Last year, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm stunned fans when they announced that they had teamed up to celebrate Pride Month with a new collection of stunning Star Wars Pride variant covers to highlight LGBTQIA+ characters and talents. This year, February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, and Marvel will extend the celebration to a galaxy far, far away by honoring black characters with a special series of covers.
Marvel announced on Thursday that ten variant covers by renowned cover designer Mateus Manhanini will be released in February, spotlighting black heroes from the entire Star Wars series, including characters from the films as well as the original Star Wars characters who made their debut in the pages of Marvel Comics.
In the Marvel's press release, Editor Mark Paniccia wrote, “When we asked Mateus if he’d be interested in designing a set of covers to showcase these great characters, we were delighted to find out he’s a big Star Wars fan, and his love for the franchise really showed. What he came back with is exciting, elegant, and powerful,”
Manhanini, known for his spectacular covers for Marvel’s current Wakanda limited series, brings a new collection of intergalactic icons, fan favorites, and upcoming stars to life in his bold, sensational style. Legendary characters such as Lando Calrissian, former First Order stormtrooper Finn, Jedi knight Oliviah Zeveron, revered Jedi Mace Windu, and bounty hunter Greef Karga will be featured in the collection.
In an interview with StarWars.com, the superstar cover artist discussed the concept of black representation in the media, as well as how good stories give them hope that they are doing more than just supporting characters who don't deserve to live under the effects of a racist culture.
“Making these covers was an honor, something I could never have imagined I would do! I felt a great responsibility to represent these characters but I transformed this challenge into a thirst to do my best.” said Manhanini.
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He continued, “I hope that these covers manage to remember and reaffirm the presence of these Black characters within the Star Wars universe and about the importance of their stories being told. The more diversity we have, the more richness, power, and solidity this universe will have, and this will influence the life and experience of many readers.”
The Star Wars Black History Month variant covers will be released from February 1 to 15. Visit here for the full guide on how to purchase.
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