Star Wars Celebrates 50 Years with a Fresh Take on the Original Trilogy
The 50th anniversary of Star Wars is fast approaching, and Lucasfilm is gearing up for a grand celebration of the iconic original trilogy that launched a beloved franchise cherished by fans worldwide.
Disney’s plans for this milestone go beyond just screening the original film in IMAX theaters. During Lucasfilm Publishing’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, a wealth of upcoming books was announced, catering to fans of all ages and tastes, with a clear focus on the original trilogy.
One of the standout announcements is a graphic novel by siblings Chas! Pangburn and Kim Shearer, titled Star Wars: A New Hope: Triple Take. This novel offers a fresh retelling of A New Hope through the eyes of its three legendary protagonists: Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo.
For those hoping for new narratives rather than just nostalgia, there’s plenty to look forward to, including a story that delves into Kylo Ren’s next moves and a prequel featuring young Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter.
Here’s a rundown of what was unveiled at the Lucasfilm Publishing Comic-Con panel, including release dates and why these titles are worth your attention.
Though Pangburn and Shearer are new to the Star Wars universe, they bring experience from their popular “flip book” series, Double Booking, which follows young adults and kids on thrilling adventures. What better adventure to tackle than the one that united Luke, Leia, and Han?
While a retelling might seem straightforward, the distinct personalities of Luke, Leia, and Han promise a fresh perspective and deeper insights into their thoughts during the original film.
Author: Kim Shearer & Chas! Pangburn
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Release Date: May 2027
Official synopsis:
Celebrate 50 years of Star Wars with a dynamic graphic novel retelling of the groundbreaking adventure that started it all!
Sibling writers and newcomers to Star Wars, Chas! Pangburn and Kim Shearer (Double Booking), present a fun, multi-perspective retelling that reimagines the events of Star Wars: A New Hope through the eyes of the Rebellion’s most notable heroes: Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker!
Luke envisions a grand journey of destiny and bravery, Leia reflects on the harsh realities of rebellion against the Empire, and Han? He mostly remembers just how heroic he was.
Experience the iconic story like never before, from Darth Vader’s chilling first appearance to the lively Mos Eisley Cantina and the destruction of the Death Star! Fans can expect a visual feast as a talented team of artists brings each character’s narrative to life.
Beth Revis, a well-known author in the sci-fi and fantasy realm, returns in 2027 with a story that explores a time only hinted at in The Rise of Skywalker and the 2026 novel Star Wars: Legacy. This tale focuses on Luke Skywalker training his twin sister Leia to harness the Force and become a Jedi.
In the now non-canonical Expanded Universe, there have been too few stories centered on the Skywalker siblings and their relationship. Revis aims to address this gap while also exploring how the legacy of their parents, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, influences their futures.
Author: Beth Revis
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Release Date: April 6, 2027
Official synopsis:
After the events of Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa train together in the ways of the Jedi. The siblings must confront the legacies of their birth parents, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, and their own diverging paths in the Force.
With the second Death Star in ruins, the New Republic pursues scattered Imperial forces across the galaxy. Luke and Leia train on the remote planet of Ajan Kloss, walking the Jedi path side by side.
During this time away from battle, the twins deepen their connection to the Force and strengthen their bond as they take on the responsibility of continuing the Jedi Order’s legacy. However, each carries a burden they struggle to share. Luke is proud of Leia’s progress but doubts his teaching abilities, while Leia is determined to master her skills but grapples with the implications of fully committing to the Force and the reality of being Darth Vader’s daughter.
Despite their uncertainties, Luke and Leia volunteer for a critical covert mission for the New Republic to infiltrate the heart of Imperial power: Coruscant.
Their journey begins at the Imperial palace, once the Jedi Temple, where they gain new insights into the former Jedi Order and Galactic Republic. This mission will transform them in ways they cannot foresee, as they uncover the legacy left by their parents on a planet where hope still flickers. Though certainty is elusive, Luke and Leia’s trust in each other will guide them on their respective paths.
No celebration of 50 years would be complete without a commemorative book. The new release from a publisher is a must-have for collectors, featuring exclusive interviews, secrets, and stories that showcase why Star Wars remains a cultural phenomenon.
Publisher: DK
Release Date: April 6, 2027
Official synopsis:
Unlock 50 years of Star Wars secrets, myths, and stories with this unparalleled guide to a cultural icon, featuring exclusive new interviews with the creators and talent who brought a galaxy far, far away to life, alongside stunning behind-the-scenes photography and concept art.
Explore the epic saga of Star Wars—the making of the films, the creation of iconic merchandise, the expansion into books, comics, and video games, and the global phenomenon of the Star Wars fandom, including conventions, themed lands, cosplay, and more.
This essential history is the ultimate 50th-anniversary book for every fan, proving that Star Wars is more than just a film series—it’s a cultural force that has changed the world.
While set in a galaxy filled with space battles and aliens, Star Wars has never confined itself to a single genre. Cavan Scott’s chilling horror stories will follow characters like Anakin, Luke, Leia, and Rey as they confront both the mysterious and the terrifying.
Author: Cavan Scott
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: Sept. 22, 2026
Official synopsis:
Deep in the Outer Rim, far from the light of the Jedi, strange creatures share spine-tingling tales that would frighten even the most ruthless Sith Lord!
As the twin suns set over Tatooine, Captain Vaclav finds himself dangling above Jabba the Hutt’s rancor pit! To bargain for his freedom, Vaclav entertains the crime lord with three terrifying tales of phantom droids, alien lycanthropes, and ice-planet serpents! Can he scare the cold-hearted Hutt?
On the stormy coast of Kef Bir, a cloaked figure warns a young maverick named Fry about the horrors lurking in the ruins of the Death Star: trash compactor terrors, ghostly pilots, and Imperial zombies! Will Fry heed the warning?
And on long nights in Ryloth, Twi’leks whisper about the Nightlander. This shadowy figure haunts three generations of legendary heroes in its quest to spread despair across the galaxy! How will Anakin, Luke, Leia, and Rey confront this dark power?
If you thought Kylo Ren was done, think again. Following his last precarious adventure on Mustafar in 2025’s Star Wars: Legacy of Vader, The Fall of Kylo Ren tracks Kylo as he embraces his role as Supreme Leader and the fallout that ensues.
Author: Charles Soule
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Date: Available now
Official synopsis:
THE LEGACY OF VADER CREATES A NEW EMPIRE OF FEAR! Kylo Ren returns from devastation, wielding total fury! As Generals Hux and Pryde tear the First Order apart with treacherous ambition, Kylo cuts through their schemes with merciless clarity. His wrath forges unity through fear, creating a Supreme Leader that neither general can escape or survive disappointing. This pivotal moment for Kylo, Hux, and Pryde is essential reading for every Star Wars fan.
Though Lucasfilm’s animated series The Bad Batch has concluded, the adventures of Clone Force 99 are far from over. If you’re eager for more stories featuring Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, and Echo, keep an eye out for this upcoming graphic novel.
Author: Michael Moreci
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Official Synopsis:
The team behind Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch—Ghost Agents returns with this thrilling follow-up series, now collected in graphic novel format!
The Bad Batch is back!
When a Separatist scientist and his dangerous invention go missing during the Clone Wars, Clone Force 99 is dispatched to track him down and prevent the device from falling into the wrong hands. However, as Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, and Tech arrive at the scientist’s abandoned lab, they quickly realize they’re not the only ones on his trail—and this mission will be unlike any they’ve faced before!
The ensuing chase spans the galaxy as the Bad Batch races against new foes from planet to planet in search of the scientist. If Clone Force 99 can’t reach him before their adversaries do, it could spell disaster!
This sequel to the hit mini-series Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch—Ghost Agents is brought to you by the same all-star team! Rejoin author Michael Moreci (Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories—Grievous, Barbaric), penciler Reese Hannigan (Astonishing Times: The Rise of Kokin), inker Elisabetta D’Amico (Spider Gwen: Smash, Star Trek), and colorist Michael Atiyeh (Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories—Tides of Terror, Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures) for another exciting installment in the Hyperspace Stories line!
From his first appearance as a formidable presence in the original film, Darth Vader has become one of the most unforgettable characters in the franchise, alongside Luke, Leia, and Han. Now, with insights from journalist Anthony Breznican and actor Hayden Christensen, fans will gain a deeper understanding of what makes Vader such an enduring icon.
Author: Anthony Breznican, Hayden Christensen
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: Oct. 20, 2026
Official synopsis:
No Star Wars character has left a more significant mark on pop culture than Darth Vader. Since his debut in the original 1977 film, he has remained one of the most iconic and enduring figures throughout the saga. Star Wars Icons: Darth Vader explores the character’s journey, from his origins in George Lucas’s early drafts to Anakin Skywalker’s tragic descent into darkness in the prequel trilogy and beyond.
A DETAILED HISTORY OF DARTH VADER: This comprehensive and revealing book delves into Darth Vader’s role in the Star Wars galaxy, across film, television, novels, comics, video games, and more.
DISCOVER ENGAGING IMAGERY AND COLLECTIBLE INSERTS: Filled with a wealth of rare imagery, including candid on-set photography, stunning concept art, and collectible inserts.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: This deluxe volume features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with key Star Wars creatives and contributors to the character’s legacy.
COMPLETE YOUR STAR WARS COLLECTION: This book joins Star Wars: Jedi Artifacts, Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith, Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, and Star Wars Icons: Han Solo in Insight Editions’ lineup of fan-favorite Star Wars books.
Marvel Comics’ Rogue One prequel series has offered fans fresh perspectives on the iconic characters who sacrificed everything on Scarif to deliver the crucial Death Star plans. Currently, three of the five comics have been released: Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, and Saw Gerrera.
However, Chirrut & Baze and Darth Vader still have their one-shot comics yet to debut. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long.
Author: Jody Houser and Emilio Laiso
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Date: Oct. 14 and 28, 2026
Official synopsis:
The Rebellion is here! One of Star Wars’ most epic films leaps from the big screen to the comic book page. All seems lost for the Rebellion against the Empire as they learn of a new super-weapon—the Death Star. Rebel heroes Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor embark on a desperate mission to steal the plans to destroy this new threat. From creators Jody Houser and Emilio Laiso!
It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since The Book of Boba Fett first premiered, and even harder to accept that it took this long for the series to receive its own comic adaptation. Still, better late than never, and if you’re a Boba Fett fan, you’ll definitely want to see his journey to becoming Tatooine’s daimyo in comic form.
Author: Rodney Barnes
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Date: Sept. 9, 2026
Official synopsis:
After his long-awaited return in The Mandalorian, Boba Fett starred in his own Disney+ series, The Book of Boba Fett. The hit show reintroduced the iconic bounty hunter as he navigated the galaxy’s underworld and claimed control of Tatooine following Jabba the Hutt’s fall.
This August, in the tradition of Marvel Comics’ epic Star Wars adaptations, Marvel brings this pivotal saga to comic stands in STAR WARS: THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT, a seven-issue series by Star Wars veterans Rodney Barnes (Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon, Ahsoka) and Will Sliney (Rise of Kylo Ren). The comic series marks the exciting debut of several key characters, including Garsa Fwip, Dokk Strassi, Mok Shaiz’s majordomo, and more!
BOBA FETT HOLDS COURT AND FACES NEW CHALLENGES ON TATOOINE! After escaping from the Sarlacc Pit, Boba Fett has taken over Jabba the Hutt’s syndicate, but does he have what it takes to maintain order on Tatooine?
Whether you loved or disliked it, no one can forget the bold move Star Wars made by bringing the adventures of Din Djarin and his Jedi ward Grogu to the screen in Star Wars: The Mandalorian. With this new book, fans will have the opportunity to explore the planets, characters, and more in greater depth.
Author: Phillip Szostak, Foreword by Doug Chiang
Publisher: Abrams
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Official synopsis:
The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu takes fans behind the scenes of the first Star Wars theatrical release in seven years.
Directed by Jon Favreau and co-written by Favreau and Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian and Grogu follows the iconic duo that has captured hearts in Disney+’s standout series as they embark on new adventures following the fall of the evil Empire.
With Imperial warlords scattered across the galaxy, the fledgling New Republic seeks to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, enlisting the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice, Grogu.
Filled with concept art, sketches, and interviews with key cast, crew, and creatives, The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu offers readers an exclusive look at the art created for the latest Star Wars film and the stories behind its characters, locations, and vehicles. The film features performances by Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White.
