Star Wars Comics Crash Course
GateCrashers Presents
Star Wars
Comics
A Crash Course
A long time ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away… or at least since 2015, comics were being made about the continued adventures of any Star Wars character with more than two lines (and how they took a holiday to Galaxy’s Edge).
This is not a comprehensive guide — there’s plenty of those already out there. This is just a curated guide to help you get a taste of what a Galaxy Far, Far Away has to offer since Marvel took over the licence in 2015!
Start here
The Bread
When Marvel launched their Star Wars line in 2015, it was a big deal. The first issue of the main book sold a million copies, the line was full of big names and a wide variety of books: both ongoing and mini.
Star Wars (2015)
Jason Aaron
Darth Vader (2015)
Kieron Gillen
Doctor Aphra (2016)
Kieron Gillen, Si Spurrier
The Flagship
Star Wars (2015)
Written by Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen and Greg Pak · Art by John Cassaday, Stuart Immonen, Salvador Larroca and more
Set immediately after the Battle of Yavin, this is where the modern Marvel Star Wars era begins. Luke, Han, and Leia are all together and in their most iconic era as they go on a wide variety of fun adventures and Vader encounters that they just forgot to mention in the movies. Packed with art from some of Marvel’s best artists and written, initially, by Jason Aaron at his best, this is exactly what Star Wars comics should be: fun adventures with a main trilogy cast that fleshes out the universe in fun ways.
The Dark Side
Darth Vader (2015)
Written by Kieron Gillen · Art by Salvador Larroca
Running concurrently with Aaron’s Star Wars, this series follows Vader as he deals with the fallout of the Death Star’s destruction; from the Emperor’s wrath, to his own secret agenda. It may get a little wacky at times (there’s a Mon Calamari General Grievous) but Kieron Gillen fleshes out the Emperor/Vader relationship brilliantly. Gillen also introduces the greatest success of Marvel’s entire Star Wars franchise: Doctor Aphra. Crosses over with the main book, but just the once.
The Spinoff
Doctor Aphra (2016)
Written by Kieron Gillen and Si Spurrier · Art by Kev Walker and more
Star Wars comics’ biggest and most successful risk — Gillen spins off everyone’s favourite new space thief/archaeologist/gay disaster into her own stories with her delightful murder droids and a face you may find familiar from The Book of Boba Fett, Black Krrsantan. Unlike the main books, Aphra is a character the comics have no limits with and thus, can go through actual development. It’s one of the best books Marvel have put out under the Star Wars banner.
Go deeper
The Meat
There’s only so many days between Episode IV and V, but thankfully the adventures continue in other eras — mainly written by Charles Soule!
Darth Vader (2017)
Charles Soule
Star Wars (2020)
Charles Soule
Doctor Aphra (2020)
Alyssa Wong
Poe Dameron
Charles Soule
The Origin
Darth Vader (2017)
Written by Charles Soule · Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli
One of the most interesting books in the line, this Vader volume picks up immediately after Episode III and explores the fragile time where the last of Anakin Skywalker’s light is stripped away and Vader truly rises. Soule also explores the rise of the Inquisitorius and the construction of Fortress Vader.
The Continuing Saga
Star Wars (2020)
Written by Charles Soule · Art by Jesus Saiz
Now missing Han Solo (spoilers!), Soule continues the story past Episode IV, expanding the cast to the larger Rebellion. While its frequent line-wide events hold it back, Soule has a great voice for everyone and really excels when he gets to focus in on individual characters, especially Lando.
The Next Chapter
Doctor Aphra (2020)
Written by Alyssa Wong · Art by Marika Cresta
Just like the main cast, Aphra’s adventures continue post Episode IV! Now under Alyssa Wong’s pen, Aphra finds even more archaeological nightmares to get into and becomes even more of a gay mess. This may be an era packed with one too many crossovers, but Wong does a great job of threading the story through them in a way where you can appreciate Aphra’s journey, but not have to read anything else.
The Resistance
Poe Dameron (2016)
Written by Charles Soule · Art by Phil Noto
The Sequel Trilogy doesn’t have a lot of opportunities for comic spinoffs with so little time between each movie, but Poe Dameron is in the unique position to get his own prequel stories, fleshing out the Resistance, First Order, and Black Squadron in much needed ways. It’ll really make you fall in love with a character who doesn’t get enough screen time in the movies, and get almost as attached to Greg Grunberg as JJ Abrams is.
The hidden gems
The Special Sauce
Star Wars is not just ongoings — there have been plenty of miniseries since 2015 with some real stand-outs.
Lando
Charles Soule
Shattered Empire
Greg Rucka
The Rise of Kylo Ren
Charles Soule
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir
Jeremy Barlow
Kanan
Greg Weisman
The Caper
Lando (2015)
Written by Charles Soule · Art by Alex Maleev
One of the original miniseries published by Marvel, Lando is a delightful caper set before his ownership of Cloud City, when it was just him and his good buddy Lobot swindling the galaxy. The book plants seeds Charles Soule would later develop through his many Star Wars runs, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great standalone story too.
The Bridge
Shattered Empire (2015)
Written by Greg Rucka · Art by Marco Checchetto
It’s advertised as a prequel to The Force Awakens, but Shattered Empire is really the key to every post-Episode VI story Lucasfilm have told, from Aftermath to Battlefront 2, and more. It’s also the introduction of Poe Dameron’s parents as they team up with the Original Trilogy trio, including one of my favourite Luke stories, while also featuring some of the best art to have graced Marvel’s Star Wars comics thanks to Marco Checchetto.
The Fall
The Rise of Kylo Ren (2019)
Written by Charles Soule · Art by Will Sliney
One of the best parts of the Sequel Trilogy era’s comics output, Soule bridges the gaps between the fall of Luke’s temple and The Force Awakens as we see the tragic events that twisted Ben Solo from Jedi Apprentice to leader of the Knights of Ren, while also making that title mean something.
The Clone Wars Gap
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir (2014)
Written by Jeremy Barlow · Art by Juan Frigeri
Although not actually a Marvel Comic, Son of Dathomir is an adaptation of a cut story arc from The Clone Wars that’s key to explaining how Maul ends up back ruling Mandalore by the time of the final season. It’s also a great read unto itself and one of Maul’s best stories.
The Last Padawan
Kanan (2015)
Written by Greg Weisman · Art by Pepe Larraz
Although a little retconned now by The Bad Batch, Kanan tells the origin story of one of my favourite Jedi Knights, and we get the entire Rebels crew drawn by Pepe Larraz before he became one of Marvel’s biggest names. A must-read for any Rebels fans or a great teaser for those who haven’t watched yet.
This is just a small sample of the comics released over the past few years, and there’s plenty more great ones for you to discover. As a certain Jedi once said, “these are your first steps…”
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