Marvel Unveils ‘Star Wars: Han Solo’ Comic Book Series

Han Solo may not have had it so good in the latest Star Wars film, but that doesn’t mean his legacy is doomed. Marvel Comics is breathing new life into Han Solo with a new Star Wars comic book series. The new five edition series will be “sort of like Han Solo in Cannonball Run in space,” as, described by writer Marjorie Liu.

Star Wars: Han Solo Gives A Look At The Smuggler’s Life In The Rebel Alliance

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The five part series will explore what Solo’s life was like as he came to terms with his participation in the rebel alliance and, as such, will take place between Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Joining the project will be Mark Brooks, whose artwork from that period was the inspiration for the new Han Solo comic book series.

Liu says her inspiration for the story comes directly from the Hal Needham-directed The Cannonball Run (1981), only it takes place in a galaxy far, far away. In Star Wars: Han Solo, Liu has the smuggler turned rebel joining an infamous space race, partly as a cover, while on a mission for Leia, but also because it’s a personal dream for him.

“It’s the pilot dream race. Everyone wants to be in it, everyone dreams of winning it,” says the Star Wars: Han Solo writer. “The race is sort of a cover that will allow him to go on this mission for [Leia], but at the same time, even though the race isn’t a priority, it’s a real struggle for him because he knows he needs to focus, but he’s on the race of a lifetime.”

This Is Han Solo’s Story, But That Doesn’t Mean He’ll Be Alone

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Marjorie reveals that Chewbacca, who was given his own Marvel Comics series last year, will still be playing co-pilot to Captain/General Solo. Also making appearances in the Han Solo series will be the princess herself. Ms. Liu says writing Solo and Leia together was a dream come true for her, so it was an opportunity she just couldn’t pass up.

While old friends give Han the feel of a normal life, Marjorie reveals he’s anything but the same old Solo. He’s changing and, as Liu suggests, he just doesn’t know how to cope with this new life.

“This is a Han Solo who doesn’t quite know who he is anymore,” Liu explained of the Star Wars spinoff comic book series. “He doesn’t think about politics, and suddenly he’s thrust into this life-or-death struggle for beliefs he didn’t even know he cared about — and it has changed him. He doesn’t want to believe that change, but he has.”

While Solo is coming to terms with these changes, he’s presented with the chance to enter a race he’s dreamed of his whole life. It’s something of his own and something familiar to him, but the rebel alliance even intrudes into this. As Leia gets wind of the race, she sees an opportunity for Han to stop by several systems in the path of the race, where she believes rebel spies are hiding.

Liu takes much of the credit for crafting the story. Marvel came to her with the project, only saying that they wanted the story to be set in the time period between Star Wars Episodes IV and V. She adds that the Empire isn’t the big threat in this story. Liu says there will be a villain seeking to foil Leia’s plans, while another villain, someone from Solo’s past, also poses a threat to Han, the race, and his mission.

Star Wars: Han Solo #1 will hit stands in June.

[Image by 20th Century Fox]