With fewer than 100 days and counting until the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, excitement for all things related to the galaxy far, far away is at an all-time high. With the release of tie-in novels like Star Wars: Aftermath and comics like Star Wars: Shattered Empire, there is no shortage of brand new connective tissue binding the previous six episodes with the seventh. However, before you rush off to your local comic book store to pick up the awesome new issues from Marvel, hearken back to the words that precede “a galaxy far, far way.” in that chilling blue font:

Star Wars has existed in comic book form since April 12, 1977, a full month before A New Hope would even hit theaters. Hell, they even saved Marvel Comics from premature bankruptcy. So with thirty-eight years of comic book continuity — most of which is considered apocryphal given its newfound “Legends” status in the wake of Disney’s Lucasfilm acquisition — it would behoove Star Wars fans to look to the past before we look to the future. With that spirit in mind, today’s episode of The Dan Cave is all about taking a trip down memory lane and celebrating the Star Wars comics that you absolutely need to re-read.

Now, obviously, I could only cover a small selection of the excellent Star Wars comics out there, so this is where you come in, Padawan learners. Which are your favorite Star Wars comics? Let me know in the comments below, so I can keep mainlining all the Extended Universe awesomeness until December 18, 2016.

—

Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. His new book, 100 Things Star Wars Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is available for pre-order now. You can follow him on Twitter (@Osteoferocious), but never tell him the odds.