All the books and comics announced at Star Wars Celebration, and when you can read them

It was an eventful, announcement-packed weekend at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London. Beyond the new movie reveals and trailers, there was a Star Destroyer-sized load of new Star Wars books and comics announced — many of which are coming later this year.

Star Wars books and comics
Photos courtesy of StarWars.com

High Republic News

Authors and creators at Saturday’s High Republic panel finally revealed what’s coming next in the ambitious era of Star Wars publishing.

Phase 3 kicks off in fall 2023, and includes three books in the first wave:

  • “The Eye of Darkness” by George Mann (adult book; Nov. 14, 2023)
  • “Escape from Valo” by Daniel Jose Older and Alyssa Wong (middle-grade; Jan. 30, 2024)
  • “Defy the Storm” by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland (young adult; March 12, 2024)
Star Wars books and comics - High Republic
The High Republic Phase 3’s first wave of new books kicks off in fall 2023

The High Republic era of Star Wars has been publishing books, short stories, and comics since January 2021. The first phase of the endeavor included 10 books, two core comic series, a few limited comic series, and a bunch of short stories. The second phase of The High Republic is currently running and began in the fall of 2022.

The two books still to come in Phase 2 include “Path of Vengeance” by Cavan Scott (May 2, 2023) and the manga volume “The Edge of Balance: Precedent” by Daniel José Older with script and art by Tomio Ogata (May 23, 2023).

The High Republic panel at Star Wars Celebration revealed creepy artwork ahead of the grand finale of Phase 2, featuring two key characters reflected in the eyes of the Leveler

The High Republic is set about 200 years before the events of the Skywalker saga, and phase two is set even earlier — about 350 years before the prequel films. There are all-new Jedi and other characters as well as fan-favorites like Masters Yoda and Yaddle and places like Coruscant and the Jedi Temple.

After the first wave of Phase 3 books arrive, there are plenty more where they came come, with these High Republic books arriving through spring 2025:

  • “Temptation of the Force” by Tessa Gratton (adult book; summer 2024)
  • “Trials of the Jedi” by Charles Soule (adult book; spring 2025)
  • “Tears of the Nameless” by George Mann (young adult; fall 2024)
  • “Into the Light” by Claudia Gray (young adult; spring 2025)
  • “Beware the Nameless” by Zoraida Córdova (middle-grade; summer 2024)
  • “A Valiant Vow” by Justina Ireland (middle-grade; spring 2025)

Star Wars Comics

As for comics, writer Cavan Scott returns to pen the flagship “High Republic” comics from Marvel, with the first issue arriving in December 2023. In addition, Daniel José Older returns to write “The High Republic Adventures” from Dark Horse Comics.

Star Wars comics
“Star Wars: The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life” includes short stories from 10 different authors set during Phases 1 and 2.

Before getting to the heart of Phase 3 storytelling, there’s “The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life” anthology arriving on Sept. 5, 2023. Ten High Republic authors take on ten short stories set throughout Phase 1 and 2 and featuring beloved characters. The panel also revealed that “Doctor Aphra” writer Alyssa Wong would join The High Republic era with their short story about Alys “Crash” Ongwa from “Midnight Horizon.”

Star Wars Books for Kids

For the youngest High Republic fans, there are several colorful kids’ books coming soon, including “Star Wars: The High Republic: Jedi Brave in Every Way” by Rosemary Soule and Charles Soule arriving on Oct. 10, 2023.

"Young Jedi Adventures" is a new animated Star Wars television series set during The High Republic era. Photos courtesy of StarWars.com
“Young Jedi Adventures” is a new animated Star Wars television series set during The High Republic era

“Young Jedi Adventures: Jedi Training” will be released on May 2, 2023, just a couple of days before the new “Young Jedi Adventures” animated series drops on Disney Plus and Disney Junior.

Reveals from Lucasfilm Publishing

Sunday’s Lucasfilm Publishing panel didn’t offer as many announcements as fans may have hoped for, but it did have some exciting reveals of Star Wars books coming soon.

“Star Wars Timelines” by Kristin Baver, Amy Richau, Clayton Sandell, Cole Horton, and Jason Fry is the Star Wars history book we’ve been waiting for. It charts key events and moments from The High Republic era all the way to the fall of the First Order and “The Rise of Skywalker.”

With “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” dropping in just a few weeks, the cover of “The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” was finally revealed at Celebration. The art book is expected to arrive on May 2, 2023.

Star Wars books and comics
At Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, more details were revealed for books like “The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” and “Star Wars Timelines”

“From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi,” the anthology of short stories celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film, arrives on Sept. 5, 2023. During the panel, it was revealed that Kristin Baver will write a story featuring singer Sy Snootles and Adam Christopher (“Shadow of the Sith”) will have a story revisiting Enric Pryde — a First Order character from “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Star Wars book fans have gotten “The Secrets of the Jedi,” “The Secrets of the Sith,” and “The Secrets of the Bounty Hunters.” Now, the newest reference book coming in October is “The Secrets of the Wookiees.” It’s written by Marc Sumerak and illustrated by Alberto Buscicchio.

And finally, there’s a new Star Wars cookbook coming soon — “Star Wars: The Ultimate Cookbook: The Official Guide to Cooking Your Way Through the Galaxy.” The new book from Jenn Fujikawa and Marc Sumerak includes fresh Star Wars-themed recipes, including Bantha Burgers and Csaplar Shakes (themed after the capital city of Csilla, a planet in the Chiss Ascendancy).

Star Wars books
Two new books announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 include “Star Wars: The Ultimate Cookbook” and “The Secrets of the Wookiees”

Marvel’s ‘Star Wars: Dark Droids’

The biggest news at Monday’s Marvel panel was the reveal of “Dark Droids #1” by Charles Soule and artist Luke Ross. The initiative will run as a main limited series and then spin off into one-shot issues and cross over into other Star Wars comics from Marvel, including “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” “Doctor Aphra,” and “Bounty Hunters.”

The comic event and the core Star Wars comics are set between “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.”

Star Wars comics
Marvel’s next epic Star Wars crossover event kicks off in August with “Dark Droids #1”

Ancient powerful droid Ajax Sigma (“Star Wars: Revelations #1”) will play a key role in “Dark Droids,” which features the consequences of the droid-corrupting Scourge.

“Dark Droids” kicks off in Star Wars comics arriving in August.

John Williams Performs for Harrison Ford at Star Wars Celebration 2022
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