SWBC: 'The Clone Wars' 15th anniversary comic covers
Plus: Phase 3 updates to The High Republic reading guides
The Clone Wars gets variant covers for its 15th anniversary
The Clone Wars animated television series celebrates 15 years since its premiere on Oct. 3, 2023. To celebrate some of the most beloved and iconic characters, Marvel and Lucasfilm are coming out with more than a dozen variant comic covers over the next few months.
There are covers with Generals Kenobi and Skywalker, of course, as well as stunning art of Ahsoka Tano with Morai. There are also covers with Asajj Ventress, Maul, and Cad Bane. And clone trooper fans will fall in love with the covers for Commander Cody and Captain Rex.
Below is a list of all the variant comics announced so far along with their release dates. As always, comic release dates are subject to change.
Aug. 9
Star Wars #37 — General Kenobi
Aug. 16
Darth Vader #37 — General Skywalker
Aug. 13
Doctor Aphra #35 — Asajj Ventress
Aug. 30
Bounty Hunters #37 — Aura Sing
Sept. 6
Star Wars #38 — Commander Cody
Sept. 13
Darth Vader #38 — Padme Amidala
Sept. 20
Bounty Hunters #38 — Cade Bane
Sept. 27
Doctor Aphra #36 — Ahsoka Tano
Oct. 4
Darth Vader #39 — Hondo Ohnaka
Bounty Hunters #39 — Captain Rex
Oct. 18
Star Wars #39 — Rotta the Hutt
Oct. 25
Doctor Aphra #37 — Maul
Which covers are you most excited about? What other characters from The Clone Wars would you like to see spotlighted? Let me know in the comments!
Updated: The High Republic reading guides
With Phase 3 fast approaching, it’s time to update my High Republic reading guides — specifically, the timeline guide and reading order.
The High Republic timeline: All the books and comics in chronological order
The timeline guide is my most detailed and includes all of the books and comics in chronological order by date. It also features major events during The High Republic, from the start of the war between Eiram and E’ronoh and the Hyperspace Rush to when Marchion Ro becomes Eye of the Nihil and the Republic Fair on Valo.
Updates to this guide include a list of Phase 3 books and comics in release order (likely also chronological order) and a new synopsis for The Eye of Darkness — the first book in the phase.
The timeline guide is for paid subscribers only, so now is a great time to lend your support. It takes quite a bit of time to compile and write this newsletter every week, and I appreciate any and all support I can get!
How to read The High Republic — available to all subscribers
This one’s self-explanatory — a recommended reading order for The High Republic along with answers to your FAQs.
This one includes how I’ve read and continue to read The High Republic books and comics, links to reviews, and my thoughts on reading ALL of it — adult books, YA, and middle-grade novels.
Updates to this guide include details about Phase 3 — release dates for the first wave of books and comics. Because Phase 3 is being spread out a lot more than previous phases, the recommended reading order is also going to be the release order.
Both guides have updated details about Tales of Light and Life, which arrives on Sept. 5.
I and other High Republic reviewers recommend waiting to read Tales of Light and Life until you’re fully caught up with Phases 1 and 2’s books. The anthology of short stories contains major spoilers for both phases.
I’m currently reading a review copy of Tales of Light and Life, so my review will arrive on release day.
Where are you in your High Republic reading journey? What are you most looking forward to next? Let me know in the comments!
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Aug. 9
Return of the Jedi: Max Rebo #1
Star Wars #37
Currently reading
From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi: A collection of 40 short stories by 40 different authors celebrating the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi. Read about the events of ROTJ from different perspectives — from Max Rebo and the rancor caretaker to the Sarlacc, plenty of Ewoks, and Anakin Skywalker. Releases on Aug. 29.
Tales of Light and Life: A collection of 10 short stories featuring new and familiar perspectives on both Phases 1 and 2 of The High Republic. Releases on Sept. 5.
The Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade by Claudia Gray: A new young adult contemporary paranormal mystery starring the iconic Haunted Mansion and some of its spooky residents in New Orleans. Releases on Aug. 29.
Woven by Gold by Elizabeth Helen: Book 2 in the Beasts of the Briar series follows the main character Rosalina’s desperate journey back to the Enchanted Vale and her four cursed fae princes. A romantic and spicy twist on Beauty and the Beast with much better world-building in book 2. I’m absolutely obsessed with this series.
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson: While I’m only a few chapters in, this standalone novel set in the Cosmere is giving Your Name vibes along with romantic, thematic anime elements. I’ve had to put reading this on pause because of all the ARCs I have, but I can’t wait to pick it up again.
I'm not a comic book person, but that Max Rebo cover is pretty cool.