Look, everyone fights about whether May the Fourth or May 25 is the actual Star Wars Day, but why argue over semantics when we could have a whole month?! Star Wars month?! That’s what May should be, as far as I’m concerned, especially with this excellent list of comics full of potential and surprises, while the premiere of the Obi-Wan Kenobi show happens as well! For May’s 2022 Star Wars comics solicitations, there’s the beginning of the new Obi-Wan comic, tons of characters returning to the lives of Han Solo and Darth Vader, Chelli Aphra is in big trouble and I’m stressing out about it (what’s new!), and so much more! While there’s only a preview for one of the covers (Peach Momoko’s Obi-Wan variant), May also hosts a Japanese Variant Cover spread, which brings well-known Japanese artists to Star Wars for a series of variant covers, so there’s that to look forward to as well! Head below for all the details! UPDATE 4/13: There’s a lot of delays happening at the moment, so many of May’s issues have slipped into June and beyond, with April‘s delays falling into May. Hopefully this doesn’t get any worse.
MARVEL
Obi-Wan #1 (on sale 5/4)
Christopher Cantwell (Writer), Ario Anindito (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Japanese Creator Variant Cover by Peach Momoko | Variant Cover by E.M. Gist | Variant Cover by Ario Anindito | Movie Variant Cover Also Available
Fast approaches the ultimate destiny of one of the Jedi’s most renowned masters!
- As he spends his final days in the remote deserts of Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi takes time to reflect on — and record — key moments of a heroic life long-lived.
- Writing in old leather-bound journals from his hermit’s hut, Obi-Wan remembers his days as a young Jedi Initiate, his trials as a Padawan, the crucible of Jedi Knighthood and the Clone Wars, and some of the earliest challenges he faced as a true Master of the Force!
- In this tale, Obi-Wan considers a watershed Youngling adventure he narrowly survived on Coruscant when he was but eight years of age…
- This is just the beginning of his Jedi journey!
May’s going to be quite the month for Obi-Wan Kenobi fans! The first issue of the Obi-Wan comic arrives, with a story of a little 8-year-old Obi-Wan on Coruscant (!), and I’m very curious to learn more about this adventure! I’m both eager to see an older Obi-Wan again, as we’ve spent little time beyond the films with the older Obi-Wan, but also seeing such a young version of him should be a fun juxtaposition. Plus, it all being art from the excellent Ario Anindito (who we have an interview coming up with later this month!) means it’ll be a gorgeous treat from the quiet moments to the large, action ones. Next, Brotherhood, the adult novel by Mike Chen arrives May 10, digging into a pivotal moment in the Jedi Master’s training of Anakin Skywalker. And of course, Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on May 25! And that’s not even the last of the Obi-Wan content in 2022, as there’s Padawan by Kiersten White out in July, this time detailing teenage Obi-Wan’s rebellious moment under his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn! Enjoy the beskar-plated platter of Obi-Wan content this 2022!
Crimson Reign #5 (on sale 6/22)
Charles Soule (Writer), Steven Cummings (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Variant Cover by Steven Cummings | Connecting Variant Cover by Ario Anindito | Warriors Of Dawn Variant Cover by Valerio Giangiordano | Sabacc Card Variant Cover by David Lopez | Syndicate Variant Cover by Khoi Pham | Knights of Dawn Variant Cover by Rahzzah
“THE SCARLET QUEEN”
- LADY QI’RA has used every tool at her disposal to generate chaos in the Galactic Empire, all to further her goal of eradicating the Sith.
- But as the final phase of Qi’ra’s grand plan is revealed, she is about to learn a lesson that the Jedi Order also came to understand…
- Underestimate EMPEROR PALPATINE and pay the price.
We’ve known Qi’ra’s galaxy-brained plan wasn’t going to end well, be it the movies or the Archivist’s warnings in the framing story for this miniseries, but now we’ll get to see how poorly it goes for the once scrum-rat now syndicate Queen. Either way, it’s not bad enough she’ll perish, as far as we know, as there’s still The Hidden Empire to come, the finale to her comics return! I’m hoping it’ll release June then, right after this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a little gap.
Han Solo & Chewbacca #3 (on sale 6/29)
Marc Guggenheim (Writer), David Messina (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Adam Hughes | Variant Cover by Mike McKone | Japanese Creator Variant Cover by Hikaru Uesugi
“I DON’T KNOW HOW WE’RE GONNA GET OUT OF THIS ONE!”
- HAN is trapped on the top floor of a skyscraper with security guards closing in on him. How will he escape?
- Would you believe…asking the Galactic Empire for help?
- This issue ties directly into the events of Crimson Reign. Guest starring QI’RA & THE ARCHIVIST!
- Will Han reunite with his first love?
The fact this takes place a few years before A New Hope but somehow links up to Crimson Reign, which takes place just prior to Return of the Jedi, leaves me wondering how that’ll work but very intrigued to see what happens. In a recent interview with writer Marc Guggenheim about the series, he said this issue links with Crimson Reign #2, but having read that one I can’t imagine there’s any crossover, so I think he meant that series’ issue #3 out in March, as that includes the mysterious Archivist’s backstory. The interview also includes looks at new characters Buck Vancto and Khel, interior pages, and that we’ll even see Krrsantan in the series at one point. There’s still no hint at who the mysterious surprise character is at the end of issue #1, but this cover might reveal them, as it could be the old man or the person at the top? I’ve been hedging my bets on the surprise being Han Solo’s actual father, so I’m going to say the old man is Papa Han…but we’ll see next month!
Darth Vader #23 (on sale 6/1)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco (Artist)
Cover by Paul Renaud | Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Japanese Creator Variant by Takashi Okazaki
“THE SHADOW’S SHADOW’S SHADOW”
- An epic new story begins as DARTH VADER embarks upon a new mission in partnership with a sworn enemy — but who’s leading whom to doom?
- And what happens when the QUEEN’S SHADOW learns the deepest secret of the Dark Lord of the Sith?
- Plus: the shocking return of a face from Vader’s most distant past!
Sabé’s return brought this series back from the edge and I feel like her story and putting her with Vader will be enough to keep it on track, and this tease only cements that thought. Who else could come back at this point?! Another handmaiden we didn’t see earlier? Padme’s sister Sola? Her nieces Pooja and Ryoo? Her parents? Watto? Mace Windu?! Kitster?!?!?! Consider me eager to learn who!
Star Wars #24 (on sale 6/8)
Charles Soule (Writer), Ramon Rosanas (Artist)
Cover by Carlo Pagulayan | Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Japanese Creator Variant Cover by Rickie Yagawa
“THE FINAL HUNT!”
- COMMANDER ELLIAN ZAHRA, former protégé of GRAND MOFF WILHUFF TARKIN, has used brilliant tactics and savage brutality to nearly eradicate the Rebel fleet.
- Now she and her final target, GENERAL LEIA ORGANA, will hunt each other across a wild planet…to the bitter end.
In Charles Soule’s Vader series, which already has been referenced during Luke’s journeys, Grand Moff Tarkin hunted Darth Vader, as a game between the two, in a really intense, unique issue. Considering Zahra’s love for Tarkin and her adherence to his many doctrines and ways, could this hunt between the two women happen on the same planet? Sounds like it’ll be intense and unique in its own way, potentially even more so than the Vader vs Tarkin!
Doctor Aphra #21 (on sale 6/29)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Minkyu Jung (Artist)
Cover by W. Scott Forbes | Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Japanese Creator Variant Cover by Kei Zama
“DESPERATE MEASURES!”
- The SPARK ETERNAL corrupts everything it touches, and DOCTOR APHRA is no exception!
- Face-to-face with an ancient, malevolent presence, SANA STARROS will have to make a choice…
- Can she save Aphra? Can she even save herself?
I’ve been breathing in a paper bag, hyperventilating, since I first saw the cover and then read this solicitation. What could happen to Aphra? To Sana? To them both?! It’s a harrowing tease of what’s to come as the two close in on Kho and the creepy Ascendant’s tech masterpiece, the Spark Eternal. This Aphra fan is on edge once again, folks! But in better Aphra news, we’re closing in on our #31DaysAphra celebration of the character on Twitter, which will include giveaways and daily prompts. Join us if you can once it begins March 1!
Bounty Hunters #23 (on sale 6/1)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Natacha Bustos (Artist)
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli | Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Japanese Creator Variant Cover by Takeshi Miyazawa
“A CLEAR AND PRESENT DENGAR”
- The most underestimated bounty hunter in the galaxy in his greatest adventure yet!
- DENGAR makes his move — and the Underworld will be forever changed.
- Meanwhile, time is running out for T’ONGA and her crew to break VUKORAH… Will a young girl pay for their failure with her life?
Whenever there’s a bit of overlap or rewording of a solicitation with the previous months, you know there’s a lot going down that they don’t want to spoil, so it sounds like these few issues here will be the culmination of everything since issue #1. I’ll be curious to see what happens to this series after issue #25.
Star Wars Tales: Krrsantan #1 (on sale 6/8)
Jason Aaron & Kieron Gillen (Writers), Mike Deodato Jr., Mike Mayhew, Marc Laming & Will Sliney (Artists)
Cover by Salvador Larroca | Photo Variant Cover Also Available
He thrilled audiences in The Book of Boba Fett — now experience the stories that made him a legend! The deadly Wookiee bounty hunter called Krrsantan is almost unstoppable, but you can get him on your side…for a price. On the desert world of Tatooine, witness Krrsantan hunt down Jedi-in-hiding Obi-Wan Kenobi in a tale set between Star Wars Episodes III & IV! Then, as the Rebel Alliance clashes with Darth Vader, get ready for the ultimate Wookiee fight. Who will be left standing when Krrsantan takes on Chewbacca?! Finally, learn Krrsantan’s origins — from his years in the gladiator pits to an alliance with Doctor Aphra to serve up some well-deserved revenge! It’s wall-to-wall Wookiee action as only Marvel can deliver! Collecting STAR WARS (2015) #14-15 and #20 and STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA ANNUAL #1.
It was really cool to see Krrsantan leap from the comics to The Book of Boba Fett, so I love this idea they want to promote where you can see him in the comics! It’s a little limited, though it would be hard to package the Darth Vader (2015) and Doctor Aphra (2016/2020) issues he’s in and keep the story coherent/overload the reader, so in the end this makes sense to have the issues they do. If you want to hear how those issues were before purchasing, check out our reviews: Star Wars #14 (2015-‘19), Star Wars #15 (2015-‘19), Star Wars #20 (2015-‘19) and Doctor Aphra Annual #1.
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.