Charles Soule’s follow up to War of the Bounty Hunters ties the individual ongoing issues from Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, Star Wars, and Bounty Hunters together much more loosely than War of the bounty Hunters did. So, a reading order is much less essential to reading this event and you can also just go for the titular (“Crimson Reign”) issues and get the story without slipping the other tie-in issue in.
Crimson Reign Reading order: Collected Editions
The best way to read Crimson Reign without having to buy every individual issue is by bying the Crimson Reign Trade Paperbacks below.
- Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 4: Crimson Reign (Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, 4) Paperback – June 7, 2022
- Star Wars Vol. 4: Crimson Reign (Star Wars, 4) Paperback – June 7, 2022
- Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol. 4: Crimson Reign (Star Wars: Darth Vader, 4) Paperback – June 14, 2022
- Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 4: Crimson Reign (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, 4) Paperback – June 14, 2022
- Star Wars: Crimson Reign Paperback – August 30, 2022
Crimson Reign Reading Order: Individual Issues
Crimson Reign #1 – 12/8/21
The kick off issue. #1 in the Crimson Reign Reading order.
Variants:
Star Wars #19 – 12/8/21
I’d place this issue after Crimson Reign #1 simply because it references “The Syndicate War” shown in that issue.
Variants:
Bounty Hunters #19 -12/22/21
Vader tests Valance on a mission before teaming him up with Ochi. Ochi and Valance appear together in Darth Vader #19.
Variants:
Darth Vader #19 -12/29/21
Vader puts together an anti-Crimson Dawn task force.
Variants:
Doctor Aphra #17– 1/5/22
Aphra and Starros chase down a rival named Kho Phon Farrus who made a first cameo in #16. Farru’s connection to the Crimson Reign storyline is revealed, but so far this is not looking like an essential storyline for the greater Crimson Reign event.
Variants:
Star Wars #20-1/12/22
Luke continues his search for sources of Jedi wisdom. This issue is not essential to the greater Crimson Reign storyline. It is, however, the first full appearance of Elzar Mann, Jedi Master from the High Republic era.
Variants:
Bounty Hunters #20– 1/12/22
The motley crew tracks down 4-LOM, and then subsequently tracks down Cadeliah. They’re not going to like where Cadeliah’s headed, though.
Variants:
Doctor Aphra #18-1/19/22
Aphra and Starros’ chase of their rival continues. Again, not (yet) essential to the greater Crimson Reign storyline.
Variants:
Crimson Reign #2-2/2/22
I have to assume that Ochi and Deathstick’s missions are essential to the greater Crimson Reign storyline.
Variants:
Darth Vader #20-2/9/22
I’ve looked for indications as to whether Ochi’s mission in Crimson Reign 2 and his involvement with Vader here in Darth Vader 20 have a specific order. Given there aren’t any ready indicators, I’m defaulting to publication order here.
Variants:
Crimson Reign 3-3/9/22
All the events in this issue appear to occur prior to Crimson Reign 1. However, it’s a flashback intended by the author to be published third in the series. So, it remains here.
Variants:
Bounty Hunters #21-3/30/22
Variants:
Bounty Hunters #22-4/06/22
Variants:
Star Wars #22 – 4/13/22
Variants:
Star Wars Crimson Reign #4 – 4/27/22
Variants:
Star Wars #23 – May 4, 2022
Variants:
Doctor Aphra #20 – May 18, 2022
Variants:
Darth Vader #24 – June 1 2022
Variants:
Bounty Hunters #24 – June 15 2022
Variants:
Crimson Reign #5 – June 22 2022
Variants:
Darth Vader 24 – June 29 2022
Variants:
Star Wars Crimson Reign TPB | August, 30, 2022
The story that began with WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS continues! It’s the second chapter of an epic saga that will reshape the Star Wars galaxy during the Age of Rebellion! The criminal organization known as the Crimson Dawn has risen – but what is their goal, and how do they plan to achieve it?
As Lady Qi’ra sends two killers – the relentless, Force-blinded Ochi of Bestoon and the mysterious, unstoppable Deathstick – to do what they do best, how will the Rebel Alliance and the Empire react to this new galactic power player?
Featuring the return of beloved characters, shocking twists, epic feats of the Force and a story that will reach from the darkest underworld all the way to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, CRIMSON REIGN is a Star Wars saga like no other!
Collecting STAR WARS: CRIMSON REIGN #1-5.