Star Wars Brings Back Its Most Badass Stormtroopers: "We Are the True Heroes of This War"

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: A New Legacy #1Finally, Star Wars has brought back the galaxy's most elite team of stormtroopers for an all-new story. Having debuted in 2015's Star Wars run set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the ultimate fate of SCAR Squadron was never fully revealed, and they never reappeared in the 2020 run set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. However, Marvel's new 10th-anniversary issue has brought the elite force back as the squad's Sgt. Kreel grapples with the evolving galaxy.

As seen in Star Wars: A New Legacy #1, the short story "For The Love of the Empire" by Jason Aaron and Leonard Kirk stars Scar Squadron aka Task Force 99. This is fitting considering Aaron co-created Scar Squadron during his Star Wars run with artist Leinil Francis Yu. To that end, this new Star Wars issue sees Sgt. Kreel and his elite unit of stormtroopers operating across the galaxy and determined to achieve glory for the Empire even as the Rebellion grows in strength.

Scar Squadron Finally Returns For An All-New Story

The 501st Legion's Task Force 99

The stormtroopers of Task Force 99 were a unique group of soldiers from the 501st Legion with varying skills and specialties. Not unlike Clone Force 99 aka The Bad Batch that came before them and inspired their unit, SCAR Squadron's Task Force 99 operated outside the normal hierarchy of the Imperial Navy, taking their orders directly from Admirals and often Darth Vader, who handpicked the unit members himself.

Task Force 99 had six operatives, each with their own distinct set of custom stormtrooper armor and weapons depending on their unique skills and proficiencies. They also had unique names rather than operating numbers: Aero, Cav, Mic, Misty, Shrap, and Zuke. SCAR Squad was led by Sgt. Kreel, a former Imperial spy wielding a green lightsaber he claimed while working undercover and "serving" Grakkus the Hutt in his fighting pits. Kreel also helped train Luke Skywalker in lightsaber combat when the young Jedi was Grakkus' prisoner, wanting the boy to be a worthy sparring partner when they encountered each other.

The Galaxy Used To See Scar Squadron As Heroes

Especially on Horford

Now, this new Star Wars issue sees SCAR Squadron traveling across the galaxy, quelling pockets of resistance and taking out key Rebel leaders trying to recruit for the Alliance in the aftermath of A New Hope. Narrated by Kreel, Task Force 99 continues fighting regardless of the circumstances in the name of the Empire and for its glory, believing themselves to be the galaxy's greatest heroes. To that end, it's revealed that Task Force 99 often reminisces about the planet Horford where "they were treated like Moffs".

According to Kreel, Horford was an Imperial world that absolutely loved and adored Task Force 99. Not only were they celebrated as brave protectors of the glorious Empire, but even the children would pretend to be stormtroopers. However, Kreel adds that the days of Horford were a long time ago and that things have greatly changed since they were once hailed as heroes.

Sgt. Kreel Knew The Empire Was Losing Way Before Return of the Jedi

He Still Refused To Surrender

Following Zuke's death at the hands of Rebels, Kreel and the rest of Task Force 99 return to Horford, only to find the world now in fear of them. Likewise, Kreel sees children pretending to be Rebel heroes like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo. Understanding that he and his fellow stormtroopers have "missed the mark" when it comes to the hearts and minds of the people, an angered Kreel unleashes SCAR Squadron on Horford, determined to prove to the galaxy that Task Force 99's troopers are the true heroes of the war, "even if we have to kill them all".

While the final fate of SCAR Squadron was not explicitly revealed in this new issue like some might have hoped, Kreel's claim that he and his unit will fight to their last breath is rather telling, suggesting that they all likely went down in a blaze of glory in service to the Empire. However, it would be nice if SCAR's future and final fate was fully revealed at some point (beyond Zuke's demise). With any luck, Task Force 99 will return sooner rather than later. Perhaps they could appear in the upcoming Star Wars series set after the war's end, seeking vengeance for the Empire's demise and surrender.

Star Wars: A New Legacy #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Star Wars

Created by

George Lucas

First Film

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Cast

Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal

TV Show(s)

The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions

Movie(s)

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order

Character(s)

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren

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