May the Fourth be with you…and this huge batch of Star Wars comics hitting in May 2019! I can’t remember the last time we had a month this busy, with 2-3 issues hitting each Wednesday, and it looks to be a plethora of great content to boot: Age of Rebellion crams the majority of its run within the month, the Doctor Aphra series gets another new lease on life, new series like TIE Fighter really take flight, and Legends comics get a new issue?! Read ahead for the details!!
MARVEL
Star Wars #65 (on sale 5/1)
Kieron Gillen (Writer), Angel Unzueta (Artist)
Cover by Gerald Parel | Greatest Moments Variant Cover by Cory Smith | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
“THE SCOURGING OF SHU-TORUN” PART 4
- Her planet under threat, a heroic princess battles to save it!
- Not Leia – it’s QUEEN TRIOS OF SHU-TORUN, ally to Darth Vader and the Empire!
- PRINCESS LEIA’S plan begins to unfold. But some members of her strike team have schemes of their own. When will Leia realize just what she’s set in motion?!
Star Wars #66 (on sale 5/15)
Kieron Gillen (Writer), Angel Unzueta (Artist)
Cover by Gerald Parel | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
“THE SCOURGING OF SHU-TORUN” PART 5
- QUEEN TRIOS vs. PRINCESS LEIA at last!
- Can LUKE SKYWALKER hold out against the attack of overwhelming force…from his own allies?!
- And when you think things couldn’t get worse for our Rebels, there’s always an orbital bombardment to survive!
As far as final arcs go, Kieron Gillen’s finale sounds absolutely thrilling! Judging by the cover, Benthic and his Partisans are the strike members going rogue, but what could they be after? How well does Luke’s limited training help him hold out from an attack by said allies? And how scourged does Shu-Torun get from Leia not thinking through this plan completely/not planning for their betrayal? Or did she? Of course I’m most excited to see what happens in this showdown between Trios and Leia: will Trios reveal her true heart over everything that has happened or will she fight to the death for her planet to ensure their survival? I love the parallels to Leia defending her planet to Trios defending hers, though we’ll just have to wait and see when/how Leia realizes she might have become the very thing she was trying to fight. All together, this is heading to quite the climax in the final issue, likely out in June. And, I keep saying this, but those covers by Gerald Parel are freaking gorgeous! Like, damn, look at the Leia and Trios showdown!
Update: Reviews for #65 and #66 are in!
Doctor Aphra #32 (on sale 5/8)
Si Spurrier (Writer), Wilton Santos (Artist)
Cover by Ashley Witter | Greatest Moments Variant Cover by Stephanie Hans
UNSPEAKABLE REBEL SUPERWEAPON: Part 1 A NEW ADVENTURE STARTS HERE!
- After a year of close shaves, Doctor CHELLI APHRA is taking it easy and lying low. Probably herding banthas or something. She’s smart like that, right?
- NAH, not really. The galaxy’s shadiest archaeologist is back doing what she does best: busting into alien temples to steal horrifying weapons for huge profit. She just can’t stop herself.
- But plenty of other people could. Powerful factions are watching closely: Rebel and Empire, familiar and strange – all calculating whether Aphra’s more useful alive… or dead.
I’m not surprised Aphra survives the finale of the current “Worst Among Equals” arc, but as always I’m a little worried about her series’ future so it’s awesome to see another arc begin! As I’ve been thinking in some of the recent reviews for Aphra, the future of her series seems to be leaving Triple-Zero and the murderbots behind, just like how she shed the specter of Vader back in “The Catastrophe Con,” and as much as I love those instruments of destruction, I’m ready for a change-up. So far, Dr. Evazan’s machinations have been a great shake-up, so I wouldn’t mind if he’s still around for this next arc, but we’ll have to wait and see. Also, I’m sure we’ll see some familiar faces at some point, as I’m really hoping for Aphra to be working on locating Tolvan, something she’s been doing every so often in the current arc, but with the Empire and Rebellion having her in their sights, could we get the return of Hera Syndulla, Sana Starros, and even Vader himself again? Also intriguing, the arc’s title: “Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon.” Has a lot of humor to it, so I’m guessing it could be something Aphra claims to uncover as an attempt to get into the Rebellion, via Imperial help, to get Tolvan out; it’s more Doctor Aphra, so I’m thrilled to find out what it all means in May!
Update: Review is in!
Galaxy’s Edge #2 (on sale 5/22)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist)
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards | Variant Cover by Will Sliney
- Across the galaxy, DOK-ONDAR is known as the procurer of the rarest antiquities in the universe.
- But the most priceless of his relics come with a darker cost.
- And with the First Order’s hunt for the hidden Resistance heating up, planet Batuu might soon turn into the most dangerous place in the galaxy.
- Journey to BLACK SPIRE OUTPOST and discover an early look at the themed land coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland this year.
- Guest starring the bounty hunter GREEDO and notorious gangster JABBA THE HUTT!
According to the original announcement, Dok-Ondar’s collection could hold the secrets needed to save the outpost on Batuu, aka the Galaxy’s Edge parks, so it seems this series will focus on tales associated with certain artifacts and this one involves Greedo and Jabba. Are they on Batuu in each of these stories? Will they contain hints and secrets about stuff to see and do at the park? Can you meet Dok-Ondar? This is just one of many items diving into Batuu/Galaxy’s Edge, as there was a slew of publishing material announced recently (including a cookbook!), so for those of us not having a chance to visit the park, we’ll get to in spirit at least!
UPDATE: Here’s the review!
TIE Fighter #2 (on sale 5/15)
Jody Houser (Writer), Roge Antonio & More (Artists)
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards | Alphabet Squad Variant Cover by Jeff Langevin
BETRAYAL AMONG THE RANKS!
- The TIE Fighter pilots of SHADOW WING come under fire from what appear to be their fellow IMPERIALS!
- Has the influence of THE REBELLION stretched further than anticipated?
- Or is there something more sinister at work?
This honestly sounds like a really exciting series beyond it being a tie-in to the upcoming Alphabet Squadron novel! Whether or not I’m going to be a fan of the pilots of Shadow Wing, I’ve got some intense curiosity regarding who/what is shooting at them, as there’s a lot of unknowns in the era of post-Return of the Jedi. This is the series I’m most looking forward to that isn’t about Aphra, that’s for sure. Also, I’m wondering if the Alphabet Squad variant covers are going to be alternative covers where it’s basically one hero a cover…but I still have questions about that “Movie” edition cover for the first issue of this series.
Update: Series keeps getting better, read the review here!
Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1 (on sale 5/1)
Greg Pak (Writer), Chris Sprouse (Artist)
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Concept Design Variant Cover Also Available | Movie Variant Cover Also Available | Heroes Variant Cover by Gerald Parel | Greatest Moments Variant Cover by Yasmine Putri
The Scoundrel’s Code!
- After helping destroy the DEATH STAR, HAN SOLO’s ready to cash in his reward and return to life as a scoundrel.
- But when LUKE SKYWALKER asks for one last favor, Han gets pulled into a rebel mission that might wreck all of his plans.
- Co-starring CHEWBACCA and introducing AKKO, an old friend who might actually out-scoundrel Han himself!
I’ll be most curious to see how this fits into the timeline considering we see Han on such a mission in the very first issue of the Star Wars series from 2015, while I’m somewhat excited to meet another old friend of Han’s, especially in the form of a new character. It looks like Age of Rebellion won’t be rhyming its hero and villains like Age of Republic, considering just how many issues drop this month, but these still could be fun little one-off stories or maybe it will find a way to do some rhyming too.
Update: Might be the weakest of the bunch, but it’s nothing terrible!
Age of Rebellion – Boba Fett #1 (on sale 5/8)
Greg Pak (Writer), Marc Laming (Artist)
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Concept Design Variant Cover Also Available | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
THE HUNTER’S HEART!
- As the implacable bounty hunter who tracked down HAN SOLO, BOBA FETT earned his reputation as one of the greatest villains in the galaxy.
- But what happens when Boba Fett picks up the trail of an actual villain?
- Find out what kind of heart — if any — beats under that MANDALORIAN armor!
What villain would Boba Fett be on the hunt for, and why would it matter if he has a heart or not if he’s chasing down a villain? We all know he does, considering we saw him grow up through The Clone Wars, but hey, solicitations got to hype up these issue somehow!
Update: This issue works really, really well!
Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 (on sale 5/15)
Greg Pak (Writer). Chris Sprouse (Artist)
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Concept Design Variant Cover Also Available | Movie Variant Cover Also Available (pictured)
CLOUD CITY BLUES!
- Former smuggler LANDO CALRISSIAN has a beautiful dream: a life of leisure and luxury as the totally legitimate BARON ADMINISTRATOR of CLOUD CITY.
- All he needs to do is take care of his money troubles with one last, big scam. But what will get in his way the most — his bad luck or this annoying sense of ethics he seems to be developing?
- Co-starring LOBOT!
This is the first of May’s Age of Rebellion issues that has really intrigued me so far due to its solicit. I love the idea of learning a bit of what went into Lando taking over Cloud City, and any story with Lando and Lobot, especially now that we know the incident that left Lobot more machine than man, is one I can’t wait to read.
Update: Pak does Lando AND Lobot justice.
Age of Rebellion – Jabba the Hutt #1 (on sale 5/22)
Greg Pak (Writer), Marc Laming (Artist)
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson | Puzzle Piece Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Concept Design Variant Cover Also Available | Movie Variant Cover Also Available (pictured) | Villains Variant Cover by Gerald Parel
IT’S GREAT TO BE JABBA!
- Across the galaxy, Imperials, rebels and scoundrels alike speak in hushed tones of JABBA THE HUTT, the greatest gangster in the OUTER RIM.
- Discover what makes the name of Jabba so feared, in a crime story that stretches from the casinos of CANTO BIGHT to the deserts of TATOOINE!
Now this sounds like a fun issue as well! Part of the allure of Boba Fett is keeping the mystery around him, but Jabba is such a literal larger than life villain, any tale about what gave him his reputation should be a fun look at the criminal underworld of the galaxy. And seeing someone like Jabba in Canto Bight will be a bit wild as it has so far only been associated with sequel trilogy characters.
UPDATE: Just okay.
Vader – Dark Visions #4 (on sale 5/29)
Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum (Writer), Stephen Mooney (Artist)
Cover by Greg Smallwood | Variant Cover by Riccardo Federici
NEVER MESS WITH THE BEST!
- We all know DARTH VADER as THE EMPEROR’S iron fist, but as any rebel can tell you, he’s also a terror in a TIE Fighter.
- What does it feel like in that X-WING cockpit when you’re nose-to-nose with the EMPIRE’S deadliest pilot?
- Will you even live to tell the tale, hotshot?
I’m still on the fence about this series due to all the terrible shenanigans that brought it to our LCS, but I want to give it some benefit of the doubt due to none of this being the creative team’s fault. The issue for April sounded a little skeevy, but this one sounds like it could have some real cool horror elements mixed with space dog fighting.
Star Wars #108 (on sale 5/29)
Matthew Rosenberg (Writer), Giuseppe Camuncoli, Luke Ross, Kerry Gammill, Andrea Broccardo & More! (Artists)
Cover by Walter Simonson | Remastered Variant Cover by Carmine Infantino | Virgin Remastered Variant Cover by Carmine Infantino | Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Variant Cover by Michael Golden | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
Blank Variant Cover Also Available
THE ALL-NEW NEXT ISSUE TO THE ORIGINAL MARVEL STAR WARS SERIES!
A long time ago on a spinner rack far, far away…STAR WARS comics were a LOT different than they are now! With wild and intricately plotted storylines, MARVEL’s historic original run introduced an array of unique heroes and villains to play alongside GEORGE LUCAS’s incredibly popular science-fantasy characters. In celebration of MARVEL’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY, this Legends-era sequel to legendary comic book writer Archie Goodwin’s “Crimson Forever” reunites HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, CHEWBACCA, C-3PO and R2-D2 with JAXXON, AMAIZA FOXTRAIN, DOMINA TAGGE and VALANCE THE HUNTER in a galaxy-threatening, nostalgic roller coaster! STRAP YOURSELVES IN!
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, they are celebrating Marvel’s 80th Anniversary by releasing a brand new issue continuing the Legends original run of Marvel Star Wars. I’m neither here nor there about this, as I’ve never read the original run but I do think it kind of neat they’d do something like this. For those who didn’t read the original run, besides the True Believer’s release of Star Wars #107 (see below), will there be some type of primer in the issue to get readers up to speed? And part of me is wondering, does this have more variant covers than it will have pages? I don’t know if I’ll be reviewing this issue, but we’ll see once I have it in my (digital) hands.
Just like in April, even more issues are joining Marvel’s True Believers line of $1 comics. They include: Star Wars – The Original Marvel Years #107, as I mentioned above | Ewoks #1, another old Legends-era comic | Thrawn #1, the start of the Thrawn adaptation released in 2018 | Darth Maul #1, the first issue of Dark Horse’s last Star Wars comic, and the first canon comic, released in 2014. It’s the start of a miniseries called Son of Dathomir, adapted from unproduced The Clone Wars scripts | Rebel Jail #1, the beginning of the “Rebel Jail” arc that sees Doctor Aphra captured and brought to a secretive rebel prison, which gave us a truly awesome moment of Aphra, Leia, and Sana Starros teaming up to save the day that has caused me to dub the arc “Women Kick Ass in Rebel Jail”
IDW
Star Wars Adventures #22
Elsa Charretier & Pierrick Colinet (Writers), Elsa Charretier (Artist & Cover Artist)
After losing the man she loves to a bounty hunter, Princess Leia embarks on a dangerous mission with R2-D2 and C-3PO in this exciting tale set just after The Empire Strikes Back!
- The second of three issues spotlighting the Original Trilogy!
- Variant cover by Eisner Award winner Michael Avon Oeming, co-creator of Powers!
IDW’s own “Age of Star Wars” continues with a Leia-centric tale for its Original trilogy era stories. Not much in canon has taken place between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but so far it has been mainly Leia stories, from 2015’s Moving Target, April’s Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (connecting to a Forces of Destiny episode), and now this!
Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019
Cavan Scott (Writer), Mauricet (Artist)
Cover by Stan Sakai
A daring rescue mission leads Lando—and his new friend Jaxxon—to the seat of Imperial power, where they must recover an important artifact that will inspire a planet to drive the Empire from their home.
- Special feature-length tale starring Lando and Jaxxon!
Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018 was a fun mixture of stories, including a short one bringing both Jaxxon and Amaiza into canon for the very first time. Not content with such a small appearance, IDW’s Annual 2019 is fully devoted to an entire tail (sorry, not sorry about the pun) about the wily rabbit and Lando’s being pulled along for the ride?!? I’m ready to hop into this one! (okay, that pun was pushing it)
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 | June | July | August | September
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 (#32-37) | 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)
Vader – Dark Visions (miniseries)