Whenever someone tells me they haven't started reading Star Wars comics yet, it's usually for one big reason: They don't know where to start. Even if you don't count the Legends comics, there have been ongoing series filled with hundreds of Star Wars stories since 2015. Diving in can feel too overwhelming, so many people just don't even bother.
There are a few standout Star Wars comic series that double as excellent starting points for anyone who wants to explore this unique form of storytelling in a galaxy far, far away. I've been reviewing and recommending Star Wars books and comics to fans since 2018, and have been reading and watching Star Wars for decades. If you'll let me, I'll gladly help you start your comics reading journey off right.
Doctor Aphra (2016) by Kieron Gillen and Simon Spurrier
While you may not know much about Doctor Aphra, if you trust my recommendations, you will very soon. The so-called rogue archeologist is a cross between Han Solo and Indiana Jones, traversing the galaxy to obtain artifacts, make as many credits as possible, and avoid run-ins with her many ex-girlfriends.
While Aphra's character debuts in the 2015 Darth Vader comic series, you can still start with this one and not feel you've missed much. You'll get caught up on Aphra and her chaos-magnet tendencies quickly enough. And once you read that, you can move on to Alyssa Wong's 2020 run, and eventually catch up with the current Chaos Agent run as well.
Darth Vader (2017) by Charles Soule
If you ask anyone where to start with Star Wars comics, most of them will immediately recommend Charles Soule's 2017 Darth Vader run. And there's a good reason for that. Having written over 100 Star Wars comics (and counting), Soule has more than mastered the art of high-quality storytelling in this format especially. Even if Vader isn't necessarily your favorite character, you can't go wrong starting here.
The comic series takes place directly following the events of Revenge of the Sith, so it's very accessible to a wide Star Wars audience even if you haven't read a comic before. You'll follow Vader on a nearly 20-year quest to attempt mastering immortality, bringing his wife back to life, building a castle on a lava planet, and so much more.
The High Republic (2021) by Cavan Scott
Speaking of expert comic book writers, Cavan Scott is a prolific and versatile Star Wars author whose work is consistently phenomenal no matter the project. His work on The High Republic is a must-read even if you're just jumping into the initiative. If you're new to comics, too, there's no better place to start than the very beginning.
The High Republic (2021) is the first mainline comic series that ran as part of the larger multimedia initiative. It's the first of many, so you'll want to start there. You don't have to know anything about these characters or the era; Scott will introduce you. And once you get hooked on the characters you'll follow throughout the series, you won't be able to stop reading until you've reached the end.