In a thrilling announcement for Star Wars aficionados and manga enthusiasts alike, Dark Horse Comics has revealed plans to publish a deluxe hardcover showcasing Hisao Tamaki’s original art boards from the 1997 manga adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope. This exciting project, revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, promises a unique behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this beloved manga, complete with previously unseen details.
A Manga Reimagining a Classic
In 1997, Japanese artist Hisao Tamaki reimagined Star Wars: A New Hope in manga format, earning an Eisner Award in 1999 for Best U.S. Edition of International Material. This adaptation, originally published in Japan by MediaWorks and Shufunotomo, brought a fresh perspective to George Lucas’s iconic space opera, blending familiar characters and storylines with the distinctive style of Japanese comics. Dark Horse Comics published the manga in English in 1998, introducing it to a wider audience.
What to Expect in the Upcoming Release
The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga will be a two-volume set that includes Tamaki’s original art boards in their original right-to-left orientation. Fans will be able to see the artwork unaltered, including blue pencil marks, pasted captions, and editorial notes that offer a rare glimpse into the creative process. The release will also feature a new English translation of the boards’ original lettering.
Kickstarter Editions
Before the retail release, Dark Horse will launch a Kickstarter campaign offering exclusive editions:
- Collector’s Edition: A two-volume hardcover set with Kickstarter-exclusive covers and a new English translation.
- Masterpiece Edition: A large-format edition reproducing the art at its original size in two 176-page hardcover volumes, plus a 104-page auxiliary volume. This edition will be exclusively available through Kickstarter.
Dark Horse’s History with Star Wars Comics
Dark Horse Comics has a long and storied history with the Star Wars franchise. The publisher produced over 100 Star Wars titles between 1991 and 2014, including comic book series, graphic novels, and manga adaptations. Some notable titles include:
- Dark Empire (1991)
- Tales of the Jedi (1993–1998)
- X-wing: Rogue Squadron (1995–1998)
- Republic (1998–2006)
- Tales (1999–2005)
- Empire (2002–2006)
- Knights of the Old Republic (2006–2010)
- Legacy (2006–2010)
Dark Horse also published manga adaptations of the original film trilogy and The Phantom Menace. After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the Star Wars comics license returned to Marvel in 2015. However, Dark Horse resumed publishing new Star Wars comics and graphic novels in 2022.
Other Star Wars Manga Projects
In addition to The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga, other Star Wars manga projects were announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025. VIZ Media will publish Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber, a new series by Kenny Ruiz. This series focuses on the Jedi Knights’ famous weapon and follows a young tinkerer who finds a lightsaber and must learn to master it.
Adaptations of Timothy Zahn’s 2017 novel, Star Wars: Thrawn, by Man Tsang, and the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, by Mangado, were also announced.
A Look Back at Star Wars Manga Adaptations
The original Star Wars trilogy was adapted into manga by MediaWorks between 1997 and 1999. Shogakukan later adapted The Phantom Menace into manga as well. Dark Horse Comics published these adaptations in English. The manga adaptations include:
- Star Wars: A New Hope (Artwork by Hisao Tamaki)
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Artwork by Toshiki Kudo)
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Artwork by Shin-ichi Hiromoto)
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Artwork by Kia Asamiya)
In the English versions, the artwork was often mirrored to accommodate left-to-right reading, and the content was split into more volumes than the Japanese editions.
The Enduring Appeal of Star Wars Manga
The Star Wars manga adaptations have resonated with fans for their unique artistic interpretations of the classic saga. By blending the familiar Star Wars universe with the visual language of manga, these adaptations offer a fresh and exciting way to experience the stories we know and love. The upcoming release of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga is sure to be a must-have for collectors and fans of both Star Wars and manga.
A New Hope for Star Wars Manga Fans
The release of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga marks an exciting moment for Star Wars and manga fans. With its behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the original manga adaptation, this collection promises to be a valuable addition to any Star Wars library. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Kickstarter campaign and the retail release in 2026!
