Star Wars 3 is the third issue of the 2025 canon comic book series Star Wars. The issue was written by Alex Segura, illustrated by Phil Noto, and published by Marvel Comics on July 16, 2025.
Publisher's summary[]
RETURN TO CLOUD CITY! HAN SOLO, BEILERT VALANCE and LANDO CALRISSIAN must help an old friend. Witness the long friendship of HAN, CHEWIE and LANDO in exciting flashbacks to bygone eras! And a mysterious figure from the past re-emerges using a new model CLOUD CAR!
Opening crawl[]
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Plot Summary[]
- "How do you move that kind of weaponry without being seen?"
"You tell me, smuggler. Or are you ashamed of your old life? Heh. Did I hit you where it hurts, Solo?"
"You know as well as anyone how twisted and complicated this life can be, Valance. We do what we have to do to survive. We make tough choices because those are the only ones left. You scrape and crawl and fight to get by. That's what I did. Shame has nothing to do with it." - ―Han Solo and Beilert Valance
On Cloud City, above Bespin, a ship is flying swiftly towards the floating civilisation. Inside Cloud City, several members of the Wing Guard are unable to identify the ship as well as get any message through to the pilot. Looking closely at the speed they are approaching, they realise it is on a collision course with a landing bay, which it inevitably collides with. The Guard’s approach the wreckage, staying alert for any dangers, they notice something moving among the wreckage, the Nagai, Garlev, pulls himself from the Cockpit and towards the guards. Garlev proclaims to them that he must speak with Lando Calrissian and find Han Solo.
Meanwhile, on Suboreen, Cyborg Beilert Valance and General Han Solo discuss the rise of the Zantarrk Gang and how they seem to have appeared out of nowhere. Valance recounts his encounters with the gang and how they clearly have lots of money and guns, which leads Solo to question how they could possibly move so much weaponry without being seen. Valance turns the question back on Solo with his Smuggler past, which strikes a nerve within the General. Han defends himself, saying how complicated life can be, and he did what he must to survive. Suddenly, Han’s Comlink buzzes, and Lando informs his old friend that Garlev landed on Cloud City asking for the two of them to give them information vital to the New Republic. He also requests that Han comes quickly, Garlev is in a bad state, whoever was after him didn’t want the Nagai to reach his old companions.
In the Fenril sector, New Republic pilot Rynn Zenat continues to wait for Luke Skywalker to return from his sudden unexplained departure. Talking with her partner, Preeti Delmin, she expresses how foolish she feels to have lost Luke and be unable to explain to Leia Organa Solo what happened to her brother. Preeti dismisses this, saying that she isn’t a rookie and has made many difficult choices throughout her life. After signing off to each other, Luke returns from his Mission to Gadrilam. Luke is glad to be reunited with his flight partner, apologising for leaving so abruptly, and informing her that he has vital intel relating to the supply raids. However, Rynn informs him that several more attacks have occurred, as well as the Fenril sector becoming off limits to the New Republic. The two decide to head back to base to share their intel with each other.
Many years ago, on Karimenen, Garlev, Lando, Han, and Chewbacca are under fire from Karimenen Thugs while in search for some intel. With tensions rising, Garlev is still searching for more intel, but Lando and Solo are convinced that they need to get out while they can. Garlev confides that what he's looking for isn't about loot, they offer to cover him while he gets what he came for. Inside a structure, Garlev begins searching for data, but also looks at a Hologram of his family. Han runs inside, telling him that they've held off the thugs for now and asking the Nagai if he has what he came for, tears in his eyes, he hasn't found his information yet.
Han and Valance arrive swiftly on Cloud City, greeted by Lando, the group of men discusses that he hasn't mentioned any of his information to anyone, demanding to see both of them not just one, they reminisce on the last time the two of them saw Garlev over a decade before.
On the outskirts of the Moraysian sector, the previous group is under fire from Moraysian smugglers, who have just been robbed by Garlev. Lando feels that this situation is too risky and not worth it, offering to Han that they can resume a meeting with Schnil Hakoon. Han ignores the suggestion and is shown the cargo they are supposedly transporting. In the cargo hold, a group of Nagai are being kept, Han suspects that Garlev isn't running counterfeit weapons, but people instead. Garlev explains they are his people who he is trying to save, not sell.
Approaching the infirmary that holds Garlev, the three men prepare to get answers to why Garlev came seeking them out. Entering the room, the three are welcomed by a harsh scene, Garlev has been killed, and the medical staff as well. Cutting through the room, they catch sight of a woman in a dark suit, running to the landing platforms. Solo manages to catch up with the assassin and tackle them to the ground, but he is swiftly thrown aside. The assassin escapes to a cloud car and escape Cloud City. Han wants to get to the Falcon to catch up with them, but Lando stops him. The next day, they hold a funeral for Garlev, and Solo vows to find out what Garlev wanted to tell them.
Meanwhile, on Loradil in the Fenril Sector, the surviving crew of the Nechrim's Wake attempt to make a distress signal to the New Republic, but have been unsuccessful so far. While attempting to send another signal, they see several B1 battle droids approaching them.
Media[]
Cover gallery[]
Collected in[]
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Organisms
Droid models
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
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Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
Sources[]
Star Wars Celebration - DAY 1 Replay on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (livestream no longer available)- 'Star Wars: The High Republic - The Finale' and More Marvel 'Star Wars' Titles Revealed At Star Wars Celebration on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Star Wars (2025) #3 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ Marvel's New Star Wars Series to Explore the New Republic Erae by Schedeen, Jessie on IGN (January 21, 2025) (backup link archived on January 21, 2025) states the events of Star Wars begin around two years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, which Star Wars: Timelines dates to 4 ABY.
- ↑ Star Wars (2025) 3)
External links[]