Lucasfilm have announced that Star Wars is returning to Dark Horse Comics. The publisher, which held the license from 1991 to 2014, will release a new line of all-ages comics and graphic novels beginning in Spring 2022. While details remain vague, Dark Horse founder and CEO Mike Richardson stated the company’s initial focus will be on the High Republic era, and that an ongoing series, an anthology, and various one-shots and specials are in the mix.
Michael Siglain, creative director of Lucasfilm Publishing, said “All of us at Lucasfilm Publishing are thrilled to be working with Mike Richardson and everyone at Dark Horse on comics and original graphic novels set in a galaxy far, far away. There are unlimited storytelling possibilities for all ages comics, and we look forward to collaborating with Dark Horse — and with the best writers and artists in the industry — to bring those stories to readers and fans all over the world.”
Richardson added, “Star Wars is near and dear to all of our hearts and I’ve been a fan since I saw the original film 19 times during its original release [in 1977]. I am thrilled that Dark Horse will once again bring new stories to life from this incredible galaxy. The Star Wars universe has grown over the years and there’s so many new opportunities for great stories. I can’t tell you how excited we are to get started!”
Dark Horse began publishing Star Wars comics with “Dark Empire” in December 1991, and their last was the miniseries “Star Wars: Darth Maul — Son of Dathomir” (which, incidentally, is the only Dark Horse series still considered canon, as it was based on unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars.) Marvel took over the main series after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2015, while IDW relaunched Dark Horse’s all-ages “Star Wars Adventures” line in 2017. Marvel will presumably continue publishing 12+ rated “Star Wars” comics, while IDW’s currently scheduled final books include January’s “The High Republic Adventures” #12, and “Galactic Bake-Off Spectacular,” as well as collected editions of series like “Ghosts of Vader’s Castle.”
