In this issue of Star Wars Insider we profile the kind of individuals who either strove to rule the galaxy far, far, away; were thrust into such a position; or struck their own paths leading crime gangs and other nefarious groups. On a lighter note, we get arty with creature concept designer Jake Lunt Davies; meet Ethan Sacks, the writer behind Marvel Comics’ thrilling Bounty Hunter series; and get the Max Rebo Band back together to remember their heady days on the set of Return of the Jedi as the biggest musical act in the galaxy.
We also begin a two-part retrospective of The Bad Batch with the creative team behind its three-season run, and speak to the showrunner and writers of Young Jedi Adventures. Plus, the Adrens board a derelict Nihil ship in an all-new and exclusive The High Republic short story from Lydia Kang!
Included in issue #224:
JAKE LUNT DAVIES INTERVIEW The talented Star Wars creature concept designer – and illustrator of our exclusive The High Republic short fiction – talks about his process and his work on the movies and TV series.
WHO’S THE BOSS? What does it take to rule a galaxy? Insider looks at the most powerful – and divisive – figures in galactic history.
BEHIND THE BAD BATCH As the series enters its third and final season, Insider speaks with the makers of the hit Disney+ show in the first half of an in-depth two-part interview.
ETHAN SACKS INTERVIEW The writer of Marvel Comics’ Bounty Hunters series on creating stories for the galaxy’s scum and villains.
“HIT IT, MAX!” Insider speaks to the puppeteers and performers who brought the Max Rebo band to life.
YOUNGLINGS IN TRAINING The creative team of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures talk about the animated series.
THE HIGH REPUBLIC EXCLUSIVE FICTION The Adrens board a derelict Nihil ship in “Survivors” by Lydia Kang.
Marvel has released their solicitation information for Star Wars books available in July of 2023. There seems to be no stopping the Star Wars train at the “House of Ideas” as there are nine books and two graphic novels in July, with plenty of variant covers to keep collectors searching various comic stores. Remember, the Dark Droids stuff starts this month as well!
Star Wars #36
CHARLES SOULE (W) • ANDREA DI VITO (A) • COVER BY STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE
Classic Trade Dress Variant Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Variant Cover by LEE GARBETT
DISASTER LOOMS FOR THE REBEL ALLIANCE!
• With the discovery that the Empire is building a second DEATH STAR, the Rebels are on the verge of despair.
• But LEIA ORGANA has devised an impossible mission to remind both the Rebels and the galaxy how to hope.
• It’s the FALCON’s time to shine, as the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy flies into the belly of the beast!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
On Sale July 5
STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #36
ETHAN SACKS (W) • LAN MEDINA (A) • Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE
Classic Trade Dress Variant Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Boba Fett & Death Stick Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
BOBA FETT: MARKED FOR DEATH!
• THE BLACK SUN SYNDICATE wants BOBA FETT’S HEAD!
• But the new team of BOUNTY HUNTERS has something to say about that!
CHARLES SOULE (W) • LUKE ROSS (A) • Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
VARIANT COVER BY JIM CHEUNG
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
SCOURGED VARIANT COVER BY RACHAEL STOTT
FOIL VARIANT COVER BY GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
“SCOURGE OF THE DROIDS!“ A STAR WARS EPIC LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!
• Who or what is THE SCOURGE, and why is no droid safe?
• As a corruption spreads from one droid to the next THE REBELLION and THE EMPIRE face chaos!
• What role does AJAX SIGMA play in all of this? And whose side is he on?
• Find out when horror comes to a galaxy far, far away!
Charles Soule continues his legendary run on STAR WARS with the most ambitious event in STAR WARS comics history! Joined by his WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS collaborator Luke Ross, the superstar team carves a new path for the future!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
ON SALE IN AUGUST!
Star Wars: Darth Vader #36
GREG PAK (W) • RAFFAELE IENCO (A) • Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE
Classic Trade Dress Variant Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Variant Cover by Luciano Vecchio
DEATH BY DROID!
• With his Force powers still out of control, Darth Vader’s more powerful and vulnerable than ever before…
• Which makes this the perfect time for him to be BETRAYED by one of his most trusted associates (and astoundingly, it’s not APHRA or OCHI)!
• Featuring the return of TRIPLE-ZERO and BEE TEE – and the deadliest team up of droids Vader has ever faced!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
On Sale July 12
Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White and Red #4
JASON AARON, STEVE ORLANDO, FRANK TIERI (W)
LEONARD KIRK, PAUL DAVIDSON, DANNY EARLS (A)
COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE
VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL
VARIANT COVER BY KEVIN EASTMAN
TRAPPED ON THE FROZEN PLANET HOTH!
• FRANK TIERI sends VADER to HOTH.
• STEVE ORLANDO goes cerebral with THE CORRUPTION OF DARTH VADER’S MIND!
• PLUS: The Final Chapter of JASON AARON & LEONARD KIRK’s dark tales!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
On Sale July 26
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #34
ALYSSA WONG (W) • MINKYU JUNG (A)
COVER BY JUNGGEUN YOON
Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE
Classic Trade Dress Variant
Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Variant Cover by KYLE HOTZ
ENTER THE STARWEIRD!
• Long ago, Jedi Masters SHAAK TI and AAYLA SECURA sealed away a GREAT AND TERRIBLE POWER…
• …a horrifying, ancient creature that RESONATES WITH THE FORCE…
• …and DOCTOR APHRA and LUKE SKYWALKER have just released it!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
On Sale July 19
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #2
RODNEY BARNES (W) • STEVEN CUMMINGS (A) • Cover by DIKE RUAN
Variant Cover by CASPAR WIJNGAARD • Variant Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Concept Art Variant Cover Also Available
THE PASSENGER!
• The Mandalorian must ferry a passenger with precious cargo on a dangerous journey.
• STEVEN CUMMINGS (CRIMSON REIGN, HIDDEN EMPIRE) joins RODNEY BARNES for issue #2 of this galaxy-spanning series!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
On Sale July 26
Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi – Rebellion #1
ALEX SEGURA (W) • MATT HORAK (A)
Cover by RYAN BROWN
CONNECTING VARIANT COVER
BY LEE GARBETT
VARIANT COVER BY ROD REIS
VARIANT COVER BY TERRY DODSON
VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWN
MON MOTHMA MUST DIE!
• ADMIRAL ACKBAR is the only one with the knowledge of THE EMPIRE’s plans to kill Mon Mothma.
• Enter POE DAMERON’s parents, SHARA BEY and KES DAMERON, to thwart the threat!
• But do they have what it takes to take down the unknown assassin in time?
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$4.99
On Sale July 19
Star Wars: Yoda #9
MARC GUGGENHEIM (W)
ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO (A)
Cover by PHIL NOTO
Variant Cover by LEE GARBETT
Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
WELL, HELLO THERE…
• The MEGADROID is on the march! And only Jedi Master YODA and ANAKIN SKYWALKER can stop it.
•But what is the lesson Yoda is trying to impart on young Skywalker?
•Guest-starring: OBI-WAN KENOBI!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
On Sale July 5
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC PHASE II VOL. 2 – BATTLE FOR THE FORCE TPB
Written by CAVAN SCOTT
Penciled by ARIO ANINDITO & ANDREA BROCCARDO
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
The battle of Jedha continues! As Tey Sirrek defends the Temple of the Kyber, Vildar Mac is buried alive — with only his belief in the Force to keep him alive. But Vildar is a Jedi beset by doubts, scarred by a past he should’ve forgotten years ago. Who can come to his aid as the Holy City tears itself apart? Vildar, Tey and Matthea Cathley are forced into a corner, with enemies closing in all around, and a secret of the hidden Jedi vault is revealed. As one Jedi lies dying in Jedha’s frozen desert, another is missing. And all the time, the Leveler waits in the shadows, desperate to feed! Can Vildar resist the lure of the dark side? Or must he become what he fears the most to survive! Collecting STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (2022) #6-10.
120 PGS./Rated T …$15.99
ISBN: 978-1-302-94703-3
Trim size: 6-5/8 x 10-3/16
STAR WARS LEGENDS: THE REBELLION OMNIBUS VOL. 2
Written by LOUISE SIMONSON, RON MARZ, JEREMY BARLOW, SCOTT ALLIE, JOHN JACKSON MILLER, RANDY STRADLEY, ROB WILLIAMS, BRANDON BADEAUX, JOHN WAGNER, TERRY AUSTIN, BRIAN AUGUSTYN & MORE
Penciled by JUNE BRIGMAN, ADRIANA MELO, JOE CORRONEY, MICHEL LACOMBE, BRIAN CHING,
DAVIDE FABBRI, BRANDON BADEAUX, COLIN WILSON, DUSTIN WEAVER, FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO,
CARLOS EZQUERRA, CHRIS SPROUSE, CHRIS BRUNNER & PACO MEDINA
Covers by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS & JOE CORRONEY
Months after the Death Star’s destruction, the Rebel Alliance continues the fight to dismantle the Empire — if they can stay alive! As Darth Vader closes in on the rebels, an old friend of Luke’s is the only one who can stop an Imperial victory — but which side will he choose? Boba Fett takes on a series of deadly assignments — including a seemingly impossible mission — to prove he’s still the best game in town! Luke and Leia are faced with dangerous missions of their own — with Vader himself in pursuit! In these dangerous times, can they trust anyone besides one another? Witness the stories that shaped the Rebellion! Collecting STAR WARS: RIVER OF CHAOS #1-4, STAR WARS: EMPIRE #28-40, STAR WARS: REBELLION #1-16, STAR WARS: BOBA FETT — OVERKILL, STAR WARS: BOBA FETT #1/2 and STAR WARS: SPLINTER OF THE MIND’S EYE #1-4 — plus material from STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC/REBELLION #0; and STAR WARS TALES #3, #15, #17 and #21.
Marvel has released a 6-page Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #24 preview. Check out a short synopsis and several pages from the book that hits stores in March!
Beilert Valance and his team try to thwart an assassin on a job for the Empire.
Writer: Ethan Sacks Art: Paolo Villanelli Cover Artists: Giuseppe Camuncoli Price: $3.99 Release Date: June 15, 2022
Dengar is leading T’onga’s bounty hunter crew on a desperate attempt to break into the Crimson Dawn’s stronghold – and he’s also leading them into a trap!
Meanwhile, Valance has found new purpose as Darth Vader’s secret weapon. But how far will he be willing to go to protect an Imperial officer from assassins?
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.
Marvel has released a 5-page Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #22 preview. Check out a short synopsis and several pages from the book that hits stores in March!
Writer: Ethan Sacks Art: Paolo Villanelli Cover Artists: Giuseppe Camuncoli Price: $3.99 Release Date: April 06, 2022
Besieged by an entire syndicate of killers, T’ONGA, BOSSK, TASU LEECH, ZUCKUSS, 4LOM and LOSHA have no choice but to fight their way out through the streets.
But will all of the crew make it out of CORONET CITY alive?
Meanwhile, DENGAR strikes…and the Underworld may never be the same!
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.
Marvel has released a 6-page Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #21 preview. Check out a short synopsis and several pages from the book that hits stores in March!
T’ONGA’S BOUNTY HUNTERS FACE THEIR DEADLIEST MISSION YET!
Writer: Ethan Sacks Art: Paolo Villanelli Cover Artists: Giuseppe Camuncoli Price: $3.99 Release Date: March 30, 2022
T’ONGA, BOSSK, TASU LEECH, ZUCKUSS, 4-LOM and LOSHA are plotto kidnap the leader of a major crime syndicate.
But is the crew walking into a trap?
And what is the diabolical DENGAR planning that could jeopardize everything?
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.
Marvel has released a 5-page Star Wars: Halcyon Legacy #2 preview. Check out a short synopsis and several pages from the book that hits stores in March!
with some help from the changing face of Zam Wesell, the bounty hunter takes a job as private security for a gambler in debt to the Hutts on the legendary vessel…
Writer: Ethan Sacks Art: Will Sliney Cover Artists: E.M. Gist Price: $3.99 Release Date: March 16, 2022
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.
The newest chapter of the Star Wars saga begins this April!
New York, NY—January 22, 2019—A new chapter of Star Wars is coming! This April, Marvel invites you to join writer Ethan Sacks (Old Man Hawkeye) and artist Will Sliney for the thrilling, epic STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE #1, the riveting comic adventure tie-in to the themed land!
Black Spire Outpost has long been frequented by smugglers, merchants and travelers from every corner of the galaxy looking to make their score on the infamous black market – or experience the exotic thrills only the remote world of Batuu has to offer. It’s a place where beings thrive on unique opportunities of the lawless outpost at the edge of space – but the First Order threatens their livelihood…
“For me personally, this is a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream that started back when I was 4 years old watching the opening crawl for the first time at the Astor Plaza in Times Square during the summer of 1977,” said Sacks. “This new adventure, set in the wondrous – and dangerous – Black Spire Outpost, will have profound consequences for the Star Wars universe, and fans will be excited to see this story span through the eras and bring together some all-time favorite characters, including Han Solo and Chewbacca!”
“Black Spire Outpost is a place of endless intrigue and adventure, and what’s uniquely exciting about the Star Warsuniverse is that we are able to bring these stories to life across multiple platforms including comic books, novels, games and the immersive experiences we are building in our theme parks,” said Scott Trowbridge, creative executive for the Star Wars portfolio from Walt Disney Imagineering. “Working together with Lucasfilm, we are able to integrate back stories, introduce new characters, as well as reveal previously untold stories about fan-favorite characters and their history with the planet Batuu and its colorful inhabitants.”
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the all-new 14-acre lands, will open at Disneyland Resort in Summer 2019 and at Walt Disney World Resort in Fall 2019.
Don’t miss an exhilarating journey into the galaxy as STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE #1 blasts into space this April! For more information, visit StarWars.com.
STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE #1 (OF 5)
Written by ETHAN SACKS
Art by WILL SLINEY
Cover by ROD REIS (issue #1)
STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE #1
About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
