Episode #345 -- Why Can't We Be Friends?

The Empire looms large over a simple technician working on the Endor moon and striving to make just one friend in The Empire one-shot. In Yoda #8, Anakin and Yoda put the maxim of "size matters not" to a physical test. In Star Wars #35, the origin of Luke's green lightsaber is finally told in a tale that reminds us that kyber crystals are minerals not miracle workers.

Comics Discussed This Week

• The Empire #1 (11:41)
• Yoda #8 (of 10) (20:35)
• Star Wars #35 (29:56)

Star Wars Comics New to Marvel Unlimited This Week:

• The Blade #3 (of 4)
• Han Solo & Chewbacca #10 (of 10)
• Hidden Empire #4 (of 5)
• The Mandalorian #8 (of 8)
• Star Wars (Vol. 3) #32

News:

• Marc Guggenheim is writing a four-issue mini-series spinning out of August's Dark Droids event. Dubbed D-Squad, it's a return to The Clone Wars band of droids but this iteration is made up of R2-D2, WAC-47, IG-88, 4-LOM, Triple Zero, BT-1 and more. It's reportedly due in August, though we think it'll be out in September.
• Due out Dec. 5, or Feb. 6, is The High Republic Adventures (Vol. 2) Vol. II collecting issues #5-8 of the Dark Horse mini-series. The 96-page book is retailing for $19.99.
• Our pal Drunkwooky is making an action figure of Drunk Wooky! Preorders are available now and we highly recommend it.
• Hyperspace Stories #6 is now due out July 26 and July 5

Upcoming Star Wars comics, graphic novels and omnibuses:

June 14 _ Darth Vader #35, Sana Starros #5 (of 5), Star Wars #34 (2nd Printing)

June 21 _ The Mandalorian Season 2 #1, Bounty Hunters #35

June 27 _ The Blade TPB (Collects #1-4) and Darth Vader (Vol. 3) Vol. 6 "Return of the Handmaidens" TPB (Collects #28-32)

June 28 _ Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #3 (of 4), Doctor Aphra #33, The High Republic Adventures #6, 7 and 8 (of 8)

July 4 _ Hidden Empire TPB (Collects #1-5)

July 5 _ Star Wars #36, Yoda #9 (of 10)


July 11 _ Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Tales of the Jedi Vol. 3 (Collects Dark Lords of the Sith #1-6, The Sith War #1-6, Redemption #1-5 and material from Star Wars Tales #23 and Dark Horse Comics #7-9); Star Wars -- Hyperspace Stories "Rebels and Resistance" TPB (Collects #1-4)

July 12 _ Bounty Hunters #36, Darth Vader #36

July 19 _ Doctor Aphra #34, The Rebellion #1 one-shot, Star Wars #35 (2nd Printing)

July 26 _ Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #4 (of 4), The Mandalorian Season 2 #2, Hyperspace Stories #6 (of 12)

Aug. 1 _ Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) Vol. 6, “Ascendant” TPB (Collects #26-31)

Aug. 2 _ Dark Droids #1, Yoda #10, Hyperspace Stories #7 (of 12)

Aug. 9 _ Star Wars #37, Max Rebo #1

Aug. 16 _ Darth Vader #37

Aug. 22 _ The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 2, "Battle for the Force" TPB (Collects #6-10)

Aug. 23 _ Doctor Aphra #35

Aug. 29 _ Doctor Aphra Omnibus, Vol. 2 (Collects Doctor Aphra, Vol. 2, #1-25); The Nameless Terror TPB (Collects #1-4); The High Republic Adventures -- The Complete Phase One (Collects 1-13, Galactic Bake-Off one-shot and Free Comic Book Day 2021 issues published by IDW, along with 2023's Free Comic Book Day issue)

Aug. 30 _ Bounty Hunters #37, The Mandalorian Season 2 #3, Hyperspace Stories #8 (of 12)

Sept. 5 _ The High Republic Adventures (Vol. 2) Vol. 1 TPB (Collects #1-4)

Sept. 6 _ Dark Droids #2 (of 4), Star Wars #38

Sept. 12 _ Sana Starros TPB (Collects #1-5)

Sept. 13 _ Darth Vader #38

Sept....