What’s up everywookiee! Welcome to a Rumor Rundown! This is where we take a look at the rumors floating around the internet and run down the list of key Star Wars comics related to those rumors. Is Rupert Friend the Grand Inquisitor? What Teens will play “Stranger Things in Space?”
Boulder of Salt Warning: Now, as always, take these rumors with a large boulder of salt until we hear an official announcement from Disney/Lucasfilm confirming.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Debuts May 25, 2022 on Disney+
Ok, so first of all, this is official confirmation of something that Brandon SanGiovanni let slip on Twitter and the Hollywood Reporter confirmed on background. Now we have an official announcement from Disney and Star Wars.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi, the new limited series from Lucasfilm, will debut May 25, exclusively on Disney+…The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, in which Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat — the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side and became the evil Sith Lord, Darth Vader“
Rupert Friend to Play Grand Inquisitor
Next, there is a rumor floating around that Rupert Friend, officially cast for Obi-Wan Kenobi, will be playing the Grand Inquisitor. It’s possible. Concept art for Obi-Wan Kenobi seems to show an Inquisitor of some description showing up on Tattooine:
So, let’s look at some key comics related to the Grand Inquisitor.
The Grand Inquisitor made his first traditional comic book cameo in Kanan 12 (5/2016):
He then makes a full traditional comic book appearance in Darth Vader #6 (10/2017):
Darth Vader #6 is also a good piece of insurance in case other Inquisitors show up. It’s the earliest traditional comic book format appearance of Fifth Brother, Seventh Sister, Eighth Brother, Sixth Brother, Ninth Sister, and the Inquisitorius in general.
Now, there are earlier appearances in magazine format books that contain comics. The European releases (under Egmont) of Rebels Magazine #3 contain the first comic appearance of the Grand Inquisitor almost a full year before Kanan 12. Remember, you want the European Egmont editions, not the Titan editions which were released later (although the Titan version still came out 2/2016 before Kanan 12). Many comic collecting purists won’t consider these as something they are chasing for their collection due to their magazine format. They are, at any rate, comics, though. Judge their collectibility yourself.
Rebels Magazine #16 (4/2016)(again the Egmont European version only, the Titan version was later) precedes Darth Vader 6 and contains an earlier depiction of Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister in a comic:
Stranger Things In Space-A High Republic Streaming Series
It’s rumored that there will be a “Stranger Things-style” High Republic show entering development that will feature teens or pre-teens. The High Republic comics have featured a heavy helping of Jedi and other kids in that age-group. So, if this is happening, and if they want to use existing characters, and if they don’t want to just populate the streaming series with all new characters, there is plenty of speculation potential. Here’s a quick brainstorming list of comic keys with characters in that age range:
- Star Wars: The High Republic #1 (1/6/2021)- First Appearance: Keeve Trennis; Cameo: Burryaga Agaburry (Wookiee)
- Star Wars: The High Republic #2 (2/3/2021)- First Appearance: Vernestra Rwoh (identified as “Jedi Rwoh”)(this will be long debated as either a cameo or first full appearance. One page, two panels,identified by last name only. Minimal dialogue)
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #1 (2/3/2021)- First Appearance: Lula Talisola, Qort, Zeen Mrala, and Krix.
- Star Wars: The High Republic #3 (3/3/2021)- Cameo: Padawan Imri Cantaros(unnamed).
- Star Wars: The High Republic #4 (4/7/2021)– First Full Appearance: Padawan Imri Cantaros, arguably Vernestra Rwoh’s first full appearance as well.
- Star Wars: The High Republic #6 Unknown Comics Exclusive (6/30/2021)-First Cover Appearance: Vernestra Rwoh.
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures #6 (7/21/2021): First Appearance: Affie Hollow
- Star Wars: The High Republic #8 (8/11/2021): First Appearance: Jedi Padawan Reath Silas.
- The High Republic Adventures FCBD 2021 (8/14/2021): First Appearance and cover: Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram.
- tar Wars: The High Republic Adventures #11 Loo Variant (12/1/2021): First Cover: Burryaga Agaburry
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021 (12/15/2021): First Appearance: Bell Zettifar (male human Jedi Padawan), Ember (Charhound) (Annual 2021 (TFAW Jon Lam Exclusive) and Annual 2021 (That Dude Books Harvey Exclusive) tied for first cover of Bell Zettifar (male human Jedi Padawan), Ember (Charhound) )
