Star Wars: Dark Empire

Set six years after Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Dark Empire (1991–1992) was Dark Horse Comics’ first major foray into the post-film saga, reuniting Luke Skywalker, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Lando, and C-3PO for a six-issue epic. Written primarily by Bob Schreck, John Weeks, and Randy Stradley, the series introduced a reborn Emperor Palpatine and a dark turn for Luke, expanding the Star Wars universe with a darker, Force-heavy narrative. Its lush painted art and bold story choices made it a landmark, shaping the Expanded Universe for years to come.