Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L. Gold, who rapidly made Galaxy the leading science fiction (sf) magazine of its time, focusing on stories about social issues rather than technology. Gold published many notable stories during his tenure, including Ray Bradbury's "The Fireman", later expanded as Fahrenheit 451; Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters; and Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man. In 1952, the magazine was acquired by Robert Guinn, its printer. By the late 1950s, Frederik Pohl was helping Gold with most aspects of the magazine's production. When Gold's health worsened, Pohl took over as editor, starting officially at the end of 1961, though he had been doing the majority of the production work for some time. Under Pohl Galaxy had continued success, regularly publishing fiction by writers such as Cordwainer Smith, Jack Vance, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Silverberg. However, Pohl never won the annual Hugo Award for his stewardship of Galaxy, winning three Hugos instead for its sister magazine, If. In 1969 Guinn sold Galaxy to Universal Publishing and Distribution Corporation (UPD) and Pohl resigned, to be replaced by Ejler Jakobsson. Under Jakobsson the magazine declined in quality. It recovered under James Baen, who took over in mid-1974, but when he left at the end of 1977 the deterioration resumed, and there were financial problems—writers were not paid on time and the schedule became erratic. By the end of the 1970s the gaps between issues were lengthening, and the title was finally sold to Galileo publisher Vincent McCaffrey, who brought out only a single issue in 1980. A brief revival as a semi-professional magazine followed in 1994, edited by H. L. Gold's son, E. J. Gold; this lasted for eight bimonthly issues. At its peak, Galaxy greatly influenced the science fiction field. It was regarded as one of the leading sf magazines almost from the start, and its influence did not wane until Pohl's departure in 1969. Gold brought a "sophisticated intellectual subtlety" to magazine science fiction according to Pohl, who added that "after Galaxy it was impossible to go on being naive." SF historian David Kyle agrees, commenting that "of all the editors in and out of the post-war scene, the most influential beyond any doubt was H. L. Gold". Kyle suggests that the new direction Gold set "inevitably" led to the experimental New Wave, the defining science fiction literary movement of the 1960s.

A grand scheme for retaking Iserlohn is delivered to Reinhard, who with renewed determination seeks to become ruler of the galaxy and to fulfill the oath he made with a dear, departed friend. But what are the aims of Phezzan, the third force at work behind the scenes? Meanwhile, no sooner is Yang breathing a sigh of relief when Julian returns from his first combat mission than he is summoned to an inquest and departs for the capital of the alliance. As if waiting for this opportunity to strike, however, the imperial military's secret weapon appears right at the gates of Iserlohn. The battle begins! Who will endure? -- VIZ Media

Collecting Star Wars (2013) #13-20, Star Wars: Empire #19-27, material from Star Wars Kids (1997) #1-20. The rebels and the Empire - locked in conflict! When Leia announces plans to marry, will the Rebellion lose a princess, or gain a new safe haven? Darth Vader is on a mission to instill fear and discipline into the Imperial ranks using his elite stormtroopers! But as Obi-Wan Kenobi haunts the Dark Lord's dreams, the name Skywalker dominates his mind! Meanwhile, Luke fights side-by-side with a veteran of the Clone Wars and Han Solo flirts with an old flame. When Leia risks everything for a childhood friend, Han, Luke and Chewie must risk it all for her!

Collecting Star Wars: Heir To The Empire #1-6, Star Wars: Dark Force Rising #1-6 And Star Wars: The Last Command #1-6. The Thrawn Trilogy is here! Five years after the glorious rebel victory against the second Death Star, Luke Skywalker is the first of a new line of Jedi Knights! Han Solo and Princess Leia are married and have taken on many of the burdens of governing the New Republic. But the galaxy is not yet safe. Far, far away, something festers. One lingering faction of the Empire — near death, but all the more dangerous for it. And a new discovery could spark it back into life. The last of the Emperor’s warlords, Admiral Thrawn, is ready to seize his chance as a dark and deadly force — and suddenly, the odds are stacked heavily against Luke, Leia and Han!

The “golden brat” Reinhard von Lohengramm, a military prodigy and admiral of the Galactic Empire, has ambitions beyond protecting the borders or even defeating the empire’s enemies. He seeks to overthrow the old order and become a truly absolute—yet benevolent—dictator. His rival, the humble Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance, wishes to preserve democracy even if he must sacrifice his political ideals to defeat the empire. Their political and military battles play out over a galactic chessboard in an epic saga fifteen centuries in the making! -- VIZ Media

Collects: Star Wars (1977) #56-73, Star Wars Annual (1979) #2. The search for Solo! The loveable rogue, frozen in carbonite, has been taken to Jabba the Hutt - and our favorite rebels want Han back! But as Lando Calrissian returns to find Cloud City a death trap, R2-D2 and C-3PO face a dangerous spacewalk! Elsewhere, Luke Skywalker braves a beast on Bazarre - and joins Chewbacca inside a Mind spider! Leia undertakes an explosive mission! Shira Brie shares the story of her people! And in the wake of tragedy, Luke becomes a pariah! Screams in the void and threats like the Darker unsettle our heroes - but the hunt for Han soon leads the crew to bounty hunters Dengar, Bossk and IG-88! And the bizarre discovery of a golden statue of their lost friend leads to revelations from Han and Chewie's past!