We're returning to Vader's castle on Mustafar for the fourth outing of IDW's spooky Star Wars stories, thanks to Cavan Scott, Francesco Francavilla, Megan Levens, Charlie Kirchoff and Shawn Lee, in a story that brings Milo and Lina Graf, along with Padme and Anakin. It's a genuinely creepy tale that combines The Thing with Dawn of the Dead and, frankly, we want more, more, more! (Thank goodness it's a weekly five-issue mini-series!)

In Bounty Hunters #16, we see Valance and Dengar's efforts to deal with Boba Fett from another angle, yet more importantly, the importance of Cadelah, she who could unite the Broken Hand and Mourner's Wail, vastly expands as foundations are built for events in the upcoming Crimson Reign five-issue mini-series set for release in December. It's a weighty issue, filled with flashbacks and more, but worth the effort. (Though it would have benefitted immensely from the use of editor's notes here and there to ease the reader forward).

In news, the only topic is the report, as yet unverified, that Disney/Lucasfilm has pulled the Star Wars license from IDW Publishing. We break down what it may mean for Star Wars Adventures and the slate of The High Republic Adventures titles, as well as what may come. It's nebulous and uncertain, but we're optimistic.

Upcoming Star Wars comics include:

Sept. 29 | Star Wars #17, Star Wars Adventures #10, Ghosts of Vader’s Castle #2 (of 5), The High Republic #8 (2nd Printing), War of the Bounty Hunters #3 (2nd Printing)

Oct. 6 | Star Wars Adventures: Smuggler’s Run TPB, The High Republic — Trail of Shadows #1 (of 5), The High Republic Adventures #9, War of the Bounty Hunters #5 (of 5), Ghosts of Vader’s Castle #3 (of 5)

Oct. 13 | Doctor Aphra #15, War of the Bounty Hunters — IG-88 #1, Ghosts of Vader’s Castle #4 (of 5), The High Republic #1 (Halloween Extravaganza 2021)

Oct. 20 | Ghosts of Vader’s Castle #5 (of 5), Star Wars Adventures #11, Darth Vader (Vol. 2) Omnibus, Darth Vader #17, The High Republic #10

Oct. 27 | Star Wars #18, Bounty Hunters #17, The Monster of Temple Peak #3 (of 4)

Nov. 3 | The High Republic #11, The High Republic Adventures #10, Star Wars Legends: Rise of the Sith Omnibus

Nov. 10 | Doctor Aphra #16, The Monster of Temple Peak #4 (of 4), The Trail of Shadows #2 (of 5), Star Wars Legends Boba Fett: Blood Ties TPB, The High Republic Adventures, Vol. 1, TPB, Star Wars Episodes IV-IX Adaptation Box Set (IDW)

Nov. 17 | Darth Vader #18, Star Wars: Life Day #1, Star Wars Adventures #12, Star Wars (Vol. 3), Vol. 3 TPB (Collects #13-18)

Nov. 24 | Star Wars #19, Bounty Hunters #18, Star Wars Adventures Annual 2021, War of the Bounty Hunters TPB (Collects Alpha #1, War of the Bounty Hunters 1-5), War of the Bounty Hunters Companion TPB (Collects Jabba, IG-88, Boushh, 4-LOM & Zuckuss)

Nov. 30 | Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2, TPB (Collects #6-10), Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2), Vol. 3, TPB (Collects #11-15)

Dec. 1 | Star Wars: Crimson Reign #1 (of 5), The High Republic Adventures #11, Star Wars Adventures (Vol. 2), Vol. 1, “The Light & the Dark” TPB

Dec. 8 | Darth Vader #19, The High Republic #12, Star Wars (Vol. 3), Vol. 3, “War of the Bounty Hunters,” TPB, Attack of the Clones Graphic Novel Adaptation from IDW

Dec. 15 | Bounty Hunters #19, Trail of Shadows #3 (of 5), The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021, Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2), Vol. 3, “War of the Bounty Hunters” TPB, The High Republic, Vol. 2, “The Heart of Drengir” TPB

Dec. 22 | Doctor Aphra #17, Star Wars Adventures #13, Darth Vader (Vol. 3), Vol. 3 TPB (Collects #12-17)

Dec. 29 | Star Wars #20, Bounty Hunters, Vol. 3, TPB (Collects #12-17)

Jan. 5 | Trail of Shadows #4 (of 5), The High Republic #13

March 2 | Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus, Vol. 1

April 13 | Darth Vader (Vol. 1) Omnibus (New Printing)

April 27 | Star Wars Jason Aaron Omnibus (New Printing)

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Star Wars Splash Page is a weekly podcast dedicated solely to contemporary Star Wars comics published by Marvel, Dark Horse and previously IDW, featuring views about the current week's comics, interviews with the writers, artists, colorists, letterers and editors who create them, as well as the latest details on publishing schedules, upcoming series and mini-series, so that you, the listener have more detail and context about the comics that are a vital part of Star Wars canon, lore and legends.