By George Bate
The New Republic and the Galactic Empire going head to head in ship combat. Rey, Finn, and Poe’s activities prior to The Rise of Skywalker. A journey into Vader’s castle. And, of course, the continued adventures of Din Djarin and The Child. October is host to an array of exciting Star Wars projects and is easily one of the most anticipated months for Star Wars this year given the release of a new video game and the start of The Mandalorian’s second season. Here’s an overview of what’s new in Star Wars this month. It’s important to note that, due to the disruptions to publishing caused by COVID-19, the following projects are tentatively set to release this month.
October 2 – Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars has returned to the world of gaming with Star Wars: Squadrons, made by Motive Studios for EA. The game’s plot takes place after the Battle of Endor and centers on two fighter squadrons: the New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron, and the Galactic Empire’s Titan Squadron. In the game, “two pilots will shape the balance of power in the galaxy.” Part of the plot deals with the New Republic’s Project Starhawk, which the Empire has gotten wind of, sending spies to deal with it.” As well as multiplayer, there will also be a campaign on release. Many established characters, such as Hera from Rebels, are set to appear. The entire game will be playable in VR.
October 6 – Star Wars Origami 2: 34 More Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
There have been a variety of fun Star Wars books published under Disney. Chris Alexander’s Star Wars Origami 2 is set to be no different, and looks to be an exciting interactive book.
October 7 – Star Wars 7
The next edition of the Star Wars main line will release on October 7. Written by Charles Soule, a frequent author of Star Wars publishing, Princess Leia, Moff Tarkin, and more will appear again as tensions rise in a galaxy far, far away. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “SHE WILL HAVE REVENGE! COMMANDER ELLIAN ZAHRA has been tasked by the terrifying DARTH VADER with the job of tracking down the remnants of the REBEL FLEET, scattered since the BATTLE OF HOTH. From the bridge of her flagship the TARKIN’S WILL, she hunts the galaxy, eradicating all resistance, her secret goal to destroy LEIA ORGANA. But why such hate for the PRINCESS OF ALDERAAN? The truth…will be REVEALED!”
October 7 – Star Wars Adventures 1
Delayed from last month, Star Wars Adventures 1 is the first issue of a new, monthly series featuring stories about two fan favorite Star Wars characters. In this first issue, set in between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Rey, Finn, and Poe travel to a remote planet to continue Rey’s Jedi training, but soon meet trouble when they encounter First Order forces. The other story in this issue will center around Darth Vader.
October 13 – Star Wars: Fascinating Facts
Also delayed from last month, Pablo Hidalgo delivers another reference book with Star Wars: Fascinating Facts, detailing tons of fun facts about the nine films in the Skywalker saga. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Star Wars: Fascinating Facts is a compendium of hundreds of little-known facts about all nine episodes in the Skywalker Saga—from behind-the-scenes on-set tidbits to stories about how the tale of Star Wars was created. Profiles of important characters and early drafts of scripts show what might have been, details of how famous scenes were filmed, and other firsthand accounts from cast and crew members.”
October 13 – Star Wars Adventures Vol. 10: Driving Force
Volume 10 of Star Wars Adventures collects issues 24-36 from the series of comics directed toward middle-school aged children. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “With hotshot Resistance pilot Poe Dameron captured by pirates, it’s up to BB-8–and Rapier Squadron–to save the day! Then, in this story set before A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa faces the most challenging task of her young life: teaching Amilyn Holdo how to drive a speeder! But both learn an important lesson after finding themselves in the dangerous lower levels of Coruscant. And finally, witness one of the many lessons Rey learned from Luke Skywalker during her time on Ahch-To.”
October 14 – Darth Vader 6
Greg Pak’s Darth Vader series continues with the first of the new ‘Into the Fire’ arc. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “THE PUNISHMENT! DARTH VADER failed to turn his son, Luke Skywalker, to the dark side of the Force. No…Luke was too weak to join his father in overthrowing EMPEROR PALPATINE. Vader sought revenge against those who hid Luke from him for all of these years…and in doing so nearly betrayed his master. It did not go unnoticed by Palpatine… time for Vader’s next lesson.”
October 20 – Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Vol. 1
The manga of Claudia Gray’s Leia, Princess of Alderaan finally releases in English this month after its debut in Japan late last year. The manga is beautifully illustrated by Haruichi, enriching Claudia Gray’s already great tale. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire. A young Princess Leia spends her days learning the ways of politics, aiding those in need and preparing for the traditional ceremony in which she declares her intention to one day rule Alderaan. But as Leia prepares herself to be named the heir of the throne, she becomes aware of the growing distance between her and her parents, who behind closed doors are leaders of the newly formed rebellion. Upon learning her parents’ secrets, Leia must now make a choice between her responsibility to the people of Alderaan and her responsibility to save a galaxy crushed by the rule of the Empire.”
October 20 – Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection
With teases regularly being dropped over the last few weeks, Daniel Wallace’s upcoming lightsaber guidebook has been on the radar for a lot of Star Wars fans recently. Illustrated by Lukasz Liszko and Ryan Valle, this guidebook will showcase brand new looks at some of the Star Wars saga’s most iconic lightsabers and their wielders. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection is a comprehensive visual guide exploring the iconic and legendary lightsabers found within the Star Wars galaxy, featuring fan-favorite hilts from the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, comics, novels, and video games. Own the definitive lightsaber guide. This book features the hilts of characters such as Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Kylo Ren, Rey, Ahsoka Tano, and more. Learn about the creation and history of lightsabers from all of Star Wars, including Darth Maul’s double-bladed saber and the Darksaber.Discover never before seen art and illustrations. Featuring photo-realistic renders of lightsabers from Star Wars animation and comics, including Ezra Bridger’s blaster-saber hybrid, the Grand Inquisitor’s spinning blades, and a new lightsaber from The High Republic, this book is a must-have for Star Wars fans.”
October 20 – The Star Wars Book: Expand your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away
Pablo Hidalgo and company return with another reference book, this time offering a comprehensive examination of the franchise with new stills and essays from the saga. The book is divided into several main domains: galaxy, science and technology, the Force, the Skywalkers, galactic governments and their dissidents, and galactic denizens.
October 20 – Star Wars A Jedi, You Will Be
The 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back is celebrated with a new children’s picture book narrated by Yoda himself, written by Preeti Chhibber.
October 21 – Bounty Hunters 6
Ethan Sacks’ wildly entertaining Bounty Hunters series continues with more adventures of Valance and company. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “With precious cargo and a price on his head, VALANCE must go to the only person in the galaxy he can trust. But the UNBROKEN CLAN has sent a deadly and unique pair of bounty hunters after him. No one in the galaxy can escape the combined cunning of 4-LOM and ZUCKUSS!!!”
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures 2
Despite the delays to this series, the second issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic series is also set to drop this month, further chronicling the events between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
One of October’s more interesting projects is this one-shot comic written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by Derek Charm, Nicoletta Baldari, Nick Brokenshire, and Francesco Francavilla. Set in the aftermath of the fall of the Empire, this comic follows two boys who seek out to destroy Vader’s castle.
October 27 – This is the Way
Little Golden Books’ collaboration with Star Wars continues with “This is the Way,” a new story focusing on Din Djarin, The Child (Baby Yoda), and more!
October 28 – Doctor Aphra 5
Alyssa Wong’s Doctor Aphra series continues with the fifth issue of the current run illustrated by Marika Cresta. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “POWER TO RULE THE GALAXY? RONEN TAGGE has the legendary RINGS OF VAALE. Will he destroy the priceless artifacts or fall to their temptation? If they truly give him the power to rival the EMPEROR, what hope do APHRA and crew have to stop him?”
October 30 – The Mandalorian Season Two
And last, but certainly not least, the new season of The Mandalorian debuts (cue Ludwig Göransson’s score). Despite a whole host of casting rumors, very little is officially known about the next adventure of Din Djarin and The Child, although the trailer suggests the show will continue where the first season left off. Stay tuned to Star Wars Holocron for reviews, news, trivia, behind the scenes images, shots, quotes, parallels, and more from the new season!
For reference, a condensed list of upcoming projects in October without descriptions is included below:
October 2 – Star Wars: Squadrons
October 6 – Star Wars Origami 2: 34 More Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
October 7 – Star Wars 7
October 7 – Star Wars Adventures 1
October 13 – Star Wars: Fascinating Facts
October 13 – Star Wars Adventures Vol. 10: Driving Force
October 14 – Darth Vader 6
October 20 – Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Vol. 1
October 20 – Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection
October 20 – The Star Wars Book: Expand your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away
October 20 – Star Wars A Jedi, You Will Be
October 21 – Bounty Hunters 6
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures 2
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
October 27 – This is the Way
October 28 – Doctor Aphra 5
October 30 – The Mandalorian Season Two