A ‘Star Wars’ Marvel Comics Reading Guide

In 2015, Marvel launched a new era of Star Wars comics. Mostly set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Marvel’s Star Wars #1 by Jason Aaron hit shelves on January 14, 2015. One month later, Kieron Gillen’s Darth Vader #1 joined the party, and that’s when it began. The two ongoing series would crossover and eventually spawn a cacophony of titles for years to come. As of 2024, this epic has seen well over 300 issues of diverse and often great Star Wars stories brought to life (not including the dozens of other Star Wars titles out there). These tales would be canon, filling in the gaps of the original trilogy.

So that begs the question: how is anyone supposed to know where to start knowing that’s what they’re up against? If you’ve used any reading guide before, most will say there is no correct answer. With so many titles across every time period and continuity, you should begin with what interests you most. If you have a favorite character, pick a title where they are headlined. If there is an era you want to learn more about, choose that. But if you want more guidance on that central canon saga, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran trying to understand the litany of crossover events like the recently wrapped Dark Droids, there are plenty of ways to make this particular dive into Star Wars comics the best it can be.

While there are many resources out there that cover every single Star Wars title, this particular one will be a comprehensive reading guide for the mainline series which include: Star Wars (2015 & 2020), Darth Vader (2015, 2017, & 2020), Doctor Aphra (2016 & 2020), Bounty Hunters (2020), their various crossovers like Vader Down (2015) and War of the Bounty Hunters (2021), and other related ancillary series that are worth your eye. If a series is not included in this guide, that only means it is much easier to place in a timeline.

While we’re on the topic of timelines, this guide won’t necessarily be chronological. Plenty are already out there, and certain issues read better at a certain point (often due to crossover events or surprise character appearances). If I feel strongly about reading a specific issue at a specific time, I will mark it in blue and explain. Therefore, some minor spoilers may be necessary.

Unlike most Star Wars News Net articles, this is not designed to be a “read in one sitting” type of fare. This is a living resource intended to be bookmarked for convenient return when needed and for future updates.

Before we get going, here are some organizational methods. Split into phases, each will signal a reset point where you can hypothetically jump in and not be completely lost. (You still might be so don’t shoot the messenger if you skip ahead.) Along the way, there will be notes and resources for you to make informed decisions on consuming everything. Those resources will be heavy in comics terminology, so if you aren’t familiar, here are the basics:

• Single or back issue = It’s precisely what it sounds like. A single issue is one chapter in a series. Star Wars #1, Darth Vader #7, and Doctor Aphra #31 are all single issues. They may also be referred to as a back issue, which is simply a previous issue released at any point.
• Arc = Like in other media, a bunch of single issues form a story arc. Typically, each arc is five to six issues long to fit in a single collection, but sometimes arcs can be shorter or longer.
• Miniseries = A limited series of about four to six single issues. For example, titles like Lando, Princess Leia, or Shattered Empire.
• Maxiseries = Often used interchangeably with a miniseries, but typically consists of two or three arcs. For example, Kanan: The Last Padawan and Yoda.
• Ongoing Series = Similar to a multi-season television show, an ongoing series is a long-running comic that doesn’t necessarily have a set endpoint.
• Volume = The formal name for an arc when collected.
• Trade Paperback = The market name for what a volume is collected in. Some series get hardcover releases instead of paperback.
• Omnibus = A large collection of back issues, usually in the range of 20 or more. They exist to collect an ongoing series and other relevant issues.
• One-Shot = A self-contained single issue that may or may not tie into other things.
• Annual = A one-shot a publisher may release as a way to celebrate another year of the series being on shelves.
• Year = If a year is referenced, that means the series’ first issue was released in that particular year. For example, Darth Vader (2020) #1 was released in 2020. As a result, Darth Vader (2020) #25 is still notated as such, even though that issue was released in 2022. This is to help differentiate it from Darth Vader (2017) #25, which was released in 2018, and to be able to tell which line it’s a part of.

If you prefer consuming digitally versus all of the physical hullabaloo above, Marvel Unlimited might also be a great resource for you.

Phase 1: Vader Down

Overview

The first leg of the journey picks up after A New Hope. The Rebellion continues to push their luck after destroying the Death Star while Luke seeks to learn more about the Force. Meanwhile, Darth Vader is pushed to his limits, being tested on all fronts by an Emperor who no longer has confidence in him. Making things worse is a Force-sensitive, Death Star-destroying kid Vader needs to learn more about. All of this coalesces when the dark lord finds himself as a one-man army against an Alliance who thinks they stand a chance. And maybe they do?

Because part of the relaunch gimmick was that the two main ongoing series, Star Wars and Darth Vader, would intersect, expect a lot of jumping around. The first phase encompasses Jason Aaron’s Star Wars (2015) #1-25, Kieron Gillen’s Darth Vader (2015) #1-25, and its crossover event, Vader Down. This phase also sees the introduction of comic mainstays Doctor Aphra, Sana Starros, and the deliciously evil inverses of C-3PO and R2. Murder droids Triple Zero and BT-1 come along for the ride that kicks this comic saga off.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Princess Leia: This miniseries occurs almost immediately after A New Hope. Leia is still reeling after losing her home planet, which leads her on a personal mission to find what’s left of the people of Alderaan.
• Star Wars: Han Solo: A fun miniseries with plenty of shenanigans. It’s also good if you are craving more of Han Solo’s “legendary” flying skills.
• Star Wars: Chewbacca: What happens when a Wookiee just wants to take a vacation but has to help a stranger who can’t understand him? This miniseries has the answer.
• Star Wars: Lando: Its place in the timeline is a bit fuzzy, but this miniseries is a must-read as it ties into future storytelling. And it’s just an incredibly inventive Lando adventure. Expect this title to crop back up later.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

Unless you’re a digital consumer, you’ll have a rough time finding every back issue for most of these series, so your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available.

• Star Wars (2015) #1-37 by Jason Aaron Omnibus
• Star Wars Hardcover Collections: Vol. 1 (issues #1-12) & Vol. 2 (issues #15-25)
• Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015) by Kieron Gillen Omnibus
• Darth Vader Hardcover Collections: Vol. 1 (issues #1-12) & Vol. 2 (issues #13-25)
• Star Wars: Vader Down (2015) Trade Paperback

Reading Order

Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes & Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader

• Star Wars #1-3
• Darth Vader #1
• Star Wars #4
• Darth Vader #2-4
• Star Wars #5
• Darth Vader #5-6 (There is a shared moment between each series’ sixth issues. The way it plays out from Vader’s unobstructed POV is miles more impactful, hence why you should read it first)
• Star Wars #6

From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi

• Star Wars #7 (Luke finds Obi-Wan’s journal on Tatooine. The correct play is to read this mini-Obi-Wan trilogy of issues at once. You’ll feel better about your day. It even has its special paperback, which you can find here)
• Star Wars #15
• Star Wars #20

Star Wars Vol. 2: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon & Darth Vader Vol. 2: Shadows and Secrets

• Star Wars #8
• Star Wars Annual #4 (Chronologically, this takes place earlier, but don’t read until after Sana Starros’ iconic introduction)
• Star Wars #9
• Darth Vader Annual #1 (See below)
• Star Wars #10-12
• Darth Vader #7-9
• Star Wars Annual #1 (Both the Darth Vader and Star Wars #1 annuals tie into post-Vader Down storytelling, so be sure to read them before you get to that point. This guide splices them between arcs to avoid spending too long with one specific set of characters)
• Darth Vader #10-12

Vader Down

• Vader Down #1
• Darth Vader #13
• Star Wars #13
• Darth Vader #14
• Star Wars #14
• Darth Vader #15

Star Wars Vol. 3: Rebel Jail & Darth Vader Vol. 3: The Shu-Torun War

• Darth Vader #16-17 (After Aphra’s grand failure in Vader Down, her survival becomes paramount to the rest of this phase. Begin with these and then barrel into answering how Aphra lives to fight another day)
• Star Wars #16-19
• Darth Vader #18-19

Star Wars Vol. 4: The Last Flight of the Harbinger & Darth Vader Vol. 4: End of Games

• Darth Vader #20-25
• Star Wars #21-25

Phase 2: The Doctor Aphra Takeover

Overview

After the unmitigated success of Doctor Aphra’s introduction in Darth Vader, the rogue archaeologist was rewarded with her own spinoff series. Kieron Gillen was tapped to begin the series with it soon being announced that Jason Aaron would be leaving his Star Wars duties behind. With that impending exit, Aaron rendered his final few issues of Star Wars with a melancholic feel. Gillen would take on that series (in the next phase), leaving Aphra solely in the hands of Simon Spurrier. His take on the character forged how we see her in 2024: a damaged and layered individual who would be capable of so much good if she just wasn’t so good at self-sabotaging. This is a phase of endings and new beginnings as Marvel experiments with what they want this saga to be.

The timeline becomes quite a bit easier to manage in this phase, comprising of Star Wars (2015) #26-37, Doctor Aphra (2016) #1-31, and their crossover event, Screaming Citadel (2017). There are also several annuals to consider.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017):  This phase lacks Vader, so if you need a bit of dark side fun, here’s this. Taking place immediately after Revenge of the Sith, this ongoing series takes you through Vader’s journey to fully embracing the dark side of the Force. Along the way are Clone Wars tie-ins, the birth of the Inquisitors, a life-affirming arc on Mustafar, and the birth of Vader’s Castle. Charles Soule took the Vader baton and crafted what might be the gold standard of Star Wars comics for years to come. Elements of this story will tie into stories down the line, so reading is highly recommended. And just as a Star Wars fan, you would be doing yourself a disservice not to check this out.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

Unless you are a digital consumer, you’re going to have a rough time finding every back issue for most of these series, so your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available.

• Star Wars (2015) #1-37 by Jason Aaron Omnibus
• Star Wars Hardcover Collection: Vol. 3 (issues #26-30, #33-37)
• Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016) Omnibus
• Doctor Aphra (2016) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, & Vol. 5
• Star Wars: Screaming Citadel (2017) Trade Paperback

Reading Order

Star Wars Vol. 5: Yoda’s Secret War

• Star Wars Annual #2
• Star Wars #26-30

Doctor Aphra Vol. 1: Aphra

• Doctor Aphra #1-6

Screaming Citadel

• Screaming Citadel #1
• Star Wars #31
• Doctor Aphra #7
• Star Wars #32
• Doctor Aphra #8

Star Wars #33 (A nice Screaming Citadel epilogue for Luka and Leia)

Doctor Aphra Vol. 2: Doctor Aphra and the Enormous Profit

• Doctor Aphra Annual #1
• Doctor Aphra #9-13

Star Wars Vol. 6: Out Among the Stars

• Star Wars #34-37
• Star Wars Annual #3

Doctor Aphra Vol. 3: Remastered

• Doctor Aphra #14-19

Doctor Aphra Vol. 4: The Catastrophe Con

• Doctor Aphra #20-25

Doctor Aphra Vol. 5: Worst Among Equals

• Doctor Aphra #26-31
• Doctor Aphra Annual #2

Phase 3: The Road to Episode V

Overview

By 2019, the three-year gap between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back was looking pretty full. Kieron Gillen is now in charge of the Star Wars line, and his pen breathed new life into the series. Rogue One fans will want to take special note as he kicks his run off with a harrowing return to Jedha. General Draven also has a vital role during the Rebellion’s darkest hour (Star Wars Vol. 9), all leading to the birth of Rogue Squadron and a bitter rivalry between Queen Trios of Shu-Torun and Princess Leia.

Elsewhere, Doctor Aphra is caught in the middle of everything Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire. But all else is pushed aside when she finds herself in the crosshairs of Darth Vader, a Sith Lord who thought her dead. Also joining the fray is Beilert Valance, a human-cyborg with a vendetta against Darth Vader to carry out.

The road to Episode V is fraught with peril and difficult moral choices that could change the course of the galaxy forever. War is dirty, and this phase showcases that. Encompassing it are Star Wars (2015) #38-75, Doctor Aphra (2016) #32-40, Target Vader (2019), Lando (if you haven’t already read it), and The Storms of Crait and Empire Ascendant one-shots.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017): You’ve read this series already… right?
• Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren (2019): A miniseries with a simple premise. Ben Solo is no more, and his time as Kylo Ren is now. But he must first prove himself as leader of the Knights of Ren.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

Unless you are a digital consumer, you’re going to have a rough time finding every back issue for most of these series, so your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available.

• Star Wars (2015) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10, Vol. 11, Vol. 12, & Vol. 13
• Star Wars (2015) #38-75 Omnibus (available April 24, 2024)
• Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016) Omnibus
• Doctor Aphra (2016) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 6 & Vol. 7
• Lando (2015) Trade Paperback
• Target Vader (2019) Trade Paperback

Overview

The Rebellion is scattered. Han Solo is frozen in carbonite. Luke Skywalker just discovered a horrible truth about his father. The catastrophic events of The Empire Strikes Back need no further introduction. So when Marvel relaunched their storytelling in 2020 to cover the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, there was a lot of enthusiasm. It was such a fertile ground for rich storytelling, and canon had largely left it alone up to that point. This was a big deal. And announcing four ongoing series showed that Marvel agreed. All four got off to a hot start (admittedly to varying degrees of quality), and it felt like we had something special cooking.

Lando becomes a leading player in Charles Soule’s Star Wars. While the Empire hunts down what’s left of the Alliance under the ruthless command of Tarkin’s one-time protégé, Commander Zahra, Lando leads our heroes back to Cloud City. Luke is left to search for his lightsaber, but he ultimately finds a new direction in his journey to becoming a Jedi. Elsewhere, Greg Pak’s Darth Vader shows a dark lord with a soul broken in two. Opening up the wound of Luke has brought back memories of his lost wife, which leads him on a journey to… more memories of Padmé when he’s reunited with someone close to her. The deeper Exegol-related secrets of the Emperor are also revealed as he tests Vader all over again. The man just can’t have nice things.

Aphra, once and for all free from Vader (totally 100% no chance of running into him again), has a new team and new wacky misadventures to go on. Alyssa Wong’s Doctor Aphra has shone a prolific light on the character, and it runs her right into the waiting arms of the Tagge Corporation, who wring her dry of all she’s worth. Lastly, Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters takes on the task of giving life to the now infamous line-up from The Empire Strikes Back. The underworld is about to explode, with warring crime syndicates vying for power. Beilert Valance returns for a payday, but Boba Fett is never far behind.

This phase includes the first two arcs of each series: Star Wars (2020) #1-12, Darth Vader (2020) #1-11, Doctor Aphra (2020) #1-9, and Bounty Hunters (2020) #1-11. Crossovers are minimal in this chunk of stories, so you can read however you desire. The reading order will reflect that too, so enjoy the peace while you can.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017): One last pitch. In many ways, this series makes a great companion piece to the 2020 edition of Darth Vader. When Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side, there was always a molecule of light in him. No matter what Darth Sidious did to extinguish it, that light remained. And that light was Padmé. It tortures him throughout the 2020 series, but it was first set (literally) ablaze here.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

Unless you are a digital consumer, you’re going to have a rough time finding every back issue for most of these series, so your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available. As these series are ongoing, specific collections like omnibuses might not be available at this time.

• Star Wars (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
• Darth Vader (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
• Doctor Aphra (2020) #1-25 by Alyssa Wong Omnibus
• Doctor Aphra (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
• Bounty Hunters (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Reading Order

Star Wars Vol. 1: The Destiny Path

• Star Wars #1-6

Darth Vader Vol. 1: Dark Heart of the Sith

• Darth Vader #1-5 (Issue #1 and  Star Wars #1 take place roughly concurrently, but good luck stopping with Vader after that first issue cliffhanger)

Darth Vader Vol. 2: Into the Fire

• Darth Vader #6-11

Star Wars Vol. 2: Operation Starlight

• Star Wars #7-12 (Note: despite being a part of the arc, issue #12 is not collected in the Vol. 2 trade paperback. It can be found in the Vol. 3 paperback)

Bounty Hunters Vol. 1: Galaxy’s Deadliest

• Bounty Hunters #1-5

Doctor Aphra Vol. 1: Fortune and Fate

• Doctor Aphra #1-5

Bounty Hunters Vol. 2: Target Valance

• Bounty Hunters #6-11

Doctor Aphra Vol. 2: The Engine Job

• Doctor Aphra #6-9 (If you are reading this arc off of the trade paperback, as an FYI, issue #10 is best read during the next phase)

Overview

In Star Wars Legends, a big multimedia event called Shadows of the Empire took over the galaxy during this timeframe. In canon, we have what I affectionately call the Qi’ra Saga. Yeah, that’s right. Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn are back to stake their claim, and anyone who gets in their way will pay. War of the Bounty Hunters is the first of three Marvel crossover events centered around Qi’ra, all spearheaded by Charles Soule. What that means for the four ongoing series is that they are also thrown into turmoil as they deal with the reappearance of Qi’ra. Forget everything you know if you dare venture into this phase fresh because this is your life now.

Crimson Dawn’s first act is stealing the carbonite husk of Han Solo from Boba Fett. Their second act is inviting everyone who’s anyone including the Rebellion, Empire, gangsters, bounty hunters, and more, to auction the scoundrel off. From there, all hell breaks loose. War of the Bounty Hunters consists of individual arcs for the four ongoing 2020 series, four character one-shots, the alpha one-shot, and the central five-issue miniseries.

What Else Should I Read?

There isn’t much else to look into at this point. While you’re here, some quick personal recommendations include Obi-Wan & Anakin, Darth Maul, Kanan: The Last Padawan, and Shattered Empire. If you enjoy Beilert Valance, now might be a good time to discover more about his relationship with Han Solo. For that, you can read Han Solo: Imperial Cadet.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

Unless you are a digital consumer, you’re going to have a rough time finding every back issue for most of these series, so your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available. There is a complete War of the Bounty Hunters omnibus if all else fails you, although it’s order might not be the same as the one below.

• War of the Bounty Hunters (2021) Omnibus
• War of the Bounty Hunters miniseries Trade Paperback
• War of the Bounty Hunters Companion Trade Paperback (collects the event’s one-shots)
• Other Trade Paperbacks: Star Wars, Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, & Bounty Hunters

Reading Order

The best way to read War of the Bounty Hunters (WotBH) is by single issues. Many issues cross over and repeat events, play with the timeline, introduce characters, and some — honestly — aren’t very good. This order is designed to give you a well-paced reading experience so you aren’t worn down. My source? Trust me bro.

Prelude

• War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha #1
• Star Wars #13
• Bounty Hunters #12
• Darth Vader #12
• Doctor Aphra #10

Main Story

• War of the Bounty Hunters #1
• Bounty Hunters #13-15
• 4-LOM and Zuckuss #1 (After reading Bounty Hunters #15, this one-shot shows what happened to this pairing if you’re interested)
• Darth Vader #13
• Doctor Aphra #11
• Star Wars #14
• Doctor Aphra #12 (Aphra mega-fans, you’ll want to read this before WotBH issue #2)
• War of the Bounty Hunters #2
• Darth Vader #14-15 (Placed here to preserve the twist in WotBH issue #2)
• Jabba the Hutt #1 (Similar to the previous entry, this one-shot is placed to be read after learning more about the Hutts’ motivations in the main story)
• Star Wars #15
• War of the Bounty Hunters #3
• Doctor Aphra #13-15 (Placed here as a buffer before getting to the third act of the main story. Can be read whenever)
• Star Wars #16
• War of the Bounty Hunters #4
• Bounty Hunters #16
• Darth Vader #16
• Star Wars #17
• War of the Bounty Hunters #5

Aftermath

• Darth Vader #17
• Bounty Hunters #17
• Boushh #1
• IG-88 #1
• Star Wars #18 (The last issue you should read in WotBH, as it just… makes sense)

Overview

After the War of the Bounty Hunters, Qi’ra declared this the beginning of her “crimson reign.” This beefier, complex phase covers the final two parts of Charles Soule’s Qi’ra Saga, the Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire crossover events.

Qi’ra challenges the heart of the Empire, the Sith, in an all-out war. Meanwhile, Darth Vader isn’t about to let Crimson Dawn live to see their goal. One of his toys is Beilert Valance, who finds himself entangled in the Empire’s grip and must decide if it’s worth losing what’s left of his humanity to see the love of his life again. The remaining bounty hunters must go on their own, but their goal remains the same: save Cadeliah and end the suffering in the underworld.

Doctor Aphra’s story swirls around dangerous toys from a dark side cult known as the Ascendant, and it might just take everyone she loves to get her out of this new mess she finds herself in. Finally, Leia works to bring the Rebel Alliance back to full strength, but first she must contend with the final plight of Commander Zahra. After failing to confront his father directly, Luke must once and for all figure himself out. It leads him into a reckoning with Jedi of old, namely those of High Republic origin.

Return of the Jedi breadcrumbs are also beginning to be planted, but the journey there is still long and hard. Many you love will lose their way, and Qi’ra is the puppet master to it all. This phase includes the Crimson Reign and Hidden Empire miniseries, the Revelations one-shot, Star Wars (2020) #19-33, Darth Vader (2020) #18-32, Doctor Aphra (2020) #16-30, and Bounty Hunters (2020) #18-34.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022): If you’ve missed the prized duo, now is a good time to get your fix. Taking place sometime after the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story, Marc Guggenheim’s maxiseries has quite the treat in store. Crossing over occasionally with the current events of this phase and setting up future events after the Qi’ra Saga is complete, Han crosses paths with many, including… his father?
• Star Wars: Sana Starros (2023): Do you like the character and want to learn more? Then this is the miniseries for you. Probably read after Doctor Aphra (2020) #31 though.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

If your local comic book shop keeps a good inventory of back issues, you might have luck finding some of these. In any other case, unless you are a digital consumer, your best bet is going the collection route. Between paperbacks, hardcovers, omnibuses, and more, collecting can become really easy. Below are some quick links, but more options are available.

• Crimson Reign Trade Paperback
• Hidden Empire Trade Paperback
• Star Wars (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 4 & Vol. 5
• Darth Vader (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 4, Vol. 5, & Vol. 6
• Doctor Aphra (2020) #1-25 by Alyssa Wong Omnibus
• Doctor Aphra (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 4, Vol. 5, & Vol. 6
• Bounty Hunters (2020) Trade Paperbacks: Vol. 4, Vol. 5, & Vol. 6

Reading Order

There is good news and bad news. The good news is that, for the most part, these series say, “Oh, Crimson Dawn is here now,” and move on with their lives. You can prioritize what you want and be fine. The bad news is that if you treat this phase like a full-on cinematic event, good luck. There isn’t a lot of direct crossover like there was during War of the Bounty Hunters, but a few crucial events complicate matters, which the following order hopes to make some logical sense of.

Crimson Reign

• Crimson Reign #1
• Star Wars #19-20
• Doctor Aphra #16-18
• Bounty Hunters #18-20
• Star Wars #21
• Crimson Reign #2 (For Bounty Hunters readers, this issue should be read first before going into Star Wars #22)
• Star Wars #22-24
• Star Wars #25 (This issue stands alone from everything else. Soule revisits prior series he authored like Poe Dameron, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan & Anakin, and The Rise of Kylo Ren)
• Crimson Reign #3-4
• Darth Vader #18-28 (Yes, 11 straight issues of Darth Vader. You try making neat sense of how many times he appears throughout all of these issues)
• Bounty Hunters #21-26
• Crimson Reign #5
• Star Wars #26-28
• Doctor Aphra #19-26
• Bounty Hunters #27-28

Hidden Empire

• Bounty Hunters #29-31 (The least confident placement in this guide. Putting here so you can read the meat of the Hidden Empire story mostly unimpeded)
• Hidden Empire #1
• Star Wars: Revelations (2022) #1
• Hidden Empire #2-3
• Doctor Aphra #27-29
• Hidden Empire #4-5
• Doctor Aphra #30-31 (The events of issue #30 work better as a small epilogue to Hidden Empire #5)
• Bounty Hunters #32-34 (Something in issue #32 places it after Hidden Empire #5)
• Star Wars #29-33 (Not the tidiest ordering, but Luke’s arc lines up better with events post-Hidden Empire #5)
• Darth Vader #29-32

Phase 7: Dark Droids and the Road to Episode VI

Overview

The events of Hidden Empire have sent literal ripples in the Force rumbling across the galaxy. Luke doesn’t quite understand these mysterious waves of energy; all he knows is that his yellow lightsaber is useless, so he is searching for a new cyber crystal. The Emperor revels in the energy flowing through him, while Vader falls back into old traumas, which only pulls old muses back in. The Rebellion also already knows about the second Death Star, which might have hilariously broken canon? Basically, nothing makes sense right now, so what better time to jump in.

Unbeknownst to the galaxy, a new threat arises. From the ashes of Qi’ra’s Fermata Cage is the Scourge, an evil droid entity that unites with the Spark Eternal to bring a horror, unlike anything in the modern Star Wars galaxy. Dark Droids is the latest grand-scale crossover, and nobody is safe. As the runway to Episode VI’s landing pad narrows, several stories begin approaching their grand conclusion.

Almost two years ago, I wrote this piece, dissecting how Marvel is bridging the gap between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Since that piece, while there’s been an ungodly amount of wheel spinning, the Marvel team is still on track. But now more than ever, they can’t get lost. The core question of that piece remains: how does Luke reach a point where he can confidently stand against the Emperor and save his father?

This phase encompasses Star Wars (2020) #34-current, Darth Vader (2020) #33-current, Doctor Aphra (2020) #32-40, Bounty Hunters #35-42, the Dark Droids and Dark Droids: D-Squad miniseries, and the Revelations 2023 one-shot.

What Else Should I Read?

• Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022): As mentioned earlier in this guide, this maxiseries ties heavily into future storylines. Han Solo & Chewbacca has more information about the automaton Ajax Sigma ahead of Dark Droids and introduces some characters that reappear in Bounty Hunters.

What’s the Easiest Way To Find These Books?

This is your reminder to support your local comic shop, as many back issues in this phase should be readily available. Trade paperbacks will begin filtering out as 2024 progresses. You can find the pre-order links below:

• Dark Droids #1-5 (available March 26, 2024)
• Dark Droids: D-Squad #1-4 (available March 5, 2024)
• Other trade paperbacks: Star Wars (Vol. 6 & Vol. 7), Darth Vader (Vol. 7 & Vol. 8), Doctor Aphra, & Bounty Hunters

Reading Order

Chronologically, the jury is still deliberating on how to make sense of this crossover. Therefore, this order is based on Marvel’s final adjusted Dark Droids checklist, with some personal adjustments to account for spoilers and the best possible reading experience.

Prelude

• Darth Vader #33-36
• Doctor Aphra #32-34
• Star Wars #34-36
• Bounty Hunters #35-36

Dark Droids

• Dark Droids #1
• Star Wars #37
• Doctor Aphra #35
• Bounty Hunters #37
• Dark Droids #2
• Bounty Hunters #38-39
• Doctor Aphra #36-37
• Star Wars #38-39
• D-Squad #1 (Can be read anytime after Dark Droids #2)
• Dark Droids #3 (This issue spoils events of Bounty Hunters #39, Doctor Aphra #37, and Star Wars #39. Dark Droids #3 is best read after IMO)
• Darth Vader #37-39 (Issue #37 is listed near the beginning of Marvel’s list, but it is here because the Scourge mentions targeting Vader, something it only does after Dark Droids #2 and #3)
• Dark Droids #4
• Doctor Aphra #38
• Darth Vader #40 (Marvel’s guide lists this before Dark Droids #4, but variety is the spice of life)
• Star Wars #40 (Marvel’s guide lists this before Dark Droids #4, but there’s a panel in this issue that places it after)
• Bounty Hunters #40
• D-Squad #2-4 (A nice buffer before the finale. Can be read anytime after Dark Droids #3)
• Dark Droids #5
• Star Wars #41 (Please. Read. After. Dark. Droids. Number. Five.)
• Bounty Hunters #41
• Darth Vader #41
• Doctor Aphra #39

The Present

• Star Wars: Revelations (2023) #1
• Darth Vader #42-Current
• Star Wars #42-Current
• Bounty Hunters #42 (the series finale)
• Doctor Aphra #40 (the series finale)

For all intents and purposes, 2024 is a new phase in spirit. Bounty Hunters and Doctor Aphra (2020) are both ending in January 2024, while Darth Vader (2020) and Star Wars (2020) seem to be heading right into their respective endgames. Once 2024 plays out a bit more, we can reassess when declaring a new phase may be warranted.

As this latest phase unfolds, this guide will be periodically updated to reflect what we know. If you read issues via Marvel Unlimited, remember that new single issues don’t get added until about three months after release.

If there is anything that you would like to see added or revised in this guide, let us know in the comments below, on our contact page, or our various social media channels.

Nate Manning

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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.

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