Can the Star Wars Comics Go Forward Now?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out now and is in the process of taking all your guys' money. You're probably already aware, what with Disney's marketing blitz. A marketing blitz that seems to be some kind of Pod People situation where it infects all aspects of your life, replacing it with a
Star Wars themed replica.
A part of this media behemoth has been Marvel's new line of
Star Wars comic books. Comic books for almost every aspect of the
Star Wars Universe. Darth Vader, Leia, Chewbacca, Lando, they all have their own comics. Unless I'm mistaken, all of these books so far have taken place before Episode 7 with the
bulk taking place before
Empire Strikes Back.
Now that the movie's out, can we get some titles set post
Force Awakens?
The biggest reason being most of these comics set between episodes are merely "see how they got there" stories, or "see how this event happened!" stories. Which as fine on the short term, but honestly the starts are intrinsically low. I'm not worried about Luke or any one of the "mains" in the
Star Wars comic set between Episode Four and Five. I
know how they make it. I know everything works out.
The obvious issue is that you can't easily use any of
Awakens' main characters, because their stories and arcs have to continue in the movie's sequel. There
may be some wiggle room, if the sequel turns out to be some kind
Empire Strikes Back situation, where it begins a few years later in the conflict.
Honestly, I would think the biggest opportunity would be not in
Awakens' characters, but in creating original ones that explore the "modern" universe. Without spoiling anything, just like Episode Four
The Force Awakens doesn't explore the universe to any great extent. There's a multitude of stories you could tell.
On a smaller scale, you can easily avoid turning the Original Trilogy into a dead horse that you continue to beat until it atomizes into nothingness.
A Chewbacca comic, guys? He's a fine side character, but supporting his own title? What? Why? Is an R2D2 comic around the corner?
A Millennium Falcon comic? WHERE DOES IT END?!
You want variety? You want a comedy comic? Make a character, make a new title! A gritty Force-less action comic? New title! A tamer kid-focused comic? You can maaake one! See how this works? Instead of trying to force pre-existing characters into niche markets, just start with your markets and make your titles.
Sure, there are a lot of writers who'd love to work on the characters they grew up watching, but I have a feeling the opportunity to truly leave their mark on the universe would be even more enticing. Make their own characters, create their own species, new worlds, new cultures, new people. Total freedom!
The
Star Wars comics are selling like no one's business, so obviously there's an audience. So what do you think? Do you want to see comics exploring a post-Episode Seven universe? What exactly do you think that'd entail? Let me know in the comments below!
The biggest reason being most of these comics set between episodes are merely "see how they got there" stories, or "see how this event happened!" stories. Which as fine on the short term, but honestly the starts are intrinsically low. I'm not worried about Luke or any one of the "mains" in the Star Wars comic set between Episode Four and Five. I know how they make it. I know everything works out.
The obvious issue is that you can't easily use any of Awakens' main characters, because their stories and arcs have to continue in the movie's sequel. There may be some wiggle room, if the sequel turns out to be some kind Empire Strikes Back situation, where it begins a few years later in the conflict.
Honestly, I would think the biggest opportunity would be not in Awakens' characters, but in creating original ones that explore the "modern" universe. Without spoiling anything, just like Episode Four The Force Awakens doesn't explore the universe to any great extent. There's a multitude of stories you could tell.
