The guide to collecting Star Wars Legends, the old Expanded Universe, comic books by Marvel and Dark Horse. Find every omnibus, Epic collection, hardcover, and trade paperback in reading order. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Guide to Collecting Star Wars Comics. Last updated November 2018 with titles scheduled for release through June 2019.
These 30 years of comics were removed from canon (along with nearly everything else that wasn’t a film or TV show) in 2014 when LucasFilms announced the impending Episode VII and the move of their comics license to Disney sibling Marvel Comics.
That means these stories have all been rendered inessential to the current Star Wars universe. Compared to current canon, these stories range from alternate retellings to complete fiction, much as we regard children’s stories and fairy tales.
- Star Wars Legends: Marvel Comics (1977 – 1986)
- Star Wars Legends: Dark Horse (1986 – 2015)
- Dawn of the Jedi (25,793-25-792 BBY)
- The Old Republic (5,000 – 3,643 BBY, 2,974 BBY, & 1,000 BBY)
- Rise of the Sith & The Clone Wars: Prequel-Era Stories (53 – 19 BBY)
- The Empire: from Prequels to New Hope (19 BBY – 0 BBY)
- The Rebellion: Original Trilogy Era Stories (0 BBY – 4 ABY)
- The New Republic: Post-Original Trilogy Stories (4 ABY – 25 ABY)
- Legacy: 100 Years Later
- Infinities: Out-of-Continuity Stories
Star War Legends – Marvel Comics (1977 – 1986)
Marvel’s original Star Wars material is primarily collected in three formats. The most high-end format is the Marvel Omnibus, oversized hardcover books with premium reproduction. Both Marvel and Dark Horse also reprinted this run in paperback in collections that were not released in chronological order – Marvel’s versions are Epic Collections and Dark Horses versions are Omnibuses.
Marvel Oversized Collections
oversized omnibus hardcovers
Star Wars: The Complete Marvel Years Omnibus, Vol. 1
This book starts with an adaption of A New Hope in issues #1-6 and ends with adaption of The Empire Strikes Back. Collects Star Wars (1977) #1-44 & Annual 1.
Star Wars: The Complete Marvel Years Omnibus, Vol. 2
This book collects stories from the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Collects Star Wars (1977) #45-78 & Annual 2
Star Wars: The Complete Marvel Years Omnibus, Vol. 3
This book starts with a brief prologue to Return of the Jedi and then the adaption of that film and continues to end of Marvel’s original Star Wars license. Collects Star Wars (1977) #79-80, Return Of The Jedi #1-4, Star Wars (1977) #81-107 & Annual 3 and material from Pizzazz #1-16, Star Wars Weekly (UK) #60, 94-99, 104-115, Empire Strikes Back Monthly (UK) #149, 151, 153-157, and Star Wars (UK) #159.
Star Wars: The Marvel UK Omnibus
This book collects various material from Marvel’s UK comics and UK Star Wars magazines. Includes Star Wars Weekly #60, 94-99, 104-115; Empire Strikes Back Monthly #149, 151, 153-157; Star Wars Monthly 159; Ewoks Annual 1989; Star Wars: The Official Collectors’ Magazine; Material From Pizzazz 10-16; Uk Exclusive Covers, Pinups, Articles
Star Wars: Droids & Ewoks Omnibus
Collects Ewoks (1985) #1-14, Star Wars: Droids (1986) #1-8, and Ewoks UK Annual 1989
Oversized collections by issue or story
Star Wars (1977) #1-6: Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
Available in standard size in the Star Wars Box Set
Star Wars (1977) #39-44: Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Available in standard size in the Star Wars Box Set
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) #1-4: Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Available in standard size in the Star Wars Box Set
Star Wars: The Classic Newspaper Comics Vol. 1
A joint publication between Marvel and IDW. Contains strips from March 11, 1979 to October 5, 1980. These are not oversized tall books like the omnibuses, but wide hardcover books in the shape of a newspaper strip.
Marvel Epic Collections
Star Wars Legends Epic Collections: The Original Marvel Years Vol. 1
Collects Star Wars (1977) #1-23, material from Pizzazz #1-16 and Star Wars Weekly (UK) #60.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Original Marvel Years Vol. 2
Collects Star Wars (1977) #24-38, Annual 1 and material from Star Wars Weekly (UK) #94-99, 104-115
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Original Marvel Years Vol. 3 (ISBN 9781302911331)
Collects Star Wars (1977) #39-55 and additional Empire Strikes Back material from Empire Strikes Back Monthly (UK) #149, 151, 153-157; and Star Wars Monthly (UK) #159
Epic Collections are not yet announced for material up to the start of Empire Strikes Back from Star Wars (1977) #56-80, Annual 1-2
Epic Collection is not yet announced for material from Return of the Jedi and on from Return of the Jedi #1-4 and Star War (1977) #81-107 and Annual 3.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Newspaper Strips Vol. 1
Collects Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures #1-9, Classic Star Wars: Han Solo At Stars’ End #1-3, Classic Star Wars #1-3, material From Classic Star Wars #4, and three previously unpublished stories – “The Constancia Affair,” “The Kashhyyyk Depths,” and “Planet Of Kadril.”
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Newspaper Strips Vol. 2
Collects Classic Star Wars #5-20 and material from #4.
Star Wars: Ewoks – Lost in Time (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923785)
Pending full collection information. While not an Epic Collection, this likely collects some portion of the 1985 Ewoks series.
Dark Horse Paperback Omnibuses
Click to expand Dark Horse reprints
Star Wars Legends – Dark Horse (1991 – 2015)
Dark Horse took over the Star Wars license in 1991 and printed 25 years of in-universe comics that complemented the continuity of Star Wars novels. 
Most of the material was originally collected in trade paperback by Dark Horse and then later recollected in a series of paperback Omnibuses, which were released non-sequentially. Marvel is gradually recollecting Dark Horse’s material in Epic Collections, which are also released non-sequentially.
Dawn of the Jedi
This ancient period covers just two years – 25,793 – 25-792 BBY.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Epic Collection has not yet been announced for this period, but will include Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi (2012) #0 and three Dawn of the Jedi series – Force Storm (2012) #1-5, Prisoner of Bogan (2012) #1-5, and Force War (2013) #1-5
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
The Old Republic
This period begins with Tales of the Jedi stories circa 5,000 BBY, then leaps forward a millennium for stories from 4,000 BBY to the 3,990s and 3,980s before Knights of the Old Republic begins in 3964 BBY and runs through 3,643 BBY.
Afterwards, a smattering of stories cover 2,974 BBY to 1,000 BBY before continuity leaps forward nearly another millennium to Prequel-era stories.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Epic Collections are not yet announced for the beginning of this period. It will likely be contained in two collections, including Tales of the Jedi – The Golden Age of the Sith (1996) #0-5, Fall of the Sith Empire #1-5, Ulic Qel-Droma and the Beast Wars of Onderon #1-2, The Saga of Nomi Sunrider #1-3, The Freedon Nadd Uprising #1-2, Dark Lords of the Sith #1-6, The Sith War #1-6, and Redemption #1-5.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic, Vol. 1
Collects Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #1-18 and material from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Rebellion #0
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic, Vol. 2
Collects: Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic #19-37 and Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Handbook
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Old Republic Vol. 3
Collects Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (2006) #38-50, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: War #1-5, and material from Star Wars Tales #24
It’s unclear where Lost Tribe of the Sith: Spiral #1-5 will be collected, as it occurs after the Lost Tribe of the Sith: Pandemonium novel in 2974 BBY – disconnected from the continuity of stories one either side..
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Knight Errant
While not announced, based on the year breakout of the series placement, this collection would collect Knight Errant #0-15 and Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith #1-5.
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
Rise of the Sith & The Clone Wars: Prequel-Era Stories
This period starts in 53 BBY and runs through The Phantom Menace at 32 BBY to Revenge of the Sith in 19 BBY.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Star Wars Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith Vol. 1
This collection covers stories that occurred prior to The Phantom Menace from Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #1-5, Star Wars: Qui-gon & Obi-wan – The Aurorient Express #1-2, Star Wars: Qui-gon & Obi-wan – Last Stand On Ord Mantell #1-3, Star Wars: Jedi Council – Acts Of War #1-4, material from Star Wars (1998) #4-6 (back-ups); and material From Star Wars Tales #1, 3-5, 7, 9-10, 13-14, 24
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace occurs during the next Epic Collection.
Star Wars Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith Vol. 2
This collection covers Phantom Menace era stories from Star Wars (1998) #0-3; Star Wars: Darth Maul #1-4; Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace #1/2 & 1-4; Star Wars: Episode I One-Shots (Anakin Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Qui-gon Jinn, Obi-wan Kenobi); and material from Star Wars (1998) 4-6 (main stories) and Star Wars Tales #3, 5, 7, 14, 20
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Menace Revealed Vol. 1
Collects Star Wars: Jango Fett – Open Seasons #1-4; Star Wars (1998) #7-18; and material from Star Wars Tales #8 & #21-24
Epic Collections have yet to be announced for Star Wars (1998) #19-45. That title continues to Star Wars: Republic #46
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones occurs here. Star Wars: The Clone Wars begins here.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 1
This collection covers stories that occur after Attack of the Clones and the Battle of Geonosis, which places the start of this collection just prior to Episode 6 of The Clone Wars. Collects Star Wars: Republic #49-54; Star Wars: Jedi One-Shots (Mace Windu, Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura, Count Dooku, Yoda); and material from Star Wars Tales #14 & 19 and Star Wars Visionaries OGN.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Vol. 2
Collects Republic #55-67, Star Wars: Darth Maul – Death Sentence #1-4, and material from Star Wars Tales #22. (Note that this was anticipated to collect Republic with gaps as #55-59, 61, 63-64, 60, & 62, and only collect #65-68 if it also included Jedi – Yoda)
Epic Collections have not not yet announced for StarWars: Jedi – Yoda, Republic #68, General Grievous #1-4, and Republic #69-71
The Star Wars: Clone Wars pilot film occurs here.
Epic Collections have not yet been announced for Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) #7-12, The Clone Wars: Hunting the Hunters web comic, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) #1-6, [Darth Maul—Death Sentence fits here but was collected in Clone Wars Vol. 2], Free Comic Book Day 2006, Republic #72-73, Star Wars: Obsession #1-5, Republic #74-77
It’s unclear of Epics would also collect The Clone Wars cartoon tie-ins comics, including Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 1-10, Star Wars: The Clone Wars Magazine, and Reversal of Fortune web comics.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith occurs here.
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
The Empire: from Prequels to New Hope
This period begins in 19 BBY, just after Revenge of the Sith, and continues to events just prior to A New Hope in 0 BBY.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 1
Collects Star Wars: Republic #78-80; Star Wars: Purge, Purge – Seconds To Die, Purge – The Hidden Blade One-shots; Star Wars: Purge – The Tyrant’s Fist #1-2; Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1-5; and Star Wars: Dark Times #1-5
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 2
Collects Star Wars: Dark Times #6-17, Star Wars: Dark Times – Blue Harvest #0, Star Wars: Dark Times – Out Of The Wilderness #1-5
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 3
Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ghost Prison #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1-5, Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Ninth Assassin #1-5
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 4
Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader and The Cry Of Shadows #1-5; Star Wars: Jabba The Hutt One Shots – The Gaar Suppoon Hit, The Hunger Of Princess Nampi, The Dynasty Trap, Betrayal; Star Wars: Boba Fett – Enemy Of The Empire #1-4; material From Star Wars Tales #7, 11-12, 15, 18-20; Star Wars Visionaries OGN; Dark Horse Presents Annual ’99; and Free Comic Book Day 2012: Star Wars
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 5
Collects Star Wars: Droids (1994) Special and #1-6 (AKA The Kalarba Adventures #1-6); material from Star Wars Galaxy Magazine #1 (between Kalarba 5-6); Star Wars: Droids (1995) #1-8 (“Rebellion” and “Season of Revolt”); Droids: The Protocol Offensive OGN; and material from Star Wars Tales #16 & 20.
Epic Collections have yet to be announced for Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire, Agent of the Empire #5-10, Star Wars: Blood Ties #1-4, The Force Unleashed I and The Force Unleashed II comic adaption, Empire (2002) #1-6, 8-13, & 15, and Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika #1-5, Empire #8-12, Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #½, Empire #5-6, and Blood Ties #5-8
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
The Rebellion: Original Trilogy Era Stories
Contains stories from A New Hope in 0 BBY through the end of Return of the Jedi in 4 ABY.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Marvel’s original Star Wars series occur in this period, and is collected separately as described above.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 1
Collects Star Wars: Empire #7, 14, 16-18; Star Wars: Vader’s Quest (1999) #1-4; and Star Wars (2013) #1-12
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 2
Collects Star Wars (2013) #13-20, Star Wars: Empire #19-27, and material from Star Wars Kids (1997) #1-20
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Vol. 3
Collects Star Wars: River Of Chaos (1995) #1-4 (between Empire #22-23), Star Wars: Empire #28-40, andStar Wars 3-D 1-3
Epic Collections have yet to be announced for Star Wars: Shadow Stalker (1997) #1 (which was expected to be in Rebellion Vol. 3), Star Wars: Rebellion (2006) #0-16, Star Wars: Splinter of the Mind’s Eye (1995) #1-4, and Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1-4, [The Empire Strikes Back fits here], and Shadows of the Empire #1-6. This era ends with the closing scenes of Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars: Mara Jade (1998) #0-6 begins during RotJ, but is collected with the next era.
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
The New Republic: Post-Original Trilogy Stories
Stories from after Return of the Jedi in 4 ABY through 19 ABY, and then the “Invasion” event in 25 ABY. Keep in mind that The Force Awakens was not canon in the old Legends Expanded Universe because it didn’t exist yet, but also because the story went in a different direction! For example, Han and Leia did not have a son named Kylo Ren in this continuity.
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Volume 1
Collects Star Wars: Mara Jade (1998) #0 (web comic) & 1-6 (“By The Emperor’s Hand”), Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire – Evolution# 1-5 (Note that this occurs between Rogue Squadron #12-13, which are in the next volume), Star Wars: The Jabba Tape, Star Wars: Boba Fett – Twin Engines Of Destruction; and material from Star Wars Tales #1, 3-5, 10, 14-15, 20 & 22.
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. 2
Collects Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Leader #1-3; Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #1-16 & Special; and material from Star Wars Tales #12 & 23
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. 3
Collects Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron #17-35
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Vol. 4
Collects Heir to the Empire #1-6, Dark Force Rising #1-6, and The Last Command #1-6, all adaptations of the classic Thrawn Trilogy of Novels.
Epic Collections have yet to be announced for Dark Empire #1-6, Dark Empire II #1-6, Boba Fett One-Shots (Bounty on Bar-Kooda, When the Fat Lady Swings, & Murder Most Foul), Empire’s End #1-2, Boba Fett: Agent of Doom, Crimson Empire #1-6, The Bounty Hunters: Kenix Kil, Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood #1-6, Jedi Academy: Leviathan#1-4, Crimson Empire III: Empire Lost #1-6, and Star Wars: Union #1-4.
Epic Collection titled “Invasion” would likely collect Invasion #0-16 and Chewbacca #1-4, which are set six years later than the other material in this period.
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material
Legacy: 100 Years Later
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Legacy Vol. 1
Collects Star Wars: Legacy (2006) #0-19
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Legacy Vol. 2
Collects Star Wars: Legacy (2006) #20-36, 41, 0-1/2
Epic Collections have yet to be announced for Star Wars: Legacy (2006) #37-40 & 42-50, Star Wars: Legacy – War (2010) #1-6, and Legacy (2013) #1-18
Infinities: Out-of-Continuity Stories
in Epic Collections released by Marvel Comics…
Star Wars Epic Collection: Infinities
Effectively a What-If collection. Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope #1-4, Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back #1-4, Star Wars Infinities: Return Of The Jedi #1-4, The Star Wars (2013) #0-8
Click to expand a list of Dark Horse collections of this material