On January 14, 2015, a major crossover happened in the comic book world: the iconic Star Wars universe returned to Marvel Comics after a long time. The release of Star Wars #1, created by writer Jason Aaron and artist John Cassaday, marked the beginning of a new era for Star Wars comics, which had previously been published by Dark Horse Comics for decades. This event excited fans of both Star Wars and Marvel.
When Lucasfilm redefined what was officially considered part of the Star Wars story, it essentially replaced years of fan-favorite books, comics, and games – now known as “Legends.” This change was devastating for those who loved the older stories, but others welcomed it as an opportunity for a more focused and consistent Star Wars experience across movies, shows, and other media. Regardless of how fans felt, it marked the beginning of a new direction for the franchise.
The Marvel-Star Wars Reunion
When the first Star Wars movie came out in 1977, Marvel Comics quickly jumped on the opportunity and created the very first Star Wars comic book series. Adapting A New Hope and continuing the story with original content proved incredibly popular, and the series lasted until 1986. However, when Marvel’s license expired, Dark Horse Comics took over in 1991 and published Star Wars comics for more than twenty years.
Dark Horse Comics significantly expanded the Star Wars universe. They delivered epic storylines like Dark Empire, realistic and intense tales such as Star Wars: Legacy, and detailed stories set in the Old Republic. These comics broadened the galaxy far beyond the movies, creating a complex and beloved interconnected narrative that fans adored.
Following Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm in 2012, they decided to centralize all Star Wars storytelling. This meant ending Dark Horse Comics’ long run of Star Wars comics, as the rights returned to Marvel – another company Disney already owned, having bought it in 2009. While fans were excited about the potential of Marvel handling the comics, many were sad to see the end of a series that had been a beloved part of the Star Wars experience for decades.
A Record-Breaking Debut
The release of Star Wars #1 in January 2015 was highly anticipated. Writer Jason Aaron, known for his excellent work on Thor: God of Thunder, brought his talent for epic storytelling to the Star Wars universe. Artist John Cassaday’s dynamic and movie-like artwork, previously showcased in titles like Astonishing X-Men, perfectly captured the grand scale of the Star Wars setting.
Picking up right after the events of A New Hope, the story follows Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and the Rebel Alliance as they continue their battle against the Empire. The series aimed to expand on the original trilogy by delving deeper into the characters’ relationships and challenges than the films had time to show.
The launch was a massive hit! Star Wars #1 sold over a million copies – an incredible number, especially considering most comics at the time rarely sold over 100,000. It became the best-selling comic book in twenty years, receiving fantastic reviews and sparking renewed interest in Star Wars comics. After decades, comic book stores saw lines forming again for a Star Wars release.
The Great Canon Reset
The launch of Star Wars #1 also coincided with a hugely debated choice: the removal of previously established stories and characters known as the Expanded Universe.
Before Disney bought Star Wars, the story universe was huge and a bit chaotic. Novels, games, comics, and role-playing books all added to the official storyline, which fans called the Expanded Universe. Although many of these stories were popular—like the novel Heir to the Empire—there was so much material that keeping everything consistent became a challenge, particularly as plans for new movies developed.
In 2014, Lucasfilm changed how it handled older Star Wars stories. They announced that everything previously known as the Expanded Universe (EU) would now be called “Legends.” From then on, only the films, TV series, and new stories officially approved by Lucasfilm would be considered part of the official Star Wars story. This was disappointing for many longtime fans who had enjoyed the EU for years, as their favorite stories were now considered separate from the main Star Wars timeline.
This fresh start allowed for a more focused and unified vision for how Star Wars stories were told. The first issue of the new Star Wars comic series was one of the first big projects under this new approach, and its popularity showed that taking a more careful route was a good decision. By prioritizing a strong story over simply releasing a lot of content, Lucasfilm and Marvel created something that felt both new and true to the heart of Star Wars.
Even after eleven years, the first issue of Star Wars comics continues to be influential. It revitalized the Star Wars comic book universe, leading to many new series and spin-offs, like Darth Vader by Kieron Gillen and Doctor Aphra, a particularly memorable original character from that time. It proves that even with a vast history, there’s always potential for fresh stories.
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2026-01-13 01:44