Welles Hartley

Welles Hartley is a pseudonym for Randy Stradley, an American comic book writer and editor born on March 4, 1956. Best known for his extensive work within the *Star Wars* universe, Hartley’s credits span from 2004 to 2008, during which he wrote for series such as *Star Wars: Empire*, *Star Wars*, *Star Wars: Republic*, and *Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures*. His stories often appeared in collected editions and special releases, including the *Star Wars Comic Pack* and the *Free Comic Book Day 2004 Special*. Hartley’s writing is characterized by a focused, plot-driven approach that serves the larger *Star Wars* narrative, often collaborating with artists and editors within the Dark Horse Comics stable. Outside of this pen name, Stradley spent 35 years as an executive at Dark Horse Comics, shaping the company’s publishing direction. His legacy includes helping to expand the *Star Wars* expanded universe through accessible, adventure-focused comics. While Hartley’s work did not garner major individual awards, Stradley’s broader contributions to the industry have been recognized through his long tenure and influence on licensed comic book publishing.