Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi is a comic sub-series consisting of four parts, and is a part of the larger Star Wars Infinities series. Its initial release spanned from November 2003 until November 20, 2004, after which it was gathered and released as a trade paperback on March 31, 2004.
The narrative explores an alternate course of events stemming from the unsuccessful negotiations between Jabba Desilijic Tiure and the character known as "Boushh."
Within the unpredictable Infinities universe, even a seemingly minor event has the potential to reshape the destiny of the entire galaxy. Following the precedent established in Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope, we now present an Infinities reimagining of Return of the Jedi! When the scheme to liberate Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt crumbles, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca embark on a new rescue operation, leading them into direct conflict with Boba Fett. Simultaneously, Luke's delayed arrival on Dagobah results in his capture by Darth Vader and the Emperor, just as the second Death Star nears operational status! Will the return of the Jedi signify the end of the Jedi Order? The climactic resolution is as thrilling as the film it draws from, yet unlike anything Star Wars enthusiasts have encountered before! This collection comprises the complete four-issue miniseries.
Inside the stronghold of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, Leia Organa, in the guise of the bounty hunter Boushh, presents her proposition to Jabba, offering Chewbacca to gain the Hutt's confidence. However, the situation takes a disastrous turn. When C-3PO is inadvertently knocked over by Jabba after Leia's demand of "fifty thousand, no less," the droid's head detaches, leaving Leia without a means to communicate with the Hutt. Lacking a translator and compelled to reveal her true identity to the assembled crowd, she brandishes the thermal detonator, threatening its use unless Jabba complies with her demand to release Solo.
Lando Calrissian, noticing Boba Fett reaching for his weapon, intervenes, deflecting Fett's shot into Leia's elbow, inadvertently activating the thermal detonator.
As the onlookers disperse in panic, Fett seizes the carbonite-encased Han Solo and flees, pursued by Leia and Chewbacca. Leia attempts to impede him, but her efforts prove futile, with one shot striking the block's control panel and two others missing their mark. Left with no alternative, she, Lando, and Chewbacca make their escape from the palace just as the thermal detonator detonates, obliterating the structure; C-3PO is destroyed in the blast, and Jabba, Bib Fortuna, and Salacious Crumb perish. Boba Fett secures Solo aboard the Slave I and departs from Tatooine.
Seizing control of the Khetanna, they rendezvous with Luke and R2-D2 in the desert, deciding to investigate the local smuggler haunts to ascertain Fett's destination. Luke assures Leia that he will locate Han.
Aboard the second Death Star, Darth Vader greets the arriving Emperor Palpatine, who instructs Vader to remain close, as recent events have deviated from his intended course.
On Tatooine, Luke manages to acquire a clue regarding Boba Fett's whereabouts. On Dagobah, the dying Yoda engages in conversation with Obi-Wan Kenobi, who affirms that Luke will arrive. However, fate intervenes, and Yoda merges with the Force. Palpatine, Vader, and Luke sense this event simultaneously, prompting Luke to depart Tatooine for Dagobah to investigate, while Palpatine orders Vader to do the same.
Upon reaching Dagobah, Luke discovers Yoda's demise. However, both Yoda and Obi-Wan manifest before him as spirits. They validate Vader's assertion that he is Luke's father and disclose that Leia is Luke's sister. They declare that he must confront Vader. When Luke demurs, they assert that Leia must take his place. Unwilling to jeopardize her life, Luke relents. Recognizing the necessity of facing Vader alone, Luke directs R2 to record a message for Leia, then dispatches the message to the Rebellion.
Concurrently, Leia, Chewbacca, and Lando have trailed Boba Fett to an unidentified forested planet situated in the Outer Rim Territories, where he intends to deliver the carbonite-encased Han back into Imperial custody. Leia and her companions successfully thwart this, eliminating Fett in the skirmish. Subsequently, they depart the planet (with Leia at the helm of Slave I) and proceed to the Rebel rendezvous point at Sullust.
Leaving Dagobah, Luke is apprehended by a Star Destroyer and transported to the Second Death Star orbiting Endor, where he is presented before the Emperor. Palpatine reveals to Luke his awareness of Luke's hope that his allies will refrain from attempting a rescue, then unveils the reception awaiting them: a concentrated Imperial fleet.
Aboard the Home One, Han is finally released from the carbonite encasement. However, the medical personnel inform Leia that due to the extended period of carbon freeze and damage sustained by the controls, it is improbable that he will ever recover his sight. Lando then readies the Falcon for an assault on the second Death Star, scheduled to commence upon the destruction of the station's energy shield by a Rebel unit on Endor's moon. Summoned to the war room by Mon Mothma before the fleet's departure for Endor, the group listens to Luke's message, revealing Leia's identity as his sister and Vader's as their father. They also learn of his capture and confinement on the Death Star, and the injunction against any rescue attempts.
Meanwhile, an infiltration team on Endor advances toward the shield generator bunker. Suddenly, a formidable contingent of stormtroopers and AT-ST's materializes, compelling the remaining troops to engage in combat.
Returning to the Home One, Leia commandeers Slave I and sets course for the Death Star in the Endor system, intending to rescue Luke. Left with no other recourse, the entire fleet engages hyperspace and follows her. Han deduces the situation and inquires of Lando whether he and Chewbacca can accompany him on the Falcon.
Upon arriving at the Death Star via Gate C-23, Leia battles her way past the guards, only to be eventually overpowered and brought before Palpatine. She arrives just in time to witness the Alliance fleet's arrival and subsequent ambush by the waiting Imperial armada, while awaiting the ground assault team's success in disabling the shield generator. The Battle of Endor has commenced!
On the forest moon, the conflict between the Rebels and Imperials encroaches upon Bright Tree Village, disturbing the resident Ewoks. As the Rebels launch a desperate assault on the shield bunker, the Ewoks spring into action, attacking both factions.
With the shield generator compromised, the Falcon descends toward the moon's surface, and with a now-blind Han replacing Chewbacca at the quad turrets after Chewbacca sustains injuries from pursuing TIE fighters, they neutralize the shield generator dish. Wedge Antilles leads a squadron of X-wings into the Death Star, where they obliterate the main reactor. Lando pilots the Falcon back to the Death Star to extract Luke and Leia.
Aboard the Death Star, Palpatine commands Vader to slay Leia, but is intercepted by Luke, who engages in a lightsaber duel. Vader gains the upper hand, with the Emperor urging Luke to either join them or face death. Leia attempts to intervene but is subdued by Force Lightning from the Emperor. Unmoved by the Emperor's proposition, Luke reveals to Vader that he and Leia are both his offspring. Vader is shocked by the revelation but says it is too late for him allowing Luke and Vader's duel to continue. Vader is overpowered by Luke, losing an arm in the process. But still, the Dark Lord is powerful enough to drive Luke to his knees. Luke boldly declares that he will not fight Vader anymore, and says that if he wants to strike both him and Leia down, he should do so now. Vader falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness, causing him to turn from the dark side of the Force and become Anakin Skywalker once again.
The station is rocked with a huge explosion. As the station's crew begin to evacuate, the Emperor escapes, Luke and Leia, carrying their wounded father, make their way to the hangar bay, where Lando and the Falcon awaits them. The entire group makes it off the station before its destruction.
Shortly thereafter, the entire group meets onboard the Home One. Although the Death Star has been destroyed, Luke informs Mon Mothma that Palpatine has disappeared and is still a threat. The heroes, including a redeemed Anakin Skywalker (a Jedi once more and now clad in an all-white version of the life-support suit he wore as Vader), agree to help the Rebels to hunt him down, with Luke saying the Emperor doesn't stand a chance.
The Infinities narrative incorporates several playful allusions to the original rendition of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi:
- In both iterations, Leia is responsible for Jabba's demise. In the film, this is a deliberate act to liberate herself from servitude. In the Infinities version, it occurs accidentally when the thermal detonator malfunctions.
- Yoda corroborates Vader's assertion of being Luke's father.
- Ben discloses to Luke the existence of a twin sister, concealed from Luke since birth for protection against the Emperor. Luke intuits that Leia is indeed his sister.
- Luke reveals to Leia the truth of their sibling relationship and Darth Vader's paternity.
- Wedge and fellow X-Wings infiltrate the Death Star and destroy the main reactor. In the original version, Lando and Wedge carry out this task.
- Luke and Leia assist their injured father to the docking bay. In the original, Luke assists Anakin alone.
- Luke, Lando, Leia, and Vader escape the docking bay on the Falcon before the Death Star explodes. In the original version, Lando escapes the reactor core before the Death Star explodes. Luke and the deceased Anakin Skywalker escape the docking bay on an Imperial shuttle before the Death Star explodes.
- Unlike the original narrative, neither Palpatine nor Vader meet their end in this version.
- Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi (TPB)
- Star Wars Omnibus: Infinities
- Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Infinities
- Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 3