During their publishing panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Lucasfilm revealed a host of new Star Wars books focused on The High Republic era with plenty of The Acolyte tie-ins to boot.
The Star Wars: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away panel (hosted by Patton Oswalt) at this year’s SDCC just wrapped up and gave Star Wars fans plenty of new books to look forward to. The announcements range from novels, reference books, and even comics, with the big focus being on The High Republic era. Let’s take a look at the big announcements:
THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (VOLUME II) – By Kristin Baver (February 2025)
Featuring exclusive concept art, character and costume sketches, and vehicle and creature designs by Lucasfilm Publishing and its partners, this official companion to Star Wars: The High Republic (Phases II and III) offers fans a definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the continuing adventures within this ambitious era of Star Wars storytelling
The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic (Volume II) takes fans behind the scenes of Phases II and III of Lucasfilm Publishing’s massive crossover event. Collecting the very best concept art of the new characters, worlds, ships, and creatures of The High Republic—designed jointly by the Lucasfilm visualists and a team of legendary comic book and Star Wars artists, including Phil Noto, Iain McCaig, and Ryan Church, among many others—and presented alongside development materials and interviews with The High Republic architects, The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic (Volume II) is an essential guide to the creation, design, and realization of a new era of Star Wars storytelling.
The High Republic Phase II: Quest of the Jedi finds the Jedi Order in an age of exploration 150 years prior to the events of Light of the Jedi. Communication systems have yet to link the galaxy, and swaths of uncharted hyperspace await discovery and adventure. Dangers abounds as Jedi, Pathfinders, galactic prospectors, and the shadowy, monstrous Nameless find themselves on a collision course en route to Jedha, Dalna, and other sacred and significant worlds.
The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic (Volume II) is the only book to explore all facets of the design and artistic direction of a story that spans comic books, novels, and young adult books, taking Star Wars fans of all ages on a deep dive into the development of the New York Times bestselling series.
THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE (SEASON ONE) – By Kristin Baver (Summer 2025)
The official behind-the-scenes companion to the Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte
The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte showcases the production art, character and vehicle designs, planets, storyboards, and other ephemera created during the production of the hit Disney+ series. Set 100 years before the The Phantom Menace, in the waning days of the High Republic, The Acolyte tells the story of a Jedi Master and their former Padawan as they investigate a sinister threat. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Carrie-Ann Moss, this series marks the first time the High Republic will appear in live action. Interviews with key creatives from the series give a first-hand account of working within this new era.
STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE VISUAL GUIDE – By Pablo Hidalgo (March 4, 2025)
Delve deeper into Star Wars: The Acolyte with the definitive visual guide. Decades before the birth of Darth Vader, explore the glorious High Republic era in the Star Wars galaxy. During this exciting time, the noble Jedi are protectors of peace and justice. This Visual Guide reveals all of the key characters, locations, vehicles, and technology from the Disney+ series and is written by Star Wars insider Pablo Hidalgo.
Kicking things off with some of the new reference books to look forward to. For one, we’re getting another Art of The High Republic book AND an Art of The Acolyte book (both from Kristin Baver). These Art of books from Abrams have consistently been some of the best behind the scenes looks we’ve gotten at shows/Star Wars stories, so I’m thrilled to see more of them on the horizon.
Also interesting that The Acolyte one specifically mentions it’s for “Season One.” Perhaps that’s just planning for a possible future, but I’m taking any hints at a season two that I can get. Even better, Acolyte is getting the Visual Guide treatment from Paglo Hidalgo. These are always filled with intriguing details and lore-filled references.
THE ART OF STAR WARS OUTLAWS – June 3, 2025
A FULL-COLOR ART BOOK COLLECTING CONCEPT ART AND CREATOR COMMENTARY FROM THE FIRST-EVER OPEN-WORLD STAR WARS GAME SET BETWEEN THE EVENTS OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AND RETURN OF THE JEDI.
Developed by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Star Wars Outlaws gives players the opportunity to explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new, as Kay Vess—a scoundrel seeking freedom from her past with her companion Nix. As the unlikely heroes embark on a stars-spanning series of high-stakes missions, they constantly risk running afoul of rivaling gangs or falling into the clutches of the evil Galactic Empire.
The Art of Star Wars Outlaws explores the creation of this underworld adventure with an expertly designed assembly of thrilling imagery and intimate insights from the game’s creators. Now readers can get down and dirty as they acquaint themselves with charming rogues, plunge into alien environments, examine exotic tools and weapons, and see how Kay Vess was made to defy the odds.
Among the reference books is also the lone non-High Republic era announcement as we’re also getting an Art of book for Ubisoft’s new Star Wars game, Outlaws! Now…let’s dive into some of the new fiction books they revealed:
STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE: WAYSEEKER – By Justina Ireland (May 6, 2025)
Before The Acolyte, Vernestra Rwoh must find her place in the Jedi Order.
Vernestra Rwoh has spent over a decade exploring the Outer Rim as a Wayseeker, answering to no other authority but the Force itself. When a request from the Jedi Council orders her back to Coruscant, Vernestra initially refuses, feeling that her first priority should be to the beings she’s already serving. But after Jedi Master Indara arrives to ask for Vernestra’s aid in person, Vernestra finds herself pulled back into Coruscant’s complicated world of Republic politics and underworld crime. As the two delve further into their investigation, and the lines between Jedi and Republic business blur, and Vernestra must reconsider what it means to serve for Light and Life.
STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE Untitled YA Novel – by Tessa Gratton (July 29, 2025)
While their Jedi Masters clean up a political mess left behind by one of their own, Jedi Padawan Jecki and her least favorite fellow Padawan Yord are drawn into a planet-wide coming-of-age ritual as featured guests. The first ritual goes well, but when the final event is interrupted, Jecki and Yord will have to use all of their abilities and work together to keep each other–and their new friends–safe from danger.
Here’s what I love about these: they’re High Republic books, but aren’t specifically tied to the big Phases of the initiative. By connecting to The Acolyte, it shows there’s still plenty of room in this era for standalone books to come out. Mostly, I’m excited to be able to get more stories involving some of the stand-outs of the show (Jecki and Yord), and it’s neat to see how Indara plays a bigger role in Vernestra “coming back” to the Jedi order.
On the comic side of things, they revealed a new look at the upcoming Kelnacca one-shot comic with some revealing interior art. Plus, they’ve also announced the next The High Republic ongoing series: Fear of the Jedi.
With the current comics about to wrap up, and Phase III still having a year (roughly) to go, fans had been wondering what would be going on in the comics side of the initiative. Now we have some answers, as a new main THR series of comics kicks off in February with issue #1.
New York Times Bestselling author Cavan Scott (Venom: Zombiotes, Union Jack the Ripper) returns with artist Marika Cresta (Doctor Aphra, Captain Carter) for the galaxy-shattering final arc of Star Wars: The High Republic.
As fighting within the Nihil Occlusion Zone intensifies, Jedi Master Keeve Trennis is set upon a path that will change her life forever.
Guest-starring The Acolyte’s Wookiee Jedi Master, Kelnacca alongside fan-favorite characters from Star Wars: The High Republic novels, audio dramas and comics.
Which of these new Star Wars books are you looking forward to most?
