Entertainment

The Force is strong with Marvel as Star Wars returns in comic form

Grae Stafford Freelance Photographer
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A short time ago on a website far far away…. it was revealed that the next generation of Star Wars comics will be released by Marvel just in time to tie in with the new  Star Wars film to be released in 2015.

Marvel was acquired by the Disney Empire Corporation, like a Star Destroyer acquires a Rebel Blockade Runner, in 2009 for $4 billion. While the purchase may not have come with plans and technical readouts for a Death Star, it did bring a stable of well loved and highly profitable comic book characters such as Iron Man and Captain America, which have spawned multiple blockbusters for the Magic Mouse. Disney’s purchase in 2012 of Lucasfilm brought more household names like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Darth Vader under the control of the Magic Kingdom.

Previously, Star Wars comics had been published by Dark Horse, including the Dark Empire series. Dark Empire was seen by many fans as central to the extended universe for including the introduction of Han and Leia’s third child, Anakin Solo, and the first look at the Empire’s new super weapon, the World Devastator.

Speaking without the aid of a human cyborg relations droid, Carol Roeder, director of Lucasfilm franchise publishing said, “Dark Horse Comics published exceptional Star Wars comics for over 20 years, and we will always be grateful for their enormous contributions to the mythos, and the terrific partnership that we had.”

“In 2015,” she continued, “the cosmic adventures of Luke, Han, Leia and Chewbacca will make the lightspeed jump back to Marvel, to begin a new age of adventures within the Star Wars universe.”

With the move to Marvel, the circle is now complete for the Star Wars franchise with Marvel holding the very first comic franchise from 1977 before the switch to Dark Horse in 1991. Speaking like a man who had just won a prodigal Jedi child betting on a pod race, Marvel Worldwide Publisher and President Dan Buckley said, “We here at Marvel could not be more excited to continue the publication of Star Wars comic books and graphic novels.”

Andrew B. Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide and a man who knows that traveling through hyperspace is not like dusting crops, said, “Bringing together the iconic Lucasfilm and Marvel brands to tell new stories will allow us to continue to thrill lovers of the original Star Wars comic books and entertain generations to come.”

This reporter has only one thing to say regarding this announcement. May the Force be with you.

Several Bothans died to bring us this report. 

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