Disney’s Star Wars Marvel Crossover Was Always Going to Happen

Disney was always going to do this. The company owns Star Wars and Marvel, and it has spent years turning both into content machines built for cross-promotion. Now, for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope, Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm Publishing are finally putting the two brands in the same comic book. Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles is a five-issue limited series from writer Kevin Smith and artist David Marquez. Issue #1 arrives in January 2027, while the final issue is set for May, close to the May 25 anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope. Marvel says it is the first official crossover between the two comic universes. The setup is simple enough. A reality-shattering spell brings the events of Star Wars: A New Hope to Marvel’s Earth-616. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca will meet Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and the Avengers. Doctor Doom will join Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire. Disney is not trying to hide the sales pitch here. This is a 50th anniversary event built to move copies. Marvel has even loaded David Marquez’s connecting covers with characters from both sides. Wolverine, Professor X, the Fantastic Four, Deadpool, D...