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Star Wars Legends Comics Reading Order (The Star Wars Expanded Universe)

Star Wars Legends Comics in Order

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie, the universe created by George Lucas has never stopped expanding. Beyond the movies, TV shows, games, novels, comics, and more have been created to cover many stories in the Star Wars galaxy, spanning more than 25, 000 years of history.

It was called the Star Wars Expanded Universe. But when Disney bought the Star Wars franchise, the company simply blew up this Expanded Universe in order to create a new official canon. So everything that have been published before April 25, 2014, was now part of the Star Wars Legends, the new name given to the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

A lot of comic books have been published during the past 35 years, before April 2014. Star Wars Comic books were first published by Marvel Comics from 1977 to 1986. After, Dark Horse Comics owned the license exclusively from 1991 to 2014. Pendulum Press (1978) and Blackthorne (1987–1988) also published some Star Wars Comics, and Star Wars comic strips have been distributed in the newspapers the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and Watertown Daily Times between 1979 and 1984.

This article is devoted to the Star Wars Legends or Expanded Universe, to the Star Wars comic books published before April 25, 2014. For the ongoing Star Wars Canon, you can find the reading order over here.

Star Wars Legends Comics Reading Order: The Menu

Marvel (owned by Disney) regained the Star Wars Comic License in 2015 and decided to offer Star Wars readers a new way to discover all those Star Wars Legends stories, “collecting full unbroken runs of all the greatest Star Wars comics from the past 35 years” in their Marvel’s prestigious Epic Collection format. Marvel also reprints the same Legends material in their Marvel Omnibus line.

To avoid any confusion, this reading order does not include previous editions, only the Marvel reprints from their Epic Collection, Omnibuses collection and recent reprints.

C3PO Logo Star Wars Comics- Reading Order

Star Wars Legends Omnibus Collection

  • Star Wars Legends: Tales of the Jedi Omnibus
    Collects Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi – Force Storm #1-5, Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi – Prisoner Of Bogan #1-5, Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi – Force War #1-5, Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi #0, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – The Golden Age Of The Sith #0-5, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – The Fall Of The Sith Empire #1-5, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi #1-5, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising #1-2, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – Dark Lords Of The Sith #1-6, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – The Sith War #1-6, Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – Redemption #1-5, And Material From Star Wars Tales #23 And Dark Horse Comics #7-9.
  • Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars #1-44, Annual #1
  • Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects issues #45–78 of the Marvel comic-book series Star Wars, as well as Star Wars Annual (1977) #2. 
  • Star Wars: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 3
    Collects Star Wars #79-107, Annual #3; Return Of The Jedi #1-4; Material From Pizzazz #1-16; Material From Star Wars Weekly (UK) #60, #94-99, #104-115; Material From Empire Strikes Back (UK) #149, #151, #153-157; Material From Star Wars (UK) #159
  • Star Wars: Droids & Ewoks Omnibus
    Collects Ewoks #1-14, Droids #1-8, And Ewoks UK Annual 1989. Those comics are not collected in the Marvel Epic Collection.
  • Star Wars: The Marvel UK Collection Omnibus
    Collects Star Wars Weekly #60, #94-99, #104-115; Empire Strikes Back Monthly #149, #151, #153-157; Star Wars Monthly #159; Ewoks Annual 1989; Star Wars: The Official Collectors’ Magazine; Material From Pizzazz #10-16; Uk Exclusive Covers, Pinups, Articles. Most comics collected here are also in The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 3, though it has some extra material like magazine articles and covers.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Old Republic Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2006) #1-50, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – War (2012) #1-5, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook (2007) #1, material from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Rebellion (2006) #0
  • Star Wars Legends: Rise of the Sith Omnibus
    Collects Star Wars: Jedi — The Dark Side #1-5; Star Wars: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan — The Aurorient Express #1-2; Star Wars: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan — Last Stand On Ord Mantell #1-3; Star Wars: Jedi Council — Acts Of War #1-4; Star Wars (1998) #0-6; Star Wars: Darth Maul (2000) #1-4; Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace #1/2 And #1-4; Star Wars: Episode I — Anakin Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn And Obi-Wan Kenobi And Material From Star Wars Tales #1, #3, #5, #7, #9-10, #13-14, #20 And #24.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Republic #78-80, Star Wars: Purge, Star Wars: Purge — Seconds To Die, Star Wars: Purge — The Hidden Blade, Star Wars: Purge — The Tyrant’s Fist #1-2, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times #1-17, Star Wars: Dark Times — Blue Harvest #0, Star Wars: Dark Times — Out Of The Wilderness #1-5 And Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ghost Prison #1-5.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1-5, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ninth Assassin #1-5, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Cry Of Shadows #1-5, Star Wars: Droids Special #1, Star Wars: Droids (1994) #1-6, Star Wars: Droids (1995) #1-8 And Star Wars: The Protocol Offensive – Plus Material From Star Wars Visionaries; Star Wars Tales #11-12, #15 And #20; Dark Horse Presents Annual ’99; And Star Wars Galaxy Magazine #1.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 3
    Collects Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – The Gaar Suppoon Hit (1995) #1, Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – The Hunger of Princess Nampi (1995) #1, Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – The Dynasty Trap (1995) #1, Star Wars: Jabba the Hutt – Betrayal (1996) #1, Free Comic Book Day 2012: Star Wars, Star Wars: Boba Fett – Enemy of the Empire (1999) #1-4, Star Wars: Agent of the Empire – Iron Eclipse (2011) #1-5, Star Wars: Agent of the Empire – Hard Targets (2012) #1-5, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (2010), Star Wars: Blood Ties (2010) #1-4, Star Wars: Blood Ties – Boba Fett Is Dead (2012) #1-4, Star Wars: Empire (2002) #1-4; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) #7, #11, #15-16, #18-20; A Decade of Dark Horse (1996) #2
  • Star Wars Legends: The New Republic Omnibus Vol. 1 
    Collects Star Wars: Mara Jade – By The Emperor’s Hand #0-6; Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire – Evolution #1-5; Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Leader #1-3; Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #1-35 And Special; Star Wars Handbook #1; And Material From Star Wars Tales #10, #12, #15 And #23.
  • Star Wars Legends: The New Republic Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: The Jabba Tape; Star Wars: Heir To The Empire #1-6; Star Wars: Dark Force Rising #1-6; Star Wars: The Last Command #1-6; Star Wars: Dark Empire #1-6; Star Wars: Dark Empire Ii #1-6; Star Wars: Empire’s End #1-2; Star Wars: Boba Fett – Twin Engines Of Destruction, Bounty On Bar-Kooda, When The Fat Lady Swings, Murder Most Foul And Agent Of Doom; Star Wars Handbook #3; And Material From Star Wars Tales #1, #3-5, #10, #14, #20 And #22.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Empire #7, #14 And #16-27; Star Wars: Vader’s Quest #1-4; Star Wars (2013) #1-20; Star Wars Kids (1997) #1-11, #12 (A Story) And #13-20 And Star Wars 3-D #1-3.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: River Of Chaos #1-4, Star Wars: Empire #28-40, Star Wars: Rebellion #1-16, Star Wars: Boba Fett – Overkill, Star Wars: Boba Fett #1/2 And Star Wars: Splinter Of The Mind’s Eye #1-4 – Plus Material From Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic/Rebellion #0; And Star Wars Tales #3, #15, #17 And #21.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 3 2025
    Collects Star Wars: Shadow Stalker (1997) #1, Star Wars: Rebel Heist (2014) #1-4, Star Wars: A Valentine Story (2003) #1, Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1994) #1-2, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (1996) #1-6, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Minicomic (1996) #1-2, Star Wars: Tales From Mos Eisley (1996) #1, Star Wars: The Bounty Hunters – Scoundrel’s Wages (1999) #1, Classic Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1994) #1-2, Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead (2001) #2, Star Wars: Tag & Bink II (2006) #1, Sergio Aragones Stomps Star Wars (2000) #1, Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back (2002) #1-4, Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi (2003) #1-4; material from Star Wars Kids (1997) #12; Star Wars Visionaries (2005); Star Wars Tales (1999) #2, #4-8, #10, #12, #15-17, #20

C3PO Logo Star Wars Comics- Reading Order

Star Wars Legends Epic Collection, The Complete Timeline!

Credits where credits are due, this reading order wouldn’t have been possible without all the people behind Wookiepedia. I also checked out Starwarstimeline.net.

The Original Marvel Years – Droids & Ewoks, is the lastest volume released, bringing the total number of volumes for the Star Wars Legends Epic Collection to 54!

Before the Republic/Dawn of the Jedi

From 37,000 – 25,000 BBY. Journey all the way back to the beginning, more than 25,000 years before the saga of the Skywalkers, and discover how the Jedi began! Before lightsabers, before hyperspace travel, before the Jedi’s message spread throughout the galaxy. When connections to the Force were strange and new. There, on a distant planet, a group of beings strives to balance the mysterious Force. Behold the Jee’dai! But a stranger is coming, one who has a connection to the Force all his own — and the doors to the galaxy are about to swing wide open! Though this era spans some 12,000 years, few stories take place during that period.

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Star Wars Legends The Old Republic Comics Order

The Old Republic era

From 25,000 to 1000 BBY, the Republic era delves into the origins of the Galactic Republic, its protectors, the Jedi Order, and its adversaries, the Sith.

The Old Republic era Star Wars Legends Comics Order

Star Wars Legends Rise of the Sith Comics Order

Rise of the Empire era

From 1000 to 0 BBY. This era is also known as the Rise of the Sith or the Clone Wars era. The Republic appears to be in a golden age,but the Sith are in the shadows, planing against the Republic and the Jedi Order. Their actions will lead to the Clone Wars and, finally the foundation of the Galactic Empire.

Rise of The Empire Logo Star Wars Legends Comics Order

  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise Of The Sith Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #1-5, Star Wars: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan – The Aurorient Express #1-2, Star Wars: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan – Last Stand On Ord Mantell #1-3, Star Wars: Jedi Council – Acts Of War #1-4, Material From Star Wars (1998) #4-6; Material From Star Wars Tales #1, #3-5, #7, #9-10, #13-14, #24

Star Wars Episode 1 Logo SW Canon Comics Reading Order The movie Episode I: The Phantom Menace happens here., in which Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi try to protect Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo in hopes of securing a peaceful end to an interplanetary trade dispute. The comic book adaptation is collected in Rise Of The Sith Vol. 2 (just below).

Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones logo - Star Wars Comics Reading OrderThis is where the events of the film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones takes place. Anakin Skywalker has grown into an accomplished Jedi apprentice, and he faces his most difficult challenge yet as he must choose between his Jedi duty and forbidden love. The comic book adaptation is collected in The Menace Revealed Vol. 4 (just above).

Star Wars Clone Wars Legends Comics OrderProduced by Cartoon Network Studios and aired between 2003 and 2005, the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars was intended to serve as a bridge between Episode II and Episode III. So this is the period to watch it. Not to be confused with Star Wars: The Clone Wars from 2008 (though considered part of the canon timeline by Disney, it is also sometimes included in the Legends timeline).

The Clone Wars Vol. 3 Star Wars Legends Comics Order

The Clone Wars rage across the galaxy. The sinister Sith Lord seizes control of the Republic and corrupts Anakin Skywalker to be his dark apprentice, Darth Vader. This is time for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The comic book adaptation is collected in The Clone Wars Vol. 4 (see below).

  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 4
    Collects Free Comic Book Day 2005: Star Wars 1; Star Wars: Darth Maul – Son Of Dathomir (2014) #1-4; Star Wars: Republic (2002) #74-77, #81-83; Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005) #1-4; Star Wars: Tag & Bink II (2006) #2; Material From Star Wars Visionaries (2005) #1, Star Wars Tales (1999) #4
  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Republic #78–80, Star Wars: Purge, Star Wars: Purge: Seconds To Die, Star Wars: Purge: The Hidden Blade, Star Wars: Purge: The Tyrant’s Fist #1–2, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command #1–5, and Star Wars: Dark Times #1–5.
  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: Dark Times #6-17, Star Wars: Dark Times – Blue Harvest #0 And Star Wars: Dark Times – Out Of The Wilderness #1-5.
  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 3
    Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ghost Prison #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1-5 And Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ninth Assassin #1-5.

Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3POSet in 15 BBY, between Episode III and Episode IV, Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO is a 13 episodes animated series from 1985-1986 that follows our two favorite droids in dangerous and difficult situations, as they find themselves in the hands of new masters. The comic book series Star Wars: Droids collected in Star Wars: Droids & Ewoks Omnibus is based on the animated.

Star Wars Legends The Rebellion ere Comics Order

Rebellion era

From 0 to 5 ABY, this era is also sometimes called the Classic era as it is during that period that the original trilogy takes place. In protest of the Empire’s oppression, an uproar of resistance spreads across the galaxy It encompasses events between the Battle of Toprawa and the Battle of Endor and a little bit beyond, leading us to the New Republic.

First Galactic Empire Emblem - Star Wars Canon Comics Reading Order

Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope - Star Wars Comics Canon Reading OrderThis is really where it all began! In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, young farm boy Luke Skywalker is thrust into a galaxy of adventure when he intercepts a distress call from the captive Princess Leia. The event launches him on a daring mission to rescue her from the clutches of Darth Vader and the Evil Empire.

Star Wars Holiday Special - Legends Comics OrderThis is where the maybe most infamous piece of the Star Wars franchise takes place: The Star Wars Holiday Special! The TV Special aired in 1978 and follows Chewbacca and Han Solo as they visit the Wookie home planet for Life Day.

  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 5
    Collects Star Wars: Splinter of the Mind’s Eye (1995) #1-4, Star Wars: Shadow Stalker (1997) #1, Star Wars: Rebel Heist (2014) #1-4, Star Wars: A Valentine Story (2003) #1, Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1994) #1-2, Star Wars: Tag and Bink Are Dead (2001) #2; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) #4-6, #15-17, & #20

Episode V The Empire Strikes Back - Star Wars Comics Canon Reading OrderThe Rebels scatter after the Empire attacks their base on the ice planet Hoth. Han Solo and Princess Leia are pursued by Imperials, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The comic book adaptation of the movie is collected The Original Marvel Years Vol. 3 (it is issues #39-44 of Star Wars (1977), see below).

Ewoks animated series - star wars legends comics orderTaking place between Star Wars #67 and #68, Ewoks is a 1985-1986 animated television series that follows the adventures of the Ewoks of Bright Tree Village before the Battle of Endor. The comic book Ewoks, collected in Star Wars: Droids & Ewoks Omnibus is a tie-in to this animated series. Following is Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, a 1984 made-for-TV movie that features a family of Humans who has been shipwrecked on the forest moon of Endor, and its follow-up, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor — a 1985 made-for-TV movie that follows Wicket and young Cindel who fight against evil Marauders with the Ewoks.

  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 6
    Collects Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (1996) #1-6, Star Wars: The Bounty Hunters – Scoundrel’S Wages (1999) #1, Classic Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi (1994) #1-2, Star Wars: Tales From Mos Eisley (1996) #1, Star Wars: Tag & Bink Ii (2006) #1, Sergio Aragones Stomps Star Wars (2000) #1 And Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire Minicomic (1996) #1-2 – Plus Material From Star Wars Kids (1997) #12; Star Wars Visionaries (2005); And Star Wars Tales (1999) #2, #4-8, #10, #12, #14 And #20.
  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Original Marvel Years Vol. 5
    Collects Star Wars (1977) #74-88, Star Wars Annual (1979) #3, And Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi #1-4.

Episode VI Return of the Jedi logo - Star Wars Comics Canon Reading OrderThe original trilogy comes to an end with Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star. The Rebel fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel. The comic book adaptation is collected in The Original Marvel Years Vol. 5 (see above).

New Republic era Star Wars Legends Comics Order

New Republic era

From 5 to 25 ABY. The Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire at the Battle of Endor. They must now evolve into a functioning galactic government. Nothing is easy, as there are imperial royalists, warlords, and insurrections making this task more complicated than it already is.

New Republic sumbol - Star Wars Legends Comics Order

New Jedi Order era

From 25 to 37 ABY. Peace has finally arrived in the galaxy after decades of war, following the signature of a peace treaty between The New Republic and the remains of the Empire. But it doesn’t last long with the arrival of the  Yuuzhan Vong, an alien menace who invades the galaxy and spreads destruction in their path.

New Jedi Order era - Star Wars Legends Comics Order

  • Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. 8
    Collects Star Wars: Invasion (2009) #0-5, Star Wars: Invasion – Rescues (2010) #1-6, Star Wars: Invasion – Revelations (2011) #1-5, Star Wars Handbook (1998) #2: Crimson Empire; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) #18-19, #21

Legacy Era

37 ABY and beyond. After Yuuzhan Vong War came the time of the Reconstruction. This period is also marked by Luke Skywalker’s legacy as the Jedi Master forms now the powerful group known as Jedi Knights. There is still turmoil in the galaxy with internal problems from the Galactic Alliance and Luke is haunted by images of impending darkness. 

Legacy era - Star Wars Legends Comics Order

Infinities

What if? It is the question at the center of Star Wars Infinities that features stories of alternate histories to the original trilogy. It is not part of the Legends timeline and the stories are not connected to each other.

Star Wars Inifnities Icon - Legends Comics Order

Did we forget something? Did we make a mistake? Write to us or Let us know in the comments!

Star Wars Inifnities Icon - Legends Comics Order

Note: An earlier version of this article originally appeared on the site in 2022. With the Epic Collection now comprised of 54 Volumes and Complete, this reading guide has been updated and is being highlighted again.

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