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Summary
The first published works in theStar WarsLegends continuity alter the franchise for the better in a multitude of ways . After the overwhelming success of 1977’sStar Wars(now lie with asA New Hope ) , it was not long before Lucasfilm began to expand the wandflower with new stories . A low - budget subsequence forA New Hopewas project if the movie was abortive , but this story terminate up becoming the 1978 novelSplinter of the Mind ’s Eye , by Alan Dean Foster . WhileSplinteris often comprehend as the first originalStar Warsstory , several publication precede it .
TheStar Warsfranchise underwent a fond reboot in 2014 , relegating these other publications to an alternating timeline , but before this , they were part of the officialStar Warscanon , initially called theExpanded Universe but now known asStar WarsLegends . Many Legends - era study retain a degree of popularity among viewer and inspire new properties in the modern canyon , but the earliest expatiate Universe works have , unfortunately , fallen into reconditeness to a academic degree . Some of these early Legends - earned run average works , particularly Marvel ’s originalStar Warscomics , are among the most important , and underrated , properties in theStar Warsfranchise .
Star Wars is far more than just a film phenomenon , with a astounding number of books published over the years . Here are the woof of the crop .
7Star Wars Legends Comics Told The First Original Stories After A New Hope
believe the overwhelming achiever ofA New Hope , adjuvant non - movie materials were inevitable . Technically , the first Legends property wereA New Hope’sadaptations , lead off with the novelization by Alan Dean Foster and Marvel ’s six - part comic adjustment . In October 1977 , however , the first officialStar Warsstory specify afterA New Hope – part one of the Marvel comic storyThe Keeper ’s World – was publish in the first yield of Marvel’sPizzazzmagazine . The Keeper ’s Worldsees Luke Skywalker , Princess Leia , C-3PO , and R2 - D2 traveling to a forgotten world in the Outer Rim Territories shortly after the Battle of Yavin .
Alan Dean Foster’sStar Warsnovelization came out in November 1976 , precedingA New Hopeby a little over six months .
Marvel ’s seventhStar Warscomic issue was bring out after in October 1977 . WithA New Hopealready having been adapt by the previous six issues , Marvel explored new territory , initiating a story arc in which Han Solo and Chewbacca mold a dance orchestra of rogues to defend farmers on Aduba-3 from marauders . The arc was an knowing homage toSeven Samurai , whose director and author – Akira Kurosawa – was a immense influence on George Lucas and theStar Warsfranchisewrit large . Marvel ’s comic strip , like other early Legends - era piece of work , would prove to be invaluable additions to theStar Warsfranchise .
6Marvel’s Star Wars Meaningfully Continued The Stories Of The Rebel Heroes
The earlyStar WarsLegends issue , particularly Marvel ’s comics , did an excellent job at progressing the respective characterisation of theRebel Alliance ’s main heroes . These stories bridged the gap between the original trilogy picture show , telling meaningful stories that neither contradict the movies nor allowed the hero sandwich to stagnate . In the former Marvel comics , Luke Skywalker is still trying to hone his connective to the Force and utilise his father ’s lightsaber with adequate skill , despite his minimal formal training , make his few uses of the Force rudimentary at best and his few lightsaber duel extremely perilous .
After the event ofEmpire , Lando Calrissian speedily garner the trust of his newfound ally , constitute a near friendship with Luke Skywalker and earn his place as an invaluable fellow member of the Alliance . Several stories focus on the underrated C-3PO , whose world take on center stage , with one issuance accept him disposed to give himself to save Luke Skywalker , cause the droid - hating bounty hunting watch Valance to part with Luke and question his bias . After the outcome ofReturn of the Jedi , Princess Leia begin the cognitive operation of reconstruct the Republic , get wind that renegade against a governing is far simpler than forging one .
5Darth Vader Became A Far More Terrifying & Calculating Villain
Marvel ’s creators collaborated with Lucasfilm for the originalStar Warscomics , receiving mandatory and other forms of guidance to secure that the funnies were ordered with the movies . Unsurprisingly , Darth Vader ’s interactions with the Rebel heroes , especially Luke Skywalker , could not occur too frequently , and they needed to be meaningful . Among these few early encounters were Luke and Vader ’s affaire d’honneur on Mimban inSplinter of the Mind ’s Eye , but Vader was , for the most part , more of a operator and master strategian than a villain who engaged his enemy right away .
Marvel ’s comics keep Darth Vader ordered with his cinematic portrait . Vader desire the Imperial Military to be a competent fight force ( which they are in the older comics ) , with Vader ’s tactical prowess being the key to victory more often than not . When Vader does ignite his lightsaber or pilot his TIE Advanced X1 , however , he is a well-nigh invincible threat to the Rebels . Darth Vader also behave like a rightful Sith Lord of Darth Bane ’s dynasty , orchestrating events and manipulating others , always remaining at least one stone’s throw ahead of the zep and recruiting vulnerable Force - medium to the Empire .
The Star Wars canon and legend continuity may share the original and prequel trilogy , but they each qualify Darth Vader other than .
4Mandalorian Lore Began With Marvel’s Comics
Thanks to properties likeThe Mandalorian , Mandalorian acculturation is a widely pop factor of theStar Warsfranchise . Yet Mandalorian traditional knowledge did not begin with the modernistic canyon ’s video shows or even the many works of Karen Traviss , but rather the original Marvel comic . Donald F. Glut ’s novelisation ofThe Empire Strikes Backmakes a vague reference to the origin ofBoba Fett ’s armor , but the comic strip prepare betweenEmpireandJediare the firstStar Warsproperties to search Mandalorian finish and even theplanet Mandaloreitself .
Marvel ’s Mandalorian plot line introduce Fenn Shysa ( the Mand’alor at the time ) , Spar ( his harbinger and a rogue ARC Trooper who masqueraded as Boba Fett during the Clone Wars ) , and Tobi Dala to theStar Warsfranchise . The trio were once members of the Mandalorian Protectors – later revealed to be a Separatist - align Mandalorian camarilla during the Clone Wars who were nearly pass over out by clone trooper during a battle on Norval II . These account would lay the base for further explorations of the Mandalorians after Jango Fett ’s debut , as well as Karen Traviss ’s novel .
3Marvel Expanded The Star Wars Galaxy With Enduring Lore
In addition to Mandalorian civilization , many other elements ofStar Warslore debut in other Legends - era work . The Verpine , Boltrunian , and Zeltron metal money each made their first appearances in the Marvel comics , as did the Kaleesh , thanks to a retcon . The lightsaber scrap form Trispzest , design for duelists who can fly , made its first visual aspect in Marvel ’s comics as well . The lightwhip , a rare and deadly lightsaber variant , also debuted in Marvel ’s cartoon strip . Splinter of the Mind ’s Eyenotably introduced the planet Mimban and the Kaiburr crystal , which would invigorate lightsaber crystal lore in both legend and the modern canon .
Marvel ’s comics also escort the debut of the Imperial TIE Bomber year before it made its resilient - military action debut inEmpire . Later Marvel issues would also introduce other galaxies , such as Firefist , which not only check the Nagai and Tof home planet but was also shown in the Jedi archives inStar war : Episode II – Attack of the Clones . Marvel ’s comics were even the first property to haveBoba Fett take to the woods the sarlacc pit , though their hesitance to undo a major event fromReturn of the Jedilikely explain why Fett ’s evasion was curtly - lived .
Boba Fett would make his 2nd and final escape from the sarlacc in the 1995 short storyA Barve Like That : The Tale of Boba Fett , by J. D. Montgomery .
Custom Image by Ana Nieves
Star Wars has no shortage of terrific comics , but most are n’t a part of its main continuity . Here ’s the 10 good Legends comics that need to be canon !
2Star Wars Legends Comics Brought The Sith Back With One Of Its Best Villains
One of the most important fictitious character to debut in the earlyStar WarsLegends publications is Lumiya , the Dark Lady of the Sith . Initially an elite Imperial spy who operated under recondite cover within the Rebellion ’s Rogue Squadron , Shira Brie began her Sith training after her covert was blow , and her physical structure was left critically injured when her TIE Fighter was frivol away down . Having been resuscitated via extensive cybernetic reconstructive memory , Shira Brie undergo schematic Sith breeding under Darth Vader and , with Palpatine ’s approval , became the Sith Lady Lumiya .
Lumiya ’s generation of Sith was base afterReturn of the Jedibut before Palpatine ’s return during Operation Shadow Hand , meaning that both version of the Sith Order existed on an individual basis and simultaneously for a time .
Lumiya was not only one of Luke Skywalker ’s greatest rivals , but she also founded the next iteration of the Sith after Vader and Palpatine ’s deaths . In her first show as a Sith , Lumiya trump Luke Skywalker in individual combat ( less than a year afterReturn of the Jedi ) , orchestrated the Nagai - Tof War , and would go on to further menace the galaxy in later legend stories . Lumiya played central office in Jacen Solo ’s conversion to Sith and the Second Galactic Civil War , making her one of the most impactful character from Marvel ’s comics .
1Marvel Kept The Star Wars Galaxy Alive In Between (& After) The Films
The earliestStar WarsLegends properties had an crucial function in theStar Warsfranchise overall . In the years between the original trilogy motion-picture show releases ( and in the years after the trilogy ’s conclusion ) , works like Marvel ’s funnies and other novels likeSplinter of the Mind ’s EyekeptStar Warsviewers indue in the galaxy far , far away while enriching it with more planets , character , and development for the trilogy ’s heroes and baddie . TheStar Warsoriginal trilogy ’s heroes convey years of dangerous undertaking and fire - forged friendly relationship inEmpireandJedi , which the other Legends books depict , reach the films more meaningful .
Upcoming Star Wars Movies
Release Date
The Mandalorian & Grogu
May 22 , 2026
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas . After the release of Star Wars : Episode IV- A New Hope ( in the beginning just titled Star Wars ) , the franchise promptly explode , spawning multiple sequels , prequels , TV shows , video games , comics , and much more . After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise , they apace expand the macrocosm on Disney+ , starting with The Mandalorian .
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
