Written by Adam Lance Garcia and illustrated by Liana Kangas, it's set two years after Solo: A Star Wars Story. Han, Lando, and Chewiee are in debt to the criminal syndicate, Black Sun, but don’t worry… Han has a plan. All they need to do is survive the eclipse.
Hey guys! I’m new here! How do we feel about the Marvel Darth Vader series? I quite like it 🤷♂️
Palpatine brings the menace to Kylo Ren.
This can be summed up like: it looks like the con artist got conned!
Much like other elements of the franchise, everything related to Batuu and Black Spire has really grown on me. Regardless of whether I want to visit the actual theme park attractions (not yet), I’m interested in the characters who cross paths there and how their stories unfold.
It was a very entertaining miniseries. Kendoh’s crew, even if they aren't particularly unique on their own, are compelling enough to keep you interested in following them and seeing how their heist plays out (I’m also curious to learn more about her and her Serenno ancestry). Dok-Ondar is fantastic; he has enough nuance to be more than just a run-of-the-mill swindler, he’s a charismatic master of deception who knows exactly how far to stretch a story to ensure the outcome is always the same: he wins. On top of that, the series features a collection of short stories that more than serve their purpose, taking you across the timeline with familiar characters in wild situations (I think I get it now: Doctor Aphra is like River Song, but with far fewer morals). Not every story works perfectly, but they are all entertaining.
Beyond the heist and the individual tales, I also enjoyed seeing the First Order get involved and the heavy-handed control they try to exert over the galaxy´s edge (hehe). I would have loved one more issue to see them, and the Resistance, in greater detail, but I’m satisfied with the final result.
Overall, the Black Spire Outpost has never felt more alive, and that’s thanks to a thoroughly enjoyable story. Highly recommended.
Star Wars Valentine's Day Special (February 2027)
(Image Source: https://x.com/FriendsOfForce/status/2109346511834505410?s=20 )
Written by Arianna Irwin, Gabriel Valentin, Dan Adbo, Jason Patterson, and Chris Robinson
Illustrated by Ornella Greco, Luca Pinelli, Dan Adbo, and Jason Patterson
Cover A by Ornella Greco
"...A Valentine’s Day special is coming in February, which includes a love story about a garbage droid who falls for a fancy droid..." - Star Wars Explained (Source: https://bsky.app/profile/starwarsexplained.com/post/3mxmm63cdsc2z )
"..One story in the Valentine’s Day special will be Han and Leia’s first date! Set after they get married and Han is tasked with planning it! ..." - Force Ghost Conversations (Source: https://x.com/ForceGhostPod/status/2109347015209484335?s=20 )
"...A third story is about a pair of Jedi helping some star crossed lovers..." - Star Wars Explained (Source: https://bsky.app/profile/starwarsexplained.com/post/3mxmmcmpfb22z )
In addition to the updated covers for Jan. 13's Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles #1, along with some new details about the publisher's plans for the run's variant covers, there are reports that Marvel is extending the mini-series to six issues from five.
The themes for covers will be broken done by A, B, C, D, E, F and G tiers.
A – MAIN COVER The main series connecting covers by series artist David Marquez.
B – ALLIANCE VARIANT Marvel heroes and villains join forces with their Star Wars counterparts in action-packed pairings.
C – BATTLE VARIANT Marvel and Star Wars collide in impossible one-on-one showdowns.
D – A NEW HOPE VARIANT Iconic moments from Star Wars: A New Hope are re-created with Marvel characters.
E – CROSSOVER VARIANT Characters wield the legendary weapons, costumes and symbols of the other franchise.
F – RETRO VARIANT New artwork channeling the unmistakable look of Marvel’s original Star Wars comic book run.
G – MARVEL HOMAGE Legendary Marvel covers are re-created with characters from both universes.
Longtime IG-88 collector here, and I've spotted something nobody's catalogued on the Internet as far as I know.
In Star Wars #44 (Marvel, Feb 1981), there's a Bob Layton pin-up — "DANGER! UGNAUGHTS AT WORK!" — showing Chewbacca rescuing C-3PO from the Ugnaughts. In the background, right behind the Ugnaught's outstretched hand, there's a droid head-and-shoulders silhouette. I'm reading it as IG-88 — specifically IG-88B's carcass.
Why that makes sense: we know from the films that an IG-88 carcass is visible in the background of the Ugnaught smelter scene in Empire Strikes Back, and "Therefore I Am" (Tales of the Bounty Hunters, 1996) later explained it as IG-88B, destroyed by Boba Fett on Bespin with the remains harvested by Ugnaughts. Layton's pin-up depicts that exact scene.
It's not in Wookieepedia's appearance list for #44, and I can't find any collector source mentioning it. Can anyone with the issue check their copy? Photos attached — the clearest shot I could get of the spot.
They say you always return to where you were happy, and oh man, I loved coming back to this group of pilots!
I thought it was great the team dynamic; every character, whether their role in the stories is major or minor, feels so alive, with little touches that make them instantly charismatic and memorable (Dllr and Plourr are my favorites). A special shout-out to Elscor, whose development I’m really looking forward to following (RIP Groznik). At first, I wondered why the stories weren't set during the Galactic Civil War, but looking back, I’m actually grateful for that choice; the setting allows Luke to hand over command of the squad to Wedge. Wedge steps up as leader, earning his place as a man who is committed, brave, and pragmatic, yet "normal" enough that the madness surrounding him remains fascinating.
Speaking of the setting, I like how it allows the collection's stories to explore the fight against the Empire from outside perspectives, whether it’s an aggressive cell refusing to align with either side (Cilpar) or an examination of the naivety of tolerating intolerance (Mrlsst). Both storylines deliver very satisfying conclusions, painting a slightly more optimistic picture of the galaxy, perhaps ready for the change the New Republic can bring, and leaving you eager to see what happens next.
The villains might not offer much variety, but they still stand out, whether through their design (Hask) or their cruelty (Weir), enough to make watching their defeat entertaining. Plus, it’s always a treat to get little glimpses into the Imperial ranks.
I had reservations about the art back in the day, but this time around, I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I love the classic style of The Rebel Opposition, as well as the "atypical" one of The Phantom Affair (I still don't know quite how to describe it, but I love it). Space battles have never looked better.
Overall, an incredibly solid, fun, and exciting start with very charismatic characters. Highly recommended!
Star Wars: Rogue One -- Saw Gerrera #1 one-shot.