With Disney’s purchase of both Marvel and Lucasfilm in the last few years, it only makes sense for the two companies to come together for comics as well.
Marvel announced today that they are joining forces. Starting in 2015 Marvel will have exclusive rights to publish Star Wars comics and graphic novels. 2015 is, of course, the same year Star Wars: Episode VII will be released in theaters, so the timing is right on for a deal like this.
Marvel originally published the Star Wars comics when they debuted with the original film in 1977. Star Wars #1, published in March 1977, went on to sell more than 1 million copies. Marvel sold Star Wars comics for nine years before the rights moved to Dark Horse where they’ve stayed ever since.
Various members of Lucasfilm and Marvel have commented on the deal.
“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,” said Carol Roeder, director of Lucasfilm franchise publishing, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “In 2015, 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.”
“We here at Marvel could not be more excited to continue the publication of Star Wars comic books and graphic novels,” said Marvel Worldwide Publisher and President, Dan Buckley. “The perennial brand of Star Wars is one of the most iconic in entertainment history and we are honored to have the opportunity to bring our creative talent pool to continue, and expand Star Wars into galaxies far, far away.”
“We’re incredibly excited by this next chapter in the Star Wars saga,” said Andrew B. Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide. “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.”