It’s crazy to think March means it’s been one year since the COVID-19 pandemic’s threat was beginning to become clear and lockdowns began, though they ended far too shortly. Star Wars comics took a break shortly after, the lockdowns affecting shipping and setting the industry back by months, but they’ve been arriving in a steady stream once distribution began again. In March of 2021, the Star Wars comics solicitations offer plenty of content to look forward to, from Leia Organa and Kes Dameron swapping love stories, spooky shenanigans in The High Republic era, Aphra and Sana overcoming their differences potentially, the return of the Crimson Corsair, and more so head below to check them out!
MARVEL
Star Wars #12 (on sale 3/10)
Charles Soule (Writer), Ramon Rosanas (Artist)
Cover by Carlo Pagulayan | Empire Strikes Back Variant Cover by Chris Spouse | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Variant Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
REFLECTIONS ON THE LOST!
- LEIA ORGANA and KES DAMERON share stories of their lost loves!
- Learn how POE DAMERON’S parents met!
- Learn the real reason HAN SOLO is so important to THE REBELLION!
Out of all the things I’d expect to see on a solicit, Leia and Kes Dameron swapping love stories was not my list but I’m damn glad to see it, especially since it wasn’t Shara Bey and Leia, which would be all fine and good, but a little rote. I’m wondering who Leia will all discuss, like maybe Kier Domadi (as seen in Leia – Princess of Alderaan), but I’m far more intrigued to finally learn how Kes and Shara met! And for revealing Han Solo’s importance…to give them the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy? Joking aside, I’d love if it manages to tie into Solo: A Star Wars Story somehow, but I’ll be curious to learn what this might entail. I enjoy the idea of an issue that isn’t focused on action and big moments, but rather taking its time to dive into the characters.
The High Republic #3 (on sale 3/3)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Ario Anindito (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Kev Walker
ALL-NEW SERIES CONTINUES! A DARK MYSTERY ONLY THE JEDI CAN UNRAVEL…BUT AT WHAT COST?
- A planet stricken by a mysterious blight. One JEDI missing and another driven insane.
- What horror lurks in the darkness beneath the rotting crops?
- Death is averted, but a terrible union is formed. Can KEEVE TRENNIS protect an innocent life while facing betrayal from within her own order?
It sounds more and more likely the betrayal Trennis must deal with is Sskeer, her former Master, who is going through some stuff after the events of Light of the Jedi (which reading the book will give you an idea what it might be!). Regardless, as Scott warned in his latest interview, horror really seems to be on the menu for this series and I’d bet whatever lurks under the darkness is linked to the Drengir. I’m getting more and more eager to read this as the solicits begin piling up!
Bounty Hunters #10 (on sale 3/17)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Mattia De Lulis | Empire Strikes Back Variant Cover by Chris Spouse
THE TERMINUS GAUNTLET CONCLUDES!
- VALANCE finds himself alone and outgunned against the dreaded NEW OHNAKA PIRATE GANG!
- The lives of the crew of a REBEL transport hang in the balance as he battles against grave odds.
- And what secret is DENGAR carrying that will upend Valance’s life?
I’m still hoping the familiar face mentioned in the January solicit is Nakano Lash, but hello there, Hondo Ohnaka! He certainly makes sense for the world which Valance traffics, so it’s an excellent way to see such a delightfully chaotic character. However, is it just me, or does he look like an old grandma in this cover?!
Doctor Aphra #8 (on sale 3/24)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Ray-Anthony Height (Artist)
Cover by JOSHUA “SWAY” SWABY | Variant Cover by Natacha Bustos
OLD WOUNDS!
- After a narrow escape, APHRA and SANA’s investigation takes them to the site of an ancient battlefield!
- But VUKORAH and the UNBROKEN CLAN are hot on their heels!
- What answers await them amid the devastation?
I am so glad Aphra is back after a month break! It seems Aphra and Sana Starros have found a way to work together, despite themselves, though I’m sure having someone as relentless as Vukorah chasing them certainly helps them put aside past differences; she’s an intriguing crossover from the Bounty Hunters series. As for the investigation, it has to do with Aphra finding out if the resurgence of the Nihil’s fabled Path engine is real or not, so the battlefield could be a minefield of Nihil and Republic forces from The High Republic era; we haven’t yet heard of any battle taking place on Corellia, but with era really getting started by the time this issue is out, we might find out what and how it happened…and maybe that’s why the series took a month delay. We’ll see! Otherwise, the variant by Natacha Bustos is…incredible, simply incredible, as it has Sana and Aphra swinging around, smiling, and damn is that so them.
IDW
The High Republic Adventures #2 (on sale 3/3)
Daniel Jose Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist/Cover Artist)
Variant Cover by Yael Nathan (pictured)
Flaming destruction has come to Trymant IV!
Childhood best friends Zeen and Krix try to find safety, while Yoda’s Padawans, Lula, Farzal, and Qort are trying to evacuate the citizens, but the Nihil ship won’t let anyone onboard. And when a massive battle breaks out, Krix and Zeen get torn apart!
Writer Daniel Jose Older, bestselling author of Star Wars: Last Shot, and artist Harvey Tolibao bring IDW into The High Republic, a massive publishing crossover spanning comics and prose!
In our most recent roundup of The High Republic news, Lucasfilm Publishing’s Creative Director Michael Siglain teased THRA’s connections to the larger story won’t be immediately clear, but this already sounds like quite the adventure for all these young characters/the all-ages comic.
Star Wars Adventures #5 (Vol. 2) {on sale 3/17} (This was moved from January)
Padme and Anakin have grand plans to have a romantic night celebrating a recent victory. But before they get a chance to get together, Anakin is Jedi-napped by a group of outlaws with their sights on a holocron in the Jedi temple! Now it’s up to Padme to use all of her cunning to infiltrate the outlaw base and rescue him
I would act more shocked, but Anakin is totally an idiot from time to time so it’s no surprise Padmé must clean up his mess and save the day. But also, it’s great he’s that way because that means more focus on her over him, which he’s certainly had enough in the Saga so far! The relaunch’s “Tales of Villainy” highlights one of the worst this issue, Tarkin himself, and I’ll be curious to see how far this goes considering it’s an all-ages comic.
Star Wars Adventures #6 {Vol. 2} (on sale 3/31) (This was moved from February)
Katie Cook, Shaun Manning (Writers), Cara McGee, Fico Ossio (Artists)
Cover A by Francesco Francavilla | Cover B by Fico Ossio
Padmé and Anakin have grand plans to have a romantic night together after a long separation. But before they get a chance to get together, Anakin is Jedi-napped by a group of outlaws! Now it’s up to Padmé to use all of her cunning to infiltrate the outlaw group and rescue him. Then, get a glimpse into the times of The High Republic with a story of the nefarious Nihil in “Tales of Villainy”!
This is a continuation of issue #5 due in January (hopefully) and it sounds like a blast with Padmé taking charge…wait, that’s pretty normal but always a delight! I’m also excited by the issue’s backup “Tales of Villainy” as it will star the Nihil! Good to know The High Republic era will be fleshed out beyond the main initiative’s titles.
2021 Comic Solicitations: January | February
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.