Some comic books are great because they tell a moving, life-changing story. Some are great because they represent a turning point in the medium. And some are great because they introduced a man in a Mandalorian bucket helmet who said about twelve words across two films and somehow became the single coolest thing in the galaxy.
That, dear reader, is the power of Star Wars #42 (1980).
This issue is the first comic book appearance of Boba Fett, a character who managed to transcend “minor supporting role” status and become the face of every other Star Wars lunchbox, t-shirt, and overpriced Hot Toys figure in existence. And unlike a lot of first appearances, which tend to be of characters you need to Google, you know who Boba Fett is. Your nan probably knows who Boba Fett is.
Released by Marvel Comics in December 1980 as part of their original Star Wars run (issues #1–107), this book is part of the official comic adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back — arguably the greatest Star Wars film (fight me). It’s filled with Vader being menacing, Lando being suave, Han being turned into intergalactic ice cream, and, most importantly, Boba making his print debut.
In other words: this is a big deal.
Why Is Star Wars #42 So Special?
The easy answer: Boba Fett.
This is his first full comic appearance (though hardcore nerds will point out that his first-ever appearance was the animated segment of the Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978… which is like saying your favourite band’s debut single was a jingle in a dog food advert).
Why does that matter? Well, first appearances are the crown jewels of comic collecting. From Amazing Fantasy #15 (first Spider-Man) to Incredible Hulk #181 (first Wolverine), these issues tend to skyrocket in value because they represent the “birth” of an icon.
And Boba Fett isn’t just any character. He’s a character who turned “barely in the movie” into “most beloved bounty hunter in pop culture.” That’s impressive.
But Boba isn’t the only reason collectors chase this book:
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It’s a major part of the Empire Strikes Back storyline. Han frozen in carbonite, Luke training with Yoda, Vader being at his most dramatic — it’s all here.
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It’s a Marvel Bronze Age key. Early Marvel Star Wars comics are a collecting minefield, and this one sits firmly in “must-have” territory.
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It’s nostalgic gold. For those who grew up in the original trilogy era, these comics are little paper time machines.
And for extra trivia points: The cover? It’s a stunning piece of art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon — featuring Boba in his full glory, brandishing his blaster like he just got paid.
If you want to deep dive into the Star Wars comic timeline, Wookieepedia has you covered.
How Much Is Star Wars #42 Worth?
Here’s where things get spicy.
Values for Star Wars #42 can range from about £30 for a really battered copy to well over £1,000 for a high-grade slabbed version. And yes, people do pay that.
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Raw copies (loose comics without grading) in decent condition often sell for £100–£300.
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CGC-graded 9.8 copies? Those are the Holy Grail. They can easily fetch £1,500–£2,000 or more at auction.
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Even mid-grade slabbed copies (6.0–8.0 range) do well because of the enduring popularity of Fett and Empire.
Don’t just take my word for it. Sites like GoCollect and eBay sold listings show just how much demand there is for this book.
And here’s a fun tip: Always check whether your copy is a direct edition or a newsstand edition. Newsstand copies (identified by a barcode on the cover instead of a little Spidey head in the bottom left corner) often command higher prices because they’re rarer in high grade.
Identifying Prints: How to Tell if Your Star Wars #42 Is the Real Deal
Here’s a dirty little secret: Not all Star Wars #42s are created equal.
Over the years, Marvel reprinted Star Wars comics multiple times, including this issue. Some of these are direct reprints, some are in trade paperbacks, and some are sneaky later printings that look very similar to the original.
How do you know you’ve got the first print?
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Check the cover price. The original 1980 first print has a cover price of 50¢ (US).
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Look for the indicia. That’s the small print inside the first page. It should say “Published monthly by Marvel Comics Group, Vol. 1, No. 42, December 1980.”
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Avoid reprint collections. If you’ve got a copy in something like Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back digest or a later Marvel Tales-style book, that’s a reprint.
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UK Price Variants. Fun fact: There are also UK 12p price variants of this issue. These were printed at the same time as the US versions but for distribution in Britain. They’re actually scarcer and often fetch a premium.
If you’re still unsure, CGC Comics has excellent census and label info to help identify whether your copy is a first print.
Should You Get It Graded?
Short answer: If it’s in nice shape — yes.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) grading can massively increase the value of a key issue like this. A raw comic might fetch £200. The same comic in a CGC 9.6 slab? Suddenly, you’re looking at £800+.
But — and this is important — not every comic is worth slabbing. If yours looks like it’s been used as a drinks coaster at the Mos Eisley Cantina, grading costs won’t be worth it.
Here’s CGC’s guide on how to decide whether to grade.
Thinking of Selling? Let’s Talk.
Here’s the part where I stop waxing lyrical about Boba Fett and get to the point: If you’ve got a Star Wars #42, we want it.
At Fantasy Road, we buy comic book collections. Whether it’s a single key issue or an entire attic full of four-colour adventures, we’ll give you a fair, fast, and fuss-free offer.
Why sell to us?
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We know the market. (We’ve been doing this a long time. We can tell a first print from a reprint at 10 paces.)
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We make it easy. No endless eBay listings. No dodgy buyers. Just a straightforward process.
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We travel. You don’t have to haul 20 longboxes to us. We’ll come to you.
So if you’re sitting there thinking, “Hmm… I should probably sell my comics,” stop thinking and get in touch.
Why Boba Fett Still Matters
In case you’re wondering why anyone still cares about this guy: Boba Fett has been relevant for over 40 years.
He went from background player to fan favourite to Disney+ star of his own series (The Book of Boba Fett), proving that even characters with fewer lines than Chewbacca can build a legacy.
That popularity keeps his first appearances hot on the market. In other words: This comic isn’t cooling off anytime soon.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars #42 isn’t just another Bronze Age comic. It’s the first appearance of one of the most iconic bounty hunters in sci-fi history. It’s part of the Empire Strikes Back legacy. It’s a book that collectors (and investors) will fight over harder than two Jawas arguing over a droid carcass.
If you’ve got a copy — whether it’s pristine or well-loved — you’re holding a piece of pop culture history. And if you want to sell it? We’d love to make you an offer.
So dust off those old longboxes, check your attic, and maybe — just maybe — you’ll find a little Mandalorian magic waiting to fund your next holiday.
