Star Wars Day: Comic Book Recommendations

Star Wars has been a part of pop culture for 45 years. As one of the biggest franchises to have ever existed, it has captivated audiences and influenced generations of creators worldwide. It’s a universe that’s always changing and growing, and no matter what, it always has people coming back for more.

With films, live-action and animated TV shows, games and novels, there’s plenty of Star Wars content to get your hands on. And while there’s nothing we love more than getting cosy with our favourite Star Wars film, we can explore the universe further through the comics.

The first-ever Star Wars comic was published in 1977 by Marvel. Although there have been a few different publishers over the years, they are now back with Marvel once more, and bigger than ever.

The universe is so big and there are so many comics to choose from, that it can be difficult to know where to start. But never fear young Padawan, we’re here to help you out with some of our favourite series, past and present, as well as the ones we’re most excited for!

To make sure things don’t get too confusing, we’re sticking to Star Wars Canon for our recommendations, and won’t be suggesting anything from the Legends universe (pre-April 25th, 2014.)

Completed Comics

Recommended by Jordan Simmons

Star Wars (2015-2019)
(By Multiple Writers & Artists, Initially by Jason Aaron and John Cassaday)
Issues: 75

The first major step into Disney’s new Star Wars canon came with Marvel’s Star Wars, also their first comic in the franchise since Disney regained the comic licence from Dark Horse Comics. While Disney was gearing up for The Force Awakens, Marvel sent us back to the original trilogy’s era with a slew of new adventures set between Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Starring the legacy characters Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2, Star Wars takes us on a thrilling journey across the galaxy as Luke begins his path towards becoming a Jedi and how the Rebel Alliance must continue their fight against the Empire despite their success in destroying the Death Star.

While Star Wars follows the original team, it also features appearances from other well-known characters such as Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, who stars in his own flashback issues chronicling his life as he watches over a young Luke Skywalker.

The comic also introduces us to a slew of new fan-favourites including Han Solo’s one-time wife Sana Starros and includes Krrsantan’s first chronological appearance in issue 15.

Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015)
(By Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca)
Issues: 25

Marvel Comics continued their early journey in Disney’s new canon with Star Wars: Darth Vader which took place concurrently alongside Star Wars (2015-2019). In Darth Vader, we follow the exploits of the titular character as he faces consequences for his failure to stop the destruction of the Death Star. We also get to see how Darth Vader came to discover he had a son – Luke Skywalker.

For me, Star Wars: Darth Vader started slow to the point where I almost dropped it from my monthly list, but after a few issues, the story became so enthralling that it quickly became one of my favourite pieces of Disney’s new canon.

Star Wars: Princess Leia (2015)
(By Mark Waid & Terry Dodson)
Issues: 5

Star Wars: Princess Leia continues their then tradition of setting their series between Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. This mini-series sees Princess Leia deal with the destruction of her homeworld, Alderaan, as she searches the galaxy for survivors who were off-planet at the time of its destruction.

The five-issue comic, though short, wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but the series is a nice respite from the bigger adventures in the Star Wars universe and often feels like an adventure you would experience in a 90’s Saturday morning cartoon. If you’re looking for a quick and fun read then Star Wars: Princess Leia is the one.

Ongoing Comics

As Recommended by Jordan Simmons & Sarah Taylor

Star Wars (2020)
(By Charles Soule and Multiple Artists)

Although containing the same title as the 2015-2019 series, the 2020 series takes us forward to see what happened to Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi. Since Han Solo is unavailable due to the climax of The Empire Strikes Back, it’s Lando Calrissian who gets to join in on the adventures in his place.

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020)
(By Alyssa Wong, Art by Marika Cresta, Ray-Anthony Height and Minkyu Jung)

Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra first appeared in the 2015 series Star Wars: Darth Vader. A complex character with questionable morals, everyone quickly fell in love with her. This is her second ongoing series.

Set between Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, this series continues the story from her 2016-2019 run and sets her up with new missions and a new crew. With plenty of near misses, dangerous missions, and a whole load of bad luck, this is a fun series for everyone!

Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022)
(By Marc Guggenheim and David Messina)

A new series that takes us on a thrilling adventure with the galaxy’s greatest smugglers. Set a few years before Star Wars: A New Hope, Han and Chewbacca are once more out to make their fortune, but things don’t quite seem to be going to plan.

With an unfortunate team up with Greedo, Han and Chewbacca head to Han’s home planet. What should be a difficult but prosperous job turns into something a little more interesting and complicated. Han has to face some aspects of his past that he isn’t quite ready for. But who knows, maybe this could be a good thing…

We’ve only had the first issue so far, but it’s a great start to the series. It sets the scene perfectly and leaves us on a cliffhanger that will keep us coming back for more.

Upcoming Comics

By Sarah Taylor

Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi
(By Christopher Cantwell, Ario Anindito)
Release Date: 4th May 2022

As Obi-Wan Kenobi’s time on Tatooine is coming to an end, he is taking time to reflect on a long and eventful life – through journaling! In this 5-part miniseries, we’ll get to see a different key moment that has shaped everyone’s favourite desert-dwelling Jedi.

Issue #1 will take us way back to Obi-Wan’s Youngling days at just 8 years old. An adventure on Coruscant almost takes this Youngling’s life, but he survives to tell the tale, which has a big impact on this Jedi Master.

Issues will then be released monthly after this with a different, defining moment in each issue.

Krrsantan: Star Wars Tales
(By Multiple Writers and Artists, Editor: Jeff Youngquist, Cover Art: Salvador Larroca)
Release Date: 8th June 2022

Everyone’s favourite character from The Book of Boba Fett existed in the Star Wars universe before the show. His first appearance was in Darth Vader #1 (2015), and then we saw him in several issues of Star Wars (2015-2019) and Doctor Aphra (2020-Ongoing). He quickly became a fan favourite, and people wanted more.

Now, for those of you who want to get to know our new favourite Wookiee, Marvel will be bringing us a collection of his finest moments. From his days hunting a hidden Jedi on Tatooine to the ultimate Wookie throw down, we get to see why Krrsantan is loved by so many.

This collection brings together stories from Star Wars, and Doctor Aphra, and is certain to give you your full Krrsantan fill.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian
(By Rodney Barnes and Georges Jeanty)
Release Date: 6th July 2022

Din Djarin and Grogu have well and truly stolen everyone’s hearts. With two seasons of The Mandalorian already available, and a third on the way, we just can’t seem to get enough of the galaxy’s favourite duo.

If you can’t wait for the third season to be released, Marvel have you covered. This 8 issue, episode-by-episode adaptation of season 1 will take us back to the first time we met The Mandalorian and Grogu. Some of our favourite The Mandalorian will be laid out in a beautiful version of the show, and will hopefully keep us happy until we get to see our beloved characters again on the screen.

Issues will release monthly.

HONORABLE MENTION

By Jordan Simmons

The Return of Dark Horse Comics

As you know, Star Wars comics extend beyond Marvel and there is a plethora of material from other publications, notably Dark Horse Comics which held the Star Wars licence from 1991 to 2015. Recently, Disney announced that Dark Horse would once again continue publishing Star Wars in the Spring of 2022.

Some of their upcoming work will include Star Wars: The High Republic: Quest of the Jedi and an untitled graphic novel also set during The High Republic.

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away…

Whether you’re more of a Jedi or a Sith, with the rebellion or the empire, there’s something for everyone in the Star Wars universe. Our favourite characters and stories will always be something special to us, and in the ever-expanding universe, we’re never short of content. These are just some of our personal favourites, but there’s so much more out there to discover. Check them out, find your favourites, and may the force be with you!

There’s a lot of Star Wars content heading our way this year, but be sure to check out Obi-Wan Kenobi, which starts streaming on Disney+ from 27th May.

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