There’s someone new in the galaxy, and we have a first look at this emerging presence. But who is the mystery woman onShattered Empire’s second issue cover? She looks a little bit like Han Solo’s wife, Sana Solo, who was introduced in the mainStar Warscomic book title, in a story that takes place prior toStar Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. It’s not her.Star Wars: Shattered Empireis an upcoming Marvel comic series that canonically bridges the 30 year gap betweenStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the JediandStar Wars: The Force Awakens. And from what we’ve seen so far, there’s going to be more than a few new faces to make things interesting. About the cover, the officialStar Warswebsite had this to say.
“A picture is worth a thousand words. It’s been said very often. But the one above feels more like a thousand questions. Who is that standing beside the starship that resembles an A-Wing? Is she a Jedi? A friend to the Rebels? It’s a safe bet bounty hunters continued offering their services after the collapse of the Empire. In Marvel’sStar Wars: Shattered Empireby Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto, The First Order is still decades away, and it’s safe to assume Luke, Han, and Leia have a lot on their plate after overthrowing the governing force that controlled the galaxy. This illustration by Checchetto is perfect. Simple, spoiler free, and full of intrigue. Just the way comic book covers were meant to be.”
Star Wars: Shattered Empireis just one small part of the massive tie-in book series coming our way over the course of the next four months, leading up to the release ofStar Wars: The Force Awakensin theaters this December. The entire run of stories is being referred to byLucasFilmand Disney as ‘Journey toStar Wars: The Force Awakens’. While everything revealed in these various comic books, novels, sticker books and other releases will somehow tie into the upcoming movies and spinoffs, that doesn’t mean this mysterious character will be featured in the movie, or even referenced.
Star Wars: Shattered Empiredeals directly with the aftermath of the second Death Star being destroyed inStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. Emperor Palpatine’s twenty-year reign of terror has come to an abrupt and fiery end in the skies above the forest moon of Endor. A decisive victory for theRebel Alliance, to be sure, but even with the loss of its leadership, the Empire’s Moffs and regional governors retained their hold on important systems from the Core to the Outer Rim, thanks to the might of the Imperial Starfleet. Now, with a power vacuum atop the Empire, those Moffs will jockey for position and control, and the heroes of the Rebel Alliance will soon discover that a wounded and fractious Empire may be more dangerous than any threat they faced before.
WriterGreg Ruckaand artistMarco Checchettoare behind this Star Wars comic that will, “reveal the untold story of the aftermath of the Battle of Endor and the political machinations that ensued.” This book and the others inJourney to Star Wars: The Force Awakensseries, will all be part of the officialStar Warscanon that includes all of the movies and TV showsStar Wars: The Clone WarsandStar Wars Rebels. Unfortunately, this synopsis doesn’t give us too much to go on, as for how the comic ties in to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it’s possible that the story could set up some of the mysterious characters in the upcoming movie. Take a look at the issue two cover, along with a variant cover that features Princess Leia in her Endor fatigues. So, who do you think this mastery woman is?
