This fall promises a bounty of new comics for Star Wars fans, with major crossover events, holiday-themed specials, intriguing new miniseries and new developments for ongoing stories. However, for those not versed in what's going on in Star Wars comics, it can be somewhat daunting to dive into this world. When do they take place? What's the High Republic? Can new readers jump in or do they have to start at the beginning? Here's everything you need to know about the Star Wars comics being released this fall.

There are currently two publishers of Star Wars comic books. Marvel Comics is the one most readers would be familiar with, as it is owned by Disney and is closely tied in to the canon of the movies and shows. The various Marvel series are closely tied together, and most are currently crossing over with each other as part of the massive War of the Bounty Hunters event. These series are set during the time between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and while some like Star Wars and Darth Vader are relatively accessible to fans of the films, others like Bounty Hunters and Doctor Aphra are more insular, with characters and stories that exist solely in the comics. Marvel also publishes Star Wars: The High Republic, a series that takes place 200 years prior to the films when the Jedi were at their peak.

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The other publisher, IDW Publishing, releases comics generally geared toward younger readers and more casual fans. Many of these are released under the Star Wars Adventures banner. These comics are more standalone and feature stories from all periods of the Star Wars saga. Most of the storylines don't last more than an issue or two, so readers do not have to read the entire series from the beginning to understand what's going on. IDW also releases its own High Republic Adventures series, which is more serialized and follows a group of Padawans traveling the galaxy and learning about their connection to the Force. Both IDW and Marvel have some pretty big plans for the rest of 2021.

Star Wars Comic Events, Miniseries and Specials

Boba Fett followed by a supporting cast, including Doctor Aphra, in War of the Bounty Hunters

The biggest event in Star Wars comics since June has been the War of the Bounty Hunters, which has roped in Star Wars, Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra and Bounty Hunters, along with a self-titled miniseries and a number of one-shots. The story revolves around the theft of the frozen carbonite body of Han Solo from Boba Fett as he is on his way to deliver it to Jabba the Hutt. The body has been stolen by Crimson Dawn, a crime syndicate headed up by Qi'ra — Han's love interest from the film Solo: A Star Wars Story — and she intends to auction it off to the highest bidder. There's a lot more in store for this event, as everyone will be chasing after Boba Fett who is trying to regain his bounty. Meanwhile Darth Vader will continue his pursuit of Luke and Leia will confront Qi'ra. This crossover will continue with Star Wars #17 on Sept. 29; followed by War of the Bounty Hunters #5 on Oct. 6; Doctor Aphra #15 and War of the Bounty Hunters: IG-88 on Oct. 13; Darth Vader #17 on Oct. 20; and finally Star Wars #18 and Bounty Hunters #17 on Oct. 27. The conclusion of the event promises to change the status quo for the Star Wars galaxy and set up future stories. One of those stories begins in Crimson Reign #1, which continues the story and is the second part of a trilogy focused on Qi'ra. It's also hinted that she is somehow connected to the Knights of Ren. That issue will be released on Dec. 1.

A few different miniseries are planned for the fall. Ghosts of Vader's Castle is a collection of stories from all across the Star Wars saga with a horror bent to them. IDW published the first issue on Sept. 22 and will drop a new installment every week through Oct. 20. Another IDW miniseries, Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - The Monster of Temple Peak, revolves around a former Padawan who left the Jedi Order to become a monster hunter. The first two issues have been released and the final two will be published on Oct. 27 and Nov. 10. Finally, the Marvel miniseries The High Republic: Trail of Shadows is a murder mystery that sees a Jedi teaming with a private eye to investigate the killing of a Jedi Master. The three issues of that series will release on Oct. 6, Nov. 10 and Dec. 15.

There are a few special issues planned toward the end of the year. Marvel's Life Day #1 centers around Han and Chewie trying to get home for Life Day (as seen in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special) while a collection of stories from across the Star Wars timeline reflect on the importance of the holiday. That will release Nov. 17. IDW's Star Wars Adventures Annual 2021, which releases on Nov. 24, involves the reintroduction of the hoojib species of rodents to Star Wars canon, as well as a story of children on Cloud City. The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021 on Dec. 15 will bring all the High Republic writers together to tell stories from different corners of the Star Wars galaxy during that era.

Related: Star Wars' Latest Event Will Make You Care About Every Bounty Hunter

Upcoming Marvel Star Wars Comics

Star Wars #17 Cover Featured Image

The remaining issues of Star Wars comics from Marvel will deal heavily with the fallout from the War of the Bounty Hunters. It all starts with Doctor Aphra #16 on Nov. 10, which will see the morally flexible archeologist return to her Indiana Jones-inspired roots, as she deals with Crimson Dawn and hunts down artifacts. She will also encounter a mysterious cult in Doctor Aphra #17 on Dec. 22. In Darth Vader #18 (Nov. 17) and #19 (Dec. 8), the Dark Lord of the Sith will work to bring order to the galaxy while bringing together a team to hunt down Crimson Dawn. Luke Skywalker continues his training in Star Wars #19 on Nov. 24, though he is still unsure if he can defeat Vader. He will get some help from the voice of Yoda in Star Wars #20 on Dec. 29. In Bounty Hunters #18 and #19, to be released on Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, respectively, war has broken out in the criminal underworld. A team of bounty hunters will come together to find the one girl who can put a stop to it all.

Marvel's The High Republic series will continue the adventures of the newly-appointed Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis, who has seemingly defected to the Nihil along with fellow Jedi Terec. Keeve's old master, Sskeer, and Jedi Master Avar Kriss race to stop Keeve and Ceret. The Jedi prepare for all-out war against the Nihil after the marauders unleash a unknown terror against them. Meanwhile, the truth will be revealed about Sskeer, who has struggled with temptations from the dark side. High Republic #10, 11 and 12 will release on Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Dec. 8.

Upcoming IDW Publishing Star Wars Adventures Comics

A Jedi fires up her lightsaber on remote planet in IDW's High Republic Adventures comic

IDW Publishing will release a number of installments in its Star Wars Adventures and High Republic Adventures series. Star Wars Adventure #10 on Sept. 29 will follow Mace Windu and his Lightning Squadron during the Clone Wars exploring a planet that has gone dark and finding something deadly. On Oct. 20, Star Wars Adventures #11 will see Luke dealing with a hot-headed new pilot in Rogue Squadron, as well as a story of one of Jabba's minions losing the Hutt's favorite pet. Star Wars Adventures #12 will conclude the story of Luke and Rogue Squadron's new pilot. There will also be a story of Asajj Ventress fighting a Jedi who is close to discovering the Death Star plans. That issue will be released on Nov. 17. Finally, Star Wars Adventures #13 on Dec. 22 will see Rey, Finn, Chewie and BB-8 deal with a bounty hunter while getting the Millennium Falcon repaired, as well as a story of Darth Vader on the hunt for a hidden tome.

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Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #9 on Oct. 6 will see the group of Padawans on a mission to defend a Jedi temple from the Nihil. This adventure will continue in issue #10 on Nov. 3, which will deal with the Padawans outnumbered by the Nihil, leading one young Jedi to unleash their full potential in order to save the day. The Jedi and Padawans will finally get a break in Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #11, which will be published on Dec. 1. That story will see them participate in the Great Jedi Rumble Race, a no-holds-barred race to the finish.

There are plenty of offerings for people who have been reading Star Wars comics for years as well as for those who haven't engaged with anything Star Wars-related since the release of The Rise of Skywalker. Whether readers are excited to delve deeper into the characters and lore set up in the comics, or if they just want some fun tales featuring their favorite movie characters, there's something for everyone. Fans don't need to travel to galaxy far, far away to find amazing Star Wars stories, they just need to check out their local comic shop this fall.

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