By the end of August 2019, both the 14-acre Star Wars theme park expansions will be open, signaling a new era for ways to interact with the Saga, making it feel a little less far, far away. And as fans gear up for The Rise of Skywalker and The Mandalorian, the comics continue the beat of their own drums, though with the Galaxy’s Edge and TIE Fighter minis coming to an end, what might take their place? We don’t have an answer yet, so spend August enjoying Doctor Aphra antics, the early beginnings of Greg Pak’sStar Wars, and Kylo Ren marooned on a planet with General Hugs Hux in the Age of Resistance, among others!
MARVEL
Doctor Aphra #35 (on sale 8/21)
Si Spurrier (Writer), Wilton Santos & Andrea Broccardo (Artists)
Cover by Ashley Witter | Star Wars Greatest Moments Variant by Greg Smallwood
“UNSPEAKABLE REBEL SUPERWEAPON” PART IV
- It’s time for DOCTOR APHRA to do what she does best: honor her commitments, help people in need, do the right thing.
- Hahaha, nope, the people she’s swindling won’t buy that either. Unlucky for them, she’s always two steps ahead.
- Unlucky for her, the steps lead directly to Coruscant, and into the arms of an old enemy…
One issue in as of this publishing, “Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon” feels like a breath of fresh air, though not like this series was ever in a bad space. I had been hoping this arc would deal with Aphra reconnecting with Tolvan and the first issue delivered in exciting and unexpected ways. And now, a few issues later, Doctor Aphra will find herself undercover and on Coruscant, heading, “…into the arms of an old enemy…” Is this the return of Triple-Zero, who exited the series alive and well with BeeTee last arc; Darth Vader, who was rather convinced Aphra was well and truly dead now; or someone new we haven’t met? Maybe it has to do with Imperial PR Minister Voor (and my theory she’s Aphra’s mom)? No matter what, this Aphra fan always has trouble containing his excitement for the next issue!
Age of Resistance – Poe Dameron #1 (on sale 8/14 28)
Tom Taylor (Writer), Ramon Rosanas (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike McKone | Concept Variant Also Available | Star Wars Greatest Moments Variant by Chris Samnee | Movie Variant Also Available
FIGHT AND FLIGHT!
- POE DAMERON is the greatest pilot in THE RESISTANCE.
- But before the Resistance, he commanded another crew. He flew for the NEW REPUBLIC.
- But was Poe flying for the right cause?
It was only at the end of last year the excellent Poe Dameron series came to an end, but it feels much longer ago than that. Poe finally returns to comics nearly a year later, but instead of covering his adventures post-The Last Jedi, where his series left off, we go back to his time with the New Republic. We saw a glimpse of his antics with the NR in Before the Awakening, so will this issue be an adaptation or a new tale of his time there? If you want Poe Dameron content leading up to The Rise of Skywalker, look no further than upcoming novel Resistance Reborn in November!
Age of Resistance – General Hux #1 (on sale 8/28)
Tom Taylor (Wrtier), Leonard Kirk (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike McKone | Concept Variant Also Available | Movie Variant Also Available
MAROONED!
- GENERAL HUX and KYLO REN crash-land on a far-off planet.
- With no hope of rescue, the two are forced to work together to survive.
- But can they survive each other?
I’m always up for some Poe antics, but finally getting General Hux and Kylo Ren content, let alone them marooned with only each other to deal with?!? This should be a fun issue, not only to dive a little more into what divides these two, but also to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of having these youths in the First Order’s hierarchy.
Star Wars #70 (on sale 8/7)
Greg Pak (Writer), Phil Noto (Artist, Cover Artist)
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Star Wars Greatest Moments Variant by Walt Simonson
ROGUES, ROMANCE AND ROCK MONSTERS!
- With the fate of the Rebellion at stake, our heroes scramble to set their decoys and traps to protect THE REBEL FLEET. But everyone’s plan suddenly becomes more complicated.
- What can a frontier cardsharp teach Luke about THE FORCE? What are HAN and LEIA doing in the Lanz Carpo honeymoon suite?
- And which utterly iconic STAR WARS villain finally takes notice as CHEWIE and THREEPIO tangle with the rock monsters of Planet K43?
Each aspect of this arc, and the characters paired up for the stories within, sound like a real blast! I know we got plenty of incremental Force training with Luke in the Jason Aaron days, but I’d not mind more of it if this cardsharp (which I thought was a misspelling but it wasn’t) is the one to teach Luke how to move things instead of the whole noodle fiasco…or maybe it’ll be more of psychological teaching, something I’d not mind either. Han and Leia in a honeymoon suite should be more good humor between those two as they continue to avoid their feelings. And Chewie and Threepio battling rock monsters, with likely Vader soon on their tail? Yeah, give me this arc ASAP!
TIE Fighter #5 (on sale 8/21)
Jody Houser (Writer), Rogê Antônio & Juan Gedeon (Artists)
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards | Character Variant Cover by Jeff Langevin | Variant Cover by Yasmine Putri
THE EMPIRE STRIKES!
- The mission is to deal a devastating blow to THE REBELLION.
- Can the squadron come together in time to complete the mission?
- And will any survive the fight?
TIE Fighter’s finale, the series comes to a close only two months after its sister novel trilogy begins with June’s Alphabet Squadron. I’ve really been enjoying what Houser is doing with the back-up stories each issue, either introducing a surprise or using them for character work, and already the main tale has been engaging enough. It has felt like we’ll only get to know Shadow Wing better in the novels, but I’m intrigued to see how this miniseries informs their time in the novels (and vice versa).
Galaxy’s Edge #5 (on sale 8/28)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist)
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards | Variant Cover by Luke Ross
A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD!
- KENDOH’S crew of mercenaries spring their heist to steal one of the rarest relics in the universe – the hilt of the fabled SWORD OF KHASHYUN from DOK-ONDAR’S DEN OF ANTIQUITIES.
- But with the FIRST ORDER tightening its grip on BLACK SPIRE OUTPOST and the notorious RED FURY STORMTROOPERS on their trail, can these master thieves survive long enough to collect their prize?
- And does Dok-Ondar have one last gambit to play?
While Galaxy’s Edge will have already been open a few months at Disneyland when this issue releases, the miniseries tie-in’s finale comes ONE day before the park opens at Disney World! Two issues in as of this writing, I’ve really become intrigued by the “present” set story taking place in Black Spire Outpost, the location of the parks, and what all the fuss is about the Sword of Khashyun (we finally have a name for the artifact!); I’m wondering if it’ll be tied into your time at the park somehow and they haven’t quite revealed this aspect, or it’s just a fun bit of lore about what has all happened there. Curious for more Galaxy’s Edge-related content if you’re not looking to/can’t spend the money or time to visit? There’s a whole publishing program to enjoy, with some of the content releasing in August alongside this final issue!
Target Vader #2 (on sale 8/14)
Robbie Thompson (Writer), Stefano Landini (Artist)
Cover by Nic Klein | Variant Cover by John McCrea
THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED!
- VALANCE and DENGAR track DARTH VADER while also seeking out the perfect weapon to kill the SITH LORD…
- …which they’ll need as Vader turns the tables on the hunters and corners them!
- And both hunter and hunted uncover dark secrets behind the criminal syndicate known only as THE HIDDEN HAND.
Forgetting our unnecessary overload of Vader-related comics, and content in general, I guess it’s time to realize there’s nothing I can do about its existence and stop harping about it. It does sound like it has potential, as Valance coming from Han Solo – Imperial Cadet (and inspired by Legends) is neat connection and more Dengar is never a bad thing, while a new crime syndicate always guarantees some gritty fun. I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be reviewing this one issue by issue, maybe only doing a full miniseries review, but we’ll see once we get closer to this series’ launch in July.
IDW
Star Wars Adventures #25
Delilah S. Dawson (Writer), Margaux Saltel (Artist/Cover Artist)
Cover B by Megan Levens
In this story set before A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa faces the most challenging task of her young life: teaching Amilyn Holdo how to drive a speeder! But both learn an important lesson after finding themselves in the dangerous lower levels of Coruscant.
- Special 25th issue featuring a full-length story about young Princess Leia!
- The second of three issues spotlighting the Sequel Trilogy!
It might be the IDW’s Age of Resistance, but this issue takes place before ANH, though more adventures between Holdo and Leia is thoroughly welcomed, especially thanks to it being written by Delilah S. Dawson!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
2019 SOLICITATIONS: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | September | October
CURRENT SERIES COMIC REVIEWS:
Doctor Aphra
Aphra (#1-6) | And the Enormous Profit (#9-13) | Remastered (#14-19) | The Catastrophe Con (#20-25) | Worst Among Equals (#26-31) | Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon (#32-36) | Annual: #2
Age of Republic (miniseries)
Age of Rebellion (miniseries)
Star Wars
Ashes of Jedha (#38-43) | Mutiny at Mon Cala (#44-49) | Hope Dies (#50-55) | The Escape (#56-61) | The Scourging of Shu-Torun (#62-67) | Annual: #4
TIE Fighter (miniseries)