Lucasfilm Publishing and American comic publisher Mad Cave Studios have announced they will team up to tell original Star Wars stories set in a galaxy, far, far away this autumn.
The project launches with stories with two all-new Star Wars graphic novels aimed at middle grade readers, written by Cavan Scott and Greg Pak, the first marking artist Christian Colbert’s Star Wars debut, the second, which sees a return to Tatooine ahead of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope, featuring art by Brent Schoonover.
The first story brings together beloved smugglers and scoundrels, following Han Solo and Chewbacca on the hunt for Jabba the Hutt’s bounty. Then, return to Tatooine for a new tale as Luke Skywalker and his best friend Biggs Darklighter take on the legendary Beggar’s Canyon.
Smugglers and Scoundrels and Tales from the Outer Rim set the tone for Mad Cave’s upcoming line of original galactic graphic novels, with age-appropriate stories that span all eras of Star Wars storytelling.
This collaboration with Lucasfilm Publishing marks Mad Cave Studios’ Star Wars debut and leverages their Papercutz imprint for young readers.
Star Wars: Smugglers and Scoundrels: The Race for Jabba’s Bounty
Written by Cavan Scott | Art by Christian Colbert | Out: 15th September 2026
Notorious crime boss Jabba the Hutt has lost a precious family heirloom… and he knows just the scoundrels who can help him get it back!
Race to the finish line with some of the galaxy’s most infamous rascals and see who will get their hands on the treasure first! Will it be Han Solo and Chewbacca aboard the trusty Millennium Falcon? Or Han’s old rival, everyone’s favorite fast-talking Lepi, Jaxxon T. Tumperakki, and his lucky Rabbit’s Foot? Or will it be Boba Fett, Greedo, or another competitor who takes the crown?
Find out in this rip-roaring ride full of risky maneuvers, double-crosses, and questionable morals as smugglers and scoundrels from across the galaxy race to recover Jabba’s prize!
“Jaxxon is Star Wars‘ great underdog… well, under-rabbit. Doomed never to be taken seriously by his fellow scoundrels, the Lepi smuggler was one of the very first characters I ever experienced in Star Wars, long before I saw the films,” reveals longtime Star Wars comic writer Cavan Scott. “And now he’s back in his very first original graphic novel, chronicling his very first meeting with long-term rival, Han Solo!”
The graphic novel marks illustrator Christian Colbert’s Star Wars debut with this graphic novel.
“As a lifelong Star Wars fan, this project was a chance to bring together everything I love about visual storytelling: scale, character, and atmosphere,” the artist notes. “Working alongside Cavan Scott is turning out to be both creatively challenging and deeply rewarding.
Cavan Scott is a New York Times bestselling author whose work includes novels, television, comic books and award winning audio dramas. He has written for a large number of high-profile series including Star Wars, Doctor Who, Assassin’s Creed, Pacific Rim, Transformers and more. His creator-owned comic book series, the supernatural urban fantasy Shadow Service, launched in 2020 from Vault Comics.
Cavan became one of the five story architects selected to create Lucasfilm’s new multi-media initiative, Star Wars: The High Republic in 2018, and he is currently writing the ongoing Marvel comic of the same name, as well as numerous books in the series. Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III – Trials Of The Jedi Omnibus is out this April (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
He’s written widely in the galaxy far, far away, from the Tales from Vader’s Castle series to the Audie nominated Star Wars Dooku Jedi Lost. In 2020, he joined the writing team for Star Wars Kid’s children’s game show, Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge and was the co-writer of Audible’s original audio drama Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason. He is currently developing a number of original comic book and television properties.
Christian Colbert is a professional illustrator born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio who now calls Dearborn Michigan his home. With over twenty years of experience on titles such as Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as numerous independent titles, in addition to his work at Papercutz such as contributing to their Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society series, he has several creator owned projects launching through his own company, All-Time Comics.
Star Wars: Tales from the Outer Rim: The Legend of Beggar’s Canyon
Written by Greg Pak | Art by Brent Schoonover | Out: 13th October 2026
Return to Tatooine ahead of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope in this all-new graphic novel by comics legend Greg Pak. Encounter womp rats, T-16s, krayt dragons, and more in this action-packed adventure.
Like most kids his age, Luke Skywalker longs for adventure, but growing up on the distant desert planet of Tatooine, he feels more than a little stuck. And with Luke’s best friend, Biggs Darklighter, already daydreaming about leaving to enroll in the Imperial Academy, Luke feels like he’s sinking into a Sarlacc Pit! So he decides it’s time to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure of his own and brave the legendary Beggar’s Canyon!
Some Tatooine locals say Beggar’s Canyon is haunted by terrifying spirits. Others say it’s home to ferocious beasts. Luke, Biggs, and their friends are determined to conquer this mysterious abyss. But will they discover the truth behind the tall tales, or be lost in the harsh desert sands forever?!
“I’m thrilled to be writing more Star Wars, and especially to be working with artist Brent Schoonover and editor Charles Beacham, who are just killing it!” shares Star Wars comic writer, Greg Pak.
“We’ve got a great Luke story on tap exploring a key moment in his young life – with aching teenaged loneliness under the twin suns of Tatooine, an eerie adventure in the depths of Beggar’s Canyon, and a rare study of Luke’s relationship with his seldom-seen childhood friends and enemies. Big fun, big emotions, and gorgeous art! Dontcha dare miss it!”
“Getting the honour to draw a Star Wars story is a bucket list project for me,” adds illustrator Brent Schoonover. “The story Greg has written is wonderful for lifelong fans, while also being the perfect entry for those who have always wanted to get into a galaxy far, far away. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!”
Greg Pak is a Korean American writer and filmmaker who has written over 600 comic books, including series like Planet Hulk, Magneto Testament, Darth Vader, and many others. He directed the award-winning feature film Robot Stories and served as a writer and consulting producer on Mech Cadets, the animated series adaptation of Mech Cadet Yu, a comic book he wrote and Takeshi Miyazawa illustrated for BOOM! Studios.
Brent Schoonover is a Midwestern based freelance illustrator and comic book artist who’s worked with every major US publisher over the years. He’s best known for his work on Ant-Man, The Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain Marvel and Captain America for Marvel, and has also worked on Superman, Batman and Sucide Squad for DC Comics. Recent work includes Archie is Mr. Justice for Archie, as well as work on Mad Cave Studios recent relaunch of Dick Tracy.
Head downthetubes for…
• Head to StarWars.com for more Star Wars comics news
• Cavan Scott is online at cavanscott.com
• Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III – Trials Of The Jedi Omnibus is out this April (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
• Follow Christian Colbert on Instagram
• Greg Pak is online at gregpak.com
• Brent Schoonover is online at brentschoonover.com
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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