At Comic Con, Marvel unveiled three new Star Wars comics.

Early in the year, it was announced that Marvel would have exclusive rights to any Star Wars comics starting in 2015, a move that made sense given how Disney owns Lucasfilm and also Marvel.

At their annual Cup o’ Joe panel at Comic Con, Marvel announced their first three new Star Wars comic storylines. We won’t be covering these extensively on Hypable, but given how cool one of the stories sounds we couldn’t help but share this announcement.

‘Star Wars’

Star Wars, Marvel’s flagship Star Wars series, will pick up directly after the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The series will start in January 2015 and will be written by Jason Aaron with art by John Cassaday.

“This is clearly different than anything I’ve done for Marvel,” writer Jason Aaron said. “And what most informs it is of course the films. I want this to feel very much like a direct sequel to the original Star Wars film; in terms of tone and voice and scope and everything.”

“Every story is about the characters, and we’ll focus on all the old favorites. There will be big moments for everyone, from Han Solo to R2-D2. But a major part of the narrative will be driven by Luke Skywalker and his journey of discovery, a journey that will decide the fate of the entire galaxy.”

“Though I knew his name, I wasn’t very familiar with Jason’s work,” artist John Cassaday said of his writing partner. “Marvel sent me over some trades to read and it was clear how talented he was. We spent some time on the west coast back in March discussing storyline possibilities, so I had a good idea as to where things were going and it was very promising. But when I finally got the first script I was thrilled. He not only hit strong story beats and made it fun, but he captured these characters that I’ve known most of my life. I could hear them delivering the dialog. It was as if he had Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan over his shoulder as he wrote. Hell, I could also hear the music!”

‘Star Wars: Darth Vader’

Of the three Star Wars series announced, we think the Star Wars: Darth Vader series sounds the most interesting. Like the flagship series, this series centered around iconic villain Darth Vader will be set immediately following the events of A New Hope. This is certainly an interesting time to follow Vader as he’s just failed and allowed the Rebel Alliance to steal plans to the Death Star and then blow it up, only to become Emperor Palpatine’s right hand man in Empire Strikes Back. What happened? The series will explore this.

Star Wars: Darth Vader will be released starting in February. The ongoing series will be written by Kieron Gillen with art by Salvador Larroca.

“My model for the series is House of Cards,” said writer Kieron Gillen. “A man in a position of power who is slighted and turns to tactics that he wouldn’t have really considered before. In terms of engagement with the readers, it really helps that we’re set in the period between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. That’s an emotionally interesting place for Vader, and I suspect many people will empathize — if somewhat darkly — with his position.

Vader’s the sole survivor of the greatest military disaster in history—and a disaster that he definitely had a hand in by letting the rebels escape with the plans for the Death Star. This is not a thing which leaves you in anybody’s good books, let alone the Emperor’s. But along with that, there’s these nagging sensations. Why did Obi Wan return from hiding after all these years? What about that nagging sensation about that fighter pilot who was suspiciously strong in the Force? What else is going on?

The great thing about this period is what we don’t see on the screen. Vader learns who Luke Skywalker is at some point between the two movies, to choose but one example. There is a lot of genuine emotional meat on the bone.”

‘Star Wars: Princess Leia’

March will find the release of the third Star Wars Marvel comic: Star Wars: Princess Leia. This comic will be five-issue limited series written by Mark Waid and illustrated by artist Terry Dodson. The series will take a close look at Leia like has never been done before.

“What makes her compelling to me is how multifaceted she is,” writer Mark Waid said. “Here’s a very strong, insanely capable woman who’s been to hell and back, who’s commanded armies and served with senators—and how old is she, again? Think about how much she’s experienced at such a young age and how much she’s lost.

“How does she really cope with losing her entire world once the events around that loss have calmed down somewhat? Does she choose to be the princess of nothing—or does she set out to rebuild her heritage and her civilization? You can probably guess the answer.”

Will you read any of these new ‘Star Wars’ comics?

Source: Marvel.com (Star Wars, Star Wars: Darth Vader, Star Wars: Princess Leia).