Episode #345 -- Why Can't We Be Friends?

The Empire looms large over a simple technician working on the Endor moon and striving to make just one friend in The Empire one-shot. In Yoda #8, Anakin and Yoda put the maxim of "size matters not" to a physical test. In Star Wars #35, the origin of Luke's green lightsaber is finally told in a tale that reminds us that kyber crystals are minerals not miracle workers.Comics Discussed This WeekThe Empire #1 (11:41)Yoda #8 (of 10) (20:35)Star Wars #35 (29:56)Star Wars Comics New to Marvel Unlimited This Week:The Blade #3 (of 4)Han Solo & Chewbacca #10 (of 10)Hidden Empire #4 (of 5)The Mandalorian #8 (of 8)Star Wars (Vol. 3) #32News: Marc Guggenheim is writing a four-issue mini-series spinning out of August's Dark Droids event. Dubbed D-Squad, it's a return to The Clone Wars band of droids but this iteration is made up of R2-D2, WAC-47, IG-88, 4-LOM, Triple Zero, BT-1 and more. It's reportedly due in August, though we think it'll be out in September.Due out Dec. 5, or Feb. 6, is The High Republic Adventures (Vol. 2) Vol. II collecting issues #5-8 of the Dark Horse mini-series. The 96-page book is retailing for $19.99.Our pal Drunkwooky is making an action figure of Drunk Wooky! Preorders are available now and we highly recommend it.Hyperspace Stories #6 is now due out July 26 and July 5Upcoming Star Wars comics, graphic novels and omnibuses:June 14 _ Darth Vader #35, Sana Starros #5 (of 5), Star Wars #34 (2nd Printing)June 21 _ The Mandalorian Season 2 #1, Bounty Hunters #35June 27 _ The Blade TPB (Collects #1-4) and Darth Vader (Vol. 3) Vol. 6 "Return of the Handmaidens" TPB (Collects #28-32)June 28 _ Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #3 (of 4), Doctor Aphra #33, The High Republic Adventures #6, 7 and 8 (of 8)July 4 _ Hidden Empire TPB (Collects #1-5)July 5 _ Star Wars #36, Yoda #9 (of 10)
July 11 _ Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Tales of the Jedi Vol. 3 (Collects Dark Lords of the Sith #1-6, The Sith War #1-6, Redemption #1-5 and material from Star Wars Tales #23 and Dark Horse Comics #7-9); Star Wars -- Hyperspace Stories "Rebels and Resistance" TPB (Collects #1-4)July 12 _ Bounty Hunters #36, Darth Vader #36 July 19 _ Doctor Aphra #34, The Rebellion #1 one-shot, Star Wars #35 (2nd Printing)July 26 _ Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #4 (of 4), The Mandalorian Season 2 #2, Hyperspace Stories #6 (of 12)Aug. 1 _ Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) Vol. 6, “Ascendant” TPB (Collects #26-31)Aug. 2 _ Dark Droids #1, Yoda #10, Hyperspace Stories #7 (of 12)Aug. 9 _ Star Wars #37, Max Rebo #1Aug. 16 _ Darth Vader #37Aug. 22 _ The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 2, "Battle for the Force" TPB (Collects #6-10)Aug. 23 _ Doctor Aphra #35Aug. 29 _ Doctor Aphra Omnibus, Vol. 2 (Collects Doctor Aphra, Vol. 2, #1-25); The Nameless Terror TPB (Collects #1-4); The High Republic Adventures -- The Complete Phase One (Collects 1-13, Galactic Bake-Off one-shot and Free Comic Book Day 2021 issues published by IDW, along with 2023's Free Comic Book Day issue)Aug. 30 _ Bounty Hunters #37, The Mandalorian Season 2 #3, Hyperspace Stories #8 (of 12)Sept. 5 _ The High Republic Adventures (Vol. 2) Vol. 1 TPB (Collects #1-4)Sept. 6 _ Dark Droids #2 (of 4), Star Wars #38Sept. 12 _ Sana Starros TPB (Collects #1-5)Sept. 13 _ Darth Vader #38Sept....