Should you read the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge comic before visiting the land?
Many devoted Marvel and Star Wars fans will be excited to get their hands on the first issue of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge comic from the new Marvel miniseries. This comic is considered cannon for the Star Wars universe and will feature a story that takes place on the planet of Batuu located in the Outer Rim Territories.
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The planet is not specifically mentioned in the movies and was created just for the new Star Wars themed lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The village on the planet of Batuu that will be the main focus of this new land with the shops and dining options is called Black Spire Outpost. This is where the setting for the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge comic miniseries takes place!
There will be five comics total in this miniseries, here is the release schedule so you can mark your calendar!
- 1st issue- April 24th
- 2nd issue- May 22nd
- 3rd issue- June 26th
- 4th issue- July 31st
- 5th issue- TBA
The comics retail for $3.99 each and can be found (or ordered!) at your local comic book store and online.
So now that we know that this miniseries takes place in the village that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is themed- should you pick up the first issue and read it? I am not necessarily an avid comic reader but I am a dedicated Star Wars and Disney Parks fan so I am here to help you decide if you should make the time to read this new miniseries!
Read our HUGE guide on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge here to find out everything you need to know!
What's the comic miniseries about?
The first issue of the miniseries takes place on Batuu and features familiar faces such as Chewbecca and Han Solo along with introducing a new character to the Star Wars Universe: Dok-Ondar. This first issue sets the stage for upcoming conflict on Batuu as a mysterious group of characters seek out Dok-Ondar, the antiquities collector in the town of Black Spire Outpost. We see a younger Han Solo and Chewbecca in the first issue as Dok-Ondar reminiscences about how he acquired some of his rarest items. As promised, we get a glimpse into the smuggling history of one of the most beloved Star Wars characters.
The miniseries will clearly focus on Dok-Ondar as one of the prominent new characters you will find in Black Spire Outpost. Aside from a brief mention in Solo: A Star Wars story, we have much to learn about this collector of rare artifacts.
Some of the rare Sith artifacts you can find at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is the name of one of the many anticipated merchant stores inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge so it makes sense to begin building recognition with fans in this comic. Dok-Ondar will be present in this shop as he takes calls at his desk and barks orders to his assistants. Guests can find plenty of rare artifacts at this immersive shop including ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts like lightsabers, holocrons, and more.
This first issue gives us our first glimpse of him along with his rare antiquities and the village of Black Spire Outpost.
A glimpse of Ronto Roasters at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge from issue #1 of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge comic.
We also get a glimpse of Ronto Roasters where guests in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge can enjoy meats spit-roasted over a former Podracer engine and served by former smelter droid, 8D-J8.
Is this comic worth reading for non-comic readers?
Dok-Ondar is an intimidating figure in Black Spire Outpost. Image from issue #1 of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge comic.
As someone who isn't necessarily a big comic reader, even though I enjoy comic based films, I found it enjoyable. I think my heightened excitement of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge helps pique my enthusiasm when it comes to exploring this miniseries. We get some nice artwork of Black Spire Outpost along with references to some of the food and merchant options we know will be available in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Based on that and the affordable price, I think it's worth it for the average Disney Parks fan to grab an issue and read it.
If you plan on bringing school aged kids with you to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, I can see this being a good choice at introducing them to the new setting of this land. It was a deliberate choice by the Disney Imagineers to create a brand new setting so guests could feel like they're living a new story instead of one that's been told before. But some drawbacks with that approach is that some guests, particularly younger demographics, may not connect instantly with the land. This comic miniseries helps set the stage for that connection as those that read the comics will come in feeling as though this land is familiar.
How long are these comics?
The first issue was roughly 24 pages long- I read it pretty quickly over my lunch break. Since this is a miniseries, we will only have five issues total so it's not necessarily a big time commitment to read them.
I actually think the short length and the approach of a miniseries is smart. This allows folks who typically don't read comics to pursue these stories without feeling too overwhelmed by a lengthy series and content. Short and sweet is a good approach for this scenario.
Do they tell us anything new about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge?
Disney's concept art for Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities
This first issue didn't reveal anything that we didn't know already aside from character backstories. But it was cool to see artwork depicting Black Spire Outpost and the characters you will encounter there. So in a way, we're getting new visuals of the land that will likely closely resemble the reality.
If you want to help build anticipation for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge- give this miniseries a read! After my son and I read it we found ourselves staring at the calendar counting the days until we can see it for ourselves. Not that we haven't been already!
Ready to Visit Star Wars Galaxy's Edge?
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Thank you for the review Lindsay! I haven’t picked up my copy yet, but this looks great.