The Star Wars universe has a rich and complex comic book history, with many series contributing to the lore. Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, the official Star Wars canon was reset, and only certain comics published after this reset are considered canon. Below is an extremely extensive overview of every Star Wars comic series that is still canon, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand style.
The current Star Wars canon comics are those published primarily by Marvel Comics since 2015, following the Disney acquisition. These comics are officially recognized as part of the Star Wars story continuity, meaning their events, characters, and settings are part of the official Star Wars timeline.
**Key Canon Star Wars Comic Series**
1. **Star Wars (2015–present)**
This ongoing series started shortly after the original 1977 Star Wars film and explores the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and other characters between Episodes IV and V. It expands on the early days of the Rebellion against the Empire and introduces new characters and storylines that fit seamlessly into the movies. This series is foundational for understanding the post-original trilogy era and is continuously updated with new issues[3].
2. **Darth Vader (2015–2016, 2017–2018, 2020–2022)**
Multiple Darth Vader series have been published, focusing on the Sith Lord’s activities between the films. These comics explore Vader’s missions for the Emperor, his internal struggles, and his interactions with other characters like the Emperor, Luke, and new villains. They provide deep insight into Vader’s character beyond what the movies show[1][3].
3. **Doctor Aphra (2016–present)**
Doctor Aphra is a fan-favorite character introduced in the Darth Vader comics. She is a rogue archaeologist with a morally ambiguous nature. Her solo series follows her adventures in the galaxy’s underworld, dealing with droids, bounty hunters, and Sith artifacts. This series adds a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe, focusing on less traditional heroes and antiheroes[3].
4. **Star Wars: Poe Dameron (2016–2018)**
This series follows Poe Dameron, the Resistance pilot introduced in the sequel trilogy, before and during the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens. It explores his missions, his relationship with BB-8, and the early Resistance efforts against the First Order[3].
5. **Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren (2019)**
This limited series delves into the backstory of Ben Solo’s fall to the dark side and transformation into Kylo Ren. It fills in gaps between Episodes VI and VII, showing his training under Luke Skywalker and Supreme Leader Snoke[3].
6. **Star Wars: The High Republic (2021–present)**
This is a major publishing initiative set about 200 years before the Skywalker saga. It explores the Jedi Order at its height and introduces new characters, planets, and threats. The comics in this era are part of a larger multimedia project including novels and audio dramas, all canon. The High Republic comics are praised for expanding the lore and showing a different time in the galaxy’s history[3].
7. **Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2018–2019)**
This series focuses on the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunters, including characters like Boba Fett and others. It explores their missions and the dangerous underworld they inhabit, adding depth to the criminal side of Star Wars[3].
8. **Star Wars: Lando (2015)**
A limited series focusing on Lando Calrissian’s adventures before the original trilogy. It shows his life as a gambler and smuggler, providing background to his character[3].
9. **Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin (2022)**
This series explores the relationship between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars, filling in details between Episodes II and III. It highlights their friendship, conflicts, and the events leading to Anakin’s fall[3].
10. **Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2021–present)**
Based on the hit Disney+ series, these comics expand on the adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu, exploring new missions and characters in the post-Empire era[3].
11. **Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2019–2020)**
These comics tie into the animated TV series, exploring stories of the Clone Wars era with characters like Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and others. They add depth to the war and its impact on the galaxy[3].
12. **Star Wars: Resistance (2019)**
Based on the animated series, this comic series follows the Resistance pilots and their fight against the First Order, focusing on new characters and missions[3].
13. **Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–present)**
Following the elite clone troopers introduced in the animated series, these comics explore their missions and survival after the Clone Wars, bridging the gap to the Empire’s rise[3].
14. **Star Wars: Visions (2021–present)**
Inspired by the animated anthology series, these comics present unique, stylized stories set in the Star Wars universe, often with a fresh artistic approach. They are canon but offer diverse storytelling styles[3][5].
15. **Star Wars: Legacy (2025)**
A new series announced to follow Rey and Leia Organa after the sequel trilogy, focusing on their quest to repair the Skywalker lightsaber. This series is set between Episodes VIII and IX and is part of the expanding sequel-era canon[5].
**Additional Notes on Canon vs. Legends**
It is important to note that many older Star Wars comics, such as the Dark Empire series from the 1990s, are no longer considered canon. These older stories are part of the Star Wars Legends continuity, which is a separate, non-canon universe. The current canon only includes comics published by Marvel since 2015 and a few select series tied to new multimedia projects. The Dark Empire comics, while influential and beloved, are not part of the official story continuity anymore[1].
**How Canon Comics Fit Into the Star Wars Timeline**
The canon comics cover a wide range of time periods within the Star Wars galaxy. They include stories set:
– Before the prequel trilogy (The High Republic era)
– During the prequel trilogy (Clone Wars, Obi-Wan & Anakin)
– Between Episodes III and IV (The Bad Batch, Darth Vader)
– Between Episodes IV and V (Star Wars 2015 series, Lando)
– Between Episodes VI and VII (The Rise of Kylo Ren, Doctor Aphra)
– During the sequel trilogy (Poe Dameron, Resistance)
– After the sequel trilogy (The Mandalorian comics, Legacy)
This broad coverage allows fans to explore many facets of the Star Wars saga beyond the films and TV shows.
**Why These Comics Matter**
These canon comics are essential for fans who want to dive deeper into the Star Wars universe. They provide character development, new adventures, and background stories that enrich the movies and shows. They also introduce new characters and concepts that sometimes
