The New Expanded Universe: Where to Start with ‘Star Wars’ Comics

Ever since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the company has been trying to reinvent the vast, fluid, and beloved Star Wars Expanded Universe. For those of us who loved the EU, it was an upsetting decision, but one that made a whole lot of business sense. Disney is a corporation who likes to control the narrative, so it’s unsurprising that they want to stay on top of the new Star Wars canon.

It’s been six years and Disney has actually done a pretty fantastic job of diversifying and solidifying the greater world of Star Wars outside of the movies, with a huge selection of novels and comics that expand the universe of the new films. It can be a little overwhelming working out where to start, but these fantastic Marvel and IDW comics offer the best possible entry point for the updated Star Wars galaxy.

Star Wars

Jason Aaron, John Cassady, and Laura Martin

The flagship title of the Marvel Star Wars line, this introduction to the new comics continuity saw critical darling Jason Aaron team up with Planetary‘s John Cassady and superstar colorist Laura Martin to take us back to the iconic original trilogy. This first story arc focuses on the classic crew as they battle the Empire after the destruction of the Death Star. This is a perfect entry point for fans of the original movies, as Aaron, Cassaday, and Martin take fans back to the era just after A New Hope and expand on the legends that we all know and love that many of us grew up on.

Darth Vader

Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larocca, and Edgar Delgado

Everyone loves a villain. In main Star Wars canon, there are none more villainous than Darth Vader and this is one of the standout series from the new line of comics. Taking place directly after A New Hope, this story follows Vader attempting to come to terms with Palpatine’s Machiavellian acts whilst also seeking a very personal vengeance on the Rebels who destroyed the Death Star. Salvador Larocca and Kieron Gillen craft a great story for Dark Side fans, especially those who always wondered why the little boy who was so great at making droids never really bothered to do that after becoming Vader.

Obi-Wan & Anakin

Charles Soule, Marco Checchetto, and Andres Jose Mossa

This miniseries takes readers back to the years following The Phantom Menace, before best two friends became fierce foes. If you’re a fan of the Master/Padawan relationship, this is the comic for you. Exploring Obi-Wan and Anakin’s friendship as it’s tested during a routine mission to a remote planet, this book is heartbreaking for audiences who know just where these two men will end up. An exciting and fully contained story, this is a great comic for anyone who loves Star-Lore, as well as a fantastic entry point to the greater Star Wars canon.

Princess Leia

Mark Waid, Terry & Rachel Dodson, and Jordie Bellaire

Though we long to see the day that a woman is allowed to write a Princess Leia book – check out the Forces of Destiny and Star Wars Adventures entries below for women writing Star Wars books – this is a fun and adventurous book, with the fantastic Rachel Dodson on inks. This five-issue miniseries follows everyone’s favorite Princess as she deals with the destruction of her home planet of Alderaan and attempts to find other survivors like her around the galaxy. The creative team does a great job of creating a portrait of a young woman fighting to preserve her culture and heritage against the background of an expansive galactic war.

Chewbacca

Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto

This is one of the most fun and inventive of the Star Wars comics. It’s always a joy to see creators work out how to tell a story where the main character doesn’t speak in anything but roars. Duggan and Noto do a great job of creating a world that revolves around Chewie without ever making him stray from his mother tongue of Shyriiwook. The story focuses on Chewie helping a young girl named Zarro, who has escaped from a slave colony and enlists the Millennium Falcon co-pilot to help free her people. It’s an accessible action comic that’s perfect for fans of the famous furry one.

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