Both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance will face dire consequences when their droids break bad during an event that will run through Marvel’s Star Wars titles starting in August.
Announced during the Star Wars Celebration event earlier this month, Star Wars: Dark Droids will introduce something called the Scourge that will spread through the galaxy. It’ll infect everything from Lobot to a squad of Clone War-Era Prototype Battle Droids, bringing a sense of dread and horror to the Star Wars line.
The event kicks off in Star Wars: Dark Droids #1, which comes out Aug. 3 from writer Charles Soule and artist Luke Ross, before spreading through the other Star Wars titles. Here’s the rundown …
In Dark Droids, a mysterious new threat called the Scourge corrupts droids, cyborgs, and everything in-between, spreading chaos throughout the galaxy. Ajax Sigma, who first appeared in last year’s Star Wars: Revelations #1, will play a role in the saga — though his true intentions remain unknown.
Star Wars #37 will feature Lando and Lobot, in a story by Soule and artist Madibek Musabekov. “Something has gone horribly wrong with Lobot, putting the Rebellion at terrible risk! Lando Calrissian will do anything to save his friend, even if it means betraying the Rebels. Will the SCOURGE OF THE DROIDS destroy any chance to cure Lobot, or will he be lost forever?” It comes out Aug. 9.
Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, meanwhile, show how the Scourge is affecting the Empire in Darth Vader #37. “Killer Droids have taken over Darth Vader’s flagship Super Star Destroyer, the Executor! But even with the powerful Kyberite shield, the Dark Lord of the Sith cannot fully control the Force! Will the lessons of Jedi Masters Qui-Gon and Obi-Warn save him from the SCOURGE — or make him a tool for its galactic conquest?” It arrives in stores Aug. 16.
Doctor Aphra will also get into the action in an anniversary issue by Alyssa Wong and Minkyu Jung. “The Milestone 75th Issue of Doctor Aphra! Something is rotten in the House of Tagge! Sent by Domina Tagge to investigate a series of strange droid malfunctions, Doctor Aphra faces a deadly enemy from the past—a horde of Clone War-Era Prototype Battle Droids designed by Domina herself! Is this sabotage? Betrayal? Or something far, far worse?” Look for it Aug. 23.
Ethan Sacks and Davide Tinto will bring the bounty hunters into the fray, as they deal with a secret left behind by Jango Fett. “The Haunting Secret Mission of Jango Fett! The Bounty Hunters must contend with the looming shadow of the sins of Boba Fett’s father! What is the secret that lurks on the mysterious droid outpost, The Haven? Who is Tarr Kligson and what is his connection to Jango Fett?” Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #37 comes out Aug. 30.
Here’s a preview of some of the interior pages from the Dark Droids kickoff issue, which give you a “who’s who” view of the droids involved:
