January 2024’s Star Wars comics solicitations aren’t interested in your New Year’s resolutions or aspirations, as they have a distinct air of finality to them whether you want them to or not, seeming to promise the era of comics set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi might be winding down. But we should focus on the here and now, as Qui-Gon Jinn would say, and January’s comics have quite the bounty, from the giant, big finale to the Bounty Hunters series (see, things are ending!), a look at Marchion Ro’s victory lap after Starlight Beacon’s fall, another Visions comic to enjoy, and so much more! Head below for January 2024’s Star Wars comic solicitations now!
MARVEL
Darth Vader #42 (on sale 1/3)
Greg Pak (Writer), Adam Gorham (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Variant Cover by Alan Quah | Star Wars Rebels 10th Anniversary Ahsoka Variant Cover by Caspar Wijngaard | Logo Variant Cover also available
THE RISE OF THE SCHISM IMPERIAL!
- In the wake of DARK DROIDS, DARTH VADER explores his powers and takes on the most dangerous team of rebel heroes he’s ever faced!
- Meanwhile, the great threat to the EMPEROR’S rule is rising – from within THE EMPIRE itself! Will the DARK LORD OF THE SITH destroy it – or join it?
- Featuring the comic-book debit of ENRIC PRYDE from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!
Bureaucratic intrigue was promised at NYCC’s Lucasfilm Publishing Panel for the coming issues of Vader (Vol. 3) and it sounds like the series is set to deliver! There’s been some in past issues, but it being a threat against the Empire itself, instead of Vader, sounds far more interesting, especially since Enric Pryde finally enters the chat! We got a first glimpse at his Imperial days thanks to Adam Christopher’s short story in From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (after he wrote the character for his excellent Shadow of the Sith) and he’s intriguing to the point I definitely want more, while knowing he becomes an ardent First Order supporter could mean we could see some early discussions around that concept as well, with him involved.
The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight #4 (on sale 1/3)
Charles Soule (Writer), David Messina (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Rahzzah | Variant Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
MARCHION RO WINS!
The final glimpse of the lost year of THE HIGH REPUBLIC is revealed, as we follow the EYE OF THE STORM himself, MARCHION RO, from his greatest triumph – the destruction of the JEDI fortress known as STARLIGHT BEACON – to the many trails that came after!
By the time this issue comes out, High Republic fans will have a good idea of what Marchion plans next, as The Eye of Darkness will have released in November 2023 (and our review is out Nov 1), but it will be great to have this glimpse of the time between Phases as well to maybe give even more context to his actions in the novel and what’s still ahead for Phase III. As the first issue showed, there are plenty of surprises in store for fans, so you’ll likely not want to miss this!
Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 (on sale 2/28)
Takashi Okazaki (Writer/Artist/Cover Artist)
Variant Cover by Stan Sakai | Virgin Variant Cover by Takashi Okazaki | Variant Cover by Peach Momoko | Variant Cover by Whilce Portacio
TAKASHI OKAZAKI RETURNS TO THE WORLD OF THE RONIN ONCE MORE!
- We’ve seen THE RONIN as a Sith slayer…but who was the Ronin before?
- See the early history of THE RONIN and his SITH origins in this one-of-a-kind VISIONS Special!
- Featuring THE RONIN from the first season of the hit Disney+ series, STAR WARS: VISIONS!
The next entry in the new series of Visions one-shot comics sees Okazaki return for more Ronin hijinks and I love the idea of seeing his Sithly origins in another comic from him, after the first one, a more direct prequel to “The Duel” was so much fun. Add in the unforgettable Ronin: A Visions Novel, and that little short has spawned quite the universe in-of-itself! UPDATE: This is set for a February release now.
Star Wars #42 (on sale 1/10)
Charles Soule (Writer), Steven Cummings (Artist)
Cover by Stephen Segovia | Star Wars Rebels 10th Anniversary Grand Inquisitor Variant Cover by Caspar Wijngaard | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Variant Cover by Björn Barends | Logo Variant Cover also available
SITH RISING!
- LUKE SKYWALKER knows his destiny is leading him toward a confrontation with DARTH VADER.
- But Vader is a Dark Lord of THE SITH, and Luke is barely even a JEDI.
- To have any chance at survival, he must find a way to train himself in the battle techniques he will soon face. He must find…ANOTHER SITH!
Anytime writer Charles Soule has focused on Luke, it’s led to some of the series’ best content, and this sounds like such an intriguing place to go next with the character. In fact, we already know the Sith he’ll find…the ancient Sith lady he met when trying to purify a kyber crystal for Dr. Cuata! It was a wildly fun issue and she was such a memorable presence, it seemed strange to introduce her just for one issue, so I’ll be curious how this all plays out, with him basically battling her in his mind via the kyber?! If so, we’re in for a big damn treat! And if this Sith lady is being featured again, wouldn’t it be great if the next High Republic level publishing initiative takes us back to the golden age of the Sith? That’s my growing theory, at least, for what’s next, but we’ll see and for now this is exciting enough!
Bounty Hunters #42 (on sale 1/17)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Jethro Morales & Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas | Variant Cover by Dave Wachter | Variant Cover by Walter Simonson | Logo Variant Cover also available
THE EXPLOSIVE END OF THE SAGA!
- VALANCE THE BOUNTY HUNTER has one final mission to complete…an it may indeed be his LAST!
- Can he and the crew fight their way past BOBA FETT…and JABBA’s SECRET WEAPON?
- The GRAND FINALE of the series that’s four years in the making!
There’s a sense of finality or leading up to the end for many of the main comics running since 2020 in these solicits, but nothing is more final than the one for Bounty Hunters. Revealed at the NYCC Publishing Panel, issue #42 is this series’ last, something series’ writer Ethan Sacks has been having fun with on Twitter like he usually does, messing with fans, while he’s still allowed to be happy because he’s coming back for a Jango Fett miniseries in March 2024. As for Valance nation, I don’t think anyone’s ready for what’s to come, regardless of Sacks’ teasing, as one only has to look at Legends to see how stories with Valance tend to end. It’ll be sad to see this one go, especially since I turned around on it eventually, and I hope we’ll get to see its characters again in future comics and stories.
The High Republic #3 – Phase III (on sale 1/17)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Jim Towe (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Annie Wu | Variant Cover by David Marquez | Connecting Variant/Virgin Variant by Mico Suayan
THE TAKING OF THE ATARAXIA!
- LOURNA DEE’s treachery has been revealed!
- But can she escape as the REPUBLIC DEFENSE COALITION combines forces with an unlikely ally?
- JEDI MASTER KEEVE TRENNIS must board a ship she thought was lost, but is anyone prepared for the extent of Lourna’s ruthlessness?
- INNOCENT LIVES hang in the balance as Keeve makes a monumental decision!
Lourna Dee’s gonna Lourna Dee. I’m still interested to learn why she and Jedi Master Keeve Trennis ever seemed to team up in the first place, but her betrayal doesn’t come as a shock, only an inevitability. But why is she trying to take the Ataraxia? To bring it down like the Nihil brought down Starlight? To use it against innocents to forever tarnish its name? This series begins in November, so the pieces will start to fall into place soon!
Doctor Aphra #40 (on sale 1/31)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Minkyu Jung (Artist)
Cover by Betsy Cola | Variant Cover by Ben Harvey | Logo Variant Cover also available
NIGHT AS DAY!
- The TAGGE FLEET burns. The GALAXY reels.
- DOCTOR APHRA is alone.
- But as she explores an ancient ruin on a desolate planet, Aphra may find the answers she’s been hunting for her entire life.
- Is this the end for DOCTOR APHRA?!
EXCUSE ME?! THE END FOR DOCTOR APHRA?! Um, hell no!! While I’m partially kidding, between the great finale-coded cover by Betsy Cola and that final solicit line, one does have to wonder how close to the end we are. Will the series close out in 42 issues like Bounty Hunters (which was announced to be ending at the Publishing Panel but this wasn’t, so I’m confident in saying this isn’t the final issue, despite all our valid concerns online when these were revealed)? Or are these remaining on-goings heading towards an issue #50 finale for this era? That’s what I’ve been predicting for some time, as it definitely feels like we’ve covered as much as we can during this era of the Saga, but now that it seems like we are heading towards the end of this comics era…I’m a little nervous about! Especially when they’re writing solicits like this!! And no Magna Tolvan on the cover?! WHAT IS GOING ON, ALYSSA WONG?! What have you done?! Regardless, I’m thrilled to find out, but a little apprehensive.
Thrawn: Alliances #1 (on sale 1/24)
Jody Houser, Timothy Zahn (Writers), Andrea Di Vito & Pat Olliffe (Artists)
Cover by Rod Reis | Variant Cover by Paul Renaud | Variant/Virgin Variant Cover by Taurin Clarke | Promo Variant Cover also available
RETURN TO THE SAGA OF THRAWN WITH THE COMIC-BOOK ADAPTATION OF THRAWN: ALLIANCES!
TIMOTHY ZAHN teams with STAR WARS veteran JODY HOUSER to bring THRAWN: ALLIANCES to the pages of comic books! Watch as ANDREA DI VITO & PAT OLLIFFE bring the action to life showcasing the tactical prowess of the galaxy’s most dangerous mind!
Grand Admiral Thrawn makes his live-action debut, picking up the pieces of the Star Wars Rebels series finale and the blue man gets another comic….adaptation, not a new story about his time in the other galaxy. I’m not a fan of adaptations, but when it’s from a non-visual medium to a visual one like this is of the Thrawn: Alliances novel, I’m intrigued because it’s neat to see many of these moments that were in my head brought to life, while this also was the last Thrawn novel I truly enjoyed. Lastly, this could mean we might finally see the Grysk brought to life, the mysterious group messing with the Chiss Ascendancy and the denizens of Wild Space.
The Mandalorian Season 2 #8 (on sale 1/10)
Rodney Barnes (Writer),
Steven Cummings (Artist)
Cover by Felipe Massafera | Variant Cover by Cafu | Variant Cover by Kaare Andrews | Concept Art Variant Cover also available
THE RESCUE!
- The MANDALORIAN and his allies attempt a daring rescue.
- MOFF GIDEON unleashes the DARK TROOPERS while the fate of GROGU hangs in the balance!
- Guest-starring an UNEXPECTED JEDI!
While you can read out review of “Chapter 16 – The Rescue,” this does leave me curious what the plans are after this season’s adaptations: does Marvel adapt season three but skip over the episodes of The Mandalorian packed into The Book of Boba Fett? Or do the adapt Fett’s show then season three? Or do they finally stop focusing on adaptations of this show and work on something new? Let’s hope for the final part, as January will have THREE adaptation issues releasing, and that’s far too much.
Obi-Wan Kenobi #4 (on sale 1/17)
Jody Houser (Writer), Salvador Larroca (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Paulo Siqueira | Variant Cover by Rachael Stott
OBI-WAN PLOTS A DARING MISSION INTO ENEMY TERRITORY!
- OBI-WAN and TALA must evade the INQUISITORS to rescue LEIA!
- Meanwhile, THIRD SISTER and the other INQUISITORS try to impress DARTH VADER by being the one to finally capture OBI-WAN!
You can check out our review of Part IV!
DARK HORSE
The High Republic Adventures #2 – Phase III (on sale 1/24)
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist)
Cover by Harvey Tolibao
An angry mob of impoverished and destitute refugees have incited a fierce riot outside the mighty fortress on Bracrontas, Zeen, Qort, and 5A-G3 infiltrate the stronghold to face the mysterious warlord Tartak, who may hold the key to finding more survivors of the Fall of Starlight Beacon. But the trio of heroes are sure to find more than they bargained for, as they try to piece together the events of the past year. Could any of their friends have survived the tragedy?
Find out in issue #2 of Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, From Phase III of the High Republic saga. Written by New York Times Bestselling author Daniel José Older, drawn by Harvey Tolibao, colored by Michael Atiyeh, and lettered by Comicraft! Don’t miss it!
{Advance Solicited in December 2023’s} Sounds like NO ONE will want to miss this issue, advance solicited, as it could hold the keys to missing characters fans have been eager to learn more about! Is this warlord a character we already know or linked to someone we know? Is it Krix Kamerat in disguise, that little shit?! This series can’t come soon enough!
The High Republic Adventures #3 – Phase III (on sale 2/14) {Advanced Solicited}
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist)
Cover by Harvey & Kevin Tolibao | Variant Cover by Soroush Barazesh
The fate of the scattered survivors of the Starlight Beacon disaster is slowly becoming more clear, as Zeen, Qort, and 5A-G3 must follow up every lead to find out who among their old Starhopper friends are still alive and where they may be. But information from inside the Occlusion Zone is very hard to come by; and the answers they seek may serve only to raise more questions… like DID any of their allies survive at all?
Find out in issue #3 of Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, from Phase III of the High Republic saga. Written by New York Times Bestselling author Daniel José Older, drawn by Harvey Tolibao, colored by Michael Atiyeh, and lettered by Comicraft! Don’t miss it!
These solicits have been VERY coy about who did and didn’t survive Starlight’s fall, keeping Lula Talisola’s fate in the dark for us readers more and more, but the theories keep building on what happened, especially now that Kantam Sy, Lula’s master, is gracing the latest series cover. Is this mysterious warlord Tartak a fractured Lula? Something to do with Krix Kamerat? WE NEED ANSWERS NOW, OLDER!!!
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.