The idea of 2021 finally being here has likely been the wish of many people, and while it won’t completely turn around everything that’s transpired in 2020, it’s a beacon of hope that maybe things can start to get better. Also a beacon of hope? The Starlight Beacon the High Republic Jedi set up in the Outer Rim, as January brings us the official beginning of The High Republic initiative! Beyond that big comic release, Aphra and Sana’s big meet cute finally arrives after being delayed, Shara Bey looks to step up in a big way, Vader and Ochi keep dueling, and Padmé is stuck rescuing Anakin (again) after their latest date night goes sideways. Head below to see what January Star Wars comics to expect in 2021!
MARVEL
The High Republic #1 (on sale 01/06)
BEFORE THE SKYWALKER SAGA! THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI!
A new era of STAR WARS storytelling begins. It is centuries before the SKYWALKER SAGA. The JEDI are at their height, protecting the galaxy as REPUBLIC pioneers push out into new territories. As the Frontier prepares for the dedication of majestic STARLIGHT BEACON, PADAWAN KEEVE TRENNIS faces the ultimate choice – will she complete her Jedi Trials or rescue the innocent from disaster? New Jedi! New ships! New evils to fight!
It’s not near…it’s finally here! Marvel starts their arm of The High Republic initiative only a day after the first two books, Light of the Jedi and A Test of Courage, release. We’ve already seen a number of pages from this first issue, some from the official site and more from the recent virtual NYCC, and Keeve and Sskeer should be a fun and intriguing duo to follow. While we don’t quite know what role they’ll play in the grander scheme of the era’s story, it’s exciting to have a comic full of characters never seen in a movie before, in an era we don’t know much about yet, and villains we’ve yet to fully meet. I’ll be curious how it’ll be reading this if one hasn’t finished the opening novels, but it looks like it’s out monthly so that gives readers a month to read the books and this issue before the next arrives!
There looks to be plenty of covers to collect, though I’m actually shocked there aren’t more!
Star Wars #10 (on sale 01/06)
Charles Soule (Writer), Jan Bazaldua (Artist)
Cover by Carlo Pagulayan
“OPERATION STARLIGHT, PART 2 (OF 3)” – REELING FROM THE LOSS OF ONE OF THEIR OWN, THE REBELS FINALLY SEE A PATH FORWARD!
- THE REBELS attempt to create a new communications code that THE EMPIRE will never be able to crack, in hopes that they might be able to safely reunite their scattered fleet and rejoin the fight.
- However, the code has a cost, one that LANDO CALRISSIAN is not willing to pay!
- Meanwhile, STARLIGHT SQUADRON, the group of elite pilots tasked with finding the scattered divisions of the fleet, heads out on its first deadly mission.
It seems the mission to the museum in the previous issue results in a casualty, but the rebels manage to get one step closer to creating a new code! It’s not clear if Zahra is still in pursuit, as we just got her backstory in issue #7 so I believe she’ll be around for a bit more. I’ll be curious to learn what cost is too much for Lando, though I’m sure it has nothing to do with credits! And I can’t wait to see Starlight Squadron, likely headed by the amazing Shara Bey, head out on their first mission.
Darth Vader #9 (on sale 01/13)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco (Artist)
Cover by Aaron Kuder
THE ASSASSIN RETURNS!
- In his search for vengeance in the depths of MUSTAFAR, DARTH VADER has seized the mysterious key to the EMPEROR’S greatest secret.
- But the key itself needs a key — which only the deadly assassin OCHI OF BESTOON seems to have. Vader and Ochi are in for the fight of their lives with the fate of the Emperor in the balance — but how much of this is all PALPATINE’S plan?
- And what happens when the SITH LORD and the SITH ASSASSIN start to figure that plan out?
After dealing with the Eye of Webbish Bog, it seems Vader gains access to Palpatine’s Wayfinder to Exegol…or well, this solicit makes it seem like there’s a key to the key, so maybe not directly the wayfinder yet. It does confirm, shortly after the series’ 6th issue did, the Sith Assassin is none other than Ochi of Bestoon (I don’t quite get why “of Bestoon” is a thing, but it is what it is), as previously theorized, which I appreciate because that whole aspect of The Rise of Skywalker (like a few other things) was underdeveloped.
Doctor Aphra #7 (on sale 01/20)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Ray-Anthony Height (Artist)
Cover by SWAY | Variant Cover by Jenny Frison
THE OFFER!
- Hired by DOMINA TAGGE, APHRA sets her sights on a mysterious piece of tech that could shift the balance of the galactic civil war.
- Her hunt takes her to CORELLIA… and to SANA STARROS’ doorstep!
- But Aphra’s not the only one on Corellia with an eye on the tech…!
There’s no better way to end a year to start a year (as this was pushed from December to January) a year after 2020’s pure chaos than with chaos incarnate herself, Doctor Aphra! Her work for Tagge brings her back in the sights of Sana Starros and I love the idea she might need to team up with the bitter ex, hopefully forcing Sana to finally put the animosity behind and move on…or come back around to Aphra’s not-so-charming charms; it would be an excellent way to cap off the newly revealed relationship woes between the two as heard in the wonderful, funny, and enjoyable Aphra audiobook! As for who might be on Corellia, as Sana and Aphra are maybe about to make nice, who better to throw a wrench in things than the return of Magna Tolvan?!? Chaos always follows Aphra and this would certainly be the most chaotic/2020-like outcome!
Also, that cover by SWAY? Wonderful.
Bounty Hunters #9 (on sale 01/27)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Mattia De Lulis
THE “TERMINUS GAUNTLET” CONTINUES!
- Trapped on a REBEL transport under attack by pirates, VALANCE must make a desperate gambit to survive.
- But little does the cyborg bounty hunter know he’s on a collision course with his old rival, DENGAR!
- Plus, a familiar face makes a shocking return with a plan that will change the underworld forever.
Since I’m no longer reading the series, I did hear through those that have that Nakano Lash dies off-panel in issue #5, so the potential she’s the familiar face is rather high and a step in the right direction, but it still doesn’t change how things have been handled thus far.
IDW
Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run #2 (on sale 01/27)
After the Battle of Yavin, Han Solo and Chewbacca intend to use their reward to settle their debts. But Princess Leia asks them to accept a secret mission for the Resistance. Mortal dangers, traitorous enemies, and thorny situations mark the path of these two heroes of the Star Wars saga.
The final part of the short comic adaptation of Greg Rucka’s 2015 Smuggler’s Run novel, as noted in December’s solicits, itself adapted from the German version.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.