Pride Variant Covers Back for Star Wars Comics This June

Marvel Comics is bringing back its Pride-themed variant covers for its Star Wars titles this June. Celebrate Pride in style with these seven covers from a galaxy far, far away.

Four of the covers were revealed back in March, but yesterday (May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day), the remaining three were released. The covers not only spotlight LGBTQ+ characters from the various titles in the Star Wars universe, but also are drawn by an incredible lineup of LGBTQ+ talent. Each cover features a rainbow “burst” (think lens flare) and a special Star Wars “progress” logo made up of the traditional rainbow and trans pride flags.

Here are the characters featured on this year’s Pride cover collection:

• Cinta Kaz & Vel Sartha, the pair of brave rebel operatives, make their leap to comic books for the first time ever after their debut in last year’s original Disney+ series, Andor.
• Doctor Aphra, the breakout Marvel Comics icon who is currently headlining her second solo series!
• Domina Tagge, head of the powerful Tagge family with a vicious vendetta against Doctor Aphra that’s currently playing out in the pages of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra.
• Just Lucky, a highly-skilled assassin who at times finds himself aligned both with and against Doctor Aphra in Star Wars: Doctor Aphra.
• Kantam Sy, a young Jedi during the High Republic era and a determined padawan of Jedi Master Yoda.
• Magna Tolvan, a former high-ranking officer in the Galactic Empire who has since switched sides and found romance with Aphra.
• Sana Starros, the no-nonsense smuggler has a past with both Han Solo and Doctor Aphra, and is currently starring in her very first solo series, Star Wars: Sana Starros.

Phil Jimenez told StarWars.com, “As a gay kid obsessed with Star Wars — I’m old enough to have seen the first movie in theaters when it came out back in ‘77 — I could never have dreamed that not only would I be able make artwork for the universe itself as a working adult, but that I would be drawing LGBTQIA+ Star Wars characters to celebrate Pride!”

“As a queer artist, it means so much to me that queer characters exist in canon and that I get to draw them!” said Betsy Cola. “I’m thrilled that we have the chance to recognize characters like Sana Starros in this year’s Star Wars Pride celebration.”

“What a honor to be part of the Star Wars legacy and celebrate Pride!” said Lucas Werneck. “[…] I really hope that the fans enjoy this cover as much I enjoyed to make it.”

Said Paulina Ganucheau, “Always such a pleasure taking part in the Star Wars Pride Celebration! I can’t wait to see what the other artists and creators have cooked up.”

“As a queer Star Wars fan it feels awesome to contribute to this aspect of the franchise,” said Luciano Vecchio. “Fully developed characters like Magna and Doctor Aphra prove once again that comics as a medium is the place in entertainment where limits and representation are pushed and equality is restored.” 

Make sure to ask your local comic shop about the availability of these Star Wars Pride variant covers, publishing throughout the month of June!

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On sale June 7: Star Wars #35, Star Wars: Yoda #8

On sale June 14: Star Wars: Darth Vader #35, Star Wars: Sana Starros #5

On sale June 21: Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #35, Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 #1

On sale June 28: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #33

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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