Star Wars: A New Hope Confirmed To Return Before 50th Anniversary Re-Release

8 hours ago 5

Published May 15, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT

Sam Fang primarily covers news for CBR, with over a decade of experience writing about entertainment and pop culture and degrees in both journalism and art.

Star Wars fans will soon be able to take a deep dive into the beautiful artwork for A New Hope's beloved manga adaptation. The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga, Vol. 1 will hit stores next month.

Dark Horse announced the new hardcover book will be published on June 16, 2026, and also announced that a second volume will follow in August. The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga, Vol. 1 will collect the precisely recreated original art from the 1997 manga adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope, with a new translation taken directly from the lettering on the boards. The volume gives fans the chance to revisit the classic Star Wars film from a new perspective, just ahead of the franchise's 50th anniversary next year which sees it returning to theaters. The book spans 184 pages and is priced at $49.99.

New Star Wars Art Book Examines the Creation of the Original Manga

In 1977, George Lucas's Star Wars hit theaters and changed the sci-fi landscape forever. Characters like Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) went on to become pop culture icons, inspiring a multi-billion dollar franchise that is still releasing new content to this day. What some fans of Star Wars don't even realize is how the film inspired a manga adaptation 20 years later.

Renowned artist Hisao Tamaki adapted the Star Wars film in his own singular style, allowing legions of Star Wars fans to enjoy the story on page as well as on the screen. For the creation of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga, Dark Horse unearthed and meticulously reassembled Tamaki-sensei’s original art boards to "chronicle and showcase the creation of a unique artifact of popular culture."

The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, Volume 1 includes high-resolution reproductions of Hisao Tamaki's original, unaltered art. The work is accompanied by an all-new translation of the authentic Japanese lettering, which itself was inspired by the Japanese dub of the film.

The book is available for pre-order now, and its Amazon listing includes even more information about what's inside. "An extensive sketchbook section is included and, for the first time in English, the story is presented in the original right-to-left reading format."

Dark Horse's Art of Star Wars Vol. 2 Includes Interview with Hisao Tamaki

Chewbacca holds his bowcaster and Han Solo points his blaster in Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

After the release of the first volume in June, Dark Horse plans to release the second and final hardcover volume on Aug. 18. It will collect the second half of the story, also in the original right-to-left format. It will also include an "in-depth interview with writer and artist Hisao Tamaki."

There's no word yet if the other Star Wars manga-style adaptations will receive a similar treatment from Dark Horse. The original trilogy and The Phantom Menace were all adapted, although by different authors.

The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga, Vol. 1 goes on sale June 16, 2026, from Dark Horse. The second and final volume will follow on Aug. 18.