Black History Month Alternate Covers for ‘Star Wars’ Comics Revealed
Acclaimed cover artist for Marvel’s limited Wakanda comic series, Mateus Manhanini, collaborated with Marvel and Lucasfilm to create ten new Star Wars covers in honor of Black History Month in the US. The covers feature prominent Black characters fans will recognize, such as Lando Calrissian, Finn, The High Republic‘s Oliviah Zeveron, and The Mandalorian‘s Greef Karga, to name a few. They have chosen to release seven of the covers now, with all ten releasing throughout Black History Month in February.
Manhanini is known for his vibrant use of color and expressive forms, and these covers are no different. Each cover is a stunning and detailed character study depicting each character in front of a location that is meaningful to them in their story. For example, Greef Karga is shown in front of Nevarro. Manhanini and Lucasfilm have also chosen to highlight lesser-known characters, such as Phel Starros, brother of Sana Starros, the main character of new comic miniseries Star Wars: Sana Starros, written by Justina Ireland and releasing on February 1.
In an interview with StarWars.com about the upcoming “special release” covers and the importance of representation, Manhanini said:
“Making these covers was an honor, something I could never have imagined I would do! I felt a great responsibility to represent these characters but I transformed this challenge into a thirst to do my best.
A lot is still discussed about Black representation in the industry and in stories of all media, especially in the science fiction genre. We humans, throughout our existence, we tell stories: that tell us what is right and what is wrong, that empower us, that create legends and cultures, that connect us with other people, that create gods and create monsters and help us deal with our own monsters. Stories feed the soul and increase our hope for a better and promising future, especially for us Black people who live under the effects of a racist structure, and science fiction is perfect for this because it is the genre that sets out to think and experiment with new horizons. So it is extremely valuable to have stories that tell about our life experiences and perspectives, and great works that include us and don’t treat us as mere supporting characters, be it in books, movies, or games.
I hope that these covers manage to remember and reaffirm the presence of these Black characters within the Star Wars universe and about the importance of their stories being told. The more diversity we have, the more richness, power, and solidity this universe will have, and this will influence the life and experience of many readers.”
Check out all seven covers below:
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
