“Very few people know the true nature of the galaxy. That it is a prison, and all its inhabitants are prisoners and the reason for that—the reason is one word. It is the name of our fear. It is the name of our chains. That word is Sith.”
f you’ve just watched Solo: A Star Wars Story, and you’re wondering who this Qi'ra character is and what she’s been up to outside the events of the movie, then you’re in luck. Lady Qi'ra, as she’s known to her subordinates in the crime syndicate Crimson Dawn, has a vast and wide story arc outside her debut movie—including putting the pieces together for several important events that take place in the Original Trilogy. And among those important events is the introduction of Han to quite possibly the most legendary ship in all of Star Wars, the Millennium Falcon.
Through the course of their rivalry, friendship, and eventual relationship, Qi'ra and Han Solo both betrayed and rescued each other multiple times, even during Han’s relationship with Leia. When Han was frozen in carbonite and delivered to Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine, it was Qi'ra who tipped Leia and Chewie off on where to find their friend. So, even through it all, you might say that Qi'ra and Han looked out for each other in the end.
Earlier in her life, however, following a failed heist with Han, Qi'ra was sold into slavery and eventually sold again to the man who would start her on the perilous journey away from the world of petty crime that she and Han had grown up in and toward something much, much darker. Under the teachings of this man, Dryden Vos, Qi'ra learned the martial arts forms of Teräs Käsi, which would eventually become integral to her reign of power over several foes—among them, even Darth Vader.
But how could even the greatest skill in martial arts stand a chance against a Force-wielding, saber-swinging Sith Lord? Well, Qi'ra not only mastered the techniques of her chosen martial art, she also fought with a pair of electroswords, which allowed her to hold her own in battle even against a lightsaber. Much like Mandalorian armor made from beskar, her electroswords had no problem withstanding a lightsaber’s strike. Qi'ra was so capable and dynamic in her duel against Vader that he even noticed similarities between her fighting style and that of Darth Sidious.
Following her apprenticeship under Dryden Vos, Qi'ra gained enough strength and power to overthrow and kill her master, which led her to the true leader of Crimson Dawn, the Sith Lord known as Darth Maul. Under his guidance, Qi'ra trained in Sith dueling practices so that she would be better prepared if she ever faced a Sith Lord in battle—which, obviously turned out to be a very wise training tactic.
Following Qi'ra’s story will take you all across the galaxy far, far away, and you’ll see plenty of familiar faces along your journey. Her character represents the strength and awe of what even those who cannot wield the Force can be capable of. You might even think of her as a darker version of Padmé or Mon Mothma, a woman inherently capable of both pulling strings behind the scenes and maintaining the impact of her power on center stage.
These Star Wars books and comics will pull you into the inner world of Lady Qi'ra, and there, you are in for an adventure even greater than the Kessel heist.
Coming Soon
Our team is hard at work building out this collection. Stay tuned!
Books in this Collection
Most Wanted
Set before Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rae Carson gives us a glimpse into how Han and Qi’Ra’s relationship began. In a story that gives us a glimpse into life with the White Worms and on the streets of Corellia, we see the pair start out as rivals pitted against each other by Lady Proxima and evolve into the duo we see at the beginning of the film, getting help along the way from intriguing new characters after their job takes a messy turn.
Don’t let the ‘young adult’ tag deter you: Most Wanted is a fast-paced heist adventure with just enough twists to keep you guessing while it keeps you turning pages. The extra depth and gravitas it lends to Han and Qi’Ra’s relationship may well change the way you see that spaceport scene and Qi’Ra’s fateful decision aboard Dryden Vos’s yacht.
Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition
More than just a novelization, in her Expanded Edition Mur Lafferty offers us glimpses of scenes cut from the film and gives further development to some of the other characters. We learn more about what happened to Qi’Ra after the spaceport and get more insight into Tobias Beckett and his relationship with Val. Lafferty gives us a new insight into L3’s fate and ends with a wonderful epilogue that nicely links the movie to yet more parts of the Star Wars lore.
From a prologue that nicely captures young Han’s personality, to looks into the White Worms den that are somehow even more cringe-inducing than seeing it on screen, to Han’s time in the military and that wonderful epilogue, Lafferty’s adaptation is what we imagine reading a director’s cut would be like!
Young Han dreams of someday soaring into space at the helm of his own starship and leaving his home, the gritty industrial planet Corellia, far behind. But as long as he’s trapped in a life of poverty and crime—and under the thumb of the sinister Lady Proxima and her brutal street gang—reaching the distant stars seems impossible. When Han tries to escape with his girlfriend and partner-in-crime, Qi’ra, he makes it out—but she doesn’t. Desperate for a way to find his own offworld vessel and free her, Han enlists in the Imperial Navy—the last place for a rebellious loner who doesn’t play well with others.
When the Empire clips his wings, Han goes rogue and plunges into the shady world of smugglers, gamblers, and con artists. There he meets the charming and cunning high roller Lando Calrissian, makes an unlikely friend in a cantankerous Wookiee called Chewbacca, and first lays eyes on the Millennium Falcon. To snag his piece of the outlaw pie, Han joins a crew of pirates to pull off a risky heist. The stakes are high, the danger is great, and the odds are slim. But never tell Han Solo the odds.
War of The Bounty Hunters (Omnibus)
Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters
A hardcover Marvel Omnibus compilation of the entire War of the Bounty Hunters Crossover Event Series
All-out war engulfs the galaxy! Notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett has finally landed his greatest prize: Han Solo, frozen in carbonite. But Solo is about to become one highly sought-after smuggler! The Rebels want their friend back, the Empire seeks revenge on one of its greatest enemies and other bounty hunters have their eyes on a big payday – but what moves will the Crimson Dawn syndicate make? Featuring Darth Vader, Jabba the Hutt, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Valance, Doctor Aphra and more!
Collecting:
War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha
War of the Bounty Hunters #1-5
War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt
War of the Bounty Hunters: 4-LOM and Zuckuss
War of the Bounty Hunters: Boushh, and IG-88
Star Wars (2020) #13-18
Bounty Hunters #12-17
Darth Vader (2020) #12-17
Doctor Aphra (2020) #10-15
Material from Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha Director's Cut (2021) #1
Crimson Reign (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: Crimson Reign
Is the trade paperback collection of the forthcoming canon Marvel comic book miniseries of the same name.
The story that began with WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS continues in the second chapter of an epic trilogy that will reshape the Star Wars galaxy during the Age of Rebellion! The criminal organization known as the Crimson Dawn has risen — but what is their goal, and how do they plan to achieve it? And how will the Rebel Alliance and the Empire both react to this new galactic power player? Featuring the return of beloved characters, shocking twists, epic feats of the Force and a story that will reach from the darkest underworld all the way to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, CRIMSON REIGN is a Star Wars saga like no other!
Collecting:
Crimson Reign #1-5
Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation (Graphic Novel)
Han Solo: Imperial Cadet (Trade Paperback)
Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol 1: The Crystal Run (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca Vol. 1: The Crystal Run
A Trade Paperback compilation of the Marvel Comics Han Solo & Chewbacca Series
The galaxy's best buddies star in a hair-raising adventure from the days before they joined the Rebellion! Loveable rogue Han Solo and his Wookiee partner-in-smuggling, Chewbacca, set off on a heist for none other than Jabba the Hutt — and this time, the Rodian bounty hunter named Greedo is working alongside them! It's supposed to be a nice, straightforward job. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, how about a reunion with the very last person Han expected to see? When the target safe is cracked, you won't believe what's inside! Plus, celebrate the galaxy's favorite holiday with a collection of festive tales from all across the saga of Star Wars. Happy Life Day!
Hidden Empire (Trade Paperback)
Star Wars: Hidden Empire
This is the trade paperback collecting all issues of the Marvel Comics Hidden Empire Miniseries
The next big Star Wars comic event is here, as Qi'ra continues her campaign against the Empire!
Qi'ra's final plot to take down the Empire! The mysterious criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn and its leader, Lady Qi'ra, have become the galaxy's most wanted, now that Emperor Palpatine has realized the scope of their plans against him and moves to destroy her. But Qi'ra still has tricks up her sleeve, and with the help of the Knights of Ren and her many other allies, she will not go down without a fight! The epic trilogy begun in STAR WARS: WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS and STAR WARS: CRIMSON REIGN concludes here!
Collecting: Star Wars: Hidden Empire (2022) #1-5
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