Marvel’s Star Wars Comics Just Made Han Solo a Literal Nerf-Herder

“Why you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking NERF-HERDER!”

It’s an incredible insult, delivered by Princess Leia to Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. An incredible insult, yes, but one that no one know what it actually meant. Enter Star Wars #17, out this week from Marvel Comics.

While most of the issue, which takes place (as most of the series does) between Episodes IV and V, is a kick-ass team-up between Leia and the sometimes-smuggler-sometimes-bounty-hunter Sana, Luke Skywalker and Han get the B story. In it, they agree to a quick smuggling job, the kind that should be in, out, make some quick cash.

Of course, it’s never that easy for Han Solo, and the cargo isn’t some spice or another black market product, it’s an actual herd of Nerfs, the Star Wars equivalent of Buffalo. I love the one playfully biting on Luke’s arm.

So there you have it, thanks to Jason Aaron and Leinil Yu, we now have the secret origin of one of the best lines in the original trilogy. Star Wars #17 is in stores now.