NYCC 23: Marvel Comics’ Star Wars wrap-up

There was a good deal of news at Comic Con for fans of the Galaxy Far, Far Away, including the return of a prequel-era Jedi.

A fan-favorite

There has been quite a bit of speculation, especially here in the Disney+ era of Star Wars, about the return of one Mace Windu. The Jedi Master and hero of the Clone Wars was of course killed by Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith, thrown from an impossibly high window on Coruscant. But that said, many fans would love to see a little (more) retcon action take place, to facilitate a return for both Windu and actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Be that as it may, Marvel Comics will be bringing the character back, though not in one of the fiction’s later eras. Instead, the publisher will be heading back to the aforementioned Clone Wars, for a solo tale that’ll see Mace Windu engaging in some espionage, to protect a secret from falling into the hands of the Hutts, and maybe even the Republic.

But while that new solo series was probably the biggest news to come out of Marvel’s Comic Con presence, it wasn’t all there was. Star Wars will once again be a mainstay of the company’s lineup, with books based on Jango Fett and Grand Admiral Thrawn planned, plus the conclusion to the Star Wars: Bounty Hunters series at issue #42.

The action kicks off in January, with the release of Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #42 and Star Wars: Thrawn – Alliances #1 (of 4). After that, February 2024 will bring Star Wars: Mace Windu #1 (of 4) and March will follow-up with Star Wars: Jango Fett #1, with that last one looking to be a new ongoing.

Here’s your full wrap-up of what was announced:

• Launching in January, STAR WARS: THRAWN – ALLIANCES will see Zahn team up with writer Jody Houser and artists Andrea Di Vito and Pat Olliffe to bring his groundbreaking chapter of Thrawn’s saga to Marvel Comics! Witness the tactical prowess of the galaxy’s most dangerous mind in action as Thrawn begins his legendary rise to power and forges a lasting and deadly partnership with Darth Vader.  
• In February, one the greatest Jedi must stop an incendiary secret from falling into the wrong hands in STAR WARS: MACE WINDU, a new limited series written by Marc Bernardin and drawn by Georges Jeanty. Even in the years before the Clone Wars, Mace Windu was known for his discipline, determination and combat skills. When a scientist’s discovery threatens the balance of the galaxy, Mace is led down a treacherous path of mystery and action. The series will also introduce Azita Cruuz, a pirate with a deadly secret, who the Hutts and the Republic will stop at nothing to control!  
• January also marks the explosive conclusion of Ethan Sacks’ STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS with issue 42. Valance the bounty hunter has one final mission to complete…and it may indeed be his LAST! Can he and the crew fight their way past Boba Fett…and Jabba’s secret weapon? Find out in this grand finale that’s four years in the making!
• Come March, Ethan Sacks will continue to deliver action-packed storytelling set in Star Wars’ criminal underworld in STAR WARS: JANGO FETT. Alongside Star Wars veteran artist Luke Ross, Sacks continues the legacy of one of the greatest bounty hunters: JANGO FETT! A bounty to find! A mystery to solve! A treaty at risk! All this plus Aurra Sing in the mix! Be there for Jango Fett’s brand-new mission!

Marvel Comics press release