It’s hard to start thinking about January, 2021 already, but we are already less than a mere ninety days away. (Of course, the way 2020 has gone, perhaps January 2021 can’t come soon enough….) One thing is certain: Marvel is going to have a very busy beginning to the year when it comes to Star Wars comics. Not only are there a slew of new stories on the horizon, but most will have harken back to characters of Star Wars past. One will even tie directly in to The Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars Comics; bounty hunters
Image: Marvel Comics

As seen on starwars.com, Marvel has given us a sneak previews of the Star Wars comics coming in the new year. Star Wars Bounty Hunters continues to tell tales of the seedy Star Wars underworld in issue #9. Valance is trapped on a Rebel transport and must make a daring escape. Doing so, however, will send him right on a “crash course” with Empire Strikes Back bounty hunter Dengar!

Star Wars comics reach deep into the galaxy far, far away

Star Wars Comics; Darth Vader
Image: Marvel Comics

The big story, however, is Darth Vader #9. In this issue we’ll get direct backstory to one of the major subplots of The Rise of Skywalker. The Star Wars comics, it seems, will dive into the tale of the Wayfinder, and maybe even Exegol:

In his search for vengeance in the depths of Mustafar, Darth Vader has seized the mysterious key to the Emperor’s greatest secret. But the key itself needs a key — which only the deadly assassin Ochi of Bestoon seems to have. Vader and Ochi are in for the fight of their lives with the fate of the Emperor in the balance — but how much of this is all Palpatine’s plan? And what happens when the Sith Lord and the Sith Assassin start to figure that plan out?

Star Wars Comics; Doctor Aphra; Marvel
Image: Marvel Comics

Valence and Vader aren’t the only ones encountering old friends and foes in the Star Wars comics, though. Our favorite, ne’re-do-well, rogue archeologist is at it again, as well. Doctor Aphra’s adventures will take her to Corellia, and to none other than “Mrs. Han Solo,” Sana Starros!

Of course the Rebels continue their post-Empire Strikes Back struggles against the Empire in Star Wars #10, too. All in all, January is going to be a big month for Star Wars comics!

Source: starwars.com