Star Wars Splash Page

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)

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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.

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)

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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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.

*** SPOILERS ABOUND for The Rise of Kylo Ren #2 in this podcast ***

Charles Soule, Will Sliney, GURU-eFX and Travis Lanham proffer a compelling, if not disturbing, examination of how Snoke pried his way into Ben Solo's life and mind, forever altering the course of the Skywalker Saga.

Issue #2 is no sophomore slump for the creative team, building off the shocking events of the first issue in the four-issue mini-series and setting the stage for revelations that may be even more shocking than imagined.

Star Wars comics due out Jan. 15, include:
_ Nothing, unless Star Wars #2 is moved up by Marvel from Jan. 29.

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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.

The new year starts off right with a rapacious and satisfying Star Wars #1, swinging Marvel's Star Wars comics to just after the events seen in The Empire Strikes Back and setting the stage for a wide range of stories and more lore.

We're also looking back at the IDW Publishing Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle mini series from October, discussing the concept and execution of its five issues with writer Cavan Scott.
Similarly, this podcast begins its own new phase, becoming Star Wars Splash Page: Comics in Review, but the name is pretty much all that's going to change, save for the frequency.

Welcome to 2020 and beyond. It's going to be a helluva ride.

New Star Wars comics out Jan. 8, include:
_ Nothing.

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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.

In the final episode of Comics With Kenobi, we're concluding the first phase of our Star Wars comics podcast with a look back at the series that ended in November and December, and how they're set up for the second phase, thanks to the four stories in the Star Wars: Empire Ascendant #1 one shot.

Then it's on to the first issue of the four-issue The Rise of Kylo Ren, which at long last delves into how Ben Solo began his transformation into Kylo Ren.

Neither issue disappoints, serving as more than just a way station to 2020 Star Wars comics as well as The Rise of Skywalker film.

Look for us next week under the Star Wars Splash Page imprimatur. You won't have to make any changes to your podcast feed or on Twitter or Facebook, either (look for us @SWSplashPod on both platforms).

New Star Wars comics out Dec. 26:
_ None

New Star Wars comics out Jan. 1:
_ Star Wars (Vol. 3) #1

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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.

The end is nigh for Chelli Aphra (well, for now, given she'll return in April in a new series), yet the creators behind Doctor Aphra #40 crafted a thought-provoking conclusion that favored rich storytelling in lieu of maudlin sentimentalism.

In the final issue of Target Vader, more secrets were revealed about Beilert Valance, secrets and events that take on a new resonance now with news that the character will headline a new ongoing Star Wars comics series -- Bounty Hunters -- starting in March.

Join us as we say goodbye, albeit temporarily, to a pair of Marvel's finest Star Wars comics.

New Star Wars comics out Dec. 18, include:
_ The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (four-issue mini series)
_ Empire Ascendant #1 one-shot
_ Star Wars Adventures #29
_ Star Wars Adventures Greatest Hits #1 (Just $1!)

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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.

Just a single issue for this week's episode yet Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order -- Dark Temple #5 drew decidedly different reactions from co-hosts Jeff McGee and Matt Moore. Why is that? Listen and learn why.

In news, we take a quick look at the stupendous November for Star Wars graphic novel "sales," while examining how just three Star Wars comics made the top 100 list. (For a complete ranking of November "sales" for all Star Wars comics and graphic novels, check out our Facebook page and Twitter feed.)

New Star Wars comics out Dec. 11 include:
_ Doctor Aphra #40 (the final issue of this series)
_ Target Vader #6 (the last issue)
_ Doctor Aphra, Vol. 6, trade collecting issues #32-36

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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.

Love is a many splendored, if not completely complicated morass, thing and Doctor Aphra #39, the series' penultimate issue, tackles it with the ferocity of a mudhorn.

From feelings of resentment and revenge to an absolute supernova-style kiss to the warm afterglow of love's embrace, this issue was striking in its presentation, building to what is going to be an amazing conclusion.

New Star Wars comics out Dec. 4 include:
_ Jedi Fallen Order -- Dark Temple #5 (final issue)
_ Star Wars Saga #1 (one shot)
_ Star Wars (Vol. 1) #1 Facsimile Edition (Reprints 1977's Star Wars #1 in its entirety)
_ True Believers: Star Wars (Vol. 1) #16
_ True Believers: Droids #1
_ True Believers: Star Wars (Vol. 1) #45
_ True Believers: Star Wars (Vol. 1) #48
_ True Believers: Star Wars (Vol. 2) #35

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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.