Comics With Kenobi

In a surprise move, Marvel released Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) #1 digitally on May 4 as part of Star Wars Day, more than three weeks before the book goes on sale in comic shops on May 27.That means we're back in business, at least when it comes to a new Star Wars comics, and the first issue by creative team Alyssa Wong (script), Marika Cresta (art), Rachelle Rosenberg (color artist), VC's Joe Caramagna (letters) and editors Thomas Groneman and Mark Paniccia, has delivered an entertaining and balanced start that packs plenty of promise and potential.As for news, we lay out Marvel's publish plans from May 27 to the first week of July, gush about The Clone Wars finale and more.Star Wars comics out May 13:_ None

The Young Padawans reconvene to discuss the now-on hiatus Star Wars Adventures, with a look at issues #26 and #27.Emily, Micah, Amy and Matt breakdown the four stories that feature a bevy of characters, new and old, as they learn to trust themselves, work with others and absorb some life lessons.A note to listeners, there are some audio issues here and there, but it shouldn't detract from your listening enjoyment or the wider discussion.

It's a mix of old and new as Jeff and Matt explore the "Forever Crimson" trade collecting four vintage and one modern vintage issues of the first volume of Marvel's Star Wars comics.Released in 2019, thee book collects issues #16, 27, 29, 50 and 108 and is geared around Beilert Valance, the Legends character who was brought into the new canon by Robbie Thompson in the Han Solo: Imperial Cadet mini-series, featured in the Target Vader mini-series and is now center stage and the ongoing Bounty Hunters series.The stories feature fantastical tales, a mix of art from illustrators of all stripes and, above all else, great stories.Join us in this, the first of what's going to be many, irregular episodes examining key Star Wars comics from Marvel's 1977-86 (and 2019) run.In news, we talk about Diamond's aim for some comics, not all, to return May 20, including the first issues of Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) and Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales, as well as delays in several key trade and hardcover editio

The Young Padawans gather with Amy and Matt to discuss Star Wars Adventures #25, a rare full-length story that focuses on Leia Organa and Amilyn Holdo in a tale spanning Coruscant's many levels, that weaves the specter of myth with the potential for doing right by those whom power often overooks.This issue is written by Delilah S. Dawson, lavishly illustrated by Margaux Saltel and expertly lettered by Tom B. Long. It's editors include Elizabeth Brei and Denton J. Tipton.

This week's episode is an expansive nterview with writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson whose fan-made comics -- 2015's "Green Leader" and 2019's "Old Man Skywalker" -- have given Star Wars comics fans new views of characters both direct and tertiary in wordless stories that are as fluid as they are evocative.(You can check out "Old Man Skywalker" at https://bit.ly/3ayP3Op and "Green Leader" at https://bit.ly/2Kq0YTW.)While Johnson's mark on Star Wars, unofficial though it may be, cannot be discounted, his repertoire of work is boundless, evidenced by titles such as "Murder Falcon," "The Ghost Fleet" and his Eisner-nominated creator-owned mini-seres "Extremity." He's also recently launched a YouTube channel -- "Something From Nothing."Oh, and if you like his Star Wars work, listen all the way to the end as he breaks down, for the first time ever, his plans for his next comic set in that galaxy a long time ago and far, far away. (Here's a hint: B-Wings.)Follow Johnson's YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/2VOWGK

Given the closings (temporarily, we hope) amid the coronavirus pandemic, it was fitting that a new film documentary by Anthony Desiato looking at comic shops across the U.S. made its debut on iTunes and Amazon.com.We spoke with Desiato about the film, comics, shops and the overall industry, and the unique role they play in weekly comics.Learn more about the film by visiting http://firstrunfeatures.com/mycomicshopcountry.html

We've dimmed the lights, opened a bottle of the good stuff and found the comfortable chair for this episode that sees us tackle Star Wars comics published by Dark Horse.It's only fitting we start at the beginning of Dark Horse's long run of publishing Star Wars stories, turning our attention to the six-issue mini-series Dark Empire. We compare and contrast the series' parallels with the new canon and a certain film from December 2019.New Star Wars comics originally scheduled for April 22:_ Star Wars #5_ Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #4

The man in the Mandalorian armor has long been a draw for Star Wars comics since that appearance in the Star Wars Holiday Special. While we would have been talking Boba Fett in today's release of Star Wars -- Bounty Hunters #3, not to mention Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #2, the lack of new comics didn't deter us.Despite his limited screen time in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Boba Fett holds a special place for lots of fans. His appeal is enduring and it's the focus of a key new story created by Matt Harding (@Stilltsinc) and Josef Sison (@JosefSison), a pair of comics creatives, whose fan-produced Boba Fett sports some familiar faces and places in a uniquely crafted story with a twist ending. (You can download the book at https://bit.ly/39QO37U)We talked about the book with Harding and Sison at length for this episode. It was a great conversation and one you're sure to enjoy.You can check out Sison's work at www.mutantink.com and facebook.com/JSisonArt/ and peruse H

There's no new Star Wars comics this week, which has us -- and you -- bummed, given we were very much looking forward to sharing our thoughts about the debut of Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) #1 and Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #1.So what could we do but talk about the six-page preview of Doctor Aphra that was released last week, as well as the three pages that were revealed last month!Besides the truncated discussion about those issues, there's discussion about the coronavirus pandemic-related disruption to comic shops, publishers and of course Diamond, which distributes those comics.We also lay out our plans for the show during this odd time, including variations of the podcast examining key Dark Horse Comics titles, key runs during Marvel's 1977-86 run of Star Wars, as well as the U.K. comics, newspaper strips, Ewoks and Droids. New Star Wars comics (that were supposed to be) out April 8:_ Star Wars -- Bounty Hunters #3

It's an odd week for comics, given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic that's caused a lot of comic shops to close amid orders from local and state governments, but that's not stopping us from talking about this week's Star Wars -- Bounty Hunters #2, a fast-paced and energetic book that's quickly become must-read when it comes to Star Wars comics.We also dive into what Diamond's decision to halt all new comics shipments for the immediate future and ponder whether Marvel and IDW, along with other publishers, will continue to release their comics digitally until everything returns to normal.New Star Wars comics out April 1 (if they're released digitally) include:_ Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) #1_ Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #1

We're breaking down Star Wars #4, a pivotal issue in the first arc of Vol. 3 of this series, with Luke, Leia and Lando learning not just about each other, but themselves, too, in a story that pitches this arc forward into what may be a lifechanging moment for each of them.As for news, we take a look at the February sales statistics, talk about how the spread of the coronavirus is affecting comic shops and what it may mean for comics in general, too.New Star Wars comics out March 25 include:_ Bounty Hunters #2_ Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars, Vol. 3 (Star Wars: Republic #68-73, Gen. Grievous #1-4, the Star Wars Free Comic Book Day issue, Obsession #1-5, material from Star Wars Visionaries & Star Wars Tales #17)

Ben is dead. Long live Kylo Ren.Padme is dead. Long live ... Padme?Valance isn't dead, but with company that includes Bossk and Boba Fett he may be shortly.This episode is ripping at the seems with Star Wars comics stories that see readers follow Ben Solo's collapse into Kylo Ren in that mini-series final issue. In the pages of Darth Vader #2, echoes are stirred of a love that left both in ruins. Bounty Hunters #1 begins with a bang and never lets up, casting a gritty pall over the Star Wars underworld that you won't be able to wash off, even if you're using bleach.In short, March 11 is a day that will be long remembered by Star Wars comics readers for all the right reasons.New Star Wars comics out March 18, include:_ Star Wars #4_ Star Wars Adventures #31_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #2 (3rd Printing)_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #3 (2nd Printing)

With no new comics this week, we took advantage of the momentary lull to talk with the team behind Star Wars Audio Comics, a group of like-minded Star Wars fans who are transforming Marvel's Star Wars titles, along with other stories, too, into aural journeys. Don't call these motion comics. Rather, think of them as a multimedia way of reading comics.Joining us for this wide-ranging talk about the channel are Daniel Plumb, channel founder; Rob Angelli, channel manager; and Gilbert Santillanes, the channel's social-media manager.Check out Star Wars Audio Comics on:_ YouTube (https://bit.ly/2IvoBtr)_ Sister channel Fulcrum Entertainment (https://bit.ly/3av0vLh)_ Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/thecomicexperience).We've also got the latest news and more.Star Wars comics out March 11, include:_ Bounty Hunters #1_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #4 (Final Issue)_ Darth Vader #2_ Darth Vader #1 (2nd Printing)

Star Wars #3 and Project Luminous are our main topics in this week's episode with both offering up page-turning storytelling along with cliffhangars galore.In news, Project Luminous was finally revealed and chief among the ambitious new project is pair of comics -- one each from Marvel (written by Cavan Scott) and IDW Publishing (written by Daniel Jose Older) -- that will be part of the event, which begins Aug. 25 with a novel by Charles Soule who, coincidentally, writes Marvel's ongoing Star Wars flagship title.Star Wars comics out March 4, including:_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (3rd Printing)_ Star Wars #2 (2nd Printing)

An absence of official Star Wars comics is no reason not to podcast, not when we have the chance to talk with Aaron Russell, the writer of Jace Wars, a stirring and heartwarming comic that frames family, awareness and kindness using Star Wars as a lens for hope.Russell's work, along with artist Shane Kirshenblatt and layout editor Robert Goldie, is unlike any other we've read because it proffers an enriching tale about never giving up, no matter the odds, and always looking to the future for fun and adventure.You can find Jace Wars at https://bit.ly/3bTmpJIAs for news, we break down the strong showing by Star Wars #1 in January's sales charts, Star Wars #2's decline and the continued demand for The Rise of Kylo Ren mini series, which is poised to become only the second Marvel Star Wars mini series where every issue goes to multiple printing.Finally, what is the provenance of the yellow lightsaber Luke Skywalker is gripping on the cover of May's Star Wars #6? Jeff and Matt have some theories as to where it may

We examine the penultimate issue in The Rise of Kylo Ren mini-series -- written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Will Sliney, colored by GURU-eFX and lettered by Travis J. Lanham -- as Ben Solo takes his first significant steps toward the Dark Side and into the sinister embrace of the Knights of Ren.It's a profoundly unsettling issue, but in all the right ways, as Soule and Sliney craft a compelling narrative of a young man enveloped by turmoil, regret, doubt, fear and determination. In news, we discuss planned second printings of Darth Vader #1 and Star Wars #2, while we weigh in on the win by "Parasite" for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.Star Wars comics out Feb. 19 include:_ None whatsoever.

The third volume of Darth Vader debuts with an immense sense of longing and futility as readers see the Dark Lord of the Sith blaze a new trail of revenge that's lined with stinging regret culminating in an ending that left us open mouthed and gaping.If you're a fan of the Prequel Trilogy, then this story arc is likely up your alley; even more so if you read E.K. Johnston's "Queen's Shadow." New Star Wars comics out Feb. 12 include:_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #3_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #2 (2nd Printing)_ Star Wars Adventures Vol. 8: Defend the Republic! (Collects issues #18-20)_ Target Vader Trade (Collects issues #1-6)_ Doctor Aphra, Vol. 7, "A Rogue's End" (Collects issues 37-40, Annual #3 and material from Empire Ascendant #1)

After two weeks of no new Star Wars comics, we tackle Star Wars (Vol. 3) #2 and examine how the creative team is adding even more detail and context to Original Trilogy characters Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca, but even more so for Lando Calrissian.There are spoilers aplenty in this episode for the latest issue, so if you haven't read it yet, wait to listen. There's a lot to unpack as well as a nod to events yet to come that may have a particular resonance for the Sequel Trilogy.New Star Wars comics out Feb. 5, include:_ Darth Vader (Vol. 3) #1_ Star Wars: Age of Republic (collecting Anakin Skywalker #1, Count Dooku #1, Darth Maul #1, General Grievous #1, Jango Fett #1, Obi-Wan Kenobi #1, Padme Amidala #1Qui-Gon Jinn #1 and Special #1)

Another week with no new comics but that's no barrier for us because we've got plenty to talk about, including the somewhat startlingly unexpected sales figures for December's Star Wars comics, not to mention our pie-in-the-sky wish list for Star Wars comics from Marvel and IDW in 2020.New Star Wars comics out Jan. 29, include:_ Star Wars (Vol. 3) #2_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (2nd Printing)_ Star Wars Adventures #30_ The Star Wars Adventures Omnibus, collecting issues #0-8, 10, 11, the 2018 Free Comic Book Day issue and the 2018 Annual

There aren't any comics scheduled this week so Jeff and Matt talk comics as they relate to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and the just-concluded first season of The Mandalorian.More importantly, we've got a great interview with John Stratman, whose 16-bit recreation of the Vader Down story is a visionary achievement.New Star Wars comics out Jan. 22, including:_ The 154-page Star Wars Legends "Crimson Forever" trade collecting Star Wars (Vol. 1) issues #16, #27, #29, #50 and last year's #108.