In the last few years of Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars tales, the comics tended to focus on the Clone Wars era characters and even the futuristic timeline of Star Wars: Legacy. While Brian Wood and Carlos D’anda’s Star Wars series was a return to the characters of the original trilogy, Marvel is doubling down on Luke, Leia and Han.
At Comic-Con International, Marvel unveiled its initial plans for Star Wars comics in 2015, and the company has lined up several all-star comic book creators for Marvel’s return to a galaxy far, far away.
Beginning in January 2015, Jason Aaron and artist John Cassaday revisit the time period after A New Hope and before The Empire Strikes Back in a new Star Wars ongoing series. “Every story is about the characters, and we’ll focus on all the old favorites,” said Aaron. “There will be big moments for everyone, from Han to R2-D2. But a major part of the narrative will be driven by Luke Skywalker and his journey of discovery, a journey that will decide the fate of the entire galaxy.”
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In February 2015, Darth Vader gets his own series by Kieron Gillen and artist Salvador Larroca that will take place in the same timeframe as Vader finds himself on the Emperor’s shitlist after the Death Star debacle. “Vader’s the sole survivor of the greatest military disaster in history – and a disaster that he definitely had a hand in by letting the rebels escape with the plans for the Death Star,” explained Gillen. “This is not a thing which leaves you in anybody’s good books, let alone the Emperor’s.”
Gillen added that “the great thing about this period [between Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back] is what we don’t see on the screen. Vader learns who Luke Skywalker is at some point between the two movies, to choose but one example.”
Finally, Mark Waid and artist Terry Dodson are teaming up for a Princess Leia five issue miniseries in March 2015, which will explore Leia’s attempt to redefine herself after the destruction of Alderaan in A New Hope.
Marvel is also reprinting its original Star Wars comics from 1977 as a multi-volume Omnibus series. Presumably Marvel will eventually branch out into other eras in Star Wars history, particularly as the release date for Star Wars: Episode VII approaches at the end of 2015.
