Maythe Force Be With You
Cover artwork for Star Wars

Original generated cover art — not a reproduction of any published cover

CanonOngoingAge of Rebellion

Star Wars

The flagship of Marvel’s second licence, set in the gap between the first two films, with the original cast at the centre and a very large budget for artists.

Seventy-five issues plus four annuals between January 2015 and 2019, opening with Jason Aaron and John Cassaday and passing through Kieron Gillen and Greg Pak. It sold like nothing in comics had sold in years.

Publisher
Marvel Comics
Published
January 2015 – 2019
Issues
75 issues + 4 annuals
Format
Ongoing
Continuity
Current canon
Writers
Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen, Greg Pak
Artists
John Cassaday, Salvador Larroca
Cover artists
John Cassaday

The verdict

A confident, expensive, sometimes airless book that finally treated the three-year gap between the first two films as a place worth living in.

Marvel got the licence back in 2015 and opened with the loudest possible statement: Jason Aaron writing, John Cassaday drawing, and a first issue set weeks after the Death Star, in which Luke Skywalker walks into a room and finds Darth Vader already in it.

What it is for

The gap between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back is the most valuable unoccupied real estate in Star Wars, and this series exists to develop it. Luke has to learn to be a Jedi with no teacher. Leia has to build an alliance out of people who do not want one. Han has a wife, which is the plot of an early arc and remains one of the odder swings the book took.

The middle

Kieron Gillen takes over from issue #26 and immediately does the best work in the run: a Yoda story, then The Ashes of Jedha, which returns to the moon Rogue One destroyed and asks what the Empire does with a corpse of a world. Salvador Larroca's photo-referenced faces are the run's most divisive choice — precise and slightly waxy, and you will either stop noticing or never stop noticing.

Verdict

It is canon, it is careful, and its carefulness is both the point and the limit. Nobody here can change; the films are on either side. Within that box it is very good indeed, and Ashes of Jedha is the argument to hand a sceptic.

Structure

Story arcs

How the run divides, and where a reader can get on and off.

  1. #1–6

    Skywalker Strikes

    Jason Aaron and John Cassaday. The Rebel cell hits an Imperial weapons factory and Luke meets Vader for the first time since Yavin.

  2. #13–14

    Vader Down

    Crossover with the Darth Vader title.

  3. #38–43

    The Ashes of Jedha

    Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca, on the ruined moon of Jedha.

  4. #44–49

    Mutiny at Mon Cala

    The Alliance recruits Mon Cala.

Every issue

Issue list — 79 of 75 catalogued

Number, title, cover date and credits. A dash means the field is not verified — not that it is empty.

# TitleCover date WriterArtistCover artist ArcNotes
1—January 14, 2015Jason AaronJohn CassadayJohn CassadaySkywalker StrikesWeeks after the Death Star, the Rebel leadership infiltrates an Imperial weapons factory on Cymoon 1 — and Darth Vader walks in. First issue of Marvel’s second Star Wars licence, taken up after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm.
Annual 1—December 9, 2015Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaJohn Cassaday & Paul Mounts—
2—February 4, 2015Jason AaronJohn Cassaday—Skywalker Strikes
Annual 2—November 30, 2016Kelly ThompsonEmilio LaisoMike Mayhew—
3—March 11, 2015Jason AaronJohn CassadayJohn CassadaySkywalker Strikes
Annual 3—September 20, 2017Jason LatourMichael WalshMichael Walsh—
4—April 22, 2015Jason AaronJohn CassadayJohn CassadaySkywalker Strikes
Annual 4—May 23, 2018Cullen BunnArio Anindito, Roland Boschi, Marc LamingTradd Moore and Matthew Wilson—
5—May 20, 2015Jason AaronJohn CassadayJohn CassadaySkywalker Strikes
6—June 3, 2015Jason AaronJohn CassadayJohn CassdaySkywalker Strikes
7—July 29, 2015Jason AaronSimone BianchiJohn Cassaday and Laura Martin—First of the standalone "From the Journals of Old Ben Kenobi" interludes, drawn by Simone Bianchi.
8—August 19, 2015Jason AaronStuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenShowdown on the Smuggler's Moon
9—September 16, 2015Jason AaronStuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenShowdown on the Smuggler's Moon
10—October 7, 2015Jason AaronStuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenShowdown on the Smuggler's Moon
11—November 4, 2015Jason AaronStuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenShowdown on the Smuggler's Moon
12—November 18, 2015Jason AaronStuart ImmonenStuart ImmonenShowdown on the Smuggler's Moon
13—December 2, 2015Jason AaronMike Deodato Jr.Mark Brooks—Vader Down part 3.
14—January 6, 2016Jason AaronMike Deodato Jr.Mark Brooks—Vader Down part 5.
15—January 20, 2016Jason AaronMike MayhewMike Mayhew—A "From the Journals of Old Ben Kenobi" interlude drawn by Mike Mayhew.
16—February 17, 2016Jason AaronLeinil Francis YuTerry DodsonRebel Jail
17—March 23, 2016Jason AaronLeinil Francis YuTerry DodsonRebel Jail
18—April 27, 2016Jason AaronLeinil Francis YuLeinil Francis YuRebel Jail
19—May 25, 2016Jason AaronLeinil Francis YuLeinil Francis YuRebel Jail
20—June 15, 2016Jason AaronMike MayhewMike Mayhew—A "From the Journals of Old Ben Kenobi" interlude drawn by Mike Mayhew.
21—July 20, 2016Jason AaronJorge MolinaDavid AjaThe Last Flight of the Harbinger
22—August 24, 2016Jason AaronJorge MolinaMike Deodato Jr.The Last Flight of the Harbinger
23—September 28, 2016Jason AaronJorge MolinaMike Deodato Jr.The Last Flight of the Harbinger
24—October 26, 2016Jason AaronJorge MolinaMike Deodato Jr.The Last Flight of the Harbinger
25—November 23, 2016Jason Aaron, Chris EliopoulosChris Eliopoulos, Jorge MolinaMike Deodato Jr.The Last Flight of the HarbingerDouble-sized. Includes the back-up strip "Droid Dilemma", written and drawn by Chris Eliopoulos.
26—December 28, 2016Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaStuart ImmonenYoda's Secret War
27—January 25, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaStuart ImmonenYoda's Secret War
28—February 1, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaStuart ImmonenYoda's Secret War
29—March 1, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaStuart ImmonenYoda's Secret War
30—April 5, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaStuart ImmonenYoda's Secret War
31—May 17, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMarco Checchetto—The Screaming Citadel part 2.
32—June 14, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMarco Checchetto—The Screaming Citadel part 4.
33—July 5, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMike MayhewOut Among the Stars
34—August 16, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMike MayhewOut Among the Stars
35—August 30, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMike MayhewOut Among the Stars
36—September 13, 2017Jason AaronSalvador LarrocaMike MayhewOut Among the Stars
37—October 4, 2017Jason AaronSalvador Larroca, Andrea SorrentinoMike MayhewOut Among the StarsJason Aaron’s last issue as writer. Includes the back-up story "The Sand Will Provide", drawn by Andrea Sorrentino.
38—November 8, 2017Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonThe Ashes of JedhaKieron Gillen’s first issue as writer.
39—November 22, 2017Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid MarquezThe Ashes of Jedha
40—December 13, 2017Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonThe Ashes of Jedha
41—January 3, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid MarquezThe Ashes of Jedha
42—January 17, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonThe Ashes of Jedha
43—February 7, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonThe Ashes of Jedha
44—March 7, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
45—March 21, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
46—April 4, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
47—May 2, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
48—May 23, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
49—June 6, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Matthew WilsonMutiny at Mon Cala
50—July 4, 2018Kieron GillenGiuseppe Camuncoli, Salvador LarrocaTravis CharestHope DiesDouble-sized. Includes the back-up story "Shu-Torun Lives".
51—July 18, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaJesus Aburtov and David MarquezHope Dies
52—August 1, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaMarte Gracia and David MarquezHope Dies
53—September 5, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaMarte Gracia and David MarquezHope Dies
54—September 19, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaDavid Marquez and Paul MountsHope Dies
55—October 3, 2018Kieron GillenSalvador LarrocaTamra Bonvillain and David MarquezHope Dies
56—November 7, 2018Kieron GillenAndrea BroccardoJamal CampbellThe Escape
57—November 21, 2018Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaJamal CampbellThe Escape
58—December 5, 2018Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaJamal CampbellThe Escape
59—January 9, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaJamal CampbellThe Escape
60—January 23, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaJamal CampbellThe Escape
61—February 6, 2019Kieron GillenAndrea BroccardoJamal CampbellThe Escape
62—March 6, 2019Kieron GillenAndrea BroccardoGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
63—March 20, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
64—April 3, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
65—May 1, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
66—May 15, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
67—June 19, 2019Kieron GillenAngel UnzuetaGerald ParelThe Scourging of Shu-Torun
68—July 10, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and RoguesGreg Pak’s first issue as writer, with Phil Noto on art.
69—July 24, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
70—August 7, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
71—September 4, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
72—October 2, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
73—October 23, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
74—November 13, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and Rogues
75—November 20, 2019Greg PakPhil NotoPhil NotoRebels and RoguesFinal issue of the 2015 series. The title was relaunched with a new first issue in January 2020.

In print

Collected editions — 18

Trades, omnibuses and Epic Collections. ISBNs appear only where verified.

EditionFormatPublisherYearCollectsISBN
Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker StrikesTPBMarvel Comics2015Star Wars (2015) #1-6978-0785192138
Star Wars Vol. 2: Showdown on the Smuggler's MoonTPBMarvel Comics2016Star Wars (2015) #7-12978-0785192145
Star Wars Vol. 3: Rebel JailTPBMarvel Comics2016Star Wars (2015) #15-19 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #1978-0785199830
Star Wars: Vader DownTPBMarvel Comics2016Star Wars: Vader Down #1, Star Wars (2015) #13-14 and Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015) #13-15978-0785197898
Star Wars Vol. 4: Last Flight of the HarbingerTPBMarvel Comics2017Star Wars (2015) #20-25978-0785199847
Star Wars Vol. 5: Yoda's Secret WarTPBMarvel Comics2017Star Wars (2015) #26-30 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #2978-1302902650
Star Wars Vol. 6: Out Among the StarsTPBMarvel Comics2017Star Wars (2015) #33-37 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #3978-1302905538
Star Wars: The Screaming CitadelTPBMarvel Comics2017Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel #1, Star Wars (2015) #31-32 and Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016) #7-8978-1302906788
Star Wars Vol. 7: The Ashes of JedhaTPBMarvel Comics2018Star Wars (2015) #38-43978-1302910525
Star Wars Vol. 8: Mutiny at Mon CalaTPBMarvel Comics2018Star Wars (2015) #44-49978-1302910532
Star Wars Vol. 9: Hope DiesTPBMarvel Comics2018Star Wars (2015) #50-55 and Star Wars Annual (2015) #4978-1302910549
Star Wars by Jason Aaron OmnibusomnibusMarvel Comics2019Star Wars (2015) #1-37 and Star Wars Annual #1-3, plus Vader Down #1, Darth Vader #13-15, The Screaming Citadel #1 and Doctor Aphra #7-89781302915377
Star Wars Vol. 10: The EscapeTPBMarvel Comics2019Star Wars (2015) #56-61978-1302914493
Star Wars Vol. 11: The Scourging of Shu-TorunTPBMarvel Comics2019Star Wars (2015) #62-67978-1302914509
Star Wars Vol. 12: Rebels and RoguesTPBMarvel Comics2019Star Wars (2015) #68-72978-1302914516
Star Wars Vol. 13: Rogues and RebelsTPBMarvel Comics2020Star Wars (2015) #73-75 and Star Wars: Empire Ascendant #1978-1302921682
Star Wars: From the Journals of Obi-Wan KenobiTPBMarvel Comics2020Star Wars (2015) #7, #15, #20 and #26-30, plus material from #37978-1302925284
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Omnibus Vol. 1omnibusMarvel Comics2021Doctor Aphra #1-40 and Annual #1-3, plus Darth Vader #3-4, #8, #21 and #25, Star Wars #13, #19 and #31-32, The Screaming Citadel #1 and Empire Ascendant #19781302928438

Dossiers

Who is in it

Encyclopedia entries for the figures this run develops.