So yesterday I made my prediction about where I thought Marvel and Lucasfilm were taking Star Wars Coming books and it appears my prediction of a Luke Skywalker / Battle of Jakku series was right on the money.
Earlier today StarWars.com announced that Marvel Comics will be producing a new Star Wars comics maxi-series (12 issues or more) titled Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku – Insurgency Rising along with main covers for the first 4 issues.
It was mentioned that we’ll be getting more information about this comic series during the Lucasfilm Panel at San Diego Comic Con this Thursday, July 25th at 4:15 P.M. PT but here’s what we know so far from the publisher’s description:
STAR WARS: BATTLE OF JAKKU — INSURGENCY RISING #1
Written by ALEX SEGURA
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK & STEFANO RAFFAELE
Cover by PHIL NOTO
On Sale 10/2
IN THE WAKE OF THE BATTLE OF ENDOR, CAN LUKE, LEIA AND THE NASCENT NEW REPUBLIC STAVE OFF AN UNEXPECTED — AND DEADLY — NEW THREAT?
A DEFIANT IMPERIAL takes center stage — and goes on the offensive against the NEW REPUBLIC! LEIA makes a startling discovery in the forests of ENDOR! Who are the mysterious and deadly ACOLYTES OF THE BEYOND?! What is the new villain’s connection to DARTH VADER? All this as the post-Return of the Jedi storytelling BEGINS!
STAR WARS: BATTLE OF JAKKU — INSURGENCY RISING #2
Written by ALEX SEGURA
Art by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by PHIL NOTO
On Sale 10/16
The New Republic faces deadly adversaries! Mon Mothma and Leia must make a difficult decision to deal with a defiant Imperial hell-bent on preserving the legacy of Palpatine and Vader! Luke hunts for a lost Jedi relic but makes a startling discovery! The underworld simmers with intrigue as an unholy alliance is formed! A ragtag group of New Republic heroes sets out on a mission—and their return is not guaranteed!
STAR WARS: BATTLE OF JAKKU — INSURGENCY RISING #3
Written by ALEX SEGURA
Art by JETHRO MORALES & LEONARD KIRK
Cover by PHIL NOTO
On Sale 10/30
Kes Dameron faces death in the grip of a fearsome Imperial Threat! Who is the mysterious Reyna Oskur—and what does her influence over the Defiant Imperial mean for the New Republic? Does the Defiant Imperial have an Inquisitor by his side?! Our villain consolidates his power—but at what cost? An iconic, familiar face arrives to save the captured heroes!
STAR WARS: BATTLE OF JAKKU — INSURGENCY RISING #4
Written by ALEX SEGURA
Art by JETHRO MORALES & LEONARD KIRK
Cover by PHIL NOTO
On Sale 11/6
Chaos reigns as the Defiant Imperial comes face-to-face with the heroes of the New Republic! Luke vs. a new Inquisitor! The Imperial survivors consolidate behind the Defiant Imperial—putting the just-formed New Republic at risk! Kes Dameron and his team try for a daring escape—but meet an unexpected hurdle! The Galactic Civil War takes a startling twist—and bad omens arise for the future of the New Republic!
And here’s the cover art by Phil Noto for the cover A of the first four issues.
There’s a lot going on there, but here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect based on what I know…
The Imperial Remnant, The Acolytes of the Beyond, and The Rebellion
This book is going to look at three groups.
(in full transparency I have not read the Aftermath trilogy so a lot of what is below is from wookieepedia but I vow to read them damned books before this series comes out)
The Imperial Remnant / Empire – This is what’s left of the empire. We’ve seen them in the Mandalorian and Ahsoka shows as well as comic series like Shattered Empire and Poe Dameron. Based on the covers it looks like we’re getting Bragh, a Purge Trooper commander, and Moff Ubrik Adelhard who both were introduced in the Star Wars: Uprising mobile game. This would be their first comic appearance. I’d bet we end up with either or both of Gallius Rex and Rae Sloane as well.
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The Acolytes of the Beyond – The Acolytes of the Beyond are a dark side cult that emerged after the fall of the Galactic Empire, dedicated to the worship of fallen Sith and the collection of Sith artifacts. They worship the dark side and fallen Sith, which aligns with Palpatine’s own beliefs and practices.
Basically they’re dark side zealots that serve the sith. I think the alien on the cover #3 and #4 is an Acolyte of the Beyond but I’m not sure who they are. Their species is Anzat. Notable members are Kiza (she’s in Shadow of the Sith which I have read), Yupe Tashu, Ochi of Bestoon (kinda), Remi, and Komat.
The Rebellion / New Republic – Based on the cover we’ll get plenty of Luke, Leia, Mon Mothma, Chewie, Han, and probably some characters from the Antilles and Wexley families. We’ll probably get some Jedi lore with Luke training Leia and planning out his new Jedi order as well.
Plus we get to see how Bib Fortuna went from ugly to plump and ugly.
I’m personally excited for this. I know we’ve gotten books, comics, and games from this era but it’s nice to get out of the limitations of the original trilogy as much as I love it.
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That’s all for now but be sure to check back often and follow @drunkwooky on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Threads.
For light and life!
Grand Admiral Babu
