New Crimson Reign comic preview brings back Maul, Darth Vader, and more

Ever since Qi’ra’s surprise appearance at the beginning of the War of the Bounty Hunters comic, Star Wars fans have been desperate for answers about her whereabouts in the galaxy. We’ve known for a while that the character would star in her very own comic mini-series beginning in 2021. Now, Crimson Reign is almost here — close enough for the official Star Wars site to drop an exclusive preview.

The first of this five-issue series apparently isn’t planning on easing slowly into the chaos. The preview gives us glimpses of familiar villains such as Maul (who appeared before Qi’ra at the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Darth Vader.

Charles Soule returns for the second installment of the trilogy that began with War of the Bounty Hunters, along with artist Steven Cummings. Leinil Francis Yu is responsible for the cover we all now know and love featuring Qi’ra looking… fit and ready to outsmart and outmatch her enemies? Sure.

According to StarWars.com, Qi’ra will be joined by a handful of familiar characters in addition to the new ones we’ll likely meet along the way. “Among her new allies are Ren and his knights, Ochi of Bestoon, and Imara Vex, who will also appear in the forthcoming Star Wars: Hunters game.”

The opening synopsis implies Qi’ra may have to travel down some dark paths (literally and figuratively) to get what she wants. “As the leader of Crimson Dawn, Qi’ra has proven to be a formidable part of the underworld,” StarWars.com also wrote. “Now, she’s joined by a number of familiar faces united against a common enemy.”

Fans have been begging for more Qi’ra content for years, mostly in the form of a Solo sequel or Disney+ spinoff series featuring the fierce and ever-fashionable crime boss. A comic may not be exactly what you were hoping for. But if Soule’s recent work is any indication, the series is at very low risk of disappointing the masses.

Crimson Reign #1 arrives Dec. 1, 2021.