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A typical cover of a  comic published by

A typical cover of a Star Wars comic published by Dark Horse Comics

Star Wars comic books are comic books realting to the Star Wars universe. Star Wars comics have come in many forms including, comic strips, webstrips, and webcomics but the most common are comic books. Various publishers have produced since the first Star Wars comics were published by Marvel Comics in 1977.

Starting with Star Wars 1 releasing a month before Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the original Star Wars series ran for 107 issues ending with Star Wars 107 in June 1986. During this time two spin-off comics, Droids and Ewoks were also published by Marvel.

During the late 70s comic strips started to appear in many newspapers including the Los Angeles Times Syndicate who first published the Star Wars comic strips in 1979.

More publishing compaines began to publish comics for the Star Wars saga including Dark Horse Comics, who have publlished many comic series since 1991 with Star Wars: Dark Empire.

After The Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel in 2009 and Lucasfilm Ltd. in 2012, the license to produce Star Wars comics returned to Marvel in 2015. Marvel began with a rebooted the original Star Wars series with a run of comics from 2015 until Star Wars 75 in 2019. In 2017, IDW Publishing began the Star Wars Adventures anthology series for young readers. In 2021, StarWars.com annouced the Dark Horse Comics will return to publishing Star Wars comics in 2022.

Types of comic books

Comic strips

Comic strips are comics, presented in a series of strips. A number of Star Wars comics strips were first published in newspapers by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate starting in 1979. Dark Horse Comics edited, colored, and reprinted most of these stories in comic-book form decades later.

Webstrips

Webstrips was an exclusive feature on the Star Wars fan club website, Hyperspace.

It was composed of a number of black-and-white, three-frame comic strips, published daily. The daily webstrips eventually completed an entire story, and a number of these stories were completed and archived. Some of the stories were new, while others were either adaptations of previous tales, or re-releases of comics from the late '70s and early '80s.

Starting in 2004, webstrips were published on StarWars.com's Hyperspace, alongside reprints of most of the original strips from the 1970s and 1980s. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars newspaper strips, a blog was started on blogspot.com in 2009 that posted a newspaper comic a day on roughly the same month and date of its original release.

Archived webstrips
Original Hyperspace-exclusive webstrips
Newspaper strips reissued on Hyperspace
Unpublished webstrips

These webstrips appear to have been cancelled, though none officially.

Webcomic

A webcomic is a comic published on the internet. There are a number of official Star Wars webcomics.

Official webcomics

History

Marvel Star Wars

Star Wars comics begin

Star Wars (1977) 1 was the first Star Wars comic

Star Wars (1977) 1 was the first Star Wars comic

Lucasfilm advertising publicity supervisor, Charles Lippincott first approached Stan Lee, an author at Marvel Comics, in 1975 about the idea of publishing Star Wars comics prior to the release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope in order to gain publicity for the film. But Lee declined to do so until Star Wars was completed. Marvel editor Roy Thomas, agreed to write the comic after being shown the Tatooine Mos Eisley cantina sequence. This convinced Lee to give the go ahead for the release of Star Wars comics after a meeting with Thomas. The move to publish Star Wars comics prevented struggling Marvel Comics from going into bankruptcy.[1]

Star Wars 1 released on April 12, 1977[2] a month before the release of Star Wars. The issue was written by Thomas and illustrated by Howard Chaykin. Star Wars #1-6 were adaptations of Star Wars written and illustrated by the duo. Due to negotiations Lucasfilm could not make royalties off the comics until 100,000 copies were sold due to the low demand for comics at the time. But Star Wars became a hit and became a top selling title in the late 1970s. This allowed for Lucasfilm to renegotiate with Lee for the royalties.[3]

New creative teams

Archie Goodwin took over after Roy Thomas left

Archie Goodwin took over after Roy Thomas left

After the first six issues, original stories began to be told starting with Star Wars 7. Thomas and Chaykin remained in charge but Thomas was not allowed to use Darth Vader, the Clone Wars, or develope a romantic relationship between Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Thomas left the series after Star Wars 10 with Archie Goodwin taking his place in May of 1978. The comic mostly focused on the adventures of Han Solo and Chewbacca[1] but would occasionally tell a new story with Star Wars 24 being the first story material set during the era of the Galactic Republic.[4]

Issues 39 to 44 were adapted to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back written by Goodwin.[5] After Goodwin left the project, a new creative team was formed with Louise Simonson (as editor) and her husband Walter Simonson (as penciler) with Tom Palmer (as inker) and David Michelinie (as writer). The creative team mostly covered the time between The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi but were not allowed to use Boba Fett, Solo, Jabba, Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda. The team wanted to create a story around the Second Death Star but Lucasfilm prevented the story from happening.[1]

Walt and Michelinie soon left the series after issue #66 with Mary Jo Duffy and Ron Frenz taking the place. The two wrote the backstory to Return of the Jedi and published the comic series which was separate from the main ongoing series. Marvel Star Wars was mainly written by Duffy with Cynthia Martin serving as artist for the last year of the series.[1]

Marvel tie-ins

Starting in 1985, Star Comics an imprint of Marvel Comics, began publishing Ewoks as a tie-in to the animated series of the same name. The comics were geared towards a younger audience much like the television show. The comic series was released parallel to another series, Star Wars: Droids starting in 1986. The series was another tie-in to the animated children's show, Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO also geared towards a younger audience.

Ewoks lasted for fourteen issues with Ewoks 15 written but never released. Droids ran for eight issues until 1987. But shortly after the comic series had started publication the animated series was cancelled.

Dark Horse takes over

Dark Empire brings success

The first issue of Dark Empire

The first issue of Dark Empire. The series proved very successful for Dark Horse

After Droids and Ewoks, comic book license moved from Marvel to Dark Horse Comics. During this time many saw Star Wars as died with Lucasfilm even believing there to be no more life in the franchise. Most in the comic book industry believed that the success from the previous Marvel series could not replicated.[6]

Dark Horse first released Star Wars: Dark Empire in 1991, although the series was originally going to be published by Marvel. George Lucas was originally unhappy with the plot of Dark Empire and instead proposed reviving the Emperor via cloning but this remains unclear.[7] Dark Empire was a huge success for Dark Horse which allowed them to retain the rights to Star Wars comics for years to come.[6] After Dark Empire, Dark Horse re-released the Classic Star Wars comics starting in 1992.[8] Dark Horse continued publishing with a sequel to the Dark Empire series in 1994.[9]

After the sequel to Dark Empire, Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron released in 1995. Originally intended to be only three arcs the comics ran for 35 issues.[10] The success of Dark Empire gave the greenlight to another series, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi by Tom Veitch. Lucas gave Veitch full control of the comic as long as he approved. The comic series was released in 1996 with positive reviews, although some criticized the artwork.[6]

Dark Horse relaunch

Four members of the Legacy creative team

Four members of the Legacy creative team

In 1999, Dark Horse released the next ongoing Star Wars series. The first forty-five issues were simply titled Star Wars, with the remaining 83 issues being titled Star Wars: Republic.[11] Also in 1999, Dark Horse released Star Wars Tales, a non-continuity anthology series. This was followed by the release of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace comic series to go along with the release of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.[12]

Going into the 2000s, many of the popular comic series continued, but another non-canon story released, Star Wars Infinities which explored alternate histories of the Original trilogy.[13] The next major project from Dark Horse was the publication of Star Wars: Legacy in 2006. Set in 137 ABY, the comic run was written by John Ostrander and co-scripted by Jan Duursema. Although fan reaction was mixed, the series received mostly positive reviews. The series went on to become one of Dark Horse's best sellers.[14]

Main series including Republic and Empire reached their conclusions, leading to a relaunch of the Dark Horse lineup. In celebration of their partnership with Star Wars a new slate of comics beginning to release in 2006. More tie in comics emerged in the new lineup. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic served as a prequel to the video game of the same name. The series was written by John Jackson Miller along with various artist.[15]

Dark TImes had continued the stories of Republic

Dark TImes had continued the stories of Republic

Although Republic had concluded, Dark Times had continued the story arcs of the previous comic, along with Rebellion, both released in 2006.[16] Both lines were but on a hiatus in 2008, during the release of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated show and make room for the comic of the same name.[17] However once the hiatus ended, only Dark Times continued, with Rebellion being replaced by Invasion.[16]

In 2010, the Legacy series reached it conclusion until a six-part series that continued the story later in the year.[14] Dark Times was once again put on hiatus and the Clone Wars comic concluded. More comics ended the following year with the conclusion of Invasion and the Old Republic. Dark Times also released their final arc in 2011.[16]

The return of Marvel

List of comic books

The following is a list of Star Wars comic books, sorted by publisher and series.

Marvel Comics

Marvel logo

Marvel Star Wars

Annual issues

Return of the Jedi movie adaptation

Collections

Ewoks

Star Wars: Droids

Marvel UK original stories

Collections

Pizzazz Original Stories

Marvel Omnibus Collections

2015 relaunch line

Ongoing series

Star Wars
Collections
Star Wars: Darth Vader
Collections
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters
Collections
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra
Collections
Star Wars: The High Republic
Collections

Finished Series

Star Wars
Collections
Star Wars: Darth Vader
Collections
Star Wars: Kanan
Collections
Star Wars: Poe Dameron
Collections
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra
Collections
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017)
Collections

Miniseries

Star Wars: Princess Leia
Collections
Star Wars: Lando
Collections
Star Wars: Shattered Empire
Collections
Star Wars: Chewbacca
Collections
Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin
Collection
Star Wars: Han Solo
Collection
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation
Collections
Star Wars: Darth Maul
Collection
Star Wars: Rogue One Adaptation
Collection
Star Wars: Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu
Collection
Star Wars: Captain Phasma
Collection
Star Wars: Thrawn
Collection
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation
Collection
Star Wars: Lando - Double or Nothing
Collection
Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation
Collection
Star Wars: Han Solo - Imperial Cadet
Collection
Star Wars: Age of Republic
Collection
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion
Collection
Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions
Collection
Star Wars: TIE Fighter (comic series)
Collection
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (comic series)
Collection
Star Wars: Age of Resistance
Collection
Star Wars: Allegiance
Collection
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple
Collection
Star Wars: Target Vader
Collection
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren
Collection
Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters
Collections
Star Wars: The High Republic: Trail of Shadows
  • The High Republic: Trail of Shadows 1
  • The High Republic: Trail of Shadows 2
  • The High Republic: Trail of Shadows 3
  • The High Republic: Trail of Shadows 4
  • The High Republic: Trail of Shadows 5
Collections
Star Wars: The High Republic: Eye of the Storm
  • The High Republic: Eye of the Storm 1
  • The High Republic: Eye of the Storm 2

Annuals and One-shots

Star Wars Legends collections

Epic Collection
Marvel Omnibus
Film adaptations

IDW Publishing

Star Wars Adventures

Special Issues

Collections

Star Wars Adventures (2020)

Special Issues

Collections

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler's Run

Collections

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures

Special Issues

Collections

Star Wars Adventures: The Weapon of a Jedi

Collections

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures — The Monster of Temple Peak

Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader's Castle

One-Shots

Graphic Novel Adaptations

Blackthorne Publishing

Star Wars 3-D

Dark Horse Comics

Dark Horse Comics

Film adaptations

Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - The Special Edition

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Adventures

Trade Paperback Collection

Manga film adaptations

Star Wars Manga: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Manga: A New Hope
Star Wars Manga: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Manga: Return of the Jedi

PhotoComic

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Golden Age of the Sith

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Fall of the Sith Empire

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Freedon Nadd Uprising

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - Dark Lords of the Sith

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Sith War

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - Redemption

Omnibus Collections

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith—Spiral

Trade Paperback Collection

Knight Errant

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Jedi—The Dark Side

Trade Paperback Collection

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan series

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: Last Stand on Ord Mantell

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan: The Aurorient Express

Dark Horse Presents Annual 2000: Girls Rule!: Aurra's Song (2000)

Jedi Council: Acts of War

Trade Paperback Collection

Republic

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Darth Maul

Trade Paperback Collection

Jango Fett: Open Seasons

Trade Paperback Collection

Heart of Fire

Jedi Quest

The Bounty Hunters: Aurra Sing (1999)

Star Wars: Jango Fett (2002)

Star Wars: Zam Wesell (2002)

Poison Moon

Starfighter: Crossbones

Practice Makes Perfect (2002)

Star Wars: Blood Ties: A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett

Star Wars: Blood Ties: Boba Fett is Dead

Most Precious Weapon

Machines of War

Star Wars: Jedi

Clone Wars Adventures

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Trade Paperback Collections

Free Comic Book Day 2009: The Clone Wars: The Gauntlet of Death

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (graphic novellas)

Star Wars: Darth Maul—Death Sentence

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: General Grievous

Trade Paperback Collection

Free Comic Book Day 2006: Routine Valor

Star Wars: Obsession

Free Comic Book Day 2005: Brothers in Arms

Purge

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Dark Times

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows

Star Wars: Droids

Trade Paperback Collections

Jabba the Hutt

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Agent of the Empire

Trade Paperback Collections

Classic Star Wars: Han Solo at Stars' End

This Crumb for Hire (1996)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Empire

Trade Paperback Collections

Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars Adventures

Marvel Trade Paperback Collections

Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures

Trade Paperback Collection

Classic Star Wars (various series)

Classic Star Wars

Trade Paperback Collections

Vader's Quest

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars (Dark Horse)

Rebel Heist

Trade Paperback Collection

Classic Star Wars: Devilworlds

Star Wars Special: The Constancia Affair (1998)

The Kashyyyk Depths (1979)

Shadow Stalker (1997)

Star Wars: River of Chaos

Rebellion

Collections

Star Wars: Boba Fett

Trade Paperback Collections

Splinter of the Mind's Eye

A Valentine Story (2003)

Star Wars: Tales from Mos Eisley (1996)

Shadows of the Empire

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Ewoks—Shadows of Endor (2013)

The Bounty Hunters: Scoundrel's Wages (1999)

Star Wars: Mara Jade – By the Emperor's Hand

Trade Paperback Collection

The Jabba Tape (1998)

Shadows of the Empire: Evolution

Trade Paperback Collection

X-Wing: Rogue Leader

Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron

Trade Paperback Collections

The Thrawn Trilogy

Heir to the Empire

Dark Force Rising

The Last Command

Omnibus Collection

Star Wars: Dark Empire

Star Wars: Dark Empire

Star Wars: Dark Empire II

Star Wars: Empire's End

Hardcover Collection

Star Wars: Crimson Empire

Star Wars: Crimson Empire

Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood

Star Wars: Crimson Empire III—Empire Lost

Trade Paperback Collections

The Bounty Hunters: Kenix Kil (1999)

Jedi Academy: Leviathan

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Union

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Invasion

Trade Paperback Collections

Star Wars: Chewbacca

Trade Paperback Collection

Star Wars: Legacy

Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2

Star Wars Omnibus

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comic UK original stories

2015 relaunch line

Miniseries

Star Wars: Darth Maul—Son of Dathomir
Collections

Miscellaneous

Star Wars Handbook

Star Wars Tales

Trade Paperback Collections

Infinities

Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope

Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: Tag & Bink

Sergio Aragonés Stomps Star Wars (2000)

Star Wars Fan Club Special 2008

Star Wars: Visions of the Blade (2008)

Cancelled comics

Kenner

Disney–Lucasfilm Press

Yen Press Manga

Viz Media Manga

StarWars.com webcomics

Unlike some other webcomics, these were not co-created by Dark Horse Comics.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

LEGO comics

Tokyopop

Tokyopop

West End Games

Comic Strips

Star Wars newspaper strip

Russ Manning strips

Collected in Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures (except for The Constancia Affair and The Kashyyyk Depths)

Archie Goodwin strips

Collected in Classic Star Wars, except Planet of Kadril, which was never reprinted, and Han Solo at Stars' End, which was reprinted in its own Classic Star Wars series.

Star Wars Kids

Star Wars Rebels Magazine

Online comics

Star Wars Miniatures advertisements

Notes and references

External links

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