December is full of endings: the end of the 2019 calendar year, the end of the Skywalker Saga with The Rise of Skywalker, and the end of Phase 1 of Marvel’s Star Wars comics??!!!!??? That’s right, with the announcement of Empire Ascendant one-shot earlier today, the beginning of the end for Marvel’s first Phase, as it were, has arrived. And that includes Doctor Aphra, much to this fan’s giant dismay, though it’s not all endings, as December sees the start of The Rise of Kylo Ren miniseries!
MARVEL
The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (on sale 12/18)
Charles Soule (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist)
Cover by Clayton Crain | Variant Cover by Carmen Carnero | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
WITH BEN SOLO’S FALL… COMES KYLO REN’S RISE!
Young Ben Solo is legendary Jedi Luke Skywalker’s most promising pupil. As the son of Rebel Alliance heroes Leia Organa and Han Solo, as well as Luke’s own nephew, Ben has the potential to be a great force for light in the galaxy. But the Skywalker legacy casts a long shadow, the currents of the dark side run deep, and Darth Vader’s blood runs in Ben’s veins. Voices call from both his past and his future, telling him who he must be. He will shatter, he will be reforged, his destiny will be revealed. Snoke awaits. The Knights of Ren await. Ben Solo’s path to his true self begins here.
Beyond more Doctor Aphra, and October’s Allegiance, The Rise of Kylo Ren is one of my most hotly anticipated comics. It’s quite staggering to know we’ll get to chart the “Ben to Ren” transformation in the comics, as usually this feels more like a novel story than 4-issue comic, and while we might see some of this in The Rise of Skywalker or even a novel down the line, it’s awesome this story was entrusted to the comics. And who better to write than Charles Soule, one of the strongest, most consistent writers in Star Wars right now, from his fantastic Lando, the Poe Dameron on-going, and even his epic Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith. We’re not just in for a treat story-wise, but in art too with Will Sliney taking the reins. Definitely a bright note for December’s Star Wars comics’ offerings! Want to hear more about the series? Soule spoke with SWNN about it and CBR covered a convention appearance where he talks about it as well, discussing how it’ll help us understand Kylo’s choices so far. UPDATE: Well, this already turning out to be more epic than imagine…check out my review of issue #1 here!
Doctor Aphra #40 (on sale 12/11)
Si Spurrier (Writer), Caspar Wijngaard (Artist)
Cover by Ashley Witter | Star Wars Greatest Moments Variant Cover by Terry Dodson
A ROGUE’S END, Part 4
- All good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, so must all evil things. And probably also all things somewhere-in-the-middle-it’s-complicated.
- Renegade archaeologist DOCTOR APHRA has been outrunning fate far longer than anyone dared hope. But her time is finally up. DARTH VADER stalks her through the shadows of an ancient temple, and this time?
- Only one of them will be leaving in one piece.
I’ve been taking deep breaths all morning after the announcement of the Empire Ascendant one-shot, ending Phase 1 of Marvel’s Star Wars comics, as it will reveal the fate of Aphra. If that news hadn’t come before these solicits, then I probably would’ve had a freaking heart attack, and I wish I was joking, after reading this one! Only one will leave in one piece?!?! Helluva way to end a solicit! Somehow both of them will leave in one piece to star in Empire Ascendant, but knowing that makes this issue no less frightening. UPDATE: Now that’s how you land an ending!
Star Wars: Empire Ascendant #1 (on sale 12/18)
Charles Soule, Greg Pak, Simon Spurrier & Ethan Sacks (Writers), Luke Ross, Roland Boschi & More (Artists)
Cover by Riccardo Federici | Star Wars Greatest Moments Variant Cover by Michael Golden | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Variant Cover by Patch Zircher | Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
DESTINED FOR HOTH!
- Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa and smuggler Han Solo have struck blow after winning blow against the Empire. The Rebels are digging in their defenses on the remote ice world of Hoth but how long will they truly be safe from their many enemies?
- Darth Vader will stop at nothing to crush the rebels but his efforts to locate their new base have been in vain. Will the dark side of the Force guide him to the missing rebels and to young Skywalker or mire the dark lord in the conflicts of his past?
- Despite a life riddled with treachery and destruction, Doctor Aphra has found a family (of sorts). Former Imperial inspector Magna Tolvan and Aphra’s young ward Vulaada will have to face the struggles of a life of rebellion…while Aphra reckons with her legacy.
- Former Imperial loyalist turned cyborg bounty hunter BEILERT VALANCE is taking on a dangerous new mission. And the lives of the entire Rebellion—including his old buddy HAN SOLO’s—are at stake should he fail!
Announced earlier Thursday, here’s more details on what’s to come in Phase 1 of Marvel Star Wars’ end: The Rebels finally digging in, literally, at Hoth; Vader hot on their heels; And Tolvan and Aphra being space mothers to Vulaada?!?! Um, can I get a big space LGBTQ+ HELLS YES!? This is a GIANT silver-lining to the potential end for the character (likely, hopefully only for now) and I cannot wait to see these two together, finally, raising their space daughter. And how this all ties into Valance’s canon story could be quite interesting, considering how things went for him in Legends (as we saw in May’s one off Legend’s continuation). As sad as I am to see Phase 1 end, it’s time for a change and I’m cautiously optimistic about what could come next! UPDATE: It has its moments as a coda for the first phase.
Star Wars Saga #1 (on sale 12/4)
Written by Jess Harrold | Penciled by Various
Cover by John Cassaday & More
As the stage is set for the next great chapter in Marvel’s exploration of the galaxy far, far away, get caught up on the story so far! This special issue celebrates all the action, drama and fan-favorite characters — both classic and brand new — that define Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen and Greg Pak’s STAR WARS runs! From Luke Skywalker’s earliest confrontations with Darth Vader, to the Rebel Alliance’s furious clashes with a resurgent Empire…from the introduction of Han Solo’s “wife” Sana Starros, to the debut of the ruthless elite Stormtrooper unit known as SCAR Squadron…from the devastation of the “Hope Dies” storyline to the Scourging of Shu-Torun…the STAR WARS SAGA is packed with major moments in the lives of rebels and rogues alike! Featuring stunning artwork from a host of incredible talents, plus exciting extras! Reserve your copy today!
It sounds like writer Jess Harrold is basically curating greatest hits from all 75 issues of the Star Wars comic, and it’ll then feature the artwork directly from those issues. I’ll be very curious to see the packaging and presentation before I’d consider getting this, as I already have all 75 issues, but I like the idea of it.
Jedi: Fallen Order – Dark Temple #5 (on sale 12/4)
Matthew Rosenberg (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Will Sliney | Variant Cover by Paul Renaud
ONE AGAINST A WORLD
- Jedi Master Eno Cordova will have to use all his wits and training if he hopes to survive the mysteries of the Dark Temple!
- Meanwhile Jedi Padawan Cere Junda strikes a blow in the hopes of ending the battle with the Daa Corporation’s army. But was it too late?
- If Cordova and Junda hope to survive they’re going to need to get off Ontotho. And they can’t do that alone!
- It all ends here! Read the shocking conclusion to the epic comic series featuring characters from the videogame STAR WARS JEDI: FALLEN ORDER.
After one issue, the mysteries and possibilities, especially with an interestingly placed framing story, has me excited to read more from this miniseries and it sounds like it’ll be worth it from this rather epic sounding finale. UPDATE: It’s not as epic as once thought, but still a solid series.
Target Vader #6 (on sale 12/11)
Robbie Thompson (Writer), Stefano Landini (Artist)
Cover by Nic Klein
Showdown!
- Valance has escaped the clutches of the Empire, and finally has a lead on who’s REALLY behind the mysterious crime syndicate, the Hidden Hand. In the process, he’s uncovered a mystery about his own past.
- Darth Vader… AND members of the Rebellion, desperate for one last arms deal with The Hidden Hand.
- Will Valance be able to finish the job and kill Vader? Will Vader crush the Rebellion once and for all? Or will The Hidden Hand continue to walk between the raindrops and escape them all? Check out the thrilling finale to find out!
…and then check out Empire Ascendant to find out his fate again, again. It sounds like there’s plenty of twists and turns throughout this series’ run, so I’ll look forward to returning and reading this through to the end for a miniseries review in December. UPDATE: My miniseries review is in and I found out I wasn’t the Target Audience…get it?
Star Wars #1 Facsimile Edition (on sale 12/4)
Written by Roy Thomas | Penciled by Howard Chaykin
Cover by Howard Chaykin
Months before the first Star Wars movie had even arrived in theaters, Marvel Comics’ STAR WARS #1 hit the stands, and introduced eager readers to a galaxy far, far away! Its cover asked: “Luke Skywalker: Will he save the galaxy or destroy it?” – and inside, readers eager to know the answer joined Luke on the first, fateful steps of his epic journey from the deserts of Tatooine to the very heart of the Rebellion! This opening chapter of Marvel’s adaptation of George Lucas’ cinematic masterpiece features the debuts of some of the most beloved characters in cinematic history – including Princess Leia, R2-D2,
C-3PO, and of course, the ruthless enforcer of the Galactic Empire, Darth Vader! It’s one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting STAR WARS (1977) #1.
Check out the Original Marvel Years’ first issue in all its retro glory with this facsimile issue, and if you want a little more nostalgia, there are several True Believers reprints for December as well: DEATH PROBE #1– Reprinting Star Wars (1977) #45 |VADER VS. LEIA #1 – Reprinting Star Wars (1977) #48 | ACCORDING TO THE DROIDS #1 – Reprinting Droids (1986) #6 | THE HUNTER #1 – Reprinting Star Wars (1977) #16 | HUTT RUN #1 – Reprinting Star Wars (2015) #35
IDW
Star Wars Adventures #29
John Barber, Michael Moreci (Writers), Derek Charm, Tony Fleecs (Artists)
Cover A by Derek Charm | Cover B by Tony Fleecs
In this finale of a three-part story, the mighty Wookiees of Kashyyyk defend their home against the armies of the evil First Order. Plus, R2-D2, C-3PO, and BB-8 team up on a top-secret spy adventure for the Resistance.
- The Journey to The Rise of Skywalker concludes here!
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 | August | September | October | November
CURRENT SERIES COMIC REVIEWS:
Doctor Aphra
Worst Among Equals (#26-31) | Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon (#32-37) | Annual: #2
Age of Rebellion (miniseries) | Age of Resistance (miniseries)
Star Wars
Kieron Gillen Retrospective (#38-67) | Greg Pak – Rebels and Rogues (#68-73)
Jedi: Fallen Order – Dark Temple (miniseries)
Galaxy’s Edge (miniseries)