SWBC: All the Star Wars books coming out the rest of the year
Plus: Star Wars shares the first excerpt from The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness.
What Star Wars books are coming out the rest of 2023?
There may only be a little over two months left of 2023, but there are still more than a dozen new Star Wars books and comics coming out through the end of the year.
So, I thought I’d highlight my most anticipated reads and list all the other novels, single-issue comics, and reference books fans are excited about.
The High Republic releases through the end of 2023
The Eye of Darkness (Nov. 14): The long-awaited first novel of The High Republic Phase 3 follows the Jedi, the Republic, and the Nihil one year after the Nihil’s destruction of Starlight Beacon. Scroll down for an excerpt from this George Mann-penned novel, which sees Elza Mann remembering the loss of his best friend Stellan Gios.
The High Republic Character Encylopedia (Dec. 5): Authors Megan Crouse and Amy Richau detail the lives and origins of more than 250 characters of The High Republic.
Shadows of Starlight #2 (Nov. 8) and #3 (Dec. 13): After an intense first issue, Shadows of Starlight continues with more stories showing what happened in the year following Starlight Beacon’s fall into Eiram’s ocean.
The High Republic #1 (Nov. 8) and #2 (Dec. 13): Writer Cavan Scott is back to helm the main run of High Republic comics, which follow surviving characters both inside and outside of the Nihil’s Outer Rim Stormwall. The first issue stars Jedi Master Keeve Trennis and (possibly) former Nihil Lourna Dee as well as non-binary twins Terec and Ceret.
The High Republic Adventures #1 (Dec. 13): Our beloved Jedi Padawans have been split up across the galaxy, and some of them, like Lula Talisola, are missing or presumed dead. While on a Republic outpost on Eriadu, Force-sensitive Zeen and Jedi Knight Qort mourn and hold onto precious little hope that they can find their friends and help the galaxy.
The High Republic Adventures (2022): Volume 2 (Dec. 5): This trade paperback collects the final four issues in Phase 2’s The High Republic Adventures series of all-ages comics. These stories have been a hit with fans of Dexter Jettster and Maz Kanata.
Graphic novels, trade paperbacks, and omnibuses
Scoundrels, Rebels and the Empire: The trade paperback of the Return of the Jedi miniseries of comics includes single-issues comics Jabba’s Palace, Ewoks, Lando, The Empire, The Rebellion, and Smugglers. (Nov. 7)
Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 8 (Nov. 14)
The Mandalorian: Season 2 Part 1 trade paperback (Nov. 21)
Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. 7 (Dec. 5)
Yoda trade paperback (Dec. 19)
Comics
Star Wars #40 (Nov. 1)
Hyperspace Stories #10 (Nov. 1) — This is the one with the Bad Batch!
Darth Vader #40 (Nov. 8)
Dark Droid #4 (Nov. 15)
Doctor Aphra #38 (Nov. 15)
The Mandalorian: Season 2 #6 (Nov. 15)
Return of the Jedi: The 40th Anniversary Covers by Chris Sprouse #1 (Nov. 15)
Visions: Peach Momoko #1 (Nov. 15)
Bounty Hunters #40 (Nov. 22)
Hyperspace Stories #11 (Nov. 22)
Dark Droids: D-Squad #3 (Nov. 22)
Obi-Wan Kenobi #3 (Nov. 29)
Star Wars #41 (Dec. 6)
Dark Droids: D-Squad #4 (Dec. 6)
Bounty Hunters #41 (Dec. 13)
Hyperspace Stories #12 (Dec. 13)
Darth Vader #41 (Dec. 20)
Doctor Aphra #39 (Dec. 20)
Dark Droids #5 (Dec. 27)
The Mandalorian: Season 2 #7 (Dec. 27)
Reference books
The Secrets of the Wookiees (Nov. 28): These reference guides are perfect for all ages of Star Wars fans. This one features beloved Wookiees from movies, TV shows, books, and comics as well as deep dives into the histories and lore of their home planet of Kashyyyk.
Star Wars Dawn of the Rebellion: The Visual Guide (Dec. 5): This visual reference book charts the rise of the Rebellion during the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The hardcover guide details all the most important characters, locations, weapons, vehicles, and stories of the Rebellion era seen in Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Which books and comics are you most excited to read? Let me know in the comments!
The Eye of Darkness’s first heartbreaking excerpt
“But Stellan was gone. He was one with the Force. He had been for a year. Elzar knew that his old friend had found peace. And yet his absence was still marked. Not just a hole in the Jedi’s hearts and minds, but in their leadership, too. Especially now that the Nihil had won, had shattered Starlight Beacon and subsequently annexed dozens of worlds, an entire sector of the Outer Rim, from the rest of the galaxy.”
We’re just three weeks away from the release of the first novel in The High Republic Phase 3 — The Eye of Darkness by George Mann.
Last week, StarWars.com finally shared the first excerpt from the adult novel, which hits bookstores on Nov. 14. The excerpt is from Elzar Mann’s point of view as he relives and reflects on all that’s happened — and all that he’s lost — over the year since the fall of Starlight Beacon.
Elzar has always been the more brooding and moody one of the three Jedi Firebrands — him, Stellan Gios, and Avar Kriss. But the loss of Stellan in a heroic feat to save countless lives as Starlight Beacon fell, and Avar’s journey behind the Nihil’s Stormwall, has pushed Elzar to his own limits of Jedi hopefulness and peace.
“Everything that had come afterward was now partly his fault. He had to make amends, to try to embody even a tiny sliver of the good that Stellan had gifted to the galaxy. To somehow try to fill the hole that Stellan had left behind. He’d told Avar all of this, the words spilling from his mouth on the shores of Eiram.
Avar had said all the right things, of course. All the platitudes and reassurances, repeating all the tenets of the Force and the reminders that everything happened for a reason, that he wasn’t to blame. That only the Nihil carried that weight upon their shoulders. She’d shown him all the mercy and understanding for which he’d hoped.
And yet . . . Elzar couldn’t help but wonder if it had also been part of the reason she’d gone, accepting a mission to try to get closer to the Nihil, to discover their intentions in the aftermath of their victory. Intentions that none of them could have anticipated.”
Read the full excerpt at StarWars.com.
Currently reading: I’m about 25% into my digital ARC of The Eye of Darkness, and it’s safe to say most of the Jedi in this book are at their lowest. The fall of Starlight Beacon wasn’t just a blow for the Jedi Order and the Republic, it was a horrific act of terrorism that much of the galaxy struggles to understand why.
But with Eye of the Nihl Marchion Ro on the cover, it’s clear we’re getting more of his perspectives than we have in any other High Republic book so far.
And don’t worry, the embargo for reviews of this book is still on until Nov. 1. So, you don’t have to worry about any spoilers from me.
Dark Horse shares character lineup for new Hyperspace Stories graphic novels
During New York Comic Con earlier this month, Star Wars announced that Dark Horse Comics’ Hyperspace Stories series would soon launch a new line of graphic novels focusing on specific characters.
The first two announced were Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, with the Qui-Gon collection arriving in April 2024 ahead of The Phantom Menace’s 25th anniversary.
Then earlier this week, Dark Horse and Lucasfilm Publishing revealed more details about the graphic novels as well as all the Star Wars characters who would be featured.
Besides Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, there will be graphic novels for…
Mace Windu
General Grievous
Darth Vader
Luke Skywalker
Princess Leia
Rey
Kylo Ren
George Mann has been tapped to write Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories — Qui-Gon with art by Andrea Mutti and Gigi Baldassini and a cover from Michael Cho.
In a press release from Dark Horse, Mann said he was “thrilled” to finally be able to write Qui-Gon.
"He's such an icon of the Prequel era, and it's a real joy to be able to add to his story,” Mann said. “Expect everything from lightsaber battles to creepy investigations, from dark side sects to familiar faces, as we check in on Qui-Gon at three pivotal moments in his life, venturing to the streets of Jedha as a Padawan, to the distant world of Cerosha as a lonesome Jedi Knight, and deep into the wreck of an ancient spaceship as a Jedi Master. Count Dooku! Young Obi-Wan! It's all here! Plus, of course, the most gorgeous art from Andrea and Gigi."
Hyperspace Stories — Qui-Gon is an 80-page original graphic novel set in standard comic size. It arrives in bookstores on April 23, 2024, and in local comic shops on April 24, 2024.
Dark Horse said more Hyperspace Stories graphic novels and release dates will be announced soon.
In the meantime, you can grab single issues of the current run of Hyperspace Stories at your local comic shop or digitally. These all-ages comics are like bonus chapters for some of the most beloved characters in Star Wars — from Rey Skywalker and Chewbacca to Quinlan Vos and the original Bad Batch Clone Force 99.
ICYMI: Star Wars book recs for Halloween and fall
Halloween may be only a week away, but there’s still plenty of time to curl up with a spooky or cozy Star Wars book.
Earlier this month, I shared a guide to more than a dozen Star Wars books and series that are perfect for the fall season — whether you’re looking for something dark and scary, slightly spooky, or just plain cozy.
If you’re trying to squeeze in as many Halloween reads as you can before the holiday, I highly recommend the audiobooks of Death Troopers and Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. Both the Galaxy of Fear books and Dark Legends are also quick but still fun, spooky reads.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Oct. 24
The Essential Legends Collection:
The Old Republic: Annihilation
Republic Commando: True Colors
The Courtship of Princess Leia
I, Jedi
Oct. 25
Dark Droids: D-Squad #2
Doctor Aphra #37
