‘Star Wars’ December 2023 Comic Preview: The ‘Dark Droids’ Finale, ‘The High Republic’ Phase 3, and More
The last few solicits for Star Wars comics in 2023 are here. StarWars.com has provided a sneak peak into what’s to come in December, including what looks to be a finale for the ages for the ongoing Dark Droids crossover, the ramping up of the High Republic’s Phase 3 entries, and much more.
Before we dive in, comic solicitations are released so far in advance so local comic book shops can get an idea of what they need to order for their customer base. Of course, they also serve as a good tool for readers to know what’s new and exciting in the world of not just Star Wars comics, but from every publisher. Their very nature is spoilers so be aware before going forward.
Depending on your local shop, you still might be able to order comics for October and get them in time. For a refresher on what’s coming from Star Wars, you can visit here. In contrast, there should still be time to get orders in for November, but act fast. Here’s a quick breakdown of everything coming in November 2023:
- Star Wars #40, November 1st
- Hyperspace Stories #10, November 1st
- Darth Vader #40, November 8th
- The High Republic #1 [Phase III], November 8th
- The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #2, November 8th
- Dark Droids #4, November 15
- Doctor Aphra #38, November 15
- The Mandalorian Season 2 #6, November 15
- Visions: Peach Momoko #1, November 15
- Bounty Hunters #40, November 22
- Dark Droids: D-Squad #3, November 22
- Hyperspace Stories #11, November 22
- Obi-Wan Kenobi #3, November 29
Check with your local shop on which options they have available (or you can be boring and choose digital). Now onto what is on the horizon in Star Wars comics in December, beginning with the High Republic.
The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #3
• Many JEDI KNIGHTS were lost in the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON, and many lost their way after the disaster.
• BELL ZETTIFAR did not.
• With his trusty charhound EMBER at his side, Bell will battle to rid the galaxy of the villainous NIHIL…and they won’t be alone.
• Learn who survived the FALL OF STARLIGHT!
The High Republic #2 [Phase III]
AT THE MERCY OF THE HUTTS!
• KEEVE TRENNIS captured! THE NIHIL allying themselves with THE HUTTS! An old foe returned!
• Lines are drawn as past missions come back to haunt the JEDI of STARLIGHT BEACON!
• And all the while, a deadly hunter stalks the battlefield. But who…or what…is THE CHILD OF THE STORM?
The High Republic Adventures #1 [Phase III]
From DarkHorse.com:
“Are you here to help us overthrow the Nihil?”
It has been one year since the fall of Starlight. Padawan Lula Talisola and many others are missing and presumed dead. At the Almohaj Cantina, a Republican Outpost on the planet of Eriadu, Zeen mourns…and waits. When an intriguing transmission is received from Tartak Vil, a warlord on the remote moon of Bracront, Zeen, Qort, and a void-contemplating droid named 5A-G3 must venture once more into hyperspace to repair their fractured team and, perhaps, the galaxy.
Star Wars #41
From Bleeding Cool:
With the final mission to rescue LOBOT from the terrors of THE SCOURGE underway, galactic ne’er-do-well LANDO CALRISSIAN must finally reckon with the sins of his past.
Will he be the SCOUNDREL he’s always been or the HERO he could be?
Doctor Aphra #39
ABOVE ALL! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• The SCOURGE sets its sights on TAGGE CORPORATION…and DOMINA TAGGE!
• As the ACQUISITOR falls from the sky, DOCTOR APHRA fights for survival…
• …against an entity that threatens to consume everything she loves! (Including herself!)
Bounty Hunters #41
A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• T’ONGA and ZUCKUSS have been BETRAYED…and CAPTURED!
• A mindwiped VALANCE has terrifying plans for his former crewmates.
Darth Vader #41
MORE MACHINE THAN MAN! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• DARTH VADER has been taken over by THE SCOURGE!
• Or has THE SCOURGE been taken over by DARTH VADER?
Dark Droids #5
THE TERRIFYING CONCLUSION OF THE BIGGEST STAR WARS COMIC EVENT OF THE YEAR!
• The final triumph of THE SCOURGE!
• How can THE REBELLION & THE EMPIRE combat such a threat?
• UNLIKELY ALLIES join forces to fight the greater evil invading the galaxy!
• And what is the final fate of warrior droid Ajax Sigma?
Dark Droids: D-Squad #4
From Bleeding Cool:
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT D-SQUAD! – A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN!
• The D-SQUAD’s mission takes them into the palace of JABBA THE HUTT!
• R2-D2 and QT-KT take on the malevolent torture droid EV-9D9!
• This issue ties directly into DARK DROIDS! Not to be missed!
If you’re still with us and not suffering from information overload, let’s look even further into previewing 2024. Announced earlier this week, December’s edition of Star Wars: Revelations will set the stage for Marvel’s offerings in the coming year.
Star Wars: Revelations #1
SALVADOR LARROCA, WILL SLINEY, MARIKA CRESTA, IBRAIM ROBERSON & MORE! (A) Cover by ROD REIS
FROM THE HIGH REPUBLIC TO THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY AND BEYOND!
• JABBA THE HUTT! DARTH VADER! MACE WINDU! KEEVE TRENNIS, THRAWN AND MORE!
• Introducing new characters, new twists and new turns across all of Marvel’s STAR WARS line!
• This star-studded issue puts the pieces on the board for what’s to come in a galaxy far, far away!
December brings with it a new entry into The Mandalorian. As of now, the next issue of Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t slated for the final month of the year.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #7
THE BELIEVER!
• To move against THE EMPIRE, THE MANDALORIAN needs the help of an old enemy.
• The stage is set with BOBA FETT and FENNEC SHAND as MIGS MAYFELD returns!
Lastly, the final issue of Dark Horse’s Hyperspace Stories. The publisher also released solicits for its January 2024 issues, including The High Republic Adventures #2. We will include that in our full January preview, but if you want a sneak peak, you can visit here.
Hyperspace Stories #12
The Battle of Endor as you’ve never seen it before! It could be the Rebel Alliance’s moment of triumph, or the hour of their final destruction! The heroes of the Rebellion race to destroy the Emperor’s second Death Star, but for engineer Evans Basch, it’s a race just to survive! Assigned a key role in the rebel fleet, it’ll take all of Basch’s skill, and a dash or two of luck, to keep his ships in one piece. May the Force be with him! The action comes to an epic conclusion at the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi!
All of these single issues and more will available for pre-order at your local comic book shop once the October catalog is released.
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.
