October is always an exciting month for me since it’s my birthday, but it’s now also the anniversary of my wedding! Though when I tell you I’m doubly excited for THIS October, it’s because Phase Two of The High Republic launches!! We get some more great covers for the launch of Phase 2’s Marvel comic in the October solicitations for Star Wars comics, alongside some more beautiful covers for Sabé’s meeting with the Empire (oh boy!), Magna Tolvan’s glorious return to Aphra’s dysfunctional life, and more. Check out Star Wars comics’ October solicitations for 2022 now!
While series like Bounty Hunters, Han Solo & Chewbacca, and Star Wars Visions are missing, assume it’s due to a month break or delay, not cancellation, while The Hidden Empire (Qi’ra’s trilogy finale) and the Yoda comic announced are likely hitting in November instead.
MARVEL
The High Republic #1 – Phase 2 (on sale 10/12)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Ario Anindito (Artist/Cover Artist)
Variant Cover by Jan Duursema | Variant Cover by Mike Mckone | Variant Cover by Phil Noto
A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS FOR STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC!
- One hundred and fifty years before the fall of Starlight, another beacon burns bright in the galaxy, a beacon of faith and spirituality. Jedha. The Pilgrim Moon. The Kyber Heart. But tensions are rising in the holy city and dark days are to come.
- Jedi Vildar Mac, a Jedi safe and secure in who he is and what he could be, arrives as Jedha’s fragile peace begins to crumble. But a nightmare awaits…a nameless terror that will become the stuff of legend.
After the 15-issue run for the first Phase of The High Republic, Cavan Scott and Ario Anindito return in what already sounds like an even more frightening and intense series that looks to have these two creatives dive even further into their love of horror. Why? Because a nameless terror can only mean one thing in this era, even more so 150 years prior to the opening Phase: the Nameless! The terrifying monsters that dampen the Force and suck it from the Jedi, killing them, are about to get their origin story in this part of the story, so get ready for more closeups from the absolutely talented artist Ario Anindito (and check out our interview with him in the meantime!). Also, it seems this Phase will be shorter than the previous one, potentially ending with its second wave, which you can read more about in our recap of the panel at Celebration Anaheim! Otherwise, I just love we’re seeing more Jedha, as it’s clear after Rogue One it has a deep, rich history.
Star Wars #28 (on sale 10/12)
Charles Soule (Writer), Andrés Genolet (Artist)
Cover by E.M. Gist | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Star Wars: A New Hope 45th Anniversary Variant cover by Greg Land
THE CALCULUS OF LOSS!
- The price of freedom is examined, as the Rebel Alliance comes to understand the true scope of the threat against it.
- Threepio enters into aggressive negotiations, and Luke Skywalker embarks upon a desperate mission that will test his growing Jedi skills to the limit.
Since we haven’t started this new arc yet, the big 25th issue releasing a day after this is published, it’s a little hard to tell what’s all going on and why Threepio needs aggressive negotiations, but considering the previous solicits seemed to suggest the Death Star II plans have been stolen, maybe that’s what the whole “true scope of threat” business is all about. And Luke on a desperate mission, wearing Imperial clothes, testing his skills to the limit? Yes, please!
Doctor Aphra #25 (10/26)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Minkyu Jung (Artist)
Cover by W. Scott Forbes | Variant Cover by Natacha Bustos | Star Wars: A New Hope 45th Anniversary Variant cover by Greg Land
DESOLATION!
- The spark undying lives in Doctor Aphra’s body, and as its power grows, so does its hunger!
- But Aphra’s plotting her own escape…!
- As everyone flocks to the Vermillion, their showdown will change everything!
After Magna Tolvan’s return in last month’s issue, it’s great to finally see her on a cover again as well, since the tooka cat is out of the bag! It seems the Spark Eternal’s recent takeover of Aphra’s body isn’t going to be a short stay, and extending longer than expected, so it’ll be truly epic to see how and if Aphra and her exes can free the rogue archaeologist from its grasps. I’m also very curious to see why the crew is all heading to the Vermillion…is it because Qi’ra has more Ascendant artifacts there for the Spark to collect? Something to do with the upcoming The Hidden Empire, the end to Qi’ra’s comic trilogy? We might find out soon, either in this month’s Aphra issue or at SDCC the weekend of this article’s publishing! Plus, Bustos’ cover is just as delightful as W. Scott Forbes’!
Darth Vader #28 (on sale 10/19)
Greg Pak (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist)
Cover by Rahzzah | Variant Cover by Rod Reis | Star Wars: A New Hope 45th Anniversary Variant cover by Greg Land
THE SHADOW IN THE FIRE!
- For decades, Sabé, Handmaiden of Padmé, schemed to assassinate Darth Vader, whom she believed murdered her queen.
- But Sabé has learned Vader’s greatest secret, and now she fights at his side, believing that someday, she may prove there is still good in him.
- What happens when the Handmaiden finally comes face-to-face with the Emperor, who knows all of her secrets?
- The Queen’s Shadow enters the crucible! Will Vader let her burn?
The Darth Vader series has taken the high ground lately with Sabé’s return, and while her coming face-to-face with Emperor Palpatine is a surprise, it’s also inevitable. The outcome however is shrouded in potential and mystery, while this almost feels like a dry-run for Luke’s visit to the Emperor’s Throne Room in Return of the Jedi. We know his love for Luke is stronger otherwise the Emperor would die in this visit, so what could happen between them all here? Consider me intrigued! Also, the covers by both Rahzzah and Rod Reis?! Phenomenal!
The Mandalorian #4 (on sale 10/4)
Rodney Barnes (Writer), Georges Jeanty (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Jan Duursema | Variant Cover by Greg Land | Variant Cover by Salvador Larroca | Variant Cover by Peach Momoko | Virgin Variant Cover by Peach Momoko | (Concept art variant cover also available.)
SANCTUARY!
After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy.
I’m a little surprised they are using the super generic blurbs from the episodes for the comics; seems like a missed opportunity to do something fun with that. Anyways, the first issue of the adaptation recently released and my review turned into more of a discussion of what owning the comics mean in the era of streaming content not receiving home releases than just a straight up review of how the issue translated the opening episode to the page. I won’t be reviewing more of the series, but if you’d like the opportunity to do so (or any other Star Wars content), then please reach out to us! Otherwise, check out our review of “Chapter 4 – Sanctuary” while gawking over Phil Noto’s beautiful cover.
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.