Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1 Yesteryear Comics Exclusive

Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the brand name for the publishing strategy at the end of 2015 that included books and comics that tied into the film.  None of the books or comics are required reading to understand the movie, but they do provide backstory and augment the experience for fans.  Marvel originally had two titles that were part of this program, but only the 4-issue mini-series Shattered Empire, was released; the other title, Star Wars Special: C-3PO, was delayed until the following year.

Eight retailers commissioned an exclusive cover for the first issue of the Shattered Empire title.  Altogether there are sixteen variant and exclusive covers for Shattered Empire #1.  One retailer that released an exclusive cover is Yesteryear Comics located in San Diego.

Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1l - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2015)
Yesteryear Comics exclusive

The artist for this cover is Mike Mayhew who has provided interior pencils for several modern Star Wars issues in addition to covers.  The artwork is a montage showing our heroes surrounded by soldiers and tools of the Empire.  Both the artwork and the title are angled which helps this cover stand out from the others.  Overall, I really like the cover except for two changes I would have made: Lando Calrissian should be included instead of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker should be dressed in his Return of the Jedi garb.

A similar publishing strategy is being used for the latest movie with the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi branding.  Marvel's Captain Phasma mini-series is being published as part of this program.