The first issue of Star Wars: Ahsoka came out this week and I have to say… I actually enjoyed it. I usually have to convince myself to read the show adaptation comics because… we already know what happens and they’re normally not that great. But Steven Cummings did a great job with the art and it turned out really well in my opinion.
UPDATED: See every variant for every issue (that we know of) of Star Wars: Ahsoka #1
As with all comic adaptations of shows and movies, there are a ton of first appearances in this book. But four stand out above the rest in terms of importance largely because many of the characters introduced in this episode die within minutes of showing up on screen.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important characters getting their comic book debut. The first two are obvious if I’m being real.
First Comic Appearances of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati
These two don’t really need an introduction. Baylan Skoll, played by the late Ray Stephenson, and Shin Hati, played by Ivanna Sakhno, are two of the most popular characters introduced to Star Wars since the Disney acquisition. They are easily the highlights of the series so far which is saying a lot since Thrawn is the goat and Ahsoka is… well… Ahsoka.
Excited to see where they take these characters but they will 100% play major roles moving forward in the Mandoverse New Republic crossover story that Dave Filoni is putting together.
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I know that show/movie adaptation first appearances hold less weight than characters who are created for the comics and then are adapted to screen but these two are as about as important as it gets.
The market probably won’t agree for a while but with people sour about the Obi-Wan Kenobi adaptation… it could be more lightly ordered than you think.
While this is their first comic book appearance, Baylan and Shin got their first comic book cover earlier this year on Giuseppe Camuncoli’s Master & Apprentice variant for Star Wars: Darth Vader #45.
You can see every Master & Apprentice variant here.
First Comic Appearances of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati
These two are well known for Rebels fans but nowhere near as known as Shin and Baylan.
So here’s the gist of their backstory if you’re unfamiliar…
Ryder Azadi first appeared in Star Wars Rebels in Episode 10 during season 2. He’s a former governor of Lothal, who was imprisoned for resisting the Empire’s presence there.
After being imprisoned, he escapes and joins the rebellion, becoming a freedom fighter to liberate Lothal from the Empire. Ryder develops a close bond with Ezra Bridger, acting as a mentor and father figure to him since his parents are currently imprisoned by the Empire.
Somewhere between the fall if the Empire Ryder regains his leadership role on Lothal. Which is where we find him in Ahsoka.
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Jai Kell is a young cadet from the Imperial Academy who meats a disguised Ezra during Episode 5, “Breaking Ranks”, from Season 1 of Star Wars Rebels. The interesting part about Jai is that he’s force sensitive. This complicates his role inside the Empire (of course) as the Inquisitors are lurking around being weird and killing force sensitives. He eventually escapes with the help of the Ghost Crew and joins the Lothal Resistance group under Ryder.
Not sure what his exact role is currently but he’s clearly in the inner circle of the Lothal leadership. His force sensitivity makes him an interesting character to follow but who knows if anything will materialize from that. It’s promising that they gave him a cameo in Ahsoka season 1 though.
More info coming soon.
Until then you can check out every variant for Ahsoka #1 and #2 below.
Star Wars: Ahsoka #1
(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Steven Cummings (CA) David Nakayama
After the fall of THE EMPIRE, AHSOKA TANO stalks the galaxy for GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN!
• A valuable prisoner escapes New Republic custody; a search for answers reunites two old friends.
• The villainous MORGAN ELSBETH returns along with two new mysterious Force users, BAYLAN SKOLL and his apprentice, SHIN HATI.
• Will the REBELS be able to track down their lost comrade, EZRA BRIDGER?
July 10, 2024 | 75960620912500111 | 40 pgs
SRP: $4.99
Variants:
- Cover A David Nakayama
- AKA Variant
- Annie Wu Variant
- Jan Duursema Variant
- Chris Sprouse Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Variant
- JTC Action Figure Variant (Ahsoka)
- Ken Lashley Foil Variant
- 1:10 Concept Art Variant
- The Comic Corner (10% off with code TANO)
- TFAW
- Forbidden Planet
- eBay
- 1:25 TV Variant (photo)
- The Comic Corner (10% off with code TANO)
- TFAW
- Forbidden Planet
- eBay
- 1:100 AKA Virgin Variant
- The Comic Corner (10% off with code TANO)
- TFAW
- Forbidden Planet
- eBay
- Rahzzah Exclusive
- LTD to 800
- Pre-sale goes live on Wed, May 29, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. ET
- The Comic Corner (10% off with code TANO)
- Eastside Comics
- KRS Comics
- eBay
- Galaxycon 2024 / Georges Jeanty Exclusive
- Trade Dress LTD to 6,500
- Virgin Variant LTD to 1,000
- Galaxycon.com (trade dress)
- Galaxycon.com (virgin)
- eBay
- Takashi Okazaki Exclusive
- Trade Dress LTD to 3,000
- Virgin Variant LTD to 1,000
- Big Time Collectibles
- Comic Kingdom Creative
- eBay
- Nakayama Exclusive
- Trade Dress LTD to 3,000
- Virgin Variant LTD to 1,000
- Pre-sale goes live on Mon, June 3, 2024
- Unknown Comic Books
- Comic Traders
- Sleeping Giant
- eBay
Star Wars: Ahsoka #2
(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Georges Jeanty (CA) Taurin Clarke
TOIL AND TROUBLE! AHSOKA and GENERAL HERA SYNDULLA travel to NEW REPUBLIC shipyards and make an unexpected discovery. The adaptation of the hit Disney+ series continues!
On sale Aug 28, 2024 | 40 Pages | 75960620912500211
SRP: $4.99
Variants:
- Clarke Cover A
- Yellowfly Variant
- Erica D’Urso Variant
- Karen Darboe Variant
- 1:10 Concept Art Variant
- 1:100 Clarke Virgin Variant
