‘Star Wars’ October 2023 Comic Preview: ‘Dark Droids’ Heats Up, The High Republic Returns, and More
Marvel’s October solicitations are here, and its Star Wars offerings continue to be dominated by Dark Droids. Beginning in just a couple of weeks, the remainder of 2023 will see the world of Star Wars comics turned on its head once more. In addition, phase 3 of the High Republic publishing initiative kicks off in November, but Lucasfilm is getting fans set a bit earlier in October. Set during the one-year gap between phases 1 and 3 is Charles Soule’s The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight, issue #1 of the miniseries will hit shelves joining the slew of Dark Droids tie-ins.
Looking at the covers for October alone, Dark Droids seems to have a lot of surprises in store as the central conflict returns to the lava planet Mustafar. As always with solicits, beware of spoilers, as they are still a few months away. Let’s dig in, beginning with the month’s debut series.
The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #1
WHO LIVED? WHO DIED? ANSWERS TO THE GREATEST CATASTROPHE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI!
• Little has been revealed about the year following the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON and the ultimate triumph of THE NIHIL…until now!
• THE JEDI COUNCIL, reeling from its losses, has recalled its JEDI KNIGHTS from across the galaxy and instituted the emergency measures.
• MASTER YODA has a plan to save the Order and the galaxy, but he must touch the dark side to achieve it…and the consequences will be grave indeed.
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi #2
MISSION: SAVE YOUNG LEIA ORGANA!
• THE INQUISITORS are on the hunt for JEDI…
• On a dangerous crime-ridden world, OBI-WAN becomes a target.
• Can Obi-Wan save PRINCESS LEIA without THE EMPIRE realizing he’s alive?
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #5
THE JEDI!
• THE MANDALORIAN journeys to a world ruled by a cruel magistrate who has made a powerful enemy.
• Featuring JEDI MASTER AHSOKA!
Moving on to October’s Dark Droids titles and tie-ins, Soule’s mainline Star Wars looks to be the first of the four ongoing series to hit the 40-issue landmark, potentially releasing two issues in the same month.
This mysterious Scourge at the center of the upcoming crossover seems to impact any character with mechanical enhancements. C-3PO appears to be central to the whole thing, which sends Darth Vader back to Mustafar to stop him. Lando’s redemption in Soule’s Star Wars doesn’t seem to be heading in the right direction and might only get worse when Lobot falls to “the Scourge side.” Beilert Valance’s bad-times journey continues in Bounty Hunters as he hunts down his friends. Finally, Doctor Aphra might find herself in the crosshairs of her former love interest, Magna Tolvan. I’m sure none of these turns will be traumatizing at all. It all begins on August 2.
Star Wars: Dark Droids #3
THE SCOURGE DESCENDS ON MUSTAFAR! — A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• For the evil intelligence taking over droids across the galaxy, there is no greater prize than THE FORCE.
• And who better to steal it from than a being who is more machine than man…
• …DARTH VADER!
Star Wars: Dark Droids – D-Squad #2
THE BATTLE OF THE CIRCUITRY! R2 VS. BT! 000 VS. IG-88! — A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• ARTOO’S adventure across the galaxy to rescue his friend SEE-THREEPIO continues!
• But does Artoo need rescuing himself?
• Guest-starring 000, IG-88 and 4-LOM!
Star Wars #39
DROID DEATH TRAP! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• LANDO CALRISSIAN has finally gotten his hands on the ancient droid with the ability to save his old friend LOBOT from certain death.
• But before that can happen, they must escape JABBA THE HUTT’S PALACE on TATOOINE, which is swarming with evil droids hungry…
• …for droid blood!
Star Wars #40
DROID DISASTER! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• The worst has happened.
• LOBOT, one of the greatest heroes the REBEL ALLIANCE has ever known and close friend to semi-reformed scoundrel LANDO CALRISSIAN…is lost.
• Lando returns to the Rebels to ask for their help…
• …but can he convince them he’s not a TRAITOR?
Star Wars: Darth Vader #39
THE CRUCIBLE OF HATE – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• The DROID SCOURGE takes over one of DARTH VADER’S closest allies — and seizes one of MUSTAFAR’S greatest weapons!
• To survive, Vader must finally reclaim his control over THE FORCE by exploring his deepest hatred.
• Featuring the answer to the terrifying question: Who does Vader hate more than anyone else in the galaxy?
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #39
SCOURGE OF THE CYBORG! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• Turned into a mindless killing machine, VALANCE is out to eliminate his former crew! Do BOSSK and ZUCKUSS stand a chance?
• Can even the mighty DURGE stop him?
• And TARR KLIGSON’S SECRET PLAN is finally revealed!
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #37
THE SHIP IS ALIVE! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• DOCTOR APHRA and DOMINA TAGGE fight for their lives aboard a battleship that anticipates their every move!
• Meanwhile, MAGNA TOLVAN faces horrors that will change her forever!
Hyperspace Stories #10
Star Wars Splash Page has shared an update in regards to Hyperspace Stories #10. That update being that the solicit currently available does not reflect the final product. However, the unofficial cover is confirmed to be real and indicates the Bad Batch will return in some manner. For the time being, check out the unofficial cover and solicit below.
Jedi masters Yoda and Mace Windu escort a Republic delegation to an archaeological dig, rumored to be the site of a cache of ancient Jedi artifacts. But the lure of the Force is strong, and it’s not long before the party comes under attack by marauders intent on taking the relics for themselves, even if they have to go through two Jedi to do it!
For more on what’s coming to Star Wars comics, check out our breakdowns for August and September. The single issues listed here and more will be available to pre-order at your local comic book shop once the August catalog is released.
Source: Bleeding Cool
Nate uses his love for Star Wars and movies in general as a way to cope with the pain of being a Minnesota sports fan. When he's not at the theater, you can usually find Nate reading a comic, listening to an audiobook, or playing a Mario video game for the 1,000th time.
