The droids of the Star Wars universe take the spotlight, starting this July, when the new Star Wars: Dark Droids Marvel Comics event hits newsstands. With a storyline weaving through the House of Ideas’ Star Wars titles–including Star Wars, Star Wars: Darth Vader, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunters—Dark Droids centers on an evil being called The Scourge corrupting droids throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Neither the Rebellion nor the Empire are said to be safe from the threat, which takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
To commemorate the event, Marvel has commissioned artist Josemaria Casanovas to create a connecting cover featuring the droids impacted by the Dark Droids event. Check out the cover below (which lists the comics bearing the parts to the overall cover) and the full press release!
The official press release:
Across Star Wars storytelling, droids have served a variety of roles ranging from loyal sidekicks to deadly enemies, but after this summer, fans will never look at them the same way again! Starting in July, STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS is an all-new Marvel Comics crossover event that kicks off when a new threat is unleashed throughout the galaxy, corrupting droids, cyborgs, and everything in-between! The saga will bring horror to the galaxy far, far away as droids of all allegiances and roles unite for a bold new purpose, causing chaos for the Rebellion and the Empire alike!
The highly-anticipated epic will be told across a main event series, STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS, as well as tie-in issues of four ongoing series that are currently bridging the gap between the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi: STAR WARS, STAR WARS: DARTH VADER, STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA, and STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS. Announced last week on StarWars.com, the event will also include a spinoff series, STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS – D-SQUAD. Written by Marc Guggenheim with art by Salva Espín and David Messina, the four-issue limited series will see R2-D2 reunite with his team of droid heroes to combat the menace that’s dominating their kind.
Fans can see just how chilling things will become in Josemaria Casanovas’ new connecting cover. The six-part piece will adorn all six STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS installments in August and spotlights a breathtaking lineup of iconic droids, all with glowing violet eyes and lenses, indicating that they’ve been tragically compromised by the malevolent entity known as the Scourge!
“This is one of the most impressive connecting covers I’ve ever seen,” Editor Mark Paniccia said. “Josemaria put his heart and soul into these along with many, many hours. I love this collection of droids! Every one of them is somebody’s favorite!”
Check it out in all its terrifying glory below and be on the lookout for more STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS news in the weeks ahead! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
And where and when you can find parts of the connecting cover:
STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS #2 (OF 4)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by LUKE ROSS
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/6
STAR WARS #38
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by MADIBEK MUSABEKOV
COVER BY STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/6
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #38
Written by GREG PAK
Art by RAFFAELE IENCO
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/13
STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS – D-SQUAD #1 (OF 4)
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by SALVA ESPÍN & DAVID MESSINA
Cover by AARON KUDER
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/20
STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #38
Written by ETHAN SACKS
Art by DAVIDE TINTO
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/20
STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #36
Written by ALYSSA WONG
Art by MINKYU JUNG
Cover by DERRICK CHEW
Dark Droids Connecting Variant Cover by JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS
On Sale 9/27