When Marvel wrapped up all the Star Wars books a few months back, fans like me wondered what era would be explored in the comic’s inevitable relaunch. Thankfully, the flagship title was given to the accomplished Alex Segura and Phil Noto, planting their flag squarely in the New Republic era just after the Battle of Jakku closed the Galactic Civil War decades before The Force Awakens. Segura and Marvel have said that the book will cover unexplored threats while keeping the focus on the iconic characters from the original trilogy and seeing that the era immediately following Return of the Jedi has remained generally unexplored by Disney/Marvel, I was excited to read issue #1. Fortunately, thanks to efficient plotting and beautiful art, this first issue gives the period a fresh, sun‑bleached palette that promises to finally fill in the gaps between the original trilogy and the sequels within the current canon.
The issue weaves three parallel storylines without overlap. Luke Skywalker intercepts a marauding mercenary fleet harassing fringe New Republic world, forcing him to weigh diplomacy against a lightsaber. Han Solo descends into smuggler territory to trace a contraband shipment that hints at bigger political stakes and rescues an unexpected ally fans of Marvel’s Star Wars comics will recognize. Leia Organa, meanwhile, faces a loose coalition of frontier leaders who see the New Republic as just another occupying power, testing her capacity for statesmanship in a galaxy still scarred by war. Each strand closes on a small cliff‑hanger that points to a larger, unseen puppet‑master.
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Segura’s script reads like a lost reel that slips perfectly between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. He thankfully keeps exposition light, grounding the conflict in everyday worries like supply shortages and territorial grudges rather than universe‑ending super‑weapons. The dialogue lands in familiar voices (Han’s dry humor, Leia’s measured resolve) without veering into cosplay mimicry, and newcomers can follow the stakes even if they’ve skipped recent novels, shows, and comics. The pacing is brisk, though some character beats feel a shade too tidy, likely a concession to first‑issue real estate. It’s an easy comic to read, with small nods to the previous era of Star Wars monthlies without it being inaccessible to new readers.
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Phil Noto’s thin lines and muted color washes evoke Ralph McQuarrie exquisite concept art filtered through modern comics clarity. Noto’s facial characterization is one of the most recognizable aspects of his work, with Luke looking recognizably older and contemplative, Leia projecting calculated warmth, and Han carrying just a hint of post‑war fatigue. Action scenes stay readable even in busy star‑field dogfights, though the soft palette sometimes blunts the impact of explosions and blaster fire. The realism of Noto’s work is perfectly suited for this book, giving it a cinematic veneer.
It’s a solid first issue, even if it’s table setting, but it’s a well-built table that comes with gracious narrative promise. Thankfully, there are threads of warlord‑era chaos and Leia’s diplomatic tightrope which echo some of the best moments from Dark Horse’s classic Dark Empire and the old Bantam novels (while not connected to the plot in The Truce at Bakura, I get similar vibes in this first issue). If Segura decides to dip into that Legends well, this run could become the connective tissue fans have craved between Episode VI and VII.
Even if it charts its own path, the solid groundwork here suggests plenty of room for political intrigue, Jedi philosophy, and underworld skullduggery in issues to come. Star Wars #1 leaves me optimistic that Marvel is ready to give us their sequel to Return of the Jedi. Alex Segura and Phil Noto clearly understand what makes Star Wars tick, as this comic demonstrates their competency in balancing various beats within the franchise.
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