Dark Horse Comics first announced that it was publishing The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, a deluxe book showcasing Japanese manga artist Hisao Tamaki‘s original, never-before-seen art boards, at Star Wars Celebration 2025.
In 1997, Tamaki set out on an ambitious mission: to meticulously recreate and reimagine George Lucas‘s space opera, Star Wars: A New Hope, with a bold reinterpretation of the iconic film through the unique lens of manga. The result was a striking and unforgettable adaptation that earned Tamaki the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material.
Remembering the project’s beginnings, Tamaki said, “The editor in charge of the project [at the time…] asked, ‘Would you like to draw Star Wars?’ and with zero hesitation or second thought, I responded, ‘A New Hope? Absolutely!’ I have to draw Star Wars.”
Now, nearly 30 years later, Dark Horse Comics has partnered with Lucasfilm to launch its first-ever Kickstarter campaign to take orders for a special edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, including one collector’s variant that won’t be available to buy at a retail location. Two beautifully crafted volumes will be available through Kickstarter. Each volume will showcase Tamaki’s original artwork, with a brand-new English translation, from his acclaimed 1997 manga adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope.
“This is Star Wars like you’ve never seen it,” said Dark Horse President, Founder and CEO Mike Richardson. “We’re sharing Hisao Tamaki’s legendary manga with fans in an edition that not only showcases the art, but also offers an unprecedented glimpse into the creative process behind it.”
Today, The Beat is excited to share an exclusive reveal of the Triptych folio, featuring Tamaki’s amazing art, which will be available to purchase through the Kickstarter campaign.
Photo Credit; Dark Horse ComicsRead the official press release below:
Dark Horse has meticulously scanned and assembled Tamaki-sensei’s original art boards to chronicle and showcase the creation of a unique artifact of popular culture.
The book is available through Kickstarter in multiple deluxe editions, including:
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- The Collector’s Edition is a two-volume hardcover set presenting Tamaki’s artwork in high resolution, with Kickstarter-exclusive cover and a new English translation that’s taken directly from Tamaki’s handwritten Japanese text. This edition is perfect for fans looking to read the masterful adaptation for the first time, with the new translation included in the margins to preserve the original Japanese lettering. The books are printed on archival-quality stock to showcase Tamaki’s intricate linework and rich tones. While a retail version featuring a different cover will be available in 2026, the Kickstarter-exclusive Collector’s Edition features exclusive designs distinguished by bold use of blue and red —a visual nod to the light and dark sides of the Force, as well as special treatments that will not be offered anywhere else.
- As part of the campaign, fans can also purchase the Tamaki Art Print Set, a curated set of six prints featuring standout pages from Hisao Tamaki’s Star Wars: A New Hope manga. While the artwork is black and white, each print is reproduced in full color to capture every nuance of the art boards— from fine pencil marks and paste-ups to editorial notes and the natural aging of the paper.
- Fans can also select the Tamaki Art Triptych Folio, a large-format, three-panel folio designed to match the height of the Masterpiece Edition, containing two complete triptych print sets.
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A retail edition is slated for Summer 2026, but fans can claim exclusive Kickstarter-only versions and receive them ahead of the official release. Check it out here.
Follow Dark Horse on social media for news, announcements, and updates. To support the project, head to Kickstarter.
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English (US) · 