The comic covers for Star Wars‘ 2024 Pride variants have been revealed and include trans Jedi, Ruu. Alongside usual LGBTQ+ icon Doctor Aphra, several newer characters from the galaxy have been featured this year. The hit franchise’s ever-growing universe is proving to be even more welcoming with each year of Pride that passes.
Star Wars comics have been spotlighting the LGBTQ+ characters in the galaxy on variant covers since 2021. Each June, a variety of galactic inhabitants have been shared, with Doctor Aphra typically being a staple every year. While the first trans character is set to star in The Acolyte, the Star Wars universe has already debuted a trans character within the High Republic era.
Marvel revealed this year’s Pride variant covers just ahead of May the Fourth. This year’s line-up will include four comics. There will be three characters from the High Republic, Doctor Aphra, and the comic debut of one of Star Wars’ first gay characters.
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Star Wars’ Pride Variant Cover Line-Up Includes Multiple Comic Debuts
The four comics that will celebrate Pride this year are Star Wars #47, Star Wars: The High Republic [Phase III] #8, Star Wars: Darth Vader #47, and Star Wars: Jango Fett #4. They will begin releasing on June 5 and conclude with Star Wars: Jango Fett #4’s release on June 19. This year’s variant cover artists include Phil Jimenez, Paulina Ganucheau, Rachael Stott, and Javier Garrón. The five characters that will be featured this year are Doctor Aphra, Ruu, Cair San Tekka, Xylan Graf, and Sinjir Rath Velus. Cair, Xylan, and Sinjir all made their debuts in Star Wars prose novels.
Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf are a couple who were introduced not long ago, in The High Republic: Defy the Storm by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton. It was released in March 2024, making their comic debut come rather quickly. Ruu was introduced in The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life, a short story collection, and he made his comic debut in The High Republic: Crash Landing (2024). Also debuting in comics will be Sinjir Rath Velus, who was once an Imperial officer who joined the Resistance during the Battle of Endor. He debuted in the Aftermath trilogy by Chuck Wendig back in 2015, within the very first book.
Star Wars’ Pride Covers Feature Exciting New Characters
This year’s Pride cover artists shared their excitement about their upcoming works. Garrón is especially excited about Sinjir Rath Velus’ debut:
Putting the focus on the amazing diversity of people that populate the Star Wars universe is such an amazing and, in my opinion, very important initiative. I’m honored and humbled to contribute by spotlighting Sinjir Rath Velus in his comic book debut! It’s a huge responsibility to help him find a new way to live on, and I sincerely hope I did him justice by showcasing his defiant attitude and the strong look in his eyes – and his beautiful hair! A deeply interesting and layered person, Sinjir’s journey is complex and important, and I hope this allows more people get to know him!
Ruu is Star Wars’ first trans character and the first known trans Jedi in the galaxy. Conversely, Doctor Aphra has been a staple for the Pride community, with her recent series winning a GLAAD Award this year for Outstanding Comic Book. The Star Wars universe has been steadily expanding, becoming more and more inclusive as each year passes. Ruu’s inclusion, as a former Jedi who has paved his own way after loss, is particularly exciting for this year’s slate of Star Wars’ Pride covers.
Source: Marvel
