After an insane week that had 7 comics and multiple books released (not to mention all of the May the 4th deals to sift through) we resume our regularly schedule programming with a modest three comics coming to quality shops near you on Wednesday May 10, 2023.
Darth Vader #34 by Greg Pak has a certified banger cover A this week by Leinil Yu. Love seeing the Rebel’s cowering at the feet of an unhinged Darth Vader. We’ve not gotten this Vader in this run in quite some time. I’m personally not feeling this run. It feels aimless and Darth Vader seems to have no real purpose other than to turn Sabe into his non-force-using apprentice for some reason.
I feel like 1/3 of the panels are flashbacks to the prequel trilogy and, while I love the prequel trilogy, I’ve already seen it. I want Vader to be Vader. It feels like we’re just biding time until we reach Return of the Jedi in the timeline.
Star Wars: High Republic Adventures #5 by Daniel Jose Older has Sav Malagan disguised as a Dank Grak joining the chaos during the battle of Jedha. Really interested to see how she shaped the events there. There hasn’t been any hints in the novels.
Last but not least is High Republic #9 by Cavan Scott. There are a few cool things going on here. First off, the 1:25 David Aja variant is stunning. I’ve been luke warm on the ration variants for the phase II Marvel run of the High Republic but this one hits for me.
Also, the newly updated cover art added an interesting layer to this week’s issue. A few days back the final art was updated at the distributor level and the one change was text added to the cover that says, “BEHOLD THE HAND OF SIBERUS!” This is a call back to Cavan Scott’s good buddy and fellow Star Wars author George Mann’s Star Wars Dark Legends book.
There is a story called “Sleep of Ages” that is about a Sith Lord named Darth Siberus. George and Cavan have since confirmed that the upcoming Star Wars: The High Republic #9 comic will be connected to that story.
Heads up though, if you wanted to read “Sleep of Ages” it’s only in the Target Exclusive version of the book. So if you get it (and you should it’s seriously fantastic) be sure to get that one.
Also, don’t forget to scroll down to the final order cutoff section. There are a ton of books with a FOC deadline on Monday
Lastly, I wanted to say that I hope you had an amazing Star Wars Day. As divided as the Star Wars fanbase can be at times this day is all about celebrating what we love about Star Wars. The silly things that have made our days better just by existing.
Check out everything new coming up (including all variants) below and get your pre-orders in over at TFAW.
Quick Shortcuts: (not just Star Wars)
Star Wars: High Republic #9 | Phase II
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(W) Cavan Scott (A) Ario Anindito (CA) Rafael De Latorre
Vildar Mac has been haunted all his life. Now, as the Leveler is unleashed, the Jedi Knight faces a terrible decision – resist the lure of the dark side or become what he fears the most to survive. Will TEY SIRREK pay the ultimate price for Vildar’s choice?
Rated T
In Shops: May 10, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Variants
Star Wars: High Republic #9 | Phase II
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(W) Greg Pak (A) Adam Gorham (CA) Leinil Yu
UNBOUND FORCE – Part TWO! According to the JEDI, fear leads to anger, and anger leads to hate. But does hate lead to suffering…or power?
As DARTH VADER’S Force abilities spiral out of control, his lieutenant Sabé is caught in the maelstrom – and finally must confront the horrifying consequences of her choice to serve him. Will she choose darkness over light?
Rated T
In Shops: May 10, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Variants
Star Wars The High Republic Adventures #5 (2022) | Phase 2
Format: 8 Part Series
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(W) Daniel Jose Older (A) Tony Bruno (CA) Harvey Monticillo
Jedi Padawan Sav Malagán remains torn between her devotion to The Force and adventurous spirit of youth. But to save her new-found pirate friends, led by the infamous Maz Kanata, she must delve deeper into the murky underworld and infiltrate a dangerous gang of marauders, known as the Dank Graks. But will her Jedi training be enough to help her save them in time, or with the Graks discover her true identity!
In Shops: May 10, 2023
Variants:
Star Wars Comic Book FOC Deadlines
For those who aren’t familiar, FOC, or Final Order Cut Off, is when publishers and distributors require retailers to get their orders in. Printers then print according to that number (sometimes with overages). So, if you want to absolutely guarantee you get a book, the best bet is to order it before FOC. Final Order Cut Off is Monday 5/08/23 this week.
Star Wars High Republic Vol 1 Omnibus (HC)
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(W) Cavan Scott, Daniel Jose Older, Charles Soule (A) Various (A/CA) Ario Anindito, Phil Noto
A new era of Star Wars storytelling! Centuries before the Empire and the Skywalker Saga, the Jedi of Starlight Beacon – including Masters Avar Kriss and Sskeer, and young Padawan Keeve Trennis – protect the galaxy as republic pioneers push out into new territories. But soon they must join forces with their deadliest enemy to face the onslaught of the unstoppable Drengir horde! But who – or what – is the Great Progenitor? And what nameless terror will be unleashed by the dreaded Nihil? Plus: Marchion Ro – the Eye of the Nihil – reveals the source of the Jedi’s greatest fear! And Jedi Investigator Emerick Caphtor uncovers a mystery that will change the golden era of the High Republic forever!
Collecting STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (2021) #1-15, STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC – EYE OF THE STORM #1-2 and STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC – TRAIL OF SHADOWS
In Shops: Oct 18, 2023
SRP: $100.00
Order Here
- Phil Noto Main Cover
- Ario Anindito DM Variant
Star Wars #35
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(W) Charles Soule (A) Madibek Musabekov (CA) Stephen Segovia
LUKE SKYWALKER…IN THE CLUTHES OF DR. CUATA! The would-be JEDI’S LIGHTSABER is all but destroyed! Enter KYBER CRYSTAL expert DR. CUATA! Only he can repair it…but at what price? Luke’s life will hang in the balance…and only ANOTHER JEDI can save him!
Rated T
In Shops: Jun 07, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Variants:
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – Empire #1
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(W) Jody Houser (A) Jethro Morales (CA) Ryan Brown
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THE EMPIRE TOOK OVER?
As operations begin to take shape on the moon of ENDOR, a technician must figure out how to live under the control of THE EMPIRE. But if he can’t stay out of trouble, what will the Empire do with him?
Continuing the 40TH ANNIVERSARY celebration of RETURN OF THE JEDI, JODY HOUSER & JETHRO MORALES pull back the curtain of the Empire like never before!
Rated T
In Shops: Jun 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99
Variants
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #1 Comic
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(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Georges Jeanty (CA) David Nakayama
SEASON 2 OF THE HIT DISNEY+ SERIES IS HERE! GROGU AND DIN DJARIN return in CHAPTER 9: THE MARSHAL!
The Mandalorian is drawn to the Outer Rim in search of others of his kind. Following rumors of another Mandalorian, he instead comes face-to-face with MARSHAL COBB VANTH wearing a very familiar armor! Mando and Grogu have stepped into a situation bigger than they realize! Following the tradition of season one, RODNEY BARNES & GEORGES JEANTY reunite to bring season two to life once more!
Rated T
In Shops: Jun 21, 2023
SRP: $6.99 (56 Pages)
Variants:
- Nakayama Cover A
- Gist Variant
- Yagawa Variant
- Ganucheau Pride Variant
- Concept Art Variant
- Lashley 1:25 Variant
- Yagawa 1:100 Virgin Variant
- Mike Mayhew Exclusive (Pre-Sales Starts 4/26)
- Suayan Exclusive
- Lee Exclusive (Pre-sale starts 5/3 5pm ET)
- LTD to 500
- Eastside Comics
- KRS Comics
- Sad Lemon Comics (UK)
- Mutant Beaver (Canada)
- eBay
Star Wars: Yoda #8 June 07, 2023
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(W) Marc Guggenheim (A) Alessandro Miracolo (CA) Phil Noto
MASTER AND APPRENTICE!
The SEPARATISTS army has a new super-weapon: THE MEGADROID. But can YODA and ANAKIN SKYWALKER destroy an entire factory full of them? The events of this issue directly overlap with STAR WARS: REVELATIONS! See how IT’S ALL CONNECTED!
Rated T
In Shops: Jun 07, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Variants
