While the character's use in two of the sequel movies has been underwhelming, Captain Phasma is one of those characters with cool visuals that screams for more stories. To date, we received a novel simply titled Phasma from Del Rey and a 4-issue mini-series from Marvel both published prior to the Last Jedi. The Del Rey novel delves into Phasma's backstory while the Marvel mini-series explains how Captain Phasma survived the Battle of Starkiller Base.
One of the most striking covers from the Captain Phasma mini-series has to be the one painted by Greg Hildebrandt. Greg Hildebrandt, along with his twin brother Tim Hildebrandt, are best known for their work on one of the original 1977 Star Wars movie posters. The brothers also worked together on an exquisite Shadows of the Empire trading card set from Topps in 1996. Unfortunately, Tim passed away in 2006.
Star Wars: Captain Phasma #2d - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2017) Greg Hildebrandt variant
Not related to the story inside, the cover shows Phasma leading a squad of First Order Flametroopers. It is dark on the planet's surface which juxtaposes nicely with the yellow and red flames that are glistening off Phasma's armor.
This variant cover was initially released in a 1 to 50 ratio with the standard cover.
Rahzzah Murdock's artwork has adorned many Star Wars variant covers and he provided the artwork for the Mile High Comics exclusive covers for issues #38 - 43. The covers are themed, showing a hero of the Rebel Alliance in the foreground and a leader in the background. The leaders are all shown in front of a screen in a Rebel communications room.
Issue #38 show Mon Mothma, the leader of the Rebel Alliance, and Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars #38g - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 2017) Mile High Comics exclusive
Davits Draven and Han Solo are on the cover for #39. General Draven is a leader in Rebel Intelligence and led the rescue of Jyn Erso from Imperials.
Star Wars #39c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 2017) Mile High Comics exclusive
Admiral Ackbar was introduced in Return of the Jedi and is featured on the cover of issue #40 along with Princess Leia.
Star Wars #40c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2017) Mile High Comics exclusive
Jan Dodonna was instrumental in the Rebellion win at the Battle of Yavin. General Dodonna was prominent in early Marvel Star Wars comics from the 1970s as the leader of the hidden base on Yavin IV. Issue #41 shows General Dodonna and C-3PO and R2-D2.
Star Wars #41d - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 2018) Mile High Comics exclusive
Carlist Rieekan commanded the Rebels at Echo Base on Hoth. General Rieekan and Sana Starros are featured on the cover of issue #42.
Star Wars #42c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (January 2018) Mile High Comics exclusive
Crix Madine planned the attack on the Imperial shield generator on the moon of Endor. Issue #43 shows General Madine and Chewbacca.
Star Wars #43d - Marvel Comics, U.S. (February 2018) Mile High Comics exclusive
The leaders of the Rebel Alliance do not get many cover appearances, so I find this set of six covers to be a nice addition to the myriad of variant covers that have been published by Marvel. The appearance of the other heroes on these covers seems superfluous as the images of the leaders would have been sufficient.
DC Comics currently publishes Mad Magazine. In 2018 the magazine was restart with a new #1 with a new editorial staff, but that wasn't enough to save the publication. It has been announced that Mad Magazine will ceased publishing new content on a regular basis with issue #10. Subsequent issues will include reprints except for an annual issue which will contain new content.
The first issue of Mad was released in August 1952. This standard comic-sized publication changed to the magazine format with issue #24 published in July 1955. Mad Magazine is known for its satire and pop culture parodies. Not surprising, one of the first non-Marvel Star Wars comics was published in Mad Magazine #196 with a cover date of January 1978. That issue contains a 7-page parody titled Star Roars and a cover by Jack Rickard that features the heroes of the movie along with Alfred E. Newman dressed up as Darth Vader.
Mad Magazine #196a - E.C. Publications, U.S. (January 1978)
At the time Mad Magazine #196 was published, there were several competing satirical magazines in the United States including Cracked, Crazy, and Sick. All of them poked fun of Star Wars during their runs and I'll create a posting in the near future highlighting some of the Star Wars issues. Mad Magazine proved to be resilient when all these competing publications ceased decades ago.
Mad Magazine has continued to feature Star Wars content (and covers) to this day and hopefully they will continue to parody future Star Wars movies in their future annual issues.
The last group of characters to be featured on the Galactic Icon variant covers are the droids.
Star Wars: Darth Vader #23b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 2018) Galactic Icons variant 31/36Star Wars #56c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 2018) Galactic Icons variant 32/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #26b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 2018) Galactic Icons variant 33/36Star Wars #58c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2018) Galactic Icons variant 34/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #27b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2018) Galactic Icons variant 35/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #25b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (December 2018) Galactic Icons variant 36/36
Noticeably absent are 0-0-0 and BT-1 who are far more important to modern lore than IG-88 and 2-1B.
I would like to see more of these Galactic Icon variant covers. There are some big omissions from movie characters like Padme Amidala, Jar Jar Binks, Bail Organa, Lando Calrissian, Mon Mothma, and Admiral Holdo. None of the Rogue One characters were included and soldiers from the Republic, Federation, Empire, and the Rebellion would also be nice additions.
The next six Galactic Icon variant covers feature an eclectic group that can only be called the scum and villainy characters.
Star Wars #53c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2018) Galactic Icons variant 25/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #21b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2018) Galactic Icons variant 26/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #24b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2018) Galactic Icons variant 27/36Star Wars #55c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2018) Galactic Icons variant 28/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #25b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2018) Galactic Icons variant 29/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #22b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 2018) Galactic Icons variant 30/36
One character not present that come to mind is DJ, the back stabbing slicer from The Last Jedi. I like how Doctor Aphra is included and I would have liked Black Krrsantan to join this motley group of characters.
There are only three Jedi characters on the next three Galactic Icon covers. Granted, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Yoda are the most prominent Jedi from the movies outside of Luke Skywalker and Rey who are with the sequel trilogy themed characters.
Star Wars #52c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 2018) Galactic Icons variant 22/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #19b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 2018) Galactic Icons variant 23/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #23b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 2018) Galactic Icons variant 24/36
Since we have covers for Thrawn and Hondo Ohnaka, I would have liked covers for other prominent animated characters like Ahsoka Tano, Ezra Bridger, and Kanan Jarrus.
Villains is the theme of the next six Galactic Icon variant covers. Featured are villains from the prequel trilogy, the original trilogy, and even Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Star Wars #49c - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2018) Galactic Icons variant 16/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #17b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2018) Galactic Icons variant 17/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #21b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2018) Galactic Icons variant 18/36Star Wars #50d - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 2018) Galactic Icons variant 19/36Star Wars: Darth Vader #18b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 2018) Galactic Icons variant 20/36Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #22b - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 2018) Galactic Icons variant 21/36
Kylo Ren is part of the sequel trilogy themed covers. Other notable villians, like Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt, are included with the scum and villainy themed covers.
