By Keigen Rea — A long time ago on a website faraway (which is actually this website, but meet me halfway here), I reviewed Star Wars: The High Republic #1…and immediately asked if I could be Comics Bookcase’s “Star Wars guy.” This is column is the result; it’s called Certain Points of View, and it is a monthly look at the state of Star Wars comics, starting with a Star Wars comics guide. This is Episode I: A Phantom Rec’ List. The thesis here is that right now is actually a great time to dive into Star Wars comics, so we’ll start by simply talking about all of the current Star Wars comics series, as well as which get my strongest recommendation.

Certain Points of View: A Star Wars Comics Guide - Episode I

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters
Writer: Ethan Sacks
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Issues So Far: 9

I’ll be blunt here — I’m starting with my least favorite Star Wars comic. Star Wars: Bounty Hunters is easily the weakest book of the line right now, and I doubt anyone would disagree with that. The best thing about it is that artist Paolo Villanelli’s work is pretty rad in places, but, unfortunately, the coloring ends up hurting it frequently. Every possible thing that could be interesting about this comic is either poorly done or not done enough. Even if you’re a Star Wars completionist, this book is optional, as it hasn’t affected the rest of the line, so feel free to steer clear. I assume it’ll take part in the upcoming crossover, but trust me — it just isn’t worth it to go back!
Who should read this: …….
Read It Digitally: Star Wars - Bounty Hunters Vol. 1 via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars - Bounty Hunters Vol. 1 via Amazon

Star Wars: Adventures
Writers: Cavan Scott, Landry Q. Walker, Ben Blacker, Ben Acker, Delilah Dawson, Michael Moreci, and more
Artists: Derek Charm, Eric Jones, Annie Wu, Elsa Charretier, and more
Issues So Far: The first volume of this series ran for 32 issues, while the current volume is on issue 3

Star Wars: Adventures is a weird one! It’s an anthology series, covering every era of Star Wars, and it features stories about many of the major cast members along the way. It’s vastness isn’t really a good thing though, and at times it really hurts the series flow. Still, I highly suggest dipping in and out of stories based on characters/eras that you enjoy. Oh, and read anything illustrated by Elsa Charretier, because she’s spectacular.
Who Should Read This: All Star Wars fans will enjoy this book, with an extra emphasis for those who are more interested in side stories than grandiose narratives.
Read It Digitally: Star Wars - Adventures via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars - Adventures Omnibus 1 via Amazon

Star Wars
Writer: Charles Soule
Artists: Jesus Saiz, Ramon Rosanas, Jan Balzadua, and more
Issues So Far: The current volume is on issue #11

I think the main Star Wars comic right now is perfectly average, and I don’t mean perfectly average in a mean way at all. It’s just that to me Marvel’s current Star Wars comic is as average a Star Wars comic can be. And really, I still enjoy it a bunch! I think having Lando in the cast is giving writer Charles Soule another chance at writing him (his Lando mini-series was excellent), and that’s nice. Along with Lando, Leia in this book receives a nice spotlight, really getting to be a leader of the rebellion, which is a delight to see. And there are also hints at great droid stuff too. But! None of it feels very additive to what the original trilogy did. It’s just kind of playing with the toys of that era. In short: this comic is fun, but that’s kind of it.
Who Should Read This: Anyone who wants a fun and average Star Wars experience.
Read It Digitally: Star Wars via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars Vol. 1 via Amazon

Star Wars The High Republic Adventures.jpg

Star Wars The High Republic: Adventures
Writer: Daniel José Older
Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Issues So Far: 1 (with #2 due out March 3)

Like the main Star Wars Adventures series (and the other spin-offs) something about this book feels less essential than it’s Marvel counterpart. In some ways, it feels like a little side story in the franchise’s newest era (which is chronologically its oldest major era, but I digress…). What sets it apart, however, is the characters that are specific to this series. Star Wars The High Republic: Adventures is only one issue in right now, so we’ll see if it’s worth following in the long run, but right now this book seems like fun additions to the saga. Bonus points go to this for only being one issue in, so readers can easily get in on the ground floor with it!
Read It Digitally: Star Wars The High Republic - Adventures via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars The High Republic - Adventures #1 via Amazon

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra
Writer: Alyssa Wong
Artist: Marika Cresta
Issues So Far: 7 in the current volume

When I was first putting these in order, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra fell much lower. It’s a pretty good comic, although I have similar complaints about the coloring that I do with much of Marvel’s line (too muddy! why is everything so wet and shiny???). The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized that Aphra populates the most unique corner of the Star Wars line, and I enjoy it much more because of it. Aphra’s adventures are fun and meaningful, largely because she’s a character who was made in comics, for comics. A large part of the appeal of her and all of her series is that this is the place you go for Aphra stories! The first trade came out in January, but the series is only on issue 7, so it’s realistic to catch up!
Who Is This For: Anyone who enjoys the idea of Indiana Jones in space, but Indiana Jones is a lesbian woman with a crew. Bottom line — there’s fun space thievery!
Read It Digitally: Star Wars - Doctor Aphra via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars - Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 via Amazon
Check Out the First Volume: Star Wars - Doctor Aphra Omnibus

Star Wars: The High Republic
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Ario Anindito
Issues So Far: 2 (with #3 due out March 3)

I am all the way in on The High Republic. I’ve read the two main novels and the middle grade book, and I’m reading both of the comic series, and I think this comic might be my favorite piece in the era so far. It has great art, unique characters, and a story that feels essential, making this a book I feel comfortable recommending to pretty much anybody. It also probably has the cleanest jumping on point of any Star Wars comic possibly ever. New readers can easily jump into this without reading or experiencing anything else. Plus, there are only two issues so far, so it should be simple to catch up!
Note: I will say though, if you’re interested in The High Republic era as a whole, you may want to read the novel before diving into the comic. Personally, I read the comic first and didn’t have any problems, but there are some spoilers if you read out of order.
Who Should Read This: All Star Wars fans, fans of space fantasy, and anyone who’s tired of standard Star Wars and instead wants a fresher take on the franchise.
Read It Digitally: Star Wars - The High Republic via comiXology
Read It Physically: Star Wars - The High Republic #1 via Amazon
Read the Novel: Star Wars - Light of the Jedi (High Republic)

Star Wars: Darth Vader
Writer: Greg Pak
Artists: Raffaele Ienco
Issues So Far: 10 in the current volume

Okay, I really like Star Wars. So this might seem hyperbolic. But I promise it isn’t. Darth Vader is one of my favorite current ongoing series in all of comics. Top ten for sure. The creative team isn’t just focused on making a good Star Wars comic here, they’re making one of the best comics period.
But the thing is, they’re also making one of the best Star Wars comics I’ve ever read. It takes a post-Empire Strikes Back Vader and weaves elements of the prequels into him, while referencing stuff in Rise of Skywalker…and it all somehow works! Add in some horror-inspired space stuff, and you’ve got a Star Wars story that’s unique across all of the new canon, or at least all of the new canon that I’ve experienced. The team is doing an excellent job of weaving in Star Wars mythos without it being solely based in nostalgia, and adding new context as it goes. Star Wars is rarely better than it is here.
Who Should Read This: Anyone who likes good comics
Read It Digitally: Star Wars - Darth Vader
Read It Physically: Star Wars - Darth Vader Vol. 1 via Amazon

That’s it for this debut edition of Certain Points of View! If you enjoyed or hated my Star Wars comics guide, let me know @prince_organa on Twitter. We can argue about Star Wars or something! I don’t really know what I’m gonna talk about next time, but I have a feeling it’ll be about droids. Read me then!