May is a rather joyous around the Manor and in Star Wars fandom overall, as the always growing celebrations of May the Fourth provide much to enjoy! This year it falls on Free Comic Book Day and there are two special FCBD issues to enjoy then, while that same weekend The Phantom Menace returns to theaters to celebrate 25 years! The comics are joining in on the film’s anniversary with a special one-shot and a series of anniversary covers, plus other prequel-set stories including Maul-centric chaos, but fans of all eras will have plenty to look forward to with plenty of big The High Republic moments and the Rebellion trying to rescue Mon Mothma (?!), to name a few things. Check out what May 2024’s Star Wars Comics Solicitations to see what they all have in store!
MARVEL
The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1 (on sale 5/1)
Greg Pak (Writer), Will Sliney (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Variant Cover by Mateus Manhanini | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Plo Koon and Bultar Swan Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHANTOM MENACE WITH AN ALL-NEW STORY!
Explore the earliest days and secret inner life of ANAKIN SKYWALKER with never-before-seen, revelatory stories set before, after and between the scenes of the classic movie! Featuring the dream of a JEDI, the gift of a TUSKEN RAIDER, the heart of a GUNGAN, the ache of a mother and the horror of a hero!
A surprise to be sure, but a welcomed one! Five different stories by Pak and Sliney?! This sounds like it could be quite the interesting celebration of The Phantom Menace, an early precursor to a hopeful From a Certain Point of View in 2039, as the prequel films themselves certainly haven’t had as much revisiting from new viewpoints. Of these, I’m most looking forward to the “ache of a mother” aka Shmi Skywalker, as she’s been the least revisited character and yet so important, next is the “heat of a Gungan” because who doesn’t love more exploration of Jar Jar, and then the “horror of a hero,” which I’m guessing is Anakin. But if the “dream of a Jedi” is Qui-Gon Jinn, it could be the only story and I’d likely be happy.
The High Republic #7 – Phase III (on sale 5/1)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Marika Cresta (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Lee Garbett | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
BALM OF THE LUMINOUS!
- DEATH at the heart of NIHIL SPACE. HOPE in the midst of despair.
- JEDI MASTER KEEVE TRENNIS has gathered a band of battle-weary Jedi, pirates and wanderers, but how long will they remain united as the CHILDREN OF THE STORM make their move?
- Plus: The Nihil Minister of Advancement revealed: BARON BOOLAN makes his presence known!
What a word to start on for this solicit: death!!! WHAT?! Who?! How?! Why? I look forward to seeing Keeve’s allies of many different persuasions, as well as how strong in numbers the Children of the Storm end up being. Baron Boolan’s machinations have already been felt in this series with Lycos, and his other plans seen briefly in The Eye of Darkness, so I’m glad he’s coming more to the forefront now! Also, I do love the usage of Luminous, as while it was the codename before High Republic was launched, it’s since been used to describe ancient teachings by some group in one of Cavan Scott’s Phase II stories. Is there more to that here or just a way to reference Jedi?
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Star Wars/Darth Vader #1 (on sale 5/4)
Charles Soule, Greg Pak (Writers), Ibraim Roberson, Ramon Rosanas (Artists)
Cover by Phil Noto
Are there REBEL survivors stranded on HOTH? LUKE SKYWALKER, LEIA ORGANA, LANDO CALRISSIAN and CHEWBACCA mount a dangerous rescue mission to ECHO BASE! Lightsabers! Blasters! Snowtroopers! All-out action amongst the wreckage of AT-AT walkers, Rebel airspeeders and frozen weapons of mass destruction!
DARTH VADER employs a surprise character from the past to help him find LUKE SKYWALKER. But SABÉ, former handmaiden of PADMÉ AMADALA is also on a quest for the son of Vader. Having worked for him as an IMPERIAL COMANDER, Sabé has enough resources to cause chaos for anyone who stands in her path. How will this affect the DARK LORD’S plans to remove PALPATINE from power?
Sabé, assumed dead after her last appearance in the Vader series, makes her return in this special issue, though with the big assault on Exegol happening in the main story (see below), will we see her there again or just for a little in this special issue? If she’s alive by the time of Return of the Jedi and afterwards still, and she knows Luke is Padmé’s kid, will we ever get to see the two meet? As for the Star Wars part of the FCBD issue, returning to Hoth doesn’t seem like a good idea for the Rebellion, but hey, sounds like a ton of fun for us!
Darth Vader #46 (on sale 5/8)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco (Aritst)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Variant Cover by Björn Barends | Variant Cover by Tom Reilly | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Darth Sidious & Count Dooku Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
THE RAZING OF EXEGOL, PART ONE!
- 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!
Vader’s come for Exegol and Palpatine before and failed, leading to the much memed about hand in a jar moment, so what will be different about this siege of Exegol compared to the first? The most recent issue of the series had the feeling of building up to something big and this coming after Exegol certainly fits the bill! Vader and the Schism Imperial have Tauntaza’s death machine again, which certainly could help their plans, but will the mind-jacked cyborgs and other stuff Vader and the Schism gain along the way be enough to make a bigger dent? Either way, since I can only assume this will end in a very horrible no good way for Vader and pals, there definitely shouldn’t be much more to this series after it (like I’ve been saying for awhile).
Mace Windu #4 (on sale 5/15)
Marc Bernardin (Writer), Georges Jeanty (Artist)
Cover by Mateus Manhanini | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Snoke & Kylo Ren Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
INTRODUCING THE SHROUD!
- Just as MACE and smuggler AZITA CRUUZ arrive at her freighter, they’re beset by MURO, DIYA and the leader of their cult, THE SHROUD.
- The Shroud is something that Mace Windu was never trained for and isn’t prepared for – and might push a JEDI KNIGHT to his breaking point!
After the strength of the opening issue, I’m eager for more and find myself quite surprised we’re being introduced to something that’ll push Mace Windu like never before in the miniseries’ final issue! What is the “Shroud?” Looking it up on Wookieepedia brings up a character from the Old Republic MMO game, so this is something new…will we get teases of it in earlier issues or is this all happening in the finale? I have faith it’ll be quite the experience either way.
Star Wars #46 (on sale 5/22)
Charles Soule (Writer), Madibek Musabekov (Artist)
Cover by Stephen Segovia | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Variant Cover by Mike Hawthorne | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
OPERATION: RESCUE MON MOTHMA!
- The fate of the REBEL ALLIANCE has become intertwined with accused traitor LANDO CALRISSIAN – if he falls, so will the Rebellion.
- LEIA ORGANA must mount a desperate rescue mission if there is any hope of defeating the evil GALACTIC EMPIRE!
The trial of Lando kicks off in March, bringing writer Charles Soule’s past as an attorney to the pages of Star Wars comics, and holy mynocks, this sounds like the most wild trial of all time….somehow Mon Mothma has been captured and needs rescuing? What happened?!!!
Jango Fett #3 (on sale 5/29)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Sskeer & Keeve Master & Apprentice Variant Cover by Phil Noto
JANGO VS. AURRA SING!
- The heavyweight BOUNTY HUNTER battle that will shake the galaxy!
- Who is the mysterious figure behind the heist that is igniting a war?
- Prepare for a new twist when an unexpected alliance is revealed!
We are less than a month away from the premiere of the series and the more I hear the more I’m hyped for it, especially after our first previews of the opening issue where it’s clear artist Luke Ross is absolutely cooking! This is only four issues long, so big things are happening and I’m interested to learn who the mysterious figure is, as was even teased back in the Revelations (2023) #1 intro story.
Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #2 (on sale 5/29)
Mark Russell (Writer), Carlos Nieto (Artist)
Cover by Tyler Kirkham | Variant Cover by Danny Earls | Variant Cover by David Marquez | Variant Cover by Gabriele Dell’otto | Virgin Variant Cover by Gabriele Dell’otto
MAYHEM AT THE MOONBENDER COLONY!
- Who are THE REMAINDERS, and what threat are they to LORD PALPATINE?
- DARTH MAUL is sent to conquer a mining colony single-handed, but the unexpected opposition becomes an intense battle of life and death!
- One of STAR WARS’ most famous villains learns one of his most valuable lessons.
New issue, new creative team, and another one without marginalized creatives…this is where I pretend to be shocked! It’s unfortunate we’re two for four so far, but it’s not these creatives’ faults they’ve been picked. I do like how, so far, each story revolves around some group Palpatine is concerned about and he just sends the wrecking ball that is Darth Maul after them to end it. Curious what lesson he’ll learn from this one!
DARK HORSE
Free Comic Book Day: Young Jedi Adventures – Sky Parade Rescue (on sale 5/4)
Daniel Jose Older (Writer), Andy Duggan (Artist/Cover Artist)
May the Fourth be with you in this all-new tale from Star Wars!
In the story Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—Sky Parade Rescue, journey to a galaxy far, far away with the younglings from the sensational Disney+ series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, including characters from the hit Dark Horse comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures!
The Star Wars short story features writing by Daniel José Older, art by Andy Duggan, colors by Dan Jackson, and letters by Comicraft.
oh yeah!
The High Republic Adventures: Saber for Hire #2 (on sale 5/15)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Rachael Stott (Artist/Cover Art)
The Nihil are kidnapping children with Force abilities. Can Ty Yorrick, former Jedi turned monster hunter, find them before it’s too late? And what will Ty’s frustrated apprentice do when he discovers that the villainous space pirates are also targeting the son of the Republic Chancellor? Plus: Ty has an encounter that will change her life forever!
New York Times bestselling author Cavan Scott and fan-favorite artist Rachael Stott continue an adventure packed with thrilling lightsaber fights and daring rescues.
{This was advanced solicited in for April’s} Fans clamoring after The Eye of Darkness for what is happening with Kitrep Soh, Republic Chancellor Lina Soh’s son, won’t have to wait for much longer as it looks like he (and hopefully his boyfriend, still alive) will be part of this series to some degree! I’m looking forward to learning who or what encounter will change Ty’s life!! Could it be an old friend, once thought dead? Elzar Mann, who she’s had a rocky history with? I was already hyped for more Ty but this sounds like so much more than I could’ve ever asked for her!
The High Republic Adventures #6 – Phase III (on sale 5/15)
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist)
Cover by Harvey & Kevin Tolibao | Variant Cover by Isobell Rees (pictured)
On the edge of the Occlusion Zone, the Republic outpost on Eriadu is a safe place for a reunion of allies. After a year of hoping, searching, and daring rescues, Zeen, Lula, and more friends have made their way to this new home. Reunited, it’s time to face their destiny and stand together against the fearsome onslaught of the Nihil from beyond the Stormwall.
What new challenges await our heroes on the next leg of their journey?
{This was advanced solicited in for April’s} The variant promises at least another familiar face survived the fall of Starlight Beacon…Buckets of Blood!!! I feel like it’s great to see these people all return, but now we have to start worrying about them again because there’s plenty of journey ahead for everyone in Phase III!
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.