June is a rather big month in Star Wars, with the premiere of The Acolyte and the next wave of The High Republic kicking off with Temptation of the Force, though thankfully the comics hold up their end too! The trail of Lando reaches its conclusion, Baron Boolan’s devious machinations come to light, Maul has a crisis of faith, the Jango Fett miniseries ends, and much more! Also, as is tradition, the Pride Month variant covers will return as well, though they’ve yet to be revealed. Head below to learn what the comics are bringing to the table with the June 2024 Star Wars comics solicitations!
MARVEL
The High Republic #8 – Phase III (on sale 6/5)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Jim Towe (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Variant Cover by Tony Ros Reis | Pride Variant by Paulina Ganucheau
ENTER…BARON BOOLAN!
- TEY SIRREK, LOURNA DEE and SSKEER on a dangerous mission.
- KEEVE TRENNIS and the other JEDI helpless to assist.
- The NIHIL’S mysterious MINISTER OF ADVANCEMENT finally revealed…along with his diabolical experiments.
- PROTECT THE PATH!
The Sephi is out the bag, I guess! After making his triumphant return in The High Republic #5 – Phase III (OUT THIS WEEK!), the solicit here confirms Tey Sirrek’s sticking around for awhile, somehow teaming up alongside Lourna Dee and Sskeer?! This is going to be a team-up to remember, for sure, especially as Sskeer just only was brought back from the edge by Keeve and we don’t know how volatile he might be going forward. Either way, Baron Boolan and his nefarious experiments, especially the Children of the Storm, are sure to bring back the horror Scott loves to the series!
Star Wars #47 (on sale 6/5)
Charles Soule (Writer), Madibek Musabekov (Artist)
Cover by Stephen Segovia | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Variant Cover by Carlo Pagulayan | Pride Variant by Phil Jimenez | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
LANDO IS ALL IN!
- THE TRIAL OF LANDO CALRISSIAN for treason against the REBEL ALLIANCE comes down to its stunning finale!
- The evidence is not in Lando’s favor, nor is the fact that he’s offered a full confession to the crimes of which he is accused.
- Does he have any cards left to play?
I wasn’t sure about the whole trial storyline originally, but after the opening issue of it left such a good impression, I’m looking forward to seeing what cards Lando and his advocate manages to play for him to become a General after all is said and done! And even beyond that, I’ll be interested to see July’s solicitations and see where Soule plans on taking the series after this is all done, as we all know time is running out before Return of the Jedi arrives…
Darth Vader #47 (on sale 6/12)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco (Aritst)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Variant Cover by Ken Lashley | Pride Variant by Rachael Stott
THE RAZING OF EXEGOL CONTINUES!’
- DARTH VADER and the SCHISM IMPERIAL launch their boldest challenge to the power of PALPATINE with an assault on EXEGOL, the home of the EMPEROR’S greatest secrets and treasures!
- But if sheer brute force can’t overcome the defenses of the SITH CITADEL, what terrifying new resources will the DARK LORD draw upon?
- Also: CAPTAIN ENRIC PRYDE faces his greatest test!
This continues to feel like we’re heading towards a big change in the series’ status quo, to the point I’m almost confident I can say this one might actually end with issue #50. This siege sounds epically large and set to put Vader so thoroughly back in his place, he’ll be ready for the events of Return of the Jedi!
Jango Fett #4 (on sale 6/19)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Variant Cover by Tony Daniel | Pride Variant by Javier Garron
THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED!
- Every major bounty hunter in the galaxy is stalking JANGO FETT and AURRA SING!
- Will the unlikely partners solve the mystery of a priceless stolen artifact in time?
- Who will survive the SHOCKING CONCLUSION to the series?
I’m still putting together my review for the opening issue, but the short of it is this: it’s a freaking awesome opening issue! To think it’s going to be over in a few short months is saddening to say the least, as if the rest of the series will be as great as the first issue is, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the series!
Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #3 (on sale 6/26)
Erica Schultz (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist)
Cover by Sara Pichelli | Variant Cover by David Marquez | Variant Cover by Paulo Siqueira | Variant/Virgin Variant Cover by John Romita Jr.
CRISIS OF MAUL!
- DARTH MAUL is fiercely loyal to his master, DARTH SIDIOUS, and a true believer in the Sith.
- But will a mission to a remote moon change his mind?
- ERICA SCHULTZ (Hallow’s Eve, Amazing Spider-Man) and LEONARD KIRK (Sabretooth) bring you a crisis of Master and Apprentice!
My prayers have been answered and the first marginalized creative joins the Darth Maul: Black, White & Red series! Each of these issues so far has sounded quite hauntingly good, and the preview for the opening issue backs up those feelings, and this seems no different. I like the idea Maul’s faith in the Sith is tested, time and again, and I’m eager to see how Schultz and Kirk handle this crisis of faith and if it hints at any of actions/choices once he comes back from the dead.
Ahsoka #1 (on sale 7/10) {Advanced Solicited}
Rodney Barnes (Writer), Steven Cummings (Artist)
Cover by David Nakayama | Variant/Virgin Variant by AKA | Variant Cover by Annie Wu | Variant Cover by Jan Duursema | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Foil Variant by Ken Lashley | TV Variant Also Available
After the fall of THE EMPIRE, Jedi Master AHSOKA TANO stalks the galaxy for GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN!
A valuable prisoner escapes New Republic custody; a search for answers reunites two old friends. The villainous MORGAN ELSBETH returns along with two new mysterious Force-users, BAYLAN SKOLL and his apprentice, SHIN HATI.
I wrote a lot about my feelings on adaptations in my 2023 Star Wars Comics Year-in-Review, but sufficed to say, I always wonder why these creatives couldn’t be used to work on something new. Cummings is a great artist so I’m sure this will at least look good, but if it doesn’t add anything that wasn’t in the show, then well…it’ll have the same issues that story had. Here’s my review of two-episode premiere of Ahsoka.
DARK HORSE
The High Republic Adventures #7 – Phase III (on sale 6/12)
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist)
Cover by Harvey & Kevin Tolibao | Variant Cover by Isobell Rees (pictured)
The next thrilling chapter of the High Republic saga starts here! There’s no rest for the weary in the High Republic! After their reunion and only a moment’s respite, Lula, Zeen, and their friends learned that the Nihil Stormwall has encroached further into Republic Space. Now, the team of young heroes prepare to defend the planet Eriadu, and the Republic at large, from an impending Nihil invasion!
- Continues the High Republic saga!
- The perfect accompaniment to Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and the upcoming Star Wars: Acolyte!
That pesky Stormwall, always expanding! Eriadu was always on the razor’s edge, but I love the idea it’ll go from a haven of the Republic to the place of maybe their last stand as they fall into enemy territory. While more and more stories have shown there are ways to make it across and back safely, the Stormwall has really amped up the tension across the era and, while I love that, I hope they can bring it down soon!
The High Republic Adventures: Saber for Hire #3 (on sale 6/19)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Rachael Stott (Artist/Cover Art)
Ty Yorrick versus the Nihil. The former Jedi turned monster hunter comes face-to-face with a Child of the Storm, but who…or what…is behind the villainous Nihil’s cowl? Meanwhile, Ty’s aggrieved apprentice initiates a mission of his own: to rescue the Republic Chancellor’s son!
These Children of the Storm have some really interesting abilities, as we saw in the recent The High Republic #5 – Phase III, so I’ll be interested to see what the latest one brings to the table. Baron Boolan experimenting is so broad, I love all the potential with supped up Nameless and messed with Force users, though I hope we’ll get to see some of these Children get a chance to return to normal once the Baron’s brought to justice. And as for Drewen going off on his own to rescue the Chancellor’s son…good luck, kid, hope it goes well…or at least Ty can get there in time to help!
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.