‘Star Wars’ January 2024 Comic Preview: Luke Prepares to Face Vader Again, ‘Bounty Hunters’ Finale, and More
If you think it seems too early to talk about next year’s Star Wars comics already, the powers that be at Lucasfilm aren’t listening. This past week at New York Comic Con saw the announcement of three new comics, one of which begins in January. Author Timothy Zahn teams with Jody Houser to adapt Zahn’s Thrawn: Alliances novel to the comic medium. Elsewhere, it’s our first look into a post-Dark Droids galaxy. The road to Return of the Jedi heats up for the mainline Marvel series as Luke prepares for the inevitable rematch with his father. We’ll also be losing a mainstay in Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters. All of that, The High Republic, Visions, and more in this month’s January 2024 comics preview.
Furthermore, as a small update, Marvel has released new details on the upcoming Mace Windu and Jango Fett miniseries, which you will be able to find at the end of this article.
Depending on your local shop, you still might be able to order comics for the rest of 2023 and get them within a reasonable timeframe. For a refresher on what’s coming from Star Wars, you can visit here. Check with your local shop on which options they have available (or you can be boring and choose digital). Now onto your feature presentation, ordered by tentative release dates. As a reminder, the very nature of comic solicitations is spoiler-filled, so be aware before going forward.
Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 (available January 3)
TAKASHI OKAZAKI RETURNS TO THE WORLD OF THE RONIN ONCE MORE!
• We’ve seen THE RONIN as a Sith slayer…but who was the Ronin before?
• See the early history of THE RONIN and his SITH origins in this one-of-a-kind VISIONS Special!
• Featuring THE RONIN from the first season of the hit Disney+ series, STAR WARS: VISIONS!
Darth Vader #42 (available January 3)
THE RISE OF THE SCHISM IMPERIAL!
• In the wake of DARK DROIDS, DARTH VADER explores his powers and takes on the most dangerous team of rebel heroes he’s ever faced!
• Meanwhile, the greatest threat to the EMPEROR’S rule is rising – from within THE EMPIRE itself! Will the DARK LORD OF THE SITH destroy it – or join it?
• Featuring the comic-book debut of ENRIC PRYDE from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!
The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #4 (available January 3)
MARCHION RO WINS!
The final glimpse of the lost year of THE HIGH REPUBLIC is revealed, as we follow the EYE OF THE STORM himself, MARCHION RO, from his greatest triumph – the destruction of the JEDI fortress known as STARLIGHT BEACON – to the many trials that came after!
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #8 (available January 10)
THE RESCUE!
• The MANDALORIAN and his allies attempt a daring rescue.
• MOFF GIDEON unleashes the DARK TROOPERS while the fate of GROGU hangs in the balance!
• Guest-starring an UNEXPECTED JEDI!
Star Wars #42 (available January 10)
SITH RISING!
• LUKE SKYWALKER knows his destiny is leading him toward a confrontation with DARTH VADER.
• But Vader is a Dark Lord of THE SITH, and Luke is barely even a JEDI.
• To have any chance at survival, he must find a way to train himself in the battle techniques he will soon face. He must find…ANOTHER SITH!
Bounty Hunters #42 (available January 17)
THE EXPLOSIVE END OF THE SAGA!
• VALANCE THE BOUNTY HUNTER has one final mission to complete…and it may indeed be his LAST!
• Can he and the crew fight their way past BOBA FETT…and JABBA’s SECRET WEAPON?
• The GRAND FINALE of the series that’s four years in the making!
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi #4 (available January 17)
OBI-WAN PLOTS A DARING MISSION INTO ENEMY TERRITORY!
• OBI-WAN and TALA must evade the INQUISITORS to rescue LEIA!
• Meanwhile, THIRD SISTER and the other INQUISITORS try to impress DARTH VADER by being the one to finally capture OBI-WAN!
The High Repblic Phase III #3 (available January 17)
THE TAKING OF THE ATARAXIA!
• LOURNA DEE’s treachery has been revealed!
• But can she escape as the REPUBLIC DEFENSE COALITION combines forces with an unlikely ally?
• JEDI MASTER KEEVE TRENNIS must board a ship she thought was lost, but is anyone prepared for the extent of Lourna’s ruthlessness?
• INNOCENT LIVES hang in the balance as Keeve makes a monumental decision!
The High Republic Adventures Phase III #2 (available January 17)
An angry mob of impoverished and destitute refugees have incited a fierce riot outside the mighty fortress on Bracrontas Zeen, Qort, and 5A-G3 infiltrate the stronghold to face the mysterious warlord Tartak, who may hold the key to finding more survivors of the Fall of Starlight Beacon. But the trio of heroes are sure to find more than they bargained for, as they try to piece together the events of the past year. Could any of their friends have survived the tragedy?
Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances #1 (available January 24)
RETURN TO THE SAGA OF THRAWN WITH THE COMIC-BOOK ADAPTATION OF THRAWN: ALLIANCES!
• TIMOTHY ZAHN teams with STAR WARS veteran JODY HOUSER to bring THRAWN: ALLIANCES to the pages of comic books!
• Watch as ANDREA DI VITO & PAT OLLIFFE bring the action to life showcasing the tactical prowess of the galaxy’s most dangerous mind!
Doctor Aphra #40 (available January 31)
NIGHT AS DAY!
• The TAGGE FLEET burns. The GALAXY reels.
• DOCTOR APHRA is alone.
• But as she explores an ancient ruin on a desolate planet, Aphra may find the answers she’s been hunting for her entire life.
• Is this the end for DOCTOR APHRA?!
That wraps it up for January. Elsewhere, if you’ve been following the comics game for any length of time, you know release dates are very subject to change. For example, even Mace Windu, a series just announced for January at NYCC, will now be released on February 7, 2024. Marvel came through with an early tease, which you can read below:
In February, one the greatest Jedi must stop an incendiary secret from falling into the wrong hands in STAR WARS: MACE WINDU, a new limited series written by Marc Bernardin and drawn by Georges Jeanty. Even in the years before the Clone Wars, Mace Windu was known for his discipline, determination, and combat skills. When a scientist’s discovery threatens the balance of the galaxy, Mace is led down a treacherous path of mystery and action. The series will also introduce Azita Cruuz, a pirate with a deadly secret, who the Hutts and the Republic will stop at nothing to control!
Marvel also shared some more details on the series on Ethan Sacks’ Jango Fett, now with a release date of March 20.
Come March, Ethan Sacks will continue to deliver action-packed storytelling set in Star Wars’ criminal underworld in STAR WARS: JANGO FETT. Alongside STAR WARS veteran artist Luke Ross, Sacks continues the legacy of one of the greatest bounty hunters: JANGO FETT! A bounty to find! A mystery to solve! A treaty at risk! All this plus Aurra Sing in the mix! Be there for Jango Fett’s brand-new mission!
All of the January single issues and more will be available for pre-order at your local comic book shop once the November catalog is released.
Source: Bleeding Cool & DarkHorse.com
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.
