Marvel Comics has just announced a brand new Star Wars #1 from writer Charles Soule and artist Jesus Saiz. The announcement comes out of New York Comic Con, with the main Star Wars title set to debut in January of 2020-- after the conclusion of the current Star Wars comic series.
Where the previous series filled in the timeline after A New Hope up to Empire Strikes Back--like explaining the Rebels' attempt at their own Death Star--the new series from Soule and Saiz will take place immediately after the events of Empire and will directly deal with many of the film's twists and revelations.
This planned relaunch marks the first official break, after Marvel Comics began their incredibly successful line of modern Star Wars titles back in 2015. The main Star Wars series debuted under writer Jason Aaron and artist John Cassaday, with the first issue selling over one million copies. But after years of success, Marvel announced that the Star Wars comic would end with issue #75, clearing the table before the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Before that films arrives Charles Soule will be writing Kylo Ren's own origin comic story, before officially taking over the main Star Wars series to follow. Check out the first artwork for Star Wars #1, along with the official plot synopsis below:
In the wake of the events following The Empire Strikes Back, it is a dark time for the heroes of the Rebellion. The Rebel fleet…scattered following a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Hoth. Han Solo…lost to the bounty hunter, Boba Fett, after being frozen in carbonite. And after being lured into a trap on Cloud City and bested in a vicious lightsaber duel against the evil Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker…learned the horrible truth about his past. Vader did not kill Luke’s father Anakin--Vader is Luke’s father! Now, after narrowly escaping the dark lord’s clutches, and wounded and reeling from the revelation, Luke, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, the Wookiee Chewbacca and the droids C-3PO and R2-D2 must fight their way back to the Rebel Alliance—for the fate of the entire galaxy is at stake! After so many losses is victory still possible? But, what Leia, Luke and their ragtag band of freedom fighters do not realize is that they have only traded one Imperial trap for another! Enter the cunning and vengeful Imperial Commander Zahra, at the helm of the Tarkin’s Will! Writer Charles Soule (DARTH VADER) and artist Jesús Saiz (DOCTOR STRANGE) are taking us all to the galaxy far, far away next year! With covers by RB Silva (POWERS OF X)! THE GREATEST SPACE ADVENTURE OF ALL TIME…BEGINS THIS JANUARY!!!
The main title by Charles Soule will be joined by a new line of stories that includes Darth Vader #1 by Greg Pak releasing in February. Readers will be spending several months awaiting more news on these books, a possible plan for a new Doctor Aphra solo series, and more. Until then, comic fans will get the chance to sink their teeth into Charles Soule's Star Wars #1 in January.