UPDATE! IDW’s The Force Awakens Adaptation Reveals Something New About the “Forceback” Scene.

After hearing about the new all-ages Star Wars comics from IDW, I immediately got excited to get these for my son, given that Marvel’s stuff is more geared towards teenagers and beyond. So, I ordered IDW’s adaptation of The Force Awakens that released last week just ahead of Force Friday, and needless to say, my son loved it. Today, I thought I’d sit down and take in the 80-page adventure myself, fully hoping to enjoy a brief revisit to the story through the exciting and fun new art style. What I wasn’t expecting were any kind of reveals that I’d never seen before.

 

 

You may remember this guy from the movie who was killed by Kylo Ren during Rey’s “Forceback” vision sequence…

 

 

After much speculation circulated about who the character could possibly be, he was later identified by LFL’s Pablo Hidalgo as simply “Clan Leader”. After that somewhat anticlimactic revelation, the rumors lost their steam. But now, the scene in the new adaptation reveals that this Clan Leader had a lightsaber. Check it out…

 

 

Perhaps this is a character of some importance after all. Maybe one of Luke’s students or a guard at his temple/academy (or whatever it will be called). It doesn’t reveal much about him, but this little detail opens up a lot of possibilities.

 

 

 

UPDATE!

 

Jedi Master Pablo Hidalgo was asked about this, and so we have received an answer regarding an earlier scene and the one at the center of this article:

 

 

 

 

There are two takeaways from this – the first being that we could think of this as an artistic license being taken for the sake of making an “all ages” adaptation. The other, which is slightly more complicated when keeping the former point in mind, is that this is depicting a scene that’s not present in The Force Awakens itself – in other words, that the shot of Kylo Ren killing a Jedi happens to look like the unfortunate chum that got a chestful of plasma sword. For now it seems like this might be a bit of a dead end, but we’ll probably have a better idea of what to make of this in a few short months with The Last Jedi.

 

 

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Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

Jordan Pate (Hard Case)

Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

66 thoughts on “UPDATE! IDW’s The Force Awakens Adaptation Reveals Something New About the “Forceback” Scene.

  • September 9, 2017 at 12:15 am
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    Somebody tweet this to Pablo! Would love to see his response…

    • September 9, 2017 at 2:25 am
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      Matt Martin is the one with more knowledge of comics.

  • September 9, 2017 at 12:19 am
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    My guess? When it was filmed, they didn´t have idea of who is he. It hust looked cool. Now they are slowly figuring out what´s the background…

    • September 9, 2017 at 12:23 am
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      Today it was planned all along.

    • September 9, 2017 at 6:01 am
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      Because this was never done in the history of Star Wars.

      Like ever, right?

      Not at all.

  • September 9, 2017 at 12:22 am
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    Well, at a stretch, one could say “clan” for Jedi student groups, and this was a group leader, perhaps answering to Luke. When Ben – a clan leader himself ??! – turned against his mentor and Academy, the clan leaders, including this chap, were killed………

  • September 9, 2017 at 12:25 am
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    The artwork is beautiful!

  • September 9, 2017 at 12:48 am
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    I think you’re mis-reading and combining two separate images. Look at the backgrounds, in the force-back vision, the “clan leader” is being stabbed by Kylo Ren in the rain. In the comic, the background is the fire of the burning Jedi temple, the same as in the next image when Luke is kneeling and places his mechanical hand on R2. I believe the middle image is new, but I believe it depicts Kylo stabbing a Jedi (likely a padawan) at Luke’s temple, when Kylo turns against Luke’s new Jedi Order. The lightsaber being dropped by the stabbed Jedi is blue. I don’t think the middle comic image is depicting the “clan leader” being stabbed as shown during the forceback vision. The “clan leader” about to attack Rey with holding a melee weapon, but it wasn’t a lightsaber.

    • September 9, 2017 at 2:48 am
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      Nice analysis.

    • September 9, 2017 at 3:58 am
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      Could be. The hat he’s wearing is similar though. Either way, this is something new.

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:13 am
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      Makes sense.

    • September 9, 2017 at 10:06 am
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      Agreed.
      And In the film i See Kylo behind clan leader. In the comic I see Kylo(?) in front of him. Definetly for me its not the same.
      And
      its confusing: why put the same other images surrounding Rey and this
      one is diferent? To give a small backstory to a character will appear in
      future films or series?

    • September 10, 2017 at 4:04 am
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      wow, good eye!

  • September 9, 2017 at 2:53 am
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    Love these adaptations! The art isn’t really great, can’t wait to get this one.

  • September 9, 2017 at 3:07 am
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    I’ve seen speculation that the Clan Leader character is a member of the Clan of the Toribota, characters briefly glimpsed in Rogue One who wear similar helmets. I buy it; they’re nomads and appear on Jedha, seeming to imply they have some interest in the Force. Maybe they joined Luke’s new Jedi Order after the Empire fell?
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/12e34f872f930b7fcf6519a084d67381a91d14c6e371c4b809b1552fa622ce43.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b9a3410f601ce5411f50fecc4ed0fae6b252621c475b1f6718f0942859155ec1.jpg

    • September 9, 2017 at 3:06 pm
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      Nice bit of speculation. This is Star Wars fandom at it’s best.

    • September 9, 2017 at 7:12 pm
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      Someone posted this theory in the Cantina Forum, also implementing Luke’s saber I believe. It’s a great read, so check it out !

  • September 9, 2017 at 3:28 am
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    People on both sides in The Force Awakens was looking for Luke. Kylo Ren himself seemed to had the additional want to find a certain lightsaber. Maybe he’s been searching for it for a long time.

    Maybe the group that the “Clan Leader” was leading had come into possession of a lightsaber, and Kylo and the Knights wiped the out to try to take it. It might explain the footage trimmed from Episode VII, wherein Kylo Ren is holding a second lightsaber in his left hand.

    • September 9, 2017 at 3:44 am
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      That what was detailed in the leaked synopsis on the Making Star Wars website before The Force Awakens opened. The clan were in possession of Luke’s lightsaber (originally found by a character called Naka, who sold it to some businessman, then ended up with the clan). Maz Kanata was at the location when the KOR attacked, and later escaped with Luke’s lightsaber.

    • September 9, 2017 at 4:06 am
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      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b32ec6d1b01af3c869f21adc0a0f7398a0a80e089d8bc7e6408b82e99ae1ce52.png That what was detailed in the leaked synopsis on the Making Star Wars website before The Force Awakens opened. The clan were in possession of Luke’s lightsaber (originally found by a character called Naka, who sold it to some businessman, then ended up with the clan). Maz Kanata was at the location when the KOR attacked, and later escaped with Luke’s lightsaber.

  • September 9, 2017 at 3:52 am
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    “Perhaps this is a character of some importance after all. Maybe one of Luke’s students or a guard at his temple/academy (or whatever it will be called).”

    The incident never happened at Luke’s academy. It happened somewhere else: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eae6e0e79c0d098164841d90a5523fc10f182af14133adb334043a84bc432b98.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/119800d953c0d84d5de249fd94397d45ac47242a52b9737991a3bf913e4f71b2.png

  • September 9, 2017 at 3:55 am
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    Dear Star Wars News Net authors:

    You’re being scooped on the Mega-class Star Destroyer and Leia’s flag ship.

    Give us an article to read so everyone can bitch about how unoriginal it is!

  • September 9, 2017 at 4:07 am
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    The guy in the film isn’t wielding a lightsaber, he is clearly holding another type of weapon, this is another character that they used for the comic, probably a young Jedi at Luke’s temple.

  • September 9, 2017 at 5:53 am
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    In my opinion, what starts to be clear is the disagreement about Vader/Anakin legacy between Ben Solo and Luke, and that drove to a rupture.
    While Han Solo didn´t have a character arch in 30 years, same guy, same motivations, same partner, like for example Walter White had in Breaking Bad, the information we have until now indicates Luke have had some evolution from TROTJ, may be similar to Dexter, and we will be watching him after he left Miami.
    I wonder if Luke lived a Jerry Maguire (Jedi Master) moment “Who follows me?”… and discovered a corrupted, selfish crew (in his view point). Or may be that moment belong to Leia.
    Kylo/Ben and Luke dispute, could be like irreconcilable opinions about Ronald Reagan, Stalin, or may be more accurate the different points of view Cersei and Tyrion have about Tywin Lannister, although it was Jaime who lost his hand, and Tyrion killed his father while he was in his “throne”.

  • September 9, 2017 at 7:09 am
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    Also, in the ORIGINAL Forceback sequence, when you see Rey in the hallway in Bespin, she walked down it and SAW Vader fighting Luke but from a DIFFERENT angle than the one used in ESB. This was confirmed to be in the film and the reason that in the TFA early toy line there was a Darth Vader and Bespin Luke figures. Absolutely SHAMEFUL that these meaningful seconds were EDITED out (probably against JJ’s will) during the last minute “hack and slack” of the Force Awakens in November of 2015.

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:40 pm
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      “Absolutely SHAMEFUL that these meaningful seconds were EDITED out (probably against JJ’s will) during the last minute “hack and slack” of the Force Awakens in November of 2015.”

      This part is baseless. From what I understand, JJ is the one who did some editing. LFL was surprised to see the crawl had changed, (hence the font screw up) because it didn’t come from them.

      • September 9, 2017 at 5:50 pm
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        man…shouldve fired JJ. Another missed opportunity connected with TFA!

        • September 9, 2017 at 11:37 pm
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          The Forceback scene including Luke / Vader was written by JJ and Kasdan.

          • September 10, 2017 at 3:46 am
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            yup, but still….

      • September 9, 2017 at 10:46 pm
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        Its still odd to me that they went through so much trouble to film this scene, which would have made Rey’s Froceback so much more riveting and compelling — only to edit out those 10-15 seconds. Ridiculous!

        • September 10, 2017 at 1:59 am
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          RIDICULOUS!

          Fixed it for you.

        • September 13, 2017 at 4:49 am
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          I believe they said they wanted to keep the focus on Rey.

      • September 10, 2017 at 1:37 am
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        Nothing was wrong with the font. It was the same as the one used in ANH and ESB. The screw up came with whoever decided to change it for ROTJ.

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:49 pm
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      We heard you the last 12 times.

    • September 10, 2017 at 1:39 am
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      This is was never shot. It wasn’t edited from the movie since it never existed past the earlier draft of the script.

  • September 9, 2017 at 9:52 am
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    From Return of the Jedi to The Force awakens, definetly those 30 years have really interesting stories (like those times thinking “oh, what happened before Star Wars?) and missed opportunities.
    In my opinion, they should count on Hamill to explain something from that new order he created and its fall.

  • September 9, 2017 at 3:11 pm
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    All this speculation … But they’re making it up as they go along aren’t they? Why would they be planting the seeds of a future reveal?

    Off topic, but about this making it up as they go along story. If that’s the case how could Carrie have had a bigger role in 9 (As mentioned after her death, possibly to make it even more tragic) if they hadn’t already planned something?

    Seems to me that in order to make it sound that SW directors have lots of free reign they’re over-egging that freedom a little.

    My 2p worth, more like 4p with inflation, 6p with Brexit.

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:00 pm
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      I’m pretty sure we’ve been misled. On the one hand they say its all made up and then there are other sources that indicate a rough outline.

  • September 9, 2017 at 5:45 pm
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    Everything moving forward is canon…but as it moves along we are told to ignore this and that….blahhh!

    This is why the different levels of canon in the old EU was a better system and not complicated as many of the “Disney” fans like to say.

    And the new stories after ROTJ to TFA….weak! All that creative freedom they wanted has certainly given us lesser stories.

    Wendigs trilogy vs Thrawn trilogy covering same time period as an example.

    on my soap box after 2 cups this morning! lol

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:48 pm
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      “And the new stories after ROTJ to TFA….weak!”

      Bloodline would like to have a word with you.

      • September 10, 2017 at 2:00 am
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        I’m halfway through an enjoyable Phasma as well.

        • September 10, 2017 at 3:56 am
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          it’s been ok….but still just not blazing any trails, at least for me.

      • September 10, 2017 at 3:53 am
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        can’t disagree….liked it, but do remember it was a YA book, not their bread and butter. they need to thank Claudia! that woman can write!

    • September 9, 2017 at 5:57 pm
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      You sound like you’re in your cups alright.

      • September 10, 2017 at 3:57 am
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        lol

    • September 9, 2017 at 9:52 pm
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      To be fair, we still haven’t gotten any stories in the new Canon on the same place in the timeline as the Thrawn trilogy. Aftermath is just a year after ROTJ. The Thrawn books were several years later. But I see what you mean. Zahn’s books are far superior. But really, we still have almost 30 years that have yet to be taken advantage of. For now, this time period is hindered by the existence of the sequel trilogy. After episode 9 releases we could really get some high quality entertainment in this era.

      • September 10, 2017 at 3:51 am
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        off to a very slow start and missed opportunities. I think they should have cherry picked EU stories to remain canon….Thrawn, again as example. They really didn’t have to wipe 40 years of history for creative freedom…just my opinion

        It’s funny how after 1st round of new cannon books had flat sales and lots of complaints…that almost all old EU writers were brought back.

        • September 14, 2017 at 5:01 pm
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          While I partially agree with you, I think it actually works best to cherry pick elements rather than complete stories. This allows them to pick the best elements and still be free to come up with something totally new. I agree that the new canon has been hit and miss, but so was the EU (and I love a lot of those stories). However, while some books have fallen flat, like HTTJ and Aftermath, most have actually been pretty good.

          Actually, 4 out of the first 5 novels released in the new canon were written by EU authors, so I’m not sure what you mean by them having to bring back authors from the EU – they were kind of already doing this. However, I do agree that some of the worst entries have been written by authors on their very first trip to the GFFA. On that same token though, Claudia Gray has been very successful in her three entries, and she was not an EU writer previously. I think we can all agree on one thing though – I’m glad Zahn is back!

          • September 14, 2017 at 6:47 pm
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            Claudia is for sure the exception! That lady can write!The EU authors were not originally slated for the newer round of books…(Zahn as the example)the poor reception and lack of sustained sales prompted them to change it up.

            Betting we want see another Wendig book in SW…

            FOR ME…I’d rather have some of the complete stories and let them do a little work around in the new material. There was just too much good in the EU, to only cherry pick elements. Most would have been ok with keeping some stories. With that being said….I want Mara Jade and Jaina!!!! lol

    • September 10, 2017 at 6:07 am
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      I thought it was obvious that we aren’t getting any meaty an interesting cannonical novels set after RotJ simply because there is a very likely chance that major formative things occurred that 30 year time period that set the stage for the Sequel Trilogy. To write stories in that time period would probably spoil The Last Jedi and Episode 9 and in addition even if they did try to write stories in that period I don’t think the story would be very wholesome or satisfying as it would have to purposefully ignore and not mention a lot of things happening that all readers would want to know about.

      Granted I’ve got no proof of this until at least The Last Jedi is released and definitely post Episode 9. Disney and Lucasfilm are smart. Actually, scrap that, smart has nothing to do with it. They have enough common sense to know that Star Wars fans obviosly want to know what happened in the 30 years between the Battle Above Endor and the Raid on Jakku. But they’re not going to blow that load. Especially because they want us to learn the major plot details in films not novels. From a business perspecive also that 30 year time period is $$$. Makes more sense to wait until your trilogy is complete so you have a roster of all the new characters, events, etc some of which you planned and some of which the variuos directors and other artists you’ve had work for you created. That way you know how most effectively to fill that universe and then cash in on the fandom.

      • September 10, 2017 at 7:02 am
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        or any meaty books period….but that’s a mouthful you put put there, that may be correct.

        • September 10, 2017 at 7:32 am
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          Yeah it’s all speculation really, that just seems to be the most logical excuse I can give them. I could be wrong be I think it’s also attributed to the idea that Star Wars has gone from being under the control of George (who would wait until he had a story he wanted to convey before putting out product) to Disney (who I think just want to create first and will make a story around whatever will make them money hence not so much exploration into new territory). Course I don’t really know if that’s right.

          My other question would be what kind of meaty books do you want to see? I thought Bloodlines, Lords of the Sith, and even Battlefront Inferno Squad were interesting fun reads. I’d personally like to see a Star Wars epic in novel form, but I’d also want it to incorporate our laser sword wielding Force users but I have a feeling they’re leaving that to the movies :/

          • September 10, 2017 at 8:38 am
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            spot on, with Lucas And Disney process!
            Lost Stars was good, Lords of Sith…for me, meh. Inferno squad…sci-fi more than SW.

            meaty for me are the stories and saga of the old EU, they had long story arcs, taking years to achieve. Not so much for a quick buck. Probably why the EU books always had huge, long lasting sales versus numbers you see now, from new canon.

            Time will tell, but since they don’t seem to be after depth of story and cranking out yearly movies…i predict fatigued product in next couple of years.

          • September 12, 2017 at 6:50 pm
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            And you’ve hit the nail on the head too chief.

            I remember when I heard Disney was getting the rights to SW, I naively assumed that simply meant new films in the main saga and if it were left to just that I think we’d all be ok with it. But factoring how much Disney wants to milk the franchise for all its worth I’m in the same boat as you. I’ve got no third eye to see the future but I predict that The Last Jedi will probably be the best SW film Disney puts out and that’s because of Rian Johnson and how lucky he is that his movie sits in the perfect spot where he can just create and not be constrained. Furthermore I’m with you 100%, I think a lot of the magic attributed to SW came from the fact that it took so much time for us to get new trilogies so it had a lot of value. The way things are now, SW is going to become like the MCU where we get a constant stream of averagely good product that no longer has any special value. We were lucky to live in the time period we did and feel the magic of the lead up to The Force Awakens. Unless Disney decides to stop after Episode IX and wait a couple of years before putting out another saga or stand alone film I don’t see SW ever being able to be as great as it used to be. While I can see that feeling partially being attributed to “old man” syndrome i.e. “this was better back in my day”, I think there is definitely some weight to that.

  • September 10, 2017 at 5:04 am
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    I thought the story group was supposed to write everything off? Not to mention they are just making this up as they go, so what significance can a reveal be?

  • September 10, 2017 at 1:17 pm
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    I gave up looking for clues and speculating what certain science meant based on what was shown in the force awakens a long time ago, its become pretty clear since that at the time of filming, the didn’t really have any idea what any of it meant, they just wrote a script and let some one else come up with explanations for everything later.

  • September 12, 2017 at 9:39 pm
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    So… ‘first look at this art & I guess’, from Pablo.
    He’s making this up as he goes along then.

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