The former smuggler and gambler who transcended his reputation as a scoundrel and emerged as one of the Rebellion’s greatest heroes, while remaining one of its most contradictory figures. Although often considered greedy and self-serving, Han constantly places himself in harm’s way to protect his friends. While his arrogance is unsurpassed, neither is his skill as a pilot. He is at once brash and suspicious, charming and insufferable, confident and stubborn. Despite these vagaries, he is a symbol of courage and strength within the Rebel Alliance.

Han Solo’s early life is shrouded in mystery, although almost all sources agree that he was an orphan with few family ties. According to The Paradise Snare, as a youth he became an unwilling member of a criminal cartel, where he encountered his first Wookiee and learned to speak the Wookiee language. Eventually, Han escaped the cartel and enrolled in the Imperial Academy. He excelled at the Academy, but was ousted after he saved the life of an enslaved Wookiee named Chewbacca. For this selfless act, the Wookiee swore a life debt to Han Solo and has remained at his side throughout numerous harrowing adventures.

Soon after joining forces with Chewbacca, Han Solo embarked upon his career as a smuggler. To aid in his chosen profession, Solo won a Corellian light freighter, the Millennium Falcon, from his friend and sometime-employer, Lando Calrissian. Han and Chewbacca drastically modified the Falcon, converting it into one of the galaxy’s most versatile starships. As the Empire rose to power, the pair focused their attention on the Corporate Sector, a vast region of space virtually untouched by Imperial forces; their adventures during this time are recounted in Han Solo at Stars’ End, Han Solo’s Revenge, and Han Solo an the Lost Legacy.

A few years later, Solo found himself running a regular glitterstim spice smuggling route for Jabba the Hut. Unfortunately, during one mission, Imperial customs officials boarded the Millennium Falcon and Han was forced to dump his shipment. This greatly enraged Jabba, who subsequently placed a bounty on the smuggler and his Wookiee partner. As a result, bounty hunters hounded Solo for years to come.

In an attempt to pay back Jabba, Solo agreed to transport Ben Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 to Alderaan. This seemingly simple mission led Han into the heart of the Rebellion. He aided in the rescue of Princess Leia from the Death Star, then joined the Battle of Yavin in time to save Luke from Darth Vader’s approaching starfighter. Rather than returning to Tatooine and paying his debt to Jabba, Han spent the next three years helping the Rebels find a safe haven on the ice planet Hoth. This long delay further incensed the Hut, who placed a death mark on Han’s head.

Eventually the huge reward for Han’s capture would be collected. At Darth Vader’s command, Boba Fett and several other bounty hunters launched an effort to locate the Millennium Falcon. Fett succeeded when he discovered that Han was bound for Cloud City, where the smuggler hoped to find sanctuary with his friend, Lando Calrissian. Sadly, Vader’s forces arrived first and the Dark Lord of the Sith compelled Lando to betray Han. Solo was then tortured, in the hope that his agony would attract Darth Vader’s true target: Luke Skywalker. Once Vader received confirmation that Luke was indeed racing toward Cloud City, Solo was encased in carbonite and presented to Fett. The bounty hunter transported Han to Jabba’s palace and received the substantial reward.

Han would have remained trapped in carbonite forever if not for the courage of his friends. Led by Luke, Han’s allies infiltrated Jabba’s palace and released Solo from his plight. In the ensuing battle, Princess Leia killed Jabba. After rejoining the Rebellion, Solo became a general and led a strike force to the forest moon of Endor. With the aid of the native Ewoks, he succeeded in disabling a shield generator protecting the second Death Star. While on Endor, he openly expressed his deep love for Princess Leia. They were married four years later, and Han soon became the father of Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin, all powerful in the Force.

Despite his growing family, Han Solo remains a vital member of the New Republic, willingly accepting countless missions for the fledgling government. During these exploits, he has been pursued relentlessly by Boba Fett, imprisoned in the spice mines of Kessel, wrongfully accused of treason, and captured by the Yevetha. Yet, even when in grave peril, Han Solo’s bravery, conviction and confidence have never wavered.

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