By Gabriel Neeb
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope in 2027, Lucasfilm Publishing held a detailed panel about upcoming Star Wars books and comics at San Diego Comic-Con.
Moderated by StarWars.com editor-in-chief Kristin Baver, the panel featured Michael Siglan (Creative Director, Lucasfilm Publishing); Anthony Breznican (Star Wars Icons: Vader); Ashley Poston (Eyes Like Stars); Kiersten White (Hiding From the Dark); and Ahmed Best (actor, Jar Jar Binks).
One of the biggest announcements was for the Star Wars novel Twin Crossroads by Beth Revis, who appeared in a brief video to discuss the novel. Coming in 2027, the story will focus on the relationship between Luke and Leia in the immediate aftermath of the Original Trilogy. Luke is searching for Jedi artifacts and Leia has just returned from her honeymoon as depicted in Revis’ novel, The Princess and the Scoundrel. Among other things, this novel will explore where Leia got the cyber crystal for her lightsaber and will feature the planet Courscant as by Imperial remnants.
The panel also announced an “in-world nonfiction” book by Chris Kempshall, following the rise and fall of the Galactic Empire through the perspective of the Starlight-era pilots: Star Pilots – A History of of Space Combat. As Siglan put it, this book will focus on the activities of pilots like Wedge Antilles over the many decades depicted in Star Wars media. It is scheduled for release later in 2026.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary, Lucasfilm is publishing Star Wars: A Celebration by Anthony Breznican and Pablo Hidalgo in 2027. Breznican said he collected information from many of the creators involved in Star Wars movies, video games, merchandising, etc, while Hidalgo write about the films. The reveal of this book prompted a humorous exchange between Breznican and Best, as Breznican had sent Best emails asking for his involvement and received no response… until finally meeting at the panel so they can arrange Best’s participation in the book.
Breznican is also working on the upcoming tome Star Wars Icons: Vader, an 8lb hardcover that apparently prompted “a brief moment with security” when he brought it into the San Diego Convention Center. The book is, as its title suggests, about iconic villain Darth Vader, and features a foreword from actor Hayden Christianson. Vader will examine many aspects of the character, including his creation and his in-world presence.
“This book made me believe in the Force,” said Breznican.
Regarding the book’s content, Breznican referenced a conversation with George Lucas in 2008 when they discussed Lucas’s father’s desire to have his son join the family business selling office supplies—a prescient parallel to the story of Vader trying to persuade Luke to join him on the Dark Side. He also described a story from the book about David Prowse, a patient who was misdiagnosed with tuberculosis and dealt with “mechanical pieces” as a teen. Vader voice actor Scott Lawrence also shares his experience working on the TV series LA Law with none other than James Earl Jones.
This tidbit prompt a brief exchange when moderator Baver asked the “Who would win?” question: Darth Vader or Darth Jar Jar. Best said Darth Jar Jar, of course (I mean, by the end of Return of the Jedi, Jar Jar is still alive…).
These were the major Star Wars announcements related to the present panelists. Michael Siglan took time to discuss the upcoming Marvel series The Fall of Kylo Ren written by Charles Soule, which will deal with the ultimate flaw of Ren.
Siglan also discussed The High Republic stories and said that more are coming when prodded by the moderator, though he was light on details. The audience appreciated the news but was a little irritated by the lack of details.
The panel additionally took time to discuss the newly-released Eyes Like Stars by Ashley Poston. The book is Lucasfilm’s attempt to explore other genres in the context of Star Wars—in this case, romance. The story, described by Poston, is “Star Tours: The Romance.” The daughter of a space tour sip embarks upon an adventure and deals with assorted tropes, “two people, one shuttle” being one of them. And apparently Kylo Ren will get hit with a shovel.
No romance discussion can end before someone asks about ‘shipping, and Baver did just that. Poston’s favorite ship is R2-D2 and C-3PO. Ahmed Best: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Breznican: Babu Frick and Michael Siglan. (Me: Motti and Tagge—any two people who argue like they did in A New Hope are definitely involved.)
Not to be forgotten, Baver asked Kiersten White about her book, Hiding from the Dark. White described the book as horror in Star Wars to scare children.
The Star Wars portion of the panel concluded with Ahmed Best as he discussed his comic, Jar Jar #1. Calling it a “dream come true,” Best said it will bring the two characters he’s played, Jar Jar and Kelleran Beq, together. This comic will also further his goal of promoting literacy as he is “passionate about people reading something!”
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
