6 Star Wars Comics Worth Reading Before Mandalorian & Grogu

Key Takeaways

• The Qi'ra trilogy (War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign, Hidden Empire) provides a satisfying conclusion for Solo's underused character
• Star Wars: Republic explored the Clone Wars extensively before the animated series existed
• These comics connect to both prequel and sequel eras while standing on their own

Why Comics Fill Gaps Movies Can't

Star Wars has 11 movies, 7 live-action Disney+ shows, and multiple animated series. That's a lot of content. But some of the franchise's best storytelling happens in comics, where writers can spend more time with secondary characters and explore plot threads the films leave dangling.

With The Mandalorian and Grogu approaching, Nathan Graham-Lowery at How-To Geek put together a list of Star Wars comics worth reading on Kindle. These aren't random tie-ins. They're stories that add real depth to the saga.

The Qi'ra Trilogy: Solo's Missing Ending

Solo: A Star Wars Story introduced Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) as Han's childhood friend and love interest. The film ended with her disappearing into the criminal underworld. No sequel came. That plot thread just hung there.

Starting in 2021, writer Charles Soule gave Qi'ra her ending across three comic storylines: War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign, and Hidden Empire. The trilogy follows Qi'ra as she uses her criminal connections to take down the Empire from the shadows.

What makes this trilogy work is its ambition. It connects to the prequel era, the original trilogy period, and even plants seeds for the sequels. One surprise appearance ties together multiple eras of Star Wars villainy. Despite these connections, the story stands alone. You can read it without tracking a dozen other comic runs.

Star Wars: Republic - Clone Wars Before Clone Wars

The Clone Wars animated series is beloved. It ran for seven seasons and made the prequel era compelling for many fans who bounced off the films. But the series didn't start until 2008.

Star Wars: Republic ran from 2002 to 2006, right after Attack of the Clones. It explored the three-year conflict between the Republic and the Separatists before Dave Filoni's team touched it. For fans who want more Clone Wars content, this is an extensive source that predates the animated canon.

The comics exist in what's now called Legends continuity. They're not official canon, but they're still good stories that expand on Anakin's journey and the wider war.

Where to Read These Comics

All six recommended series are available digitally. Kindle offers individual issues and collected volumes. Marvel Unlimited subscribers can access most of the newer runs. For Legends content like Republic, digital collections on Amazon or Comixology are your best options.

The original How-To Geek article recommends six total comics. The Qi'ra trilogy and Republic stand out for readers who want substantial story arcs rather than brief tie-ins.

Reading Order Doesn't Matter Much

One advantage of these picks: you don't need to track complex reading orders. The Qi'ra trilogy works best read in sequence (War of the Bounty Hunters, then Crimson Reign, then Hidden Empire). But each arc tells a complete story.

Republic benefits from basic prequel knowledge. If you've seen Episodes II and III, you have enough context. The comics add detail, not confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Star Wars comics canon?

Comics published after 2014 by Marvel are official canon. Earlier comics from Dark Horse, including Star Wars: Republic, are now classified as Legends. Legends stories aren't official but are still available to read.

Where can I read Star Wars comics digitally?

Amazon Kindle, Comixology, and Marvel Unlimited all carry Star Wars comics. Marvel Unlimited requires a subscription but offers access to large back catalogs.

Do I need to watch Solo before reading the Qi'ra comics?

Yes. The trilogy picks up directly from Solo's ending. Without the film, you'll miss who Qi'ra is and why her position in the criminal underworld matters.

What's the best order to read the Qi'ra trilogy?

Read them in release order: War of the Bounty Hunters (2021), Crimson Reign (2021-2022), then Hidden Empire (2022-2023). The story builds across all three.

Source: How-To Geek