I know everyone is excited about May the 4th because it's Star Wars Day! It's a big weekend too as on May 3, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace returns to theaters in celebration of the film's 25th anniversary. However, there is one more yearly event that is being shared with Star Wars Day this year, and that is Free Comic Book Day!
Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday in May each year and is a huge deal for local comic book stores. All the big comic companies send promotional issues and books to showcase their upcoming or ongoing titles. It's a great free way to find your next favorite new book! As someone who used to be a manager for a comic book store, I know that Free Comic Book Day is our Black Friday; we looked forward to it each year.
Next year's #FreeComicBookDay on May 4 features a pair of #StarWars-related issues, including #YoungJediAdventures from Dark Horse Comics and a title from Marvel Comics. More details are likely due on Nov. 22.#StarWarsComics pic.twitter.com/YuPagrifGz
— Star Wars Splash Page (@SWSplashPagePod) November 16, 2023
There are two Star Wars titles this year. The first is from Marvel Comics, Star Wars/Darth Vader #1. The summary for this book states, "Are there Rebel survivors stranded on Hoth? Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca mount a dangerous rescue mission to Echo Base! Lightsabers! Blasters! Snowtroopers! All-out action amongst the wreckage of AT-AT walkers, Rebel airspeeders, and frozen weapons of mass destruction! Darth Vader employs a surprise character from the past to help him find Luke Skywalker. But Sabé, former handmaiden of Padmé Amidala, is also on a quest for the son of Vader. Having worked for him as an Imperial Commander, Sabé has enough resources to cause chaos for anyone who stands in her path. How will this affect the Dark Lord’s plans to remove Palpatine from power?"
The second title is an all-ages book from Dark Horse Comics. It's a crossover between the ongoing Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures and the Emmy award-winning preschool series Young Jedi Adventures. The comic is called Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures - Sky Parade Rescue, which has fan-favorite characters, Nubs, team up with Qort in the midst of an exciting event. However, things don't go as planned. You can see the full preview here at StarWars.com.
Free Comic Book Day is always a ton of fun, and it's extra exciting this year, falling on May the 4th. Make sure to find your local comic book store (Comic Shop Locator is a great site!) and check them out as part of your Star Wars Day celebrations!
And check in every Wednesday for the latest titles for This Week in Star Wars Comics!