Didn't Splinter also end with Vader falling down a bottomless pit. I haven't read the book itself yet but I know that's the last you see of him in the comic adaptation, shouting "Nooooooooooo."

I also find it interesting that the words "Star Wars" don't actually appear anywhere on the cover of the original edition of the books but does mention the "Adventures of Luke Skywalker." I think you mentioned that in Secret History as I recall though.

BTW, I'm only up to the Empire section at this point but it's an amazing read so far.