HAPPY MAY THE FOURTH! | Star Wars Comics + Books I Plan to Read

May Fourth—aka Star Wars Day—the day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here.

We all know it’s gonna be a puntastic day!

You can tell how beloved this franchise through many different ways—discussions, books, video games, merchandises— and it’s amazing to see people keeping it alive.

With the release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens at the end of the year, my excitement for this epic space opera is 110% through the roof. I want to talk about everything and celebrate its awesomeness. I want to devour every piece of media I can get my greedy hands on. That’s why I wanted to talk about the Star Wars graphic novels and books I plan to read.

When Princess Leia Organa was captured by the Empire as a Rebel spy, she never betrayed her convictions, even in the face of the complete destruction of her home world, Alderaan. When her rescue came, she grabbed a blaster and joined the fight, escaping back to the Rebel Alliance and helping strike the biggest blow against the Empire—the destruction of the Death Star. But in the aftermath of that victory, the question remains…what is a princess without a world?

Writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, S.H.I.E.L.D.) and artist Terry Dodson (Avengers & X-Men: Axis, Uncanny X-Men) bring us a story of Leia’s quest to help her people and find her place in the galaxy. — Source

That’s right. Princesss Leia has her very own comic series! Eeep.

Who wouldn’t want to see badass Leia in action? She’s not a damsel in distress. She can kick ass, and hopefully, this comic series shows Leia doing so.

Boba Fett, the most feared, most respected, and most loved bounty hunter in the galaxy now has all of his comics stories collected into one massive volume!

In these stories, Boba Fett gets caught between the Rebellion and the Empire; seeks a mysterious relic from a wrecked Star Destroyer; settles a diplomatic dispute — with extreme prejudice; takes part in a bounty-hunter free-for-all; fights Darth Vader; and even goes up against a Boba Fett imposter! There’s no job too deadly for the man in Mandalorian armor! — Source

BOBA. FETT.

‘Nuff said.

It is a period of insurgence. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base on a moon of Yavin, have won a shocking surprise victory against the rightful reign of the Galactic Empire.

The Empire’s ultimate peacekeeping force, THE DEATH STAR, was destroyed due to an unforeseen design flaw. Without this deterrent, the rule of law is in danger. Chaos looms!

For the nineteen years after the vanquishing of the Jedi and his painful rebirth on volcanic Mustafar, Sith Lord DARTH VADER has faithfully served his master. But now, he has failed the Emperor and must pay the price….

Writer Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, Journey Into Mystery, Iron Man) and artist Salvador Larroca (Invincible Iron Man, X-Men: No More Humans) bring us a peek behind the mask of evil! — Source

*inserts Darth Vader’s theme song*

Oh boy, I’m incredibly excited about this series because 1. freakin’ Darth Vader! and 2. Kieron Gillen is writing this (who also writes my favorite comics series ever, The Wicked + The Divine). Darth Vader is one of the most fascinating villains ever created, and I want to see how Gillen develops him.

Return once more to a galaxy far, far away with this sublime retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearstome Stormtroopers, signifying…pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations–William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for. — Source

Have you ever wondered what the Star Wars series would sound like if Shakespeare had written it? Well, this series of Ian Doescher is what we’ve been looking for! This reimagining sounds so fun!

[row][column size=”1/2″]Five thousand years before Luke Skywalker’s successful assault on the Death Star, the Sith Lord Marka Ragnos ruled the galaxy. That is, until his death ignited a battle for ascension that would spell the end for his empire and nearly the entire galaxy! It would be another thousand years before two young Jedi novices Ulic Qel-Droma and Nomi Sunrider would rise for the cause of justice, first in the case of a Jedi-killing Hutt, and then against a dark Jedi spirit threatening to engulf an entire planet![/column]

[column size=”1/2″]In a time when Jedi were numerous and the Sith Empire but a bitter memory, an ancient evil rose again, corrupting one of the Jedi’s finest and igniting a war that ravaged worlds. The Sith were reborn, ties of friendship and family were betrayed, and the lives of Jedi Nomi Sunrider and Ulic Qel-Droma were changed forever.[/column][/row]

This along with Knights of the Old Republic (below) are a favorite of many comic readers. And why wouldn’t they love this series? It tells of the earliest days of the Jedis and Siths and their conflict, which sounds fascinating.

[row][column size=”1/2″]Padawan Zayne Carrick is suddenly a fugitive framed for the murder of his fellow Jedi-in-training. Little does the galaxy know, Zayne’s own Masters are behind the massacre and dead set on recovering him before he can reveal the truth. Zayne will find unexpected allies in his travels – a scheming con man, a senile genius and his fierce protector, enemy droids, and even a Mandalorian! [/column]

[column size=”1/2″]After Zayne Carrick is framed for the murder of his fellow Jedi in training, his poor luck prevents him from clearing his name and throws him into dangerous situations all over the galaxy, leading to his final confrontation with the Jedi Masters who massacred their own Padawans![/column][/row]

As I’ve said above, this omnibus along with Tales of the Jedi are beloved series that comic readers enjoy. New story, new characters? Yes please. I’ve heard it’s also amusing and fun to read. I think I’ll really enjoy this one. ;)

Have you read any of these Star Wars books? Which ones are you interested in reading?