By George Bate & Josh Bate
Enjoy a summer of fun with plenty of new Star Wars releases ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Ahsoka in August. Below includes a list and description of upcoming Star Wars projects in the month of July. It is important to note all of these release dates are subject to change.
July 4 – Star Wars: Hidden Empire trade paperback
Those who missed the conclusion of Charles Soule’s Qi’ra trilogy can catch up with this collection of all five issues. The publisher’s summary for the release is as follows: “The next big Star Wars comic event is here, as Qi’ra continues her campaign against the Empire! Qi’ra’s final plot to take down the Empire! The mysterious criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn and its leader, Lady Qi’ra, have become the galaxy’s most wanted, now that Emperor Palpatine has realized the scope of their plans against him and moves to destroy her. But Qi’ra still has tricks up her sleeve, and with the help of the Knights of Ren and her many other allies, she will not go down without a fight! The epic trilogy begun in STAR WARS: WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS and STAR WARS: CRIMSON REIGN concludes here!”
July 5 – Hyperspace Stories 6
Dive into the history of Greedo in this new comic from writer Cecil Castellucci and penciller Eduardo Mello. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Long before his infamous run-in with Han Solo, Greedo was a rookie crook trying to rise through the ranks of Jabba the Hutt’s gangster organization. But his young ambitions are quickly derailed when a big deal goes south, and Greedo is set up to take the fall by Jabba’s latest romantic companion. Can Greedo make it out alive, or will he find himself the latest offering to Jabba’s pet Rancor!”
July 5 – Star Wars (2020) 36
Continue to explore the events between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with Charles Soule’s comic series. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming 36th issue is as follows: “DISASTER LOOMS FOR THE REBEL ALLIANCE! With the discovery that the Empire is building a second DEATH STAR, the Rebels are on the verge of despair. But LEIA ORGANA has devised an impossible mission to remind both the Rebels and the galaxy how to hope. It’s the FALCON’s time to shine, as the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy flies into the belly of the beast!”
July 5 – Yoda 9
Marc Guggenheim pens the latest issue of this Yoda-centric comic with illustrations by Alessandro Miracolo. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming ninth issue is as follows: “LL, HELLO THERE…The MEGADROID is on the march! And only Jedi Master YODA and ANAKIN SKYWALKER can stop it. But what is the lesson Yoda is trying to impart on young Skywalker? Guest-starring: OBI-WAN KENOBI!”
July 11 – Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Volume 1 – Rebels and Resistance
Issues 1-4 of Dark Horse Comics’ Hyperspace Stories series are collected in this new paperback. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Dark Horse returns to Star Wars with new tales of adventure! This anthology series brings readers new tales of adventure from across the length and breadth of the Star Wars galaxy. From the hallowed days of the High Republic to the Resistance’s desperate struggle against the First Order, some of comics most exciting creators have come together to bring you a brand new side of a galaxy far, far away.”
July 11 – Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Tales of the Jedi Vol. 3
The latest Legends collection compiles an array of Star Wars comics set thousands of years before A New Hope. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The early adventures of the Jedi order conclude! Almost 4000 years before Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, a young Jedi named Exar Kun steals his master’s holocron, intent on learning the secrets of the Sith — and takes on Jedi Knight Ulic Qel-Droma as his apprentice! Will this dark knowledge corrupt them and turn them into Sith as well? Only the Jedi Nomi Sunrider may have the answer to their fates — and whether they face doom or redemption in the Force! As war turns Jedi against Jedi, who will survive…and who will be lost to history? COLLECTING: Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – Dark Lords of the Sith (1994) #1-6, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Sith War (1995) #1-6, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – Redemption (1998) #1-5; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) 23, and Dark Horse Comics 7-9.”
July 12 – Bounty Hunters 36
Boba Fett features again in Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters series. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming 36th issue is as follows: “BOBA FETT: MARKED FOR DEATH! THE BLACK SUN SYNDICATE wants BOBA FETT’S HEAD! But the new team of BOUNTY HUNTERS has something to say about that! Featuring DURGE, BOSSK, 4-LOM, ZUCKUSS, DEATHSTICK, VALANCE, KHEL and T’ONGA!”
July 12 – Darth Vader (2020) 36
The team-up between Vader and Aphra continues in the 36th issue of author Greg Pak’s series. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming issue is as follows: “DEATH BY DROID! With his Force powers still out of control, Darth Vader’s more powerful and vulnerable than ever before… Which makes this the perfect time for him to be BETRAYED by one of his most trusted associates (and astoundingly, it’s not APHRA or OCHI)! Featuring the return of TRIPLE-ZERO and BEE TEE – and the deadliest team up of droids Vader has ever faced!”
July 18 – Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade
Deliah S. Dawson writes this highly anticipated novel focusing on the journey of an Inquisitor. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming Del Rey Books release is as follows: “When the Jedi Order falls, an Inquisitor rises. Padawan Iskat Akaris has dedicated her life to traveling the galaxy alongside her master, learning the ways of the Force to become a good Jedi. Despite Iskat’s dedication, peace and control have remained elusive, and with each setback, she feels her fellow Jedi grow more distrustful of her. Already uncertain about her future in the Jedi Order, Iskat faces tragedy when her master is killed and the Clone Wars engulf the galaxy in chaos. Now a general on the front lines contributing to that chaos, she is often reminded: Trust in your training. Trust in the wisdom of the Council. Trust in the Force. Yet as the shadows of doubt take hold, Iskat begins to ask questions that no Jedi is supposed to ask: Questions about her own unknown past. Questions the Jedi Masters would consider dangerous. As the years pass and the war endures, Iskat’s faith in the Jedi wanes. If they would grant her more freedom, she is certain she could do more to protect the galaxy. If they would trust her with more knowledge, she could finally cast aside the shadows that have begun to consume her. When the Jedi Order finally falls, Iskat seizes the chance to forge a path of her own. She embraces the salvation of Order 66. As an Inquisitor, Iskat finds the freedom she has always craved: to question, to want. And with each strike of her red blade, Iskat moves closer to claiming her new destiny in the Force—whatever the cost.”
July 18 – Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett Collector’s Edition
Dive behind the scenes of The Book of Boba Fett with this collector’s edition from Titan Comics. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “A deluxe book dedicated to the hit live-action series Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett, streaming on Disney+, including character profiles, plots, settings, and behind-the-scenes features. An in-depth look at the making of the hit show, the book includes profiles of the characters featured in the show including Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, Din Djarin, and Grogu along with rare photographs, production art, a complete episode guide, and a detailed behind-the scenes look at the visual effects.”
July 19 – Doctor Aphra (2020) 34
Alyssa Wong’s brilliant Aphra comic continues to amaze with the 34th issue this July. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “ENTER THE STARWEIRD! Long ago, Jedi Masters SHAAK TI and AAYLA SECURA sealed away a GREAT AND TERRIBLE POWER……a horrifying, ancient creature that RESONATES WITH THE FORCE…and DOCTOR APHRA and LUKE SKYWALKER have just released it!”
July 19 – Return of the Jedi – The Rebellion 1
Alex Segura, who previously wrote Poe Dameron: Free Fall, writes this one-shot comic to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “MON MOTHMA MUST DIE! ADMIRAL ACKBAR is the only one with the knowledge of THE EMPIRE’s plans to kill Mon Mothma. Enter POE DAMERON’s parents, SHARA BEY and KES DAMERON, to thwart the threat! But do they have what it takes to take down the unknown assassin in time?”
July 26 – Darth Vader – Black, White & Red 4
More Vader can never be a bad thing. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming fourth and final issue of this anthology series is as follows: “TRAPPED ON THE FROZEN PLANET HOTH! FRANK TIERI sends VADER to HOTH. STEVE ORLANDO goes cerebral with THE CORRUPTION OF DARTH VADER’S MIND! PLUS: The Final Chapter of JASON AARON & LEONARD KIRK’s dark tales!”
July 26 – The Mandalorian Season 2 #2
Rodney Barnes adapts Chapter 10 of The Mandalorian in this comic book. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “THE PASSENGER! The Mandalorian must ferry a passenger with precious cargo on a dangerous journey. STEVEN CUMMINGS (CRIMSON REIGN, HIDDEN EMPIRE) joins RODNEY BARNES for issue #2 of this galaxy-spanning series!”
For reference, a condensed list of upcoming projects in July 2023 without descriptions is included below:
July 4 – Star Wars: Hidden Empire trade paperback
July 5 – Hyperspace Stories 6
July 5 – Star Wars (2020) 36
July 5 – Yoda 9
July 11 – Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Volume 1 – Rebels and Resistance
July 11 – Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Tales of the Jedi Vol. 3
July 12 – Bounty Hunters 36
July 12 – Darth Vader (2020) 36
July 18 – Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade
July 18 – Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett Collector’s Edition
July 19 – Doctor Aphra (2020) 34
July 19 – Return of the Jedi – The Rebellion 1
July 26 – Darth Vader – Black, White & Red 4
July 26 – The Mandalorian Season 2 #2