As we look ahead to March 2023 Star Wars comics with the latest solicitations, we look to have an embarrassment of riches. And the month is already packed, from Jedi: Survivor coming out, it’s novel tie-in, The Bad Batch‘s second season on-going, and The Mandalorian‘s third season begins, to name a few things…and now all these comics?!?! There’s the penultimate issue in Qi’ra’s final fight against the Sith, the end of Spark Eternal Saga in the Doctor Aphra series, the start of the Return of the Jedi anniversary one-shots, Han Solo & Chewbacca‘s ending teasing the next big event (which I might not be looking forward to), and so much more! Check out the March 2023 Star Wars comic solicitations now for all the details.
MARVEL
The Pride Variants have been a much needed addition to the Variant covers for Star Wars comics, and now both February and March will have special ones. I hope like the Pride Variants, the Black History Month and Women’s History Month, by Peach Momoko(!!), covers will have special posts reveal all of them, otherwise we’ve had the Black History Month ones slowly trickling in without much fanfare. They’ve been excellent so I hope they get a little more hype before their release, same with the Women’s History Month at some point!
Hidden Empire #4 (3/1)
Charles Soule (Writer), Steven Cummings (Artist)
Cover by Paulo Siqueira | Connecting Variant Cover by Steven Cummings | Travel Variant Cover by David Lopez | Battle Variant Cover by Declan Shalvey|
THE ENDGAME GAMBIT APPROACHES!
- The final moves of Lady Qi’ra’s great game have begun.
- The Sith have been summoned, and the Fermata Cage will open…
- For Qi’ra, it’s all or nothing.
Blessed be the cage, may the Sith Lord open! Looks like we won’t have to wait too long into 2023 to finally see who or what is actually in the Cage…if anyone or anything! It’s been a curious story and idea to follow for Qi’ra’s final plan, though it seems like the answer won’t matter too much considering this story wraps up only one issue later, but I’m excited to see what happens regardless!
Star Wars #32 (on sale 3/1)
Charles Soule (Writer), Madibek Musabekov (Artist)
Cover by Stephen Segovia | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
THE FORCE IS BROKEN?
The efforts of Lady Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn to destroy the Sith have sent deep ripples running through the Force, disrupting Luke Skywalker’s connection to the deep powers of the galaxy. How far will he go to find what he has lost?
The last two times writer Charles Soule sent Luke on a journey of discovery in the Force, we gotten some of the best scenes of the series. Will the third time be a charm, considering the cover teases Luke with a jetpack?!
Han Solo & Chewbacca #10 (on sale 3/1)
Marc Guggenheim (Writer), David Messina (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Steven Cummings | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
THE KEYS TO THE NEXT STAR WARS EVENT BEGIN HERE!
- Khel Tanna is after Han Solo and Chewbacca! Marshal Buck Vancto is after Han Solo and Chewbacca! Corbus is after Han Sol – well, you get the idea…
- What does the urn hold that unlocks the future of the Star Wars galaxy?
- This can’t-miss issue leads into the STAR WARS event of 2023!
Curious what that next event might be? Guggenheim’s Revelations holds the other keys to that answer, as this seems to suggest the glimpses of Han and Chewie burying a processor to an ancient droid revolutionary (say that five times fast) will probably come to pass here. As I mentioned in my review of Revelations, while I look forward to the idea of covering droid sentience and freedom, I’m worried about whether the comics will be able to do this story justice. In fact, knowing they are doing this event in 2023, when I was hoping it would be more of a 2024 event or storyline, makes me even more worried, even if the likely 5-issue miniseries (and surrounding crossovers) don’t all wrap up in 2023, it all feels like too much in this era. Technically there’s only 6 months between the end of The Empire Strikes Back and the start of Return of the Jedi and it seems like this is stretching the credibility/suspension of disbelief ALL this happened in such a short period of time and it’s not really mentioned, seen, or affecting the films after it. I hope they can prove me wrong but this is less reassuring than they realize.
Sana Starros #2 (on sale 3/8)
Justina Ireland (Writer), Pere Pérez (Artist)
Cover by Ken Lashley | Variant by Natacha Bustos | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS!
- The Starros clan are on a collision course of a lifetime!
- What mysteries from Sana’s past are coming home to roost?
- And whose party are they about to crash?
No notes. Seriously, this cover sees the return of Deva Lompop, a character created by Ireland originally seen in War of the Bounty Hunters – Jabba the Hutt #1 and The High Republic – Mission to Disaster, so while I was already all in on Sana taking the starring role, consider me double ALL IN! Overall, I’m just excited to see this miniseries begin, as Ireland getting her first full miniseries and Sana in the lead are two momentous moments we’re far too lucky to deserve, and I’m eager to start meeting the extended Starros family!
The High Republic #6 – Phase 2 (on sale 3/8)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Ario Anindito (Artist)
Cover by Yanick Paquette | Variant Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Rod Reis | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
THE BATTLE OF JEDHA CONTINUES!
- As Tey Sirrek defends the Temple of the Kyber, Vildar Mac is buried alive, with only his belief in the Force to keep him alive.
- But Vildar is a Jedi beset by doubts, a man scarred by a past he should’ve forgotten years ago.
- Who can come to his aid as the Holy City tears itself apart? The Force is with Vildar, but is he one with the Force?
Being buried alive is always quite the dramatic moment in films, books, and now for Star Wars comics! Vildar is a character I’ve enjoyed for how prickly he is, how quick to judge he can be, as it shows the Jedi can be problematic in all sorts of ways. Having him finally confront is scary past and maybe learn something from it will be a great moment in this series, especially from this excellent creative team. Also, we just learned of Tey’s connection to the Guardians of the Whills in the preview for issue #3 (out a week after this publishing), so knowing he’ll get to defend it during the Battle of Jedha should be a nice full circle moment for him.
Bounty Hunters #32 (on sale 3/8)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli | Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
Zuckuss is teetering between life and death…
- A mysterious event has put the Gand bounty hunter in a deep coma reliving his past.
- Can T’onga and 4-LOM save Zuckuss before his mind is lost?
- And before the Empire’s most lethal unit hunting Valance catches up to them…
Star Wars doesn’t center on its alien characters very often, so when we get them in the forefront, it’s always the cause for celebration. Zuckuss’ one-shot as part of the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover was a standout issue that year, so getting into his past through a coma should be interesting as all heck, especially for artist Villanelli. And I love the tease of Inferno Squad for this issue! Can’t wait to see Iden and her team, even as Imperials, for a little bit again!
Doctor Aphra #30 (4/12)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Minkyu Jung (Artist)
Cover by Rachael Stott | Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
SHATTER!
- THE CONCLUSION OF THE BATTLE FOR THE SPARK ETERNAL!
- As DOCTOR APHRA fights for her life, she faces a dire question:
- Even IF she triumphs over the Spark, will there be enough left of Aphra to piece herself back together?
It’s crazy to think the Spark Eternal Saga will finally be ending, as it’s been quite the memorable and fun ride so far. What’s more unbelievable is the verbiage used for the solicit, as it brings back some major concerns for the character who keeps getting away unharmed but emotional damaged. I feel like this time with the Spark and inside her own head will leave its mark, not only psychologically, but psychically as well, somehow. Either way, the surprise of seeing Vader, given that he’s tied up in the Hidden Empire events and his own fight for the soul of the handmaidens, makes me very curious how or why he’s back in Aphra’s life again. The cover almost makes it look like he’s on her and/or the Spark’s side…how and why? And how much will she have of herself when escaping the Spark? Regardless the answer, I totally trust this creative team to deliver! UPDATE: This has already been pushed to April.
Yoda #5 (on sale 3/15)
Jody Houser (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by David Lopez | Variant by David Messina | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
RISE OF THE DARK SIDE!
- There is a darkness rising among the latest Jedi initiates.
- Will Master Yoda and Master Dooku be able to recognize and stop the threat?
- Or will their young students be led astray by the dark side of the Force?
Jody Houser’s time on the Yoda maxiseries looks to pull no punches! As soon as Dooku is back in Yoda’s life, the chaos resumes. Who or what is bringing this dark side to the younglings? Is it Dooku or someone else? Regardless the answer, as Santa Klaud (ha!) noticed, one of the younglings on the cover looks like a Togorian, a Tiger-like species which Jak’zin was a member of, who featured prominently in the stellar Age of Republic – Count Dooku #1 issue a few years back! Considering Houser also wrote that issue, I wouldn’t be surprised this is more than a cameo!!
The High Republic #7 – Phase 2 (on sale 3/22)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Andrea Broccardo (Artist)
Cover by Yanick Paquette | Variant Cover by Paolo Villanelli | Variant Cover by Patch Zircher | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
THE SIEGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT!
- Vildar, Tey, and Matty are forced into a corner, with enemies closing in all around.
- But what is the secret of the hidden Jedi vault?
- And who will die in the freezing Jedha desert?
Double The High Republic trouble on Jedha for March!! Kradon, the Twinkle Sisters, and the Enlightenment bar get caught up in the Battle of Jedha, and I’ll be curious to hear this tale having already finished listening to The Battle of Jedha audiobook, out January 3 (same as our review, at the latest). And as for that death? Maybe it’s Vildar, again, but for real this time?
Darth Vader #32 (on sale 3/22)
Greg Pak (Writer), Ibraim Roberson (Artist)
Cover by Rahzzah | Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko | Variant Cover by Pepe Larraz
HANDMAIDEN NO MORE?
Few bonds in the galaxy are as strong as the sisterhood of the former handmaidens of Padmé Amidala. But all that was threatened when Sabé entered the service of Darth Vader, the man the handmaidens always believed was responsible for the Padmé’s death. Now Dormé, Saché, Rabé, and Eirtaé are determined to save Sabé – or stop her, no matter what. But the influence of the Dark Lord if strong and dangerous – and not just to Sabé. What path will the handmaidens choose? And how does all this play into Darth Vader’s true plans?
It feels almost like a broken record about Vader, Sabé, the handmaidens arguing and fighting over one another’s souls these last few solicits, but I feel like this story really takes center stage finally with issue #32. How well the team handles it, and revealing what Vader’s “true” plans are, is what will keep me coming back for more or not.
Return of the Jedi – Jabba’s Palace #1 (on sale 3/29)
Marc Guggenheim (Writer), Alessandro Miracolo (Artist)
Cover and Virgin Variant by Ryan Brown | Connecting Variant by Lee Garbett | Variant Cover by Alex Maleev | Women’s History Month Cover by Peach Momoko
WHO IS PLOTTING TO OVERTHROW JABBA THE HUTT?
Jabba’s palace is one of many places to find the vilest of scum and villainy relaxing, wet their whistles and indulge their vices…who would ever want that to end?Well, SOMEONE has Jabba in their sights!Beginning a series of One-Shots spotlighting the RETURN OF THE JEDI era, Marc Guggenheim (HAN SOLO & CHEWBACCA) and Alessandro Miracolo (OBI-WAN) bring you a tale of Jabba’s Palace you won’t soon forget!
Last but not least, the previously announced one-shot collection. Jabba’s Palace #1 kicks off a series of one-shots celebrating the RotJ era, and what better place to start then Jabba and his menagerie it the Palace?! I’m very curious to see how else these one-shots will help fill in or introduce us to more from this timeframe, as this certainly sounds like a solid start!
The High Republic – The Blade #4 (on sale 3/29)
Charles Soule (Writer), Jethro Morales & Marco Castiello (Artist)
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli | Variant Cover by Ken Lashley | Variant Cover by Mike Mckone
- To save the innocent, to save his sister, to save himself…Jedi Master Porter Engle must embark on one of the most epic instances of lightsaber combat ever recorded in the Chronicles.
- It will change him, and Barash, forever.
As you can see by the on sale date, The Blade miniseries for The High Republic has been hit a bit with delays, though it’s still looking to be The Blade looks to befinished prior to the start of Phase II’s second and final Wave of content, which begins in April, I’ve just ported (get it!) this solicit over from February since it’s coming out in March. Regardless, it sounds like it’s going to be something truly, truly special and memorable, with the finale promising quite the lightsaber show. A recent Characters of the High Republic video gives us more Porter content in the meantime!
DARK HORSE
The High Republic Adventures – Quest of the Jedi #1 (on sale 3/1)
Claudia Gray (Writer), Fico Ossio (Artist)
On the ancient world Angcord, the Force works in mysterious ways…
When a pair of Jedi arrive on the mysterious world, seeking ancient artifacts of the Force, they quickly find more than they were bargaining for.
But just what is the mysterious Echo Stone, and what does its existence mean for the continued survival of all those who call Angcord home?
UPDATE: This one-shot won’t be out until February 2023! UPDATE 2: Now March and hopefully this sticks!!!
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.