April’s 2024 Star Wars comics have some potentially memorable moments for readers, be it Mace Windu facing down a squadron of ships with only his lightsaber and the Force, Darth Maul returns to comics for a horror-filled opening issue, while the High Republic era features Ty Yorrick’s particular brand of mercenary fun and what seems to be a haunting look back in time. Forget about the April showers, we have some great April Star Wars comics in 2024 to get you ready for instead with these solicitations below!
MARVEL
The High Republic #6 – Phase III (on sale 4/3)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Jim Towe (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Dustin Nguyen | Variant Cover by David Lopez | Stellan Gios & Vernestra Rwoh Master & Apprentice Variant by Guiseppe Camuncoli
BACK TO THE LIGHT!
- Someone close to the Jedi fell from grace long ago, but there’s always good in people…isn’t there?
- FORCE USERS clash as a rogue FREEWIELDER terrorizes the sacred streets of an ancient moon.
- Plus, secrets are revealed as the STARLIGHT JEDI reunite! But how long will their alliance last?
{This was advanced solicited last month} Well, I’ll be holy hot damned….Tey Sirrek returns?!!? Phase II’s lovable thief who had a heart of gold deep down, even bringing one out of grumpy ol’ Vildar Mac, has somehow fallen from grace and still around?!? Did someone hurt Vildar/Matty?! Is Sskeer this “freewielder?” And will we get to see Starlight Jedi from other series as well?! Whatever Cavan Scott has cooking for this series, we’re heading to some crazy, unexpected places and I’m ready to be along for the ride! BIG UPDATE: Scott took to Bluesky (though I shared it on Twitter) and clarified this issue takes us back to Phase II, so Tey might not be around in Phase III as this initially made it seem. Even more curious now why we’re seeing him again, though it does sort of fit with the Chosen One/Nameless Prophecy regarding past and future colliding….
Star Wars #45 (on sale 4/3)
Charles Soule (Writer), Madibek Musabekov (Artist)
Cover by Stephen Segovia | Thrawn Rebels 10th Anniversary Variant Cover by Caspar Wijngaard | Variant Cover by Annie Wu | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Luke Skywalker & Rey Master & Apprentice Variant by Guiseppe Camuncoli
THE GREATEST TRIAL IN THE GALAXY CONTINUES!
- LANDO CALRISSIAN is on trial for crimes against the ALLIANCE.
- The evidence is clear, and his friends have turned against him, from LUKE SKYWALKER to LEIA ORGANA.
- Lando’s only hope…is DARTH VADER?
{This was advance solicited last month} Add in the idea Vader might be Lando’s only hope to what we know of the coming trial of Lando and I’m so ready for it to begin! If this is successful, maybe we can get a courtroom drama on Disney+ next?
Darth Vader #45 (on sale 4/10)
Greg Pak (Writer), Adam Gorham (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Agent Kallus Rebels 10th Anniversary Variant Cover by Caspar Wijngaard | Variant Covers by Rod Reis; Federico Sabbatini | Baylan Skoll & Shin Hati Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
A SECRET PLAN TO TAKE DOWN THE EMPEROR!
- DARTH VADER has used the SCHISM IMPERIAL to secure terrible new forces, including the cyborgs of the M.A.R. CORPS and the death machine of GOVERNOR TAUNTAZA…
- But what treasure or horror lies within the MARTYRIUM OF FROZEN TEARS?
- And what cost will Vader and his allies pay to secure it?
Vader “using” the Schism instead of them teaming up makes more sense, as there’s no way he’d do anything other than use them and their goals for his own gain, especially at this point as we march ever closer to Return of the Jedi’s events and we build up once again to another fight against Palpatine (which, hopefully this culminates in the last in this series). I like the return of the life-sucking machine, but am very surprised and intrigued about the return of the Martyrium of Frozen Tears, which we first saw when Doctor Aphra took him there in a gambit to escape him and turn the Empire’s attention away from the Rebellion amassing on Hoth (and it was mentioned when she showed up in this series late last year). What does he hope to gain by returning there?! This I’m actually interested in.
Mace Windu #3 (on sale 4/17)
Marc Bernardin (Writer), Georges Jeanty (Artist)
Cover by Mateus Manhanini | Variant Cover by Dave Wachter | Palpatine & Darth Vader Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
ONE OF THE GREATEST JEDI MUST STOP AN EXPLOSIVE SECRET FROM FALLING INTO THE WRONG HANDS!
- On the refinery moon RO MIRA, MACE WINDU and smuggler AZITA CRUUZ – carrying the formula to a paradigm-smashing energy source – are on the run from Ro Mira’s security forces and a HUTT-hired BOUNTY HUNTER.
- Can MACE dispatch a squadron of fighters led by the ruthless Anzellan YAYA SHRAM with nothing but his LIGHTSABER and THE FORCE?
- Introducing MURO and DIYA, DUSK WEAVERS OF THE HAD’LE PATH, a cult obsessed with wiping technology from the face of the galaxy!
We are only a few weeks away from the series’ premiere, having just received the preview over on the official site (which picks up after the events in the Revelations (2023) #1 intro story), and hype is growing for this series. But this solicit really sets it off, as I can’t wait to see Mace take down a squadron of ships with his lightsaber and the Force, especially if it’s against those cute little Anzellans! I am also VERY intrigued about these Dusk Weavers of the Had’le Path, as I hope this means we’ll see more of this strange cult in the Saga going forwards elsewhere, as the desire to wipe out all technology is a very engaging idea for “villains.” Yes, this brings up memories of the Yuuzhan Vong, so if they ever went down that path, it would be neat to these two forces combine, otherwise I’d love to see if the cult could ever grow to be a considerable threat on its own.
Jango Fett #2 (on sale 4/24)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Variant Covers by Giuseppe Camuncoli; Carol Pagulayan | Luminara Unduli & Barriss Offee Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
THE GREATEST BOUNTY HUNTER IN THE GALAXY IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF A DANGEROUS RIVAL!
- JANGO FETT is after a stolen artifact at the center of a planetwide war!
- But the hunter is being hunted by the notorious AURRA SING!
- What is the secret conspiracy that threatens them all?
We got to see what artifact, at least I’m assuming, Jango’s after in Revelations (2023) #1 in Sack’s short story introducing the series, as well as Aurra Sing being out for Jango’s head, so it looks like in the penultimate issue of the new miniseries that’s all coming to an explosive collision!
Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #1 (on sale 4/24)
Benjamin Percy (Writer), Stefano Raffaele (Artist)
Cover by Alex Maleev | Variant Covers by Ben Harvey; David Marquez | Variant/Virgin Variant Cover by Frank Miller | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
DARTH MAUL STARS IN HIS VERY OWN HORROR BLOCKBUSTER!
- A prison ship – transporting a cult known as the FINAL OCCULTATION – goes offline, and DARTH MAUL is sent by PALPATINE to investigate.
- What he finds on board is the stuff of nightmares!!!
- It’s up to him to stop this profoundly dark and unstable force that wishes to bring chaos to the galaxy.
This solicit doesn’t tell us much beyond what Wednesday’s announcement of this Maul focused Black, White & Red series didn’t, but it is ramping up my excitement it. Each issue will be its own full story, diverging from the Vader series, and I think this will be a better option overall. Hopefully some marginalized creatives will be part of the remaining three issues.
Thrawn: Alliances #4 (on sale 4/10)
Jody Houser, Timothy Zahn (Writers), Andrea Di Vito & Pat Olliffe (Artists)
Cover by Rod Reis | Variant Covers by Lee Garbett; E.M. Gist | Ahsoka Tano & Sabine Wren Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
THE CLIMATIC CONCLUSION!
- DARTH VADER and THRAWN must find the solution to their problem…
- …but where does that leave THRAWN and ANAKIN?
Responses to the first issue seem to be rather favorable, as Houser and Zahn seem to have condensed this in a way to really charge up the novel’s story. I won’t have reviews on the Manor but I’ll be giving it a look in TPB format eventually (so maybe a review then)! Check out our review of the novel!
DARK HORSE
The High Republic Adventures: Saber for Hire #1 (on sale 4/10)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Rachael Stott (Artist/Cover Art)
Fan-favorite saber-for-hire Ty Yorrick returns in her most dangerous—and personal—mission yet.
The former Jedi turned monster hunter is having the time of her life behind the Nihil Stormwall. She’s never been busier, battling dangers that the Jedi would’ve usually handled and earning credits galore. If only she hadn’t agreed to take an apprentice. A storm is brewing on the horizon that will see Ty crossing sabers with old enemies . . . and friends.
New York Times bestseller Cavan Scott joins forces once again with sensational artist Rachael Stott for an emotional and action-packed adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
I’m really eager for more Ty Yorrick and this miniseries can’t come soon enough!! Announced back in December, this doesn’t really offer too much new information, but I am worried to learn who she might cross sabers with that are friends!!
The High Republic Adventures #5 – Phase III (on sale 4/17)
Daniel José Older (Writer), Elisa Romboli (Artist)
Cover by Harvey & Kevin Tolibao
On the edge of Republic space, Zeen, Lula, and a small Republic fleet launched a surprise attack on a Nihil prison ship. It’s a daring rescue attempt, but their hope is to find and free missing allies…Now that they’ve fought their way in, will they be able to fight their way out?
{This was advanced solicited last month} With the first issue out, the nexu is out of the bag: Lula Talisola is alive and is the series’ masked individual, in arguably one of the biggest comic moments of 2023! It seems she’s back to being with the Republic, to some extent, and helping rescue their other friends and allies, but is she alright, is she going to be a Jedi again, and what does this mean for Lula and Zeen? Are they not worrying about it as they worry instead about saving others? I’m hooked and eager to see where this all leads!
The High Republic Adventures: Saber for Hire #2 (on sale 5/15) {Advanced Solicited}
Cavan Scott (Writer), Rachael Stott (Artist/Cover Art)
The Nihil are kidnapping children with Force abilities. Can Ty Yorrick, former Jedi turned monster hunter, find them before it’s too late? And what will Ty’s frustrated apprentice do when he discovers that the villainous space pirates are also targeting the son of the Republic Chancellor? Plus: Ty has an encounter that will change her life forever!New York Times bestselling author Cavan Scott and fan-favorite artist Rachael Stott continue an adventure packed with thrilling lightsaber fights and daring rescues.
The High Republic Adventures #6 – Phase III (on sale 5/15) {Advanced Solicited}
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist)
Cover by Harvey & Kevin Tolibao | Variant Cover by Isobell Rees (pictured)
On the edge of the Occlusion Zone, the Republic outpost on Eriadu is a safe place for a reunion of allies. After a year of hoping, searching, and daring rescues, Zeen, Lula, and more friends have made their way to this new home. Reunited, it’s time to face their destiny and stand together against the fearsome onslaught of the Nihil from beyond the Stormwall.
What new challenges await our heroes on the next leg of their journey?
The variant promises at least another familiar face survived the fall of Starlight Beacon…Buckets of Blood!!! I feel like it’s great to see these people all return, but now we have to start worrying about them again because there’s plenty of journey ahead for everyone in Phase III!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Bluesky, Twitter @MynockManor, and Instagram @mynockmanor.