Summary
Star Wars’ original main protagonist,Luke Skywalker, was once mentored on the swampy world of Dagobah by the Jedi Master known as Yoda and was taught how to hone his skills as a Jedi-in-training and as the hopeful future savior of the Order. Learning much during his short stint as Yoda’s mentee,Luke’s first use of the Jedi Mind Trick was technically not shown in the movies and instead is a comic book-exclusive developmentthat fans should know about.
A Jedi ability first used on-screen by Obi-Wan Kenobi inStar Wars: A New Hope, it wasn’t untilStar Wars: Return of the Jediwhen Luke needed toinfiltrate Jabba’s Palacethat he utilized this iconic Force technique to influence the mind of Jabba’s lackey, Bib Fortuna.
But in a comic from over a decade ago titledStar Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes, the first time Luke ever employed this Force power was revealed,showing Luke using a Jedi Mind Trick to tame the King of the Dragonsnakes!
Star Wars Finally Gives Luke Skywalker a Connection to His Mother Padmé Amidala
Star Wars is setting up a major new connection between Luke Skywalker and his mother Padmé Amidala, before the events of Return of the Jedi.
Luke First Used the Jedi Mind Trick When Fighting the King Dragonsnake
Star Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes- 2010 (Tom Taylor and Daxiong)
Set duringStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, this comic tale follows Luke after he’s tasked by Yoda to scour the King of the Dragonsnakes’ den and acquire its mysterious “treasure.” Getting into a scuffle with the water dragon immediately after locating it,Luke takes Yoda’s advice to “Look beyond your weapon. Look to yourself,”reaches into himself, and, while holding up a hand to the enraged beast, utters the word “Stop,” halting the Dragonsnake in its tracks, finally showing the moment Luke first used a Jedi Mind Trick.
The Dragonsnake is the same creature who tried to eat R2-D2 when Luke first crashed on Dagobah.
Taking control of the beast and riding it back to Yoda with the “treasure” in hand,this is the first time Luke is shown manipulating something or someone into doing his bidding, an incredibly epic moment to see, considering that Luke barely uses this iconic Force power in the movies. Not only did Luke beat a monstrous enemy with a never-before-used ability, but Luke’s victory demonstrates to the other Dragonsnakes that their King can be beaten, causing a revolt within their ranks that usurps the Dragonsnake tyrant for good, all stemming fromLuke’s first foray into the world of mind manipulation.
Luke Calmed and Then Tamed the Dragon Snake After Utilizing a Jedi Mind Trick
Though this tale is part of the non-canonStar WarsLegends content,it makes sense that Luke would have been introduced to this trick while training under Yoda, especially considering Luke is next seen using the technique inReturn of the Jediwith ease and confidence, hinting that this movie instance was far from the first time he tried it. Comics have always filled in the blanks the movies never show, withLuke Skywalker’s first use ofthe Jedi Mind Trickmaking this story one of the most importantStar Warsmoments not seen on the big screen.
Luke Skywalker
The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke’s faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine’s manipulations, but Luke’s legacy lives on in Rey.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
