Some interesting plots are in store for Star Wars’ January 2021 comics

Star Wars gave an early preview of some upcoming issues in Marvel Comics’ various lines of Star Wars comics.

While fan opinion has been mixed on the quality of the Star Wars films since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars property in 2012, the various comic book lines published by Marvel Comics in the Star Wars universe have largely been an enjoyable part of the Disney-era of Star Wars. With creative comic writing talents such as Charles Soule, Alyssa Wong, Kieron Gillen, and Greg Pak, comics focused on the Skywalker saga, Darth Vader, and many peripheral characters have given fans some interesting explorations of questions previously left unanswered, such as when exactly Darth Vader discovered Luke was his son and how Ben Solo fell to the dark side to become Kylo Ren.

The current ongoing Star Wars comics include the flagship Star Wars comic by Charles Soule, Darth Vader by Greg Pak, Doctor Aphra by Alyssa Wong, and Bounty Hunters by Ethan Sacks, which all explore the time period between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros reunite

StarWars.com has given an early preview of what to expect in the January issue of all four comics with a headline focused on Doctor Aphra encountering a familiar face from her past that is sure to spark some interesting conflict, Sana Starros. Sana Starros was first introduced as Han Solo’s wife in the Star Wars comic that takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back before it was revealed that the marriage was just a scam the two had previously worked to pull off a robbery. Solo took her cut of the money, leaving her desperate to get her revenge, though they eventually became hesitant allies.

We eventually learn that Sana and Doctor Aphra were previously in love, though the relationship suffered a falling out sometime in the past. With the January issue reintroducing Sana in the Doctor Aphra storyline, it will be interesting to see how the two react to seeing each other again.

Lando Calrissian faces a test of loyalty

The January issue of Star Wars looks to further explore the Rebel Alliance’s recovery after the events of The Empire Strikes Back forced the alliance in different directions with no way to communicate one another. An interesting part of this series is the exploration of how Lando Calrissian became a trusted member of the alliance, which hasn’t been an easy journey for him or Leia, who most represents the leadership of the alliance in the comics. The January issue promises a conflict that forces Lando to make a choice to help the Rebellion at a great cost.

Darth Vader faces off with a Rise of Skywalker villain

Greg Pak’s Darth Vader comic has explored some groundbreaking territory by reintroducing Padme’s trusted friend and handmaiden Sabe into a timeline we’ve never seen her in before as Vader trek’s the galaxy to discover the truth about how Luke was hidden from him. The January issue promises a connection to The Rise of Skywalker with Ochi of Bestoon making an appearance as a Sith Assassin hunting down Vader himself.

Valance encounters Dengar and another familiar face

Bounty Hunters introduced a new cyborg bounty hunter character named Valance who is in a race with other bounty hunters such as Boba Fett to find an old mentor turned betrayer to exact revenge. It’s a gritty look at this unique side to the Star Wars universe, and the January issue promises an appearance by bounty hunter Dengar as well as an unnamed familiar face.

In addition to covering the events to take place in the January issues, StarWars.com also previewed an impressive variant cover of Star Wars #7 featuring Luke Skywalker with his yellow lightsaber.