San Diego Comic-Con 2018 may have been a little more low-key than previous years, but some bigger names taking a break meant there was more room for smaller divisions to shine–even smaller divisions at powerhouses like Disney. Such was the case on Friday when Lucasfilm Creative Director Michael Siglain hosted the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel, a massive event encompassing 13 Star Wars franchise books and comics writers. The panel, via StarWars.com, offered things for all ages and Star Wars interests, from the original cast to the new class of characters to heroes and villains from the prequel era.
Perhaps the biggest reveal was that Lucasfilm Publishing has tapped author E.K. Johnston, whose standalone 2016 novel, Star Wars: Ahsoka, was a #1 New York Times bestseller, for a second time. Now, Johnston will return to tackle another leading lady in a galaxy far, far away: Padmé Amidala. Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow, will focus on Amidala’s transition from Queen of Naboo to powerful Senator. With the help of her handmaidens, Padmé will learn just how treacherous Coruscant’s political landscape is. The book is scheduled for release on March 5, 2019.
The other major novel Lucasfilm Publishing announced at the panel is also set in the prequel era. After writing about General Leia in Bloodline and her younger self in Leia: Princess of Alderaan, Gray will write about Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Master & Apprentice. Set in the period leading up to The Phantom Menace, the novel will explore the mission the Jedi were on before they were pulled into an adventure that would alter their lives forever. The book is currently scheduled for a February 26, 2019 release.
Another of the panel’s major book announcements came from Nerdist‘s own Amy Ratcliffe, who talked about her book about the women of a galaxy far, far away. The coffee table book, named Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy, profiles 75 women of the Star Wars universe and includes art by Alice X. Zhang, Amy Beth Christenson, Annie Stoll, Annie Wu, Christina Chung, Cryssy Cheung, Eli Baumgartner, Elsa Charretier, Geneva Bowers, Jennifer Aberin Johnson, Jen Bartel, Jenny Parks, Karen Hallion, Little Corvus, Sara Alfageeh, Sara Kipin, Sarah Wilkinson, and Viv Tanner. The book hits shelves on October 30, 2018 and includes a foreword by Kathleen Kennedy.
Other highlights from publisher’s books side include several new novels for young readers. Star Wars: Pirate’s Price, by Lous Anders and Annie Wu, showcases when Han and Chewie meet the pirate Hondo Ohnaka, of Star Wars: The Clone Wars fame. Star Wars: Choose Your Destiny (Book 2): A Luke & Leia Adventure, from author Cavan Scott and artist Elsa Charreiter, will allow kids to help the Skywalker twins attempt to steal the Millennium Falcon for a secret mission. Star Wars: Lando’s Luck, from author Justina Ireland and artist Annie Wu, follows Lando and L3-37 on a fun mission back when Calrissian was still in possession of the Falcon. Other newly announced kids’ books include Adam Rex’s Are You Scared, Darth Vader?; two board books to help toddlers learn letters and numbers the Star Wars way; Star Wars: Search Your Feelings, a book from authors Calliope Glass and Caitlin Kennedy and artist Katie Cook designed to help kids identify their emotions; and Star Wars: Millennium Falcon, a die-cut 3D owners guide from authors Ryder Windham and Cole Horton and artists Chris Trevas and Chris Reiff.
On the comics side of things, Lucasfilm Publishing has teamed with Marvel and IDW Publishing to continue bringing fans deeper into the galaxy’s lore. Upcoming Marvel titles include the conclusion Charles Soule’s Poe Dameron standalone comic and Robbie Thompson and artist Will Sliney’s Solo: A Star Wars Story Comic Mini-series. Lucasfilm Publishing also shared plans for three new comic series: Age of Republic by Jody Houser, Age of Rebellion by Greg Pak, and Age of Resistance by Tom Taylor. Meanwhile, IDW will dip their toes into Lucasfilm Publishing with a five-issue miniseries named Star Wars: Tales from Vader’s Castle; it leans into horror.
For more information about these upcoming titles, head over to StarWars.com!
Images: Lucasfilm Publishing
