June is Pride Month and here in the Star Wars galaxy that means we can look forward to some striking variant covers focusing on the LGBTQIA+ characters of the galaxy far, far away. This year we get variant covers for Star Wars, The High Republic, Darth Vader and Jango Fett and artist Paulina Ganucheau explains why this is so important.
Throughout June, Marvel’s acclaimed line of Star Wars comic books will have stunning PRIDE VARIANT COVERS that spotlight LGBTQIA+ characters. Created by LGBTQIA+ comic book artists including Phil Jimenez, Javier Garrón, Paulina Ganucheau, and Rachael Stott, these covers depict heroes from a range of Star Wars storytelling and feature special trade dress with a rainbow burst and the Star Wars Pride logo. Today, fans can see all four!
Here are the characters featured in this year’s collection:
· Doctor Aphra, the galaxy’s most daring rogue archaeologist and an original Marvel Comics character who’s headlined two hit solo series and whose monthly title was the recipient of the 2024 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic Book!
· Ruu, a brave Jedi during the High Republic era who debuted in last year’s The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life short story collection.
· Cair San Tekka & Xylan Graf, a couple who found love despite their family’s never-ending feud in the prose novel The High Republic: Defy the Storm.
· Sinjir Rath Velus, a former Imperial officer who joined the Rebel Alliance after the Battle of Endor. The character first appeared in Chuck Wendig’s hit Aftermath novel trilogy as one of the first gay Star Wars characters, and this cover marks his first comic book appearance.
“I look forward to the Star Wars Pride Celebration every year, and I truly love being a part of it,” Ganucheau shared. “Illustrating Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf on my cover was a dream come true. I love drawing beautiful cool people, and let’s be real, they both fit that description to a T.”
“Putting the focus on the amazing diversity of people that populate the Star Wars universe is such an amazing and, in my opinion, very important initiative,” Garrón said. “I’m honored and humbled to contribute by spotlighting Sinjir Rath Velus in his comic book debut! It’s a huge responsibility to help him find a new way to live on, and I sincerely hope I did him justice by showcasing his defiant attitude and the strong look in his eyes—and his beautiful hair! A deeply interesting and layered person, Sinjir’s journey is complex and important, and I hope this allows more people get to know him!”
Here are the release details for the four covers.
On Sale Wednesday 5th June
STAR WARS #47 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY PHIL JIMENEZ
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC #8 [PHASE III] PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY PAULINA GANUCHEAU
On Sale Wednesday 12th June
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #47 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY RACHAEL STOTT
On Sale Wednesday 19th June
STAR WARS: JANGO FETT #4 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN
