Via StarWars.com, Marvel Comics have announced “Star Wars: Hidden Empire,” the third and final part of writer Charles Soule and artist Steven Cummings’s Qi’ra trilogy. The five-part series, beginning in November, will conclude the story of Crimson Dawn leader Qi’ra’s campaign against the Empire, and Darth Sidious himself, in-between the events of Episodes V and VI.
Soule explains, “This new story is designed to deliver the big finale to Qi’ra’s story — at least this phase of it. She emerged from years of hiding with an elaborate, incredible plan to bring down the Sith, and ‘Hidden Empire’ is the endgame. It brings in players from all over the Star Wars universe, from Darth Vader to Doctor Aphra to the Knights of Ren, and I think it’ll be really satisfying — but tragic. As I had a character say in the very first issue of ‘Crimson Reign,’ Qi’ra’s story is a tragedy. But… in a good way.”
Soule, who has written Marvel’s main “Star Wars” series since 2020, brought back Qi’ra — a character originated by Emilia Clarke in 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story — in the 2021 crossover story ‘War of the Bounty Hunters,’ and then continued her story with Cummings in the miniseries “Crimson Reign.” He states, “I think it will deliver a deeply satisfying conclusion to Qi’ra’s arc here, and readers will understand how her choices in this story impacted events all across the Star Wars galaxy at this time. As with many of the comics and novels and ancillary stories beyond the films, the idea is to deepen the experience and understanding of the characters. There are direct connections here to both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi — and beyond — and I think the fans will be very happy.”
He adds, “I’ll be sad to say goodbye to Crimson Dawn, Qi’ra, and the rest of this corner of Star Wars once I’m done. This kind of story doesn’t come around that often, and I’m glad I’ve been able to build it alongside Steven Cummings, Luke Ross, and the other amazing writers and artists working in Star Wars right now. I think the fans are in for a treat.”
“Hidden Empire” #1 will be released sometime in November, with a cover by Paulo Siqueira, and a variant from Declan Shalvey.
