Wednesday 13th January is the day that the first issue of Hope Assembles, from writer Kevin Smith and artist David Marquez lands on shelves around the world, and at New York Comic Con 2026 the Marvel Comics: House of Ideas Panel not only saw Smith take to the stage, but also fresh artwork and variant covers be revealed from the series. Check those covers out below, and stay tuned as not only shall we be reviewing the five-part mini series here on the site, but also discussing on Canon Fodder on Fantha Tracks Radio.
Announced earlier this year, Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm Publishing are bringing two legendary universes together for the first time in STAR WARS | MARVEL: HOPE ASSEMBLES, a historic five-issue limited series launching January 2027. Written by Kevin Smith and drawn by David Marquez, the series unites the heroes and villains of the Marvel’s Universe with the galaxy far, far away in an unprecedented pop culture collision.
Today, the highly anticipated series took the spotlight at New York Comic Con as Marvel Comics revealed new covers and artwork at the Marvel Comics: House of Ideas Panel, with Kevin Smith making a surprise appearance onstage to share more about the project.
Among the reveals was a breathtaking cover by the legendary Alex Ross spotlighting a team-up for the ages: Luke Skywalker and Spider-Man. STAR WARS | MARVEL: HOPE ASSEMBLES will feature ongoing variant cover programs, with recurring themes across Covers A-F to bring greater clarity and consistency to the cover collecting experience. Additional variants may also be available beyond the ongoing programs.
The themes for A-F Covers are:
A – MAIN COVER
The main series connecting covers by series artist David Marquez.
B – ALLIANCE VARIANT· Marvel heroes and villains join forces with their Star Wars counterparts in action-packed pairings.
C – BATTLE VARIANT
Marvel and Star Wars collide in impossible one-on-one showdowns.
D – A NEW HOPE VARIANTIconic moments from Star Wars: A New Hope are re-created with Marvel characters.
E – CROSSOVER VARIANTCharacters wield the legendary weapons, costumes and symbols of the other franchise.
F – RETRO VARIANTNew artwork channeling the unmistakable look of Marvel’s original Star Wars comic book run.
G – MARVEL HOMAGELegendary Marvel covers are re-created with characters from both universes.
For decades, Star Wars and Marvel have shared a unique history. Marvel published its first Star Wars comic in 1977—the same year Star Wars: A New Hope transformed pop culture forever. Now, 50 years later, that relationship takes its biggest leap yet as they collide on the page for the first time.
Following a reality-shattering spell, Marvel’s heroes witness the events of A New Hope unfold before their very eyes—setting the stage for an encounter between characters from both universes that fans have dreamt about for decades.
STAR WARS | MARVEL: HOPE ASSEMBLES #1 (OF 5)
Written by KEVIN SMITH
Art by DAVID MARQUEZCover A by DAVID MARQUEZ – 75960621652900111
Cover B by ALEX ROSS (Alliance Variant) – 75960621652900121
Cover C by KAARE ANDREWS (Battle Variant) – 75960621652900131
Cover D by CORY SMITH (Star Wars: A New Hope Variant) – 75960621652900141
Cover E by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE (Crossover Variant) – 75960621652900151
Cover F by DAN JURGENS (Retro Variant) – 75960621652900161
Cover G by TBD (Marvel Homage Variant) – 75960621652900116
Cover H by MATTEO LOLLI (Foil Variant) – 75960621652900171
Cover I by KAARE ANDREWS (Virgin Variant) – 75960621652900117On Sale 1/13