The Disney-eraStar Warscanon is finally fleshing out the franchise’s post-Return of the Jediportions of its timeline, and the creators behind Marvel’s relaunchedStar Warscomic series say they are treating this like the Sequel Trilogy fans wanted, but never got, all the way back in the 1980s.
In an interview with Popverse,Star Wars#1 writer Alex Segura, and artist Phil Noto, discussed the highly anticipated new series, noting that they feel privileged to be the ones tasked with illuminating the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han in the aftermath ofROTJ.
In an exciting tidbit about the look of the series,Noto teased that he was inspired to treat this as a direct continuation of more than just the story of the Original Trilogy film, but also the aesthetic,with the book illustrated “as if this was produced as a movie in 1986 or so.”
Marvel’s New ‘Star Wars" Comic Is Meant To Feel Like The ROTJ Sequel Fans Never Got
Star Wars#1: Written By Alex Segura; Art By Phil Noto; Available July 17, 2025 From Marvel Comics
The Disney era ofStar Warsis defined by thecinematic Sequel Trilogy, produced between 2015 and 2019, which fulfilled the decades-long desire among the franchise’s fandom for movies set afterReturn of the Jedi.For a variety of reasons, though, these were not exactly the films fans had been looking for as far back as the 1980s, essentially from the momentROTJwas released in 1983. Now,Marvel’s newStar Warscomic serieswill not only chronicle the years following the Battle of Endor, but it will also strive to embody the vibe of the Original Trilogy.
Or, more specifically, the late ‘80s follow-up that never was. As artist Phil Noto put it:
Growing up as a fan of the Original Trilogy, I was always hopeful for a trilogy that would take place shortly after Return of the Jedi. Since that didn’t happen, it’s been a lot of fun coming up with visuals for a comic version of that era…I have also been trying to make it all look a bit ‘80s-ish as if this was produced as a movie in 1986 or so. Nothing too slick or futuristic.
Especially for olderStar Warsfans, along with those fans who appreciate the gritty look of the Original Trilogy, this should prove to be another reason to be excited about Marvel’sStar Warscomicsentering the post-Return of the Jediera.The visual style will deliberately evoke the look of the franchise’s classic films, which will give it a distinct throwback feel,helping to provide a tangible link to the era it is following up.
“Star Wars” Can Deliver The “Lived In” Universe Fans Want With Its ’80s Inspired Art
Star Wars#1; Main Cover By Phil Noto; Variant Covers By Gabriel Dell’Otto, Ken Lashley, David Nakayama, Leinil Francis Yu, And More
Star Warsfans have expressedmany complaints about the Sequel Trilogyover the years, but one thing they took issue with was the fact that Episodes VII through IX didn’t exactly capture the “lived-in” feeling of the franchise that characterizes the universe established in the Original Trilogy, something that was still noticable to a lesser extent in the Prequels. Though the Sequels made overtures toward this aesthetic, they arguably never fully got it right, at least to the extent desired by longtimeStar Warsfollowers.
For over ten years,Marvel’sStar Warscomicshave charted the periods between the Original Trilogy films, and in the process has done a commendable job of capturing the tone of that era in franchise history. So,in addition to serving as a kind of “lost” ‘80sStar Warssequel, Phil Noto and Alex Segura’s soon-to-be-released comic series will also be the perfect continuation of Marvel’s long, patient projectof immersing fans in the galaxy far, far away.
Source:Popverse, Alex Segura and Phil Noto interview
Star Wars#1will be available July 11, 2025 From Marvel Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
