13 COVERS: Marvel’s Original STAR WARS

May the Force Be With the Bronze Age …

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So the other day I wrote about my love and devotion to the Marvel treasuries that adapted Star Wars. (No, I don’t call it “A New Hope.” I call it “Star Wars.”)

Of course, those tabloid editions (click here) were reprints of six issues that Marvel put out separately, in regular size. And, as I’m sure you’re aware, Marvel kept on going with plenty of non-canonical fare well into the mid-’80s. But they also had the market cornered on adapting The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi.

So with that low-budget, under-the-radar sequel coming out this week, I figured I’d make sure to give that little picture some much-needed extra attention with a 13 COVERS tribute to those original stories.

Now, I’m just keeping it to the actual comics themselves: No reprints, no collections, no frills. And not all of the adaptation issues are here. Just my favorites.

May the Force Be With You. Always.

(My standard caveat: This is a subjective list and not a ranking of any kind. This is pretty much what I dig and you may feel very differently. So, rather than beef about a cover you don’t see, instead join in the fun and share your own choices in the comments section or in whatever social-media thread you saw this.)

Howard Chaykin/Tom Palmer

Howard Chaykin/Tom Palmer

Al Williamson/Carlos Garzon

Al Williamson/Carlos Garzon

Bill Sienkiewicz

Bill Sienkiewicz

Rick Hoberg/Tom Palmer

Rick Hoberg/Tom Palmer

Williamson/Garzon

Williamson/Garzon

Williamson/Garzon

Williamson/Garzon

Gil Kane/Tom Palmer

Gil Kane/Tom Palmer

Bill Sienkiewicz

Bill Sienkiewicz

Rick Hoberg/Dave Cockrum

Rick Hoberg/Dave Cockrum

Rick Hoberg/Frank Giacoia

Rick Hoberg/Frank Giacoia

Rick Hoberg/Tom Palmer

Hoberg/Palmer

Williamson/Garzon

Williamson/Garzon

Sienkiewicz

Sienkiewicz

Cover images and credits from the fantastic Grand Comics Database.

Author: Dan Greenfield

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1 Comment

  1. I tell this story and no one has ever registered any significance or ironic interest in it, but I tell it again still. I remember buying the Marvel comics adaptation of the movie – – having no knowledge or interest in the movie after what I read but in my loyal 11 yr old brain I was supporting good ole’ Marvel (little did I know they were on the brink of bankruptcy at this time for real and that their association with Star Wars helped bring them back and maybe I did help them), but nonetheless I was blown away by what I saw that first viewing.

    Trying to shield myself from on line news and spoilers.

    I’ll let you know my thoughts on Monday after we go see it.

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