Chad Burdette
This year, Marvel once again celebrates Pride Month in the Marvel Universe AND in the galaxy far, far away!
Related: Celebrate May The 4th With The Star Wars PRIDE Month Variant Covers
Throughout June, Marvel’s acclaimed line of Star Wars comic books will once again have stunning PRIDE VARIANT COVERS that spotlight LGBTQIA+ characters featuring the stunning talents of LGBTQIA+ comic book artists including Phil Jimenez, Javier Garrón, Paulina Ganucheau, and Rachael Stott.
These covers depict heroes from a range of Star Wars storytelling from The High Republic Era to the Aftermath of the Empire’s fall and before the rise of The First Order.
In a press release, artist Paulina Ganucheau said about the opportunity to contribute to the variants:
“I look forward to the Star Wars Pride Celebration every year, and I truly love being a part of it. Illustrating Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf on my cover was a dream come true. I love drawing beautiful cool people, and let’s be real, they both fit that description to a T.”
Fellow artist Javier Garrón added:
“Putting the focus on the amazing diversity of people that populate the Star Wars universe is such an amazing and, in my opinion, very important initiative. I’m honored and humbled to contribute by spotlighting Sinjir Rath Velus in his comic book debut! It’s a huge responsibility to help him find a new way to live on, and I sincerely hope I did him justice by showcasing his defiant attitude and the strong look in his eyes—and his beautiful hair! A deeply interesting and layered person, Sinjir’s journey is complex and important, and I hope this allows more people get to know him!
Each cover will feature the special trade dress with a rainbow burst and the Star Wars Pride logo. Today, fans can see all four!
Here are the characters featured in this year’s collection, the issues the variants will be for and their release dates:
On Sale June 5th, 2024
STAR WARS #47 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY PHIL JIMENEZ – 75960609600804741
- Ruu, a brave Jedi during the High Republic era who debuted in last year’s The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life short story collection.
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC #8 [PHASE III] PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY PAULINA GANUCHEAU – 75960620708400831
- Cair San Tekka & Xylan Graf, a couple who found love despite their family’s never-ending feud in the prose novel The High Republic: Defy the Storm.
On Sale June 12, 2024
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #47 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY RACHAEL STOTT – 75960609601504731
- Doctor Aphra, the galaxy’s most daring rogue archaeologist and an original Marvel Comics character who’s headlined two hit solo series and whose monthly title was the recipient of the 2024 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic Book
On Sale June 19, 2024
STAR WARS: JANGO FETT #4 PRIDE VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRÓN – 75960620883800431
- Sinjir Rath Velus, a former Imperial officer who joined the Rebel Alliance after the Battle of Endor. The character first appeared in Chuck Wendig’s hit Aftermath novel trilogy as one of the first gay Star Wars characters, and this cover marks his first comic book appearance.
Show and celebrate Pride by preordering the STAR WARS PRIDE VARIANT COVERS at your local comic shop today!
