Star Wars marks 50 years with a publishing galaxy of new stories
Lucasfilm is planning a substantial publishing celebration for Star Wars’ 50th anniversary, with new books, comics and graphic novels revisiting the original trilogy while expanding stories across the wider galaxy. The programme includes material for different ages and genres, from horror and character studies to behind-the-scenes reference books.
For Australian fans, the most notable release is Star Wars: A New Hope: Triple Take, a graphic novel that retells the first film through Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo. Other projects explore Luke and Leia’s early Jedi training, Kylo Ren’s rise, the Bad Batch, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and the future of Din Djarin and Grogu.
The publishing slate also shows how comfortably Star Wars moves between comics, illustrated reference works and genre fiction. That variety is part of what makes the franchise such a durable subject for collectors, readers and arcade fans alike. See more gaming and hardware coverage in the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
Star Wars: A New Hope: Triple Take
Written by siblings Kim Shearer and Chas! Pangburn, Triple Take retells A New Hope from three viewpoints. Luke sees a mythic journey of courage and destiny, Leia remembers the danger of fighting the Empire, and Han recalls events in a characteristically self-confident way. A quartet of artists will give each account its own visual identity.
The story is intended to offer fresh insight into the heroes’ thoughts while revisiting major moments including Darth Vader’s first appearance, the Mos Eisley Cantina and the destruction of the Death Star.
- Authors: Kim Shearer and Chas! Pangburn
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release: May 2027
Star Wars: Twin Crossroads
Beth Revis returns to Star Wars with a novel set after Return of the Jedi. Luke and Leia train together on Ajan Kloss while confronting the legacies of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Luke questions his ability as a teacher, while Leia wrestles with the Force, her future and the truth that Darth Vader is her father.
The twins eventually join a covert New Republic mission to infiltrate Coruscant. Their investigation takes them to the former Jedi Temple, now the Imperial palace, and deepens their understanding of the Jedi Order, their parents and each other.
- Author: Beth Revis
- Publisher: Random House Worlds
- Release: 6 April 2027
Star Wars: A Celebration Book
DK’s anniversary book covers the making of the films, merchandise, books, comics, video games, conventions, themed lands, cosplay and the global fan community. It combines interviews with creators and cast, behind-the-scenes photography and concept art in a collector-focused history of the franchise.
- Publisher: DK
- Release: 6 April 2027
Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror
Cavan Scott takes Star Wars into horror with stories involving Anakin, Luke, Leia and Rey. The collection features phantom droids, alien lycanthropes, ice-world serpents, Death Star ghosts, Imperial zombies and the mysterious Nightlander.
- Author: Cavan Scott
- Publisher: Dark Horse
- Release: 22 September 2026
Kylo Ren, the Bad Batch and Darth Vader
Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren follows Kylo after his journey to Mustafar in Star Wars: Legacy of Vader. As Supreme Leader, he faces General Hux and General Pryde, whose ambition threatens the First Order. Charles Soule writes the Marvel Comics series, which is listed as available now.
Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch – Rogue Agents is written by Michael Moreci and published by Dark Horse. During the Clone Wars, Clone Force 99 pursues a Separatist scientist and a dangerous invention, racing new enemies across the galaxy. The collected graphic novel releases on 3 November 2026.
Star Wars Icons: Vader is a deluxe history by Anthony Breznican and Hayden Christensen, published by Insight Editions on 20 October 2026. It traces Vader from George Lucas’ early drafts through Anakin’s fall and the character’s appearances in films, television, novels, comics and video games. The book includes rare imagery, concept art, collectible inserts and new interviews.
Rogue One characters return in new one-shots
Marvel’s Rogue One anniversary comics add new perspectives on the characters connected to the Scarif mission. Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso and Saw Gerrera have already received one-shots, while Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus, plus Darth Vader, are scheduled for 14 and 28 October 2026. Jody Houser and Emilio Laiso are credited as authors.
The Book of Boba Fett receives a comic adaptation
Rodney Barnes’ seven-issue Marvel adaptation follows Boba Fett after escaping the Sarlacc and taking control of Jabba the Hutt’s syndicate on Tatooine. The series introduces comic versions of characters including Garsa Fwip, Dokk Strassi and Mok Shaiz’s majordomo. Its listed release date is 9 September 2026.
The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Phillip Szostak, with a foreword by Doug Chiang, explores the first Star Wars theatrical release in seven years. The Abrams book contains concept art, sketches and interviews about the planets, vehicles and characters in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The film is directed by Jon Favreau, co-written by Favreau and Dave Filoni, and stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White.
Its story follows Din Djarin and Grogu after the fall of the Empire, as scattered Imperial warlords remain a threat to the developing New Republic. The book is scheduled for 3 November 2026.
Why this matters to arcade collectors
The anniversary programme reaches well beyond cinema, reinforcing the role of Star Wars in comics, books, toys, video games and interactive entertainment. Fans planning a dedicated games room can compare cabinet options in the arcade machine collection, consider a space-saving bartop arcade or learn how to choose the right setup with the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
For custom projects, the DIY arcade kits range and arcade parts catalogue offer practical starting points. The 50th-anniversary slate may be centred on publishing, but it underlines the same point that arcade history makes clear: Star Wars remains a long-running cross-media universe with room for many different kinds of fan.
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