Marvel has just announced a major return to Black Spire Outpost with the new comic book miniseries Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Echoes of the Empire.
Whether you’re a die-hard comic collector or a frequent visitor to Disneyland, this series is set to change how we experience the Star Wars universe.
Since its opening, Galaxy’s Edge has been firmly rooted in the sequel era timeline (between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker). However, Marvel’s new series is acting as the narrative bridge for a massive real-world expansion.
Starting April 2026, the Disney Parks are expanding their storytelling to include the Original Trilogy era—meaning you’ll soon see Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker walking the streets of Batuu alongside Rey and Kylo Ren. Echoes of the Empire is the “holocron” that explains exactly why these icons were there in the first place.
The Plot: A Search for Secrets
The story is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The plot follows:
• The Mission: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca head to the Outer Rim planet of Batuu on a secret mission for critical intelligence.
• The Conflict: While there, the trio stumbles upon a dangerous ancient relic.
• The Threat: This discovery puts them on a direct collision course with the Galactic Empire, led by the shadow of Darth Vader.
Marvel is bringing back a fan-favorite veteran to helm this series:
• Writer: Ethan Sacks, who penned the original 2019 Galaxy’s Edge tie-in and the long-running Bounty Hunters series.
• Artists: Jethro Morales (Marvel Rivals) and Roi Mercado (Phoenix).
• Cover Art: The legendary Phil Noto provides the main covers, with character spotlight variants by Leinil Francis Yu.
This isn’t just a side story; it’s an “in-universe” explanation for the park’s new timeline. According to writer Ethan Sacks, the series will reveal “the secret story” behind the new era dawning at the parks.
For readers, it offers a rare look at Luke Skywalker in the window of time where he is transitioning from a struggling apprentice to a powerful Jedi Knight
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83