The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in many different and unpredictable ways, and the entertainment industry has been in flux ever since. Comics stopped shipping for the most part in early April after Diamond Comics stopped distribution, but they have since begun shipping once again, with new comics hitting open comic shops for the first time on May 20. The upcoming schedule of comics has drastically changed, so the previously promised Star Wars comics have shifted in a big way. Marvel and IDW have begun to reveal their updated schedules (via Florian of Jedi-Bibliothek), so we’ve included the new list for the issues out in June and July 2020 below!
I’ve included the original solicits when these were first announced, but with the updated release dates as well as a few updated thoughts.
MARVEL
Bounty Hunters #3 (on sale 6/24/2020)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist)
Cover by Lee Bermejo | Variant by Michael Golden | Empire Strikes Back Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse
DUEL TO THE DEATH…AS THE SCOREKEEPER WILLS!
- Bossk confronts Valance in the ultimate heavyweight battle…and only one bounty hunter will remain standing when the dust clears.
- The mysterious Nakano Lash finally resurfaces, threatening to plunge the underworld into an all-out war between two of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the galaxy.
- Every bounty hunter, including the fearsome BOBA FETT, is after Lash. But what truly drives Fett to hunt down this particular quarry? Is it for the payday or…vengeance?! What exactly happened to Boba, Valance and Lash on that ill-fated mission so many years ago…?
This solicit still doesn’t do much for me, though the mystery present in the opening two issues of the series has me intrigued to come back to this once it’s out in June. I still can’t forgive them for the error in issue #2 when they forgot Aphra and Bossk already met, and even worked together!
Doctor Aphra #2 (on sale 7/22/2020)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Marika Cresta (Artist)
Cover by Valentina Remenar | Variant Cover by Sara Pichelli
BEWARE THE MAD CITY!
DOCTOR APHRA and her new team have tracked the RINGS OF VAALE to a mysterious planet filled with primordial horror. What’s worse, the rings may be cursed…a malediction that could already be tearing Aphra’s crew apart. Will they escape the terror of the cursed planet with the precious rings or succumb to the creeping madness pervading the ancient world?
The first issue of the Doctor Aphra relaunch released digitally on May the 4th to celebrate Star Wars Day (and hits shelves 5/28). I found it to be an excellent new start, a great place to jump on that also honors what came before, and I’m very eager to see what happens next. This solicit, released back in January for the original release date of April 29, makes the two month wait seem far longer, and the gorgeous cover by Valentina Remenar, released for the first time today, makes it even worse! Can’t wait to see what comes next!
Darth Vader #3 (on sale 7/29/2020)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco (Artist)
Cover by Inhyuk Lee | Variant Cover by Aaron Kuder | Empire Strikes Back Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse
GHOSTS OF VADER’S PAST!
- In his quest to destroy everyone who hid the existence of his son, Luke Skywalker, from him, Darth Vader has formed an unlikely partnership with an eerie shadow from his previous life.
- Now they return to Naboo where a powerful new host of vengeful ghosts awaits them.
- Delve deeper into Vader’s past than you thought possible with this shocking tale of tragedy and revenge!
I was originally not sold on a third volume of the Vader comic, but the first two issues provided some excellent surprises and a deeper, psychological bent than what had come before. Seeing Vader and his new, but familiar, associate head to Naboo has been a lingering cliffhanger since the second issue came out in March and what these two uncover might be one for the Star Wars comics history books.
IDW
The Clone Wars – Battle Tales #2 (6/24/2020)
Michael Moreci (Writer), Derek Charm (Covers)
Issue #2 – Derek Charm, Megan Levens (Artists)
This exciting weekly series explores a time of great upheaval in the galaxy—the Clone Wars! While Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and other Jedi Knights fight against incredible odds, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and other clones, pinned down for the duration, swap war stories that feature your favorite characters from The Clone Wars animated series, such as Padmé Amidala, General Grievous, and many more!
There’s no solicit for each specific issue, as this was all meant to release weekly throughout April and now the first issue is out May 20 and this second one in June, but I feel like we’ll enjoy having this drawn out, so it can marinate a bit, rather than done so quickly. I’ll have a review of the first issue up tomorrow NOW, while you can check out our interview with writer Michael Moreci in the meantime!
Star Wars Adventures #32 (7/15/2020)
Michael Moreci, Cavan Scott (Writers), Arianna Florean, David M. Buisán (Artist)
Cover A by Arianna Florean | Cover B by David M. Buisán
Learn more about the heroes and villains of The Rise of Skywalker! In this issue, the spotlight falls on Finn!
- Includes a special installment of “Tales from Wildspace,” where the crew of the Star Herald swing into action themselves!
Finn is the center of the series’ finale, so hopefully we’ll get a little tease of Force-sensitive here. Star Wars Adventures will relaunch later this year, originally meant for May, but for now no updates on when the new volume will launch.
I visited my local comic shop (Lost World of Wonders) when they reopened on May 15, they have social distancing and mask requirements in place, as well as curbside service, but it was great to be back in the store. I plan on visiting to pick up these issues, and if your LCS is open and/or has safe ways to shop like curbside service, consider giving them business if you can!
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.