ow that Andor is over, what is there to look forward to for new Star Wars content in the month of December? Comics carry the weight this month, but given that we’re in the throes of the Hidden Empire crossover, it still carries great importance for the entirety of the Star Wars universe. And, being in the midst of Phase II of The High Republic, a new comic miniseries is also starting up this month. There’s plenty to look forward to, no matter what era or characters you’re looking to read about!
If you’re looking for other Star Wars releases to check out, we’ll have some tailored recommendations at the end of this article.
New Star Wars Releases in December 2022
Bounty Hunters #29
The Bounty Hunters comic series from Marvel gets its latest installment this month. This issue is written by Ethan Sacks, with pencils and inks by Paolo Villanelli, colors by Arif Prianto, letters by Travis Lanham, and cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli.
BOSSK VS. TANKA! Forced to take on a job for Crimson Dawn, the bounty hunters take on the Empire! Valance has a mission of his own, one that will put everyone he cares about in danger! What is the dark secret that threatens them all?
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! Bounty Hunters #29 releases on December 7, 2022.
Hidden Empire #2
The finale in the so-called “Qi’ra trilogy” continues on with the second issue in the Hidden Empire miniseries! Writer Charles Soule is joined by penciller Steven Cummings, inker Victor Olazaba, colorist Guru-eFX, letterer Travis Lanham, and complemented by a cover from Paulo Siqueira.
The plans of Lady Qi’ra to use an ancient Dark Side weapon known as the Fermata Cage to destroy the Sith are falling apart, and she has lost many of her primary resources and allies, with Darth Vader drawing ever nearer. Can she salvage victory from certain defeat?
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! Hidden Empire #2 releases on December 7, 2022.
Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Starlight Stories
Taking a brief interlude from comics, Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Starlight Stories is a book that all High Republic fans have been waiting for! It appears that we’re finally going to be able to get our hands on this book after being delayed from September. But who could blame them, those pesky Nihil got their hands on the shipment!
This short story collection from the Star Wars Insider publication includes stories written by High Republic architects Justina Ireland, Cavan Scott, and Charles Soule. These are Phase I stories, despite us currently being in Phase II. All were previously published in issues of Star Wars Insider, but this collects them all in one place!
Be sure to purchase your copy of Starlight Stories before it releases on December 6, 2022.
The Mandalorian #6
The comic adaptation of the first season of The Mandalorian arrives to the episode called “The Prisoner”. The creatives behind this issue are: writer Rodney Barnes, penciller Georges Jeanty, inker Karl Story, colorist Alejandro Sanchez, letterer Joe Caramanga, culminating in a cover by Patrick Gleason.
The prisoner! The Mandalorian is part of a crew of mercenaries springing a convict from a prison ship.
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! The Mandalorian #6 releases on December 14, 2022.
The High Republic: The Blade #1
Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases of December, The High Republic: The Blade comic miniseries from Marvel kicks off this month. Focused on Porter “Blade of Bardotta” Engle set in Phase II, this four issue miniseries is one of the most surprising yet welcome entries on the entire content slate of Phase II thus far. This first issue is written by Charles Soule with pencils and inks by Marco Castiello, letters by Travis Lanham, and the cover is by Giuseppe Camuncoli.
Hundreds of years before the Skywalker Saga, witness the rise of a legend - the mighty Jedi PORTER ENGLE, perhaps the most skilled lightsaber wielder in the High Republic. With his fellow Jedi Knight Barash, he travels the galaxy, serving as a guardian of peace and justice. But even Porter Engle has enemies he cannot defeat.
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! The High Republic: The Blade #1 releases on December 28, 2022.
The High Republic (2022) #3
Staying in Phase II of The High Republic, Marvel’s The High Republic (2022) series keeps rolling on with its third issue. What’s next for Vildar and Matty? Find out in this issue from writer Cavan Scott, penciller and cover artist Ario Anindito, colorist Frank William, and letterer Ariana Maher.
Vildar and Matty at the mercy of the Guardians Of The Whills! The truth about Tey Sirrek revealed. Terror is about to strike at the Temple of Kyber!
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! The High Republic (2022) #3 releases on December 28, 2022.
Doctor Aphra (2020) #27
The 2020 run of the Doctor Aphra continues this month, seemingly still dealing with the Spark Eternal based on the cover. This issue is written by Alyssa Wong, pencilled and inked by Minkyu Jung, lettered by Joe Caramanga, with cover art by W. Scott Forbes.
Doctor Chelli Aphra has struck a bargain for power! Will she be able to pay the terrible cost? Or does the crafty doctor have one last trick up her sleeve?
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! Doctor Aphra (2020) #27 releases on December 28, 2022.
Marvel’s Yoda #2
The ten issue Yoda miniseries gets its second issue this month. This miniseries allows us to join Yoda as he reflects on his past life and adventures, including those during the time of the High Republic, while residing on Dagobah. The creative team behind this issue includes writer Cavan Scott, penciller and inker Nico Leon, colorist Dono Sánchez-Almara, letterer Joe Caramanga, and cover artist Phil Noto. The publisher’s summary is as follows:
Has Yoda turned his back on the galaxy? Why has the legendary Jedi Master abandoned his usual place on Coruscant to settle on a backwater world on the Galactic frontier? What lesson does he hope to teach? And who will come to his aid when disaster strikes?
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! Marvel’s Yoda #2 releases on December 28, 2022.
Han Solo & Chewbacca #8
The ten issue Marvel miniseries Han Solo & Chewbacca is nearing its conclusion this month, but that doesn’t mean it’s slowing down! Just look at the cover… the issue promises to be fantastic just based on that alone! Writer Marc Guggenheim is joined on this issue by penciller and inker David Messina, colorist Alex Sinclair, letterer Joe Caramanga, and cover artist Phil Noto.
Chewbacca, Greedo and [REDACTED] have a chance to get their hands on Jabba’s urn. Only problem is, it’s now in the clutches of [REDACTED]…How will Chewbacca pull off the greatest heist in the galaxy?
You can purchase your copy digitally, or be sure to add it to your pull list at your local comic shop! Han Solo & Chewbacca #8 releases on December 28, 2022.
Other Releases
Those are all of the unique releases coming in December, but there are some collections of previously released material that are also coming this month to put on your radar. Omnibusses and trade paperbacks are how these previously released issues are collected. This month’s collections are all of recently released issues.
War of the Bounty Hunters Omnibus
This omnibus collects all issues of the War of the Bounty Hunters miniseries, the War of the Bounty Hunters companion one-shots, and the War of the Bounty Hunters tie-ins from the Star Wars (2020) series, the Bounty Hunters (2020) series, the Darth Vader (2020) series, and the Doctor Aphra (2020) series. It’s written and drawn by various authors and artists.
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!
Be sure to purchase your copy of the War of the Bounty Hunters omnibus before it releases on December 13, 2022.
Obi-Wan: A Jedi’s Purpose (Trade Paperback)
Obi-Wan: A Jedi’s Purpose collects all five issues of the Obi-Wan miniseries from Marvel. The series is written by Christopher Cantwell, pencilled by Ario Anindito, and cover art by Phil Noto.
Fast approaches the ultimate destiny of one of the Jedi's most renowned masters! As Obi-Wan Kenobi spends his final days in the remote deserts of Tatooine, he takes time to reflect on — and record — key moments from his long and heroic life. Writing in old leather-bound journals from his hermit's hut, Obi-Wan remembers his days as a young Jedi Initiate, his trials as a Padawan, the crucible of Jedi Knighthood and the Clone Wars, and some of the earliest challenges he faced as a true Master of the Force! And a watershed adventure on Coruscant, which he narrowly survived when he was but eight years of age, was just the beginning of Obi-Wan's incredible Jedi journey…
Be sure to purchase your copy of Obi-Wan: A Jedi’s Purpose before it releases on December 13, 2022.
Doctor Aphra (2020) Vol. 5: The Spark Eternal (Trade Paperback)
Doctor Aphra (2020) Vol. 5: The Spark Eternal collects issues #21 - #25. This trade paperback is written by Alyssa Wong, pencilled by Minkyu Jung, and cover art by W. Scott Forbes.
The Spark Eternal corrupts everything it touches, and Doctor Aphra is no exception! Now, trapped inside her own tainted mind, Aphra's only hope for escape lies in her own memories — but can she find a way out before the Spark consumes her completely? And as Sana Starros finds herself face-to-face with an ancient, malevolent presence, she will have to make a choice — and quickly. Can she save Aphra? Can she even save herself?
Be sure to purchase your copy of Doctor Aphra (2020) Vol. 5: The Spark Eternal before it releases on December 27, 2022.
Alternate Recommendations
Not seeing anything in the new releases that strike your fancy? We’ve got some suggestions based on the time of year and current events in the Star Wars media cycle.
The High Republic: Convergence
Since Phase II of The High Republic is of great importance at the moment, Convergence by Zoraida Córdova is a must-read for fans of the era. You might have missed it since the book came out only a couple of days prior to Thanksgiving in the United States. However, this adult novel is utterly incredible, as noted by our review.
You can purchase a copy of Convergence here.
Rogue One Novelization
Are you missing Cassian Andor as much as we are now that the first season of Andor has come and gone? We might not have a whole lot of literature featuring Cassian (yet!), but the Rogue One novelization by Alexander Freed is one of the best choices out there. Not only does Freed write the character of Cassian masterfully, it’s also just a generally great book.
You can purchase a copy of Rogue One here.
Life Day Treasury
It’s officially the holiday season! While the actual Life Day has come and gone, it’s never too late to get into the holiday spirit! Life Day Treasury by George Mann and Cavan Scott is a book of short stories that center around the holiday. It’s truly a great way to add a bit of a Star Wars flare to your holiday preparations! We really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it; you can watch our review for our more complete thoughts!
You can purchase a copy of Life Day Treasury here.
