Star Wars
A Marvel Comics Star Wars series launched in 2015 and set between the original film and The Empire Strikes Back.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Star Wars (2015 comic book) is a licensed Marvel Comics series set within the continuity of the original Star Wars trilogy. Rather than covering the franchise as a whole, this subject refers specifically to Marvel's ongoing comic series that follows Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Vader, and their allies during the period immediately after the destruction of the first Death Star and before the events of The Empire Strikes Back. The series was announced in July 2014 alongside Marvel's Darth Vader and Princess Leia titles and began publication on January 14, 2015. The title marked Star Wars' return to Marvel Comics after a long period in which Dark Horse Comics held the principal publishing license. Marvel had produced the original 1977 film adaptation and an adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980–1981, but the license moved to Dark Horse in 1991. The rights returned to Marvel after The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Lucasfilm and its subsidiaries in 2012, following Disney's earlier acquisition of Marvel Entertainment. The 2015 series therefore functioned both as a new chapter in the expanded Star Wars publishing program and as a restoration of the franchise's earlier Marvel-comics relationship. Jason Aaron initially wrote the series and John Cassaday provided its principal early artwork. The creative approach was designed to resemble a direct continuation of the original film, with the central ensemble operating as a team while each character pursued separate questions and conflicts. Luke's development is especially important: still inexperienced and dealing with the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he searches for information about his father and his place in the wider conflict. Darth Vader, meanwhile, investigates the identity of the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, creating a dramatic parallel between Luke's search for his father and Vader's search for Luke. Han Solo is depicted as being only partially committed to the Rebel cause, while his past and his developing relationship with Leia generate additional story material. The series incorporates both standalone arcs and crossovers with other Marvel Star Wars titles. Major stories include Luke's investigations into Obi-Wan's journals, the introduction of Sana Starros, the Vader Down crossover, the Rebels' dealings with Doctor Aphra, the capture of an Imperial Star Destroyer, and storylines involving kyber crystals on Jedha and political conflict on Mon Cala. Later arcs involve the betrayal of Queen Trios, the scattering of the Rebellion, the Partisans, and the criminal and Imperial factions that emerge near the end of the original run. Its final arc concluded the first numbering sequence at issue 75 in 2019. Marvel relaunched the title with a new issue number one on January 1, 2020. Charles Soule became writer and Jesus Saiz the principal artist. The relaunch begins before the end of The Empire Strikes Back, with Lando Calrissian returning to Cloud City and Luke searching for his lost lightsaber. Subsequent material connects the title to broader crossover events, including War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign, and Hidden Empire. Through these stories, the comic expands the period between the original trilogy films while maintaining the principal characters, setting, and conflict associated with the Star Wars brand.
History
The 2015 Star Wars comic series was developed as part of Marvel Comics' renewed publishing program for the Star Wars property. The announcement came in July 2014, when Marvel presented three new titles: Star Wars, Darth Vader, and the limited series Princess Leia. The main Star Wars title was assigned to writer Jason Aaron and artist John Cassaday, with the stated creative intention of making the comic feel like a direct sequel to the original 1977 film. Its narrative position was deliberately narrow and specific: the heroes had destroyed the first Death Star, but the larger war was still in its early stages and the events of The Empire Strikes Back had not yet occurred. The title was significant in publishing-history terms because it represented Star Wars' return to Marvel. Marvel had published the original film adaptation in 1977 and an adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980–1981. The license subsequently moved to Dark Horse Comics in 1991 and remained there until the corporate changes surrounding Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012. Dark Horse's period ended as Marvel resumed publication in 2015. The return gave Marvel an opportunity to build a coordinated line of Star Wars books, with stories crossing between the main title and related books such as Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra. Aaron's initial run focused on the familiar film characters while expanding their circumstances. Luke was a young and uncertain Jedi learner trying to understand Obi-Wan Kenobi's legacy and the identity of his father. Vader was attempting to determine who had destroyed the Death Star, unaware at first of the full significance of the Rebel pilot's identity. Leia led military and covert operations for the Rebellion, while Han remained conflicted about his relationship with the Rebel cause. The early stories also introduced Sana Starros, whose complicated history with Han became a recurring source of tension and humor. The series was structured around multiple arcs and crossovers. The Vader Down storyline linked the main book with the Darth Vader title. Other arcs explored Doctor Aphra's temporary relationship with the Rebels, the seizure of an Imperial Star Destroyer, Obi-Wan's journals and Yoda's earlier history, the Screaming Citadel crossover, the struggle over kyber crystals on Jedha, and the effort to bring Mon Cala into the Rebel alliance. The Mon Cala storyline expanded into betrayal and Imperial attack when Queen Trios of Shu-Torun turned against the Rebels. Later stories depicted the Rebellion as damaged and dispersed before Leia and the Partisans mounted a counterattack. The production team changed during the first run. In 2017, Kieron Gillen replaced Aaron as writer and Salvador Larroca took over the main art assignment. Marvel later announced that the first sequence would finish at issue 75. The title was then relaunched with issue one on January 1, 2020, with Charles Soule writing and Jesus Saiz providing the principal art. The new sequence begins in the period immediately following The Empire Strikes Back's central events. Lando returns to Cloud City to recover Lobot, while Luke searches for his lost lightsaber and encounters material connected with an earlier Jedi era. The relaunched series also became part of larger publishing events. Its stories contributed to War of the Bounty Hunters, in which the Rebels attempt to recover Han Solo after his capture and freezing, and to the continuing Crimson Dawn narrative developed through Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire. These crossovers positioned the main Star Wars title as a connective publication within Marvel's broader comic-book program rather than as an isolated monthly series. In 2022, Lucasfilm and Marvel also entered a dual distribution arrangement involving IDW Publishing and Dark Horse for new Star Wars comics, broadening the property's publishing activity beyond Marvel even as Marvel's title remained a central series.
- 2022
Star Wars comics receive a dual distribution arrangement
[1]Lucasfilm and Marvel enacted an arrangement involving IDW Publishing and Dark Horse for additional Star Wars comic series.
- 2020
Series relaunches
[1]The title relaunched with a new issue one on January 1, 2020, written by Charles Soule with art by Jesus Saiz.
- 2019
First run concludes at issue 75
[1]Marvel announced that the original numbering sequence would end with issue 75.
- 2017
Creative team changes
[1]Kieron Gillen replaced Jason Aaron as writer, and Salvador Larroca took over the principal art assignment.
- 2015
First issue is published
[1]The new Star Wars series began publication on January 14, 2015.
- 2014
Marvel announces the 2015 Star Wars line
[1]Marvel announced Star Wars, Darth Vader, and Princess Leia as new titles for the returning license.
- 2012
Disney acquires Lucasfilm
[1]The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Lucasfilm and its subsidiaries created the corporate setting for the Star Wars comics license to return to Marvel.
- 1991
Dark Horse takes over the Star Wars comic license
[1]The principal Star Wars comics license moved from Marvel to Dark Horse Comics.
- 1980
Marvel publishes an adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back
[1]Marvel continued its early Star Wars publishing relationship with an adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, published across 1980–1981.
- 1977
Marvel publishes the original Star Wars adaptation
[1]Marvel's earlier relationship with Star Wars began with its comic adaptation of the original film.
Products and positioning
A licensed, continuity-based science-fiction adventure comic designed as a serialized continuation of the original Star Wars film, combining the familiar film ensemble with new characters, worlds, political conflicts, and crossover storylines.
Monthly science-fiction comic series · 2015
Star Wars (2015 comic series)
The original Marvel numbering sequence follows Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, the droids, and the Rebel Alliance shortly after the first Death Star's destruction. Its stories include the Vader Down crossover, Doctor Aphra's involvement with the Rebels, Luke's investigation of Obi-Wan Kenobi's journals, conflicts on Jedha and Mon Cala, and the Rebellion's response to Imperial attacks. The sequence concluded at issue 75.
Monthly science-fiction comic series · 2020
Star Wars (2020 relaunch)
The relaunch restarted the numbering and continued the narrative in the period surrounding and following The Empire Strikes Back. Charles Soule wrote the series and Jesus Saiz provided principal artwork at launch. The book connects with larger publishing events involving Han Solo, Boba Fett, Crimson Dawn, and the Rebel Alliance.
Comic crossover
Vader Down
A crossover between the main Star Wars title and the Darth Vader comic, centered on a major confrontation involving Vader and the Rebel characters. The event illustrates Marvel's coordinated approach to its Star Wars line.
Comic crossover
War of the Bounty Hunters
A crossover storyline in which the Rebels attempt to recover Han Solo after he is frozen and taken by criminal interests. The plot connects the main Star Wars comic with Boba Fett, Crimson Dawn, and related titles.
Brand decisions
2019
Marvel ends the first numbering sequence and prepares a relaunchGeneration changeBackground
The original series had reached the announced endpoint of 75 issues.
Action taken
Marvel concluded the first sequence and relaunched the title with a new issue one.
Aftermath
The relaunch began publication in January 2020 with Charles Soule and Jesus Saiz as the initial creative team.
2014
Marvel launches a new Star Wars comic lineProduct launchBackground
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the Star Wars comics license returned to Marvel following Dark Horse's long publishing period.
Action taken
Marvel announced the main Star Wars series together with Darth Vader and Princess Leia.
Aftermath
The main series began in January 2015 and restored Marvel's direct publishing role for Star Wars comics.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Wow! Stuff launches Star Wars Yoda Puppetronic by RealFX[2]
Reported:
Wow! Stuff launched Star Wars Yoda Puppetronic by RealFX, an officially licensed Yoda collectible featuring animatronic movements, sound and action combinations, and four personality modes. It is available for pre-order ahead of stock arriving in September.
Hasbro renews Star Wars licensing deal with Lucasfilm[3]
Reported:
Hasbro announced that it renewed its longstanding licensing deal with Lucasfilm for the Star Wars franchise, under which it will continue creating toys and games.
Hasbro renews Star Wars license and agrees to develop Indiana Jones products[4]
Reported:
Hasbro said it extended its relationship with Lucasfilm by renewing its Star Wars licensing deal and announced a new agreement to develop products based on the Indiana Jones franchise. Hasbro said the Indiana Jones line would be available in the U.S. in 2023.
Bandai announces Star Wars R2-D2 Tamagotchi launch[5]
Reported:
Bandai reported that its two Star Wars-themed R2-D2 Tamagotchi versions were scheduled to go on sale on November 13; the article describes the planned release, not a completed launch.
Lucasfilm Games and Ubisoft announce Star Wars game collaboration[6]
Reported:
Lucasfilm Games and Ubisoft announced a collaboration on a new story-driven, open-world Star Wars game. Massive Entertainment is to develop the game.
Hasbro releases new Mandalorian products for preorder[7]
Hasbro released new products inspired by The Mandalorian for preorder, including items from the Star Wars: The Black Series Credit Collection, Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Carbonized Collection, Monopoly Star Wars: The Mandalorian Edition, and Star Wars The Bounty Collection Series 2.
Pandora announces Star Wars jewellery collaboration[8]
Reported:
Pandora announced a collaboration with Lucasfilm to launch a capsule collection of Star Wars-inspired jewellery, planned to be available from October 1.
- Unconfirmed
Barbie introduces Star Wars-themed collector dolls[9]
Barbie and Star Wars teamed up on a themed collector-doll collection inspired by Chewbacca, C-3PO, Rey and Stormtrooper characters.
- Unconfirmed
The Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters[10]
Reported:
The Star Wars movie The Rise of Skywalker opened in theaters over the weekend and recorded $374 million in global ticket sales, according to distributor Walt Disney Co.
Star Wars Rebels manga debuts on LINE app[11]
Reported:
LINE Corporation launched Akira Aoki’s Star Wars Rebels manga on its LINE app in Japan.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources14 sources
- 1Star Wars (2015 comic book)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Wow! Stuff推出RealFX星球大战尤达电子木偶licensing.biz
- 3孩之宝与卢卡斯影业续签《星球大战》授权协议bleedingcool.com
- 4孩之宝续签《星球大战》授权并达成《夺宝奇兵》产品协议finanznachrichten.de
- 5万代宣布《星际大战》R2-D2 塔麻可吉上市nownews.com
- 6Lucasfilm Games 与 Ubisoft 宣布合作开发《星球大战》游戏kitguru.net
- 7孩之宝推出《曼达洛人》系列新品供预购rebelscum.com
- 8Pandora宣布与星球大战合作推出珠宝系列iol.co.za
- 9Barbie推出《星球大战》主题收藏娃娃real923la.iheart.com
- 10《天行者崛起》在影院上映o.canada.com
- 11《星球大战：义军崛起》漫画在LINE应用上线fanthatracks.com
- 12迪士尼中国与阅文集团合作开发《星球大战》网络小说technode.com
- 13Zazzle宣布推出可定制的《星球大战》商品prnewswire.com
- 14'Rise of Skywalker' debuts at $374 million, below recent 'Star Wars' filmsottawacitizen.com
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