For the first time since Marvel Comics has taken over the license for Star Wars Comics from Dark Horse, they’ve made an announcement about their plans.
No, we still don’t know about any adaptations of the new films, new series based on cartoons or existing properties, but they are releasing their original Marvel Comics in the “Legends” line. This hardcover omnibus contains 45 issues of their Star Wars comics, though the material has been presented previously by Dark Horse over the years.
If the cover is any indication, it looks like they’ll be recoloring the original art to make it look even better than it did originally.
Here’s the official statement:
New York, NY – July 15th, 2014 – In 1977 a phenomenon dawned. Marvel Comics published the very first STAR WARS comic-book series. Now, the House of Ideas is re-presenting those original adventures in its over-sized Omnibus format – STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS collecting STAR WARS (1977) #1-44 and ANNUAL #1.
It’s the return of the Jedi to Marvel in an opening volume that begins with Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hopeand ends with Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. In between, the rebels face a wealth of new perils — from space pirate Crimson Jack to the bounty hunter Beilert Valance, as well as a surprisingly svelte Jabba the Hut (one “t”). Luke goes back to Tatooine, Leia battles alone, Han and Chewie play the deadly Big Game, and Darth Vader hunts for answers! Revisit all your old favorites and discover some new ones!
There’s no doubt, the Force is strong with this collection!
“With Star Wars poised to return to its comic book home, what better time to revisit the first adventures of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and, of course, Darth Vader?” says Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “I am extremely proud to present these original Star Wars stories, told as only Marvel can, in the first in a massive and glorious Omnibus series.”
STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS comes out of lightspeed in January 2015 and is written by Roy Thomas, Howard Chaykin, Archie Goodwin, Jo Duffy & Chris Claremont, with pencils by Howard Chaykin, Carmine Infantino, Walter Simonson, Herb Trimpe, Michael Golden, Al Williamson and Mike Vosburg. Each copy of STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS will also be wrapped in a glorious covers by Howard Chaykin and Greg Hilderbrandt.
This is all coming at us in January. Be sure to revisit our interview with Walt Simonson about his days on the title.