-Detoo to the Rescue
 * Star Wars 77: Chanteuse of the Stars...
 * Star Wars 82: Diplomacy
 * Star Wars 87: Still Active After All These Years
 * Star Wars 90: The Choice
 * Star Wars 96: Duel With a Dark Lady
 * Star Wars 99: Touch of the Goddess
 * Star Wars 102: School Spirit