The Mandalorian’s first season will soon be adapted as a graphic novel intended for all ages. Panini Comics is bringing Din Djarin and Grogu into comics ahead of Marvel Comics’ recently announced Star Wars miniseries.
When Disney+ finally brought Star Wars into a high budget TV series, it revived the franchise’s relevance in pop culture. Baby Yoda instantly became a part of the zeitgeist, with the Mandalorian himself benefitting from the legendary iconography established by bounty hunter Boba Fett. Showrunners Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau were largely credited among fans for reinvigorating Star Wars following the lackluster sequel trilogy. While the show’s third season reportedly concluded filming recently, Marvel Comics announced an upcoming Mandalorian miniseries beginning in June. Similarly, it will take place during the course of the first season, as Din Djarin’s bond with Baby Yoda is beginning to form. However, The Mandalorian will be coming to comics before the Marvel title releases.
Panini Comics announced on Twitter that The Mandalorian: The Graphic Novel of Season 1 is set to release on May 18. The 80-page softcover graphic novel will be available in the United Kingdom and Ireland for £9.99. Although the Disney+ series has contained some content that is questionable for younger viewers, the graphic novel adaptation is intended for readers of all ages. The graphic novel’s cover has been released, depicting a climatic scene from The Mandalorian’s season one finale as Din Djarin teams up with his fellow Mandalorian people to protect Grogu.
Although Marvel Comics has published some all-ages material in the past, other publishers like IDW have often catered to younger readership. Last year, it was announced that Dark Horse Comics will take over all-ages comics going forward. At the time, it was not known that much smaller publishers like Panini Comics might be getting in on the game as well.
Considering the serialized nature of The Mandalorian, any comic book adaptation should be a smooth transition of storytelling mediums. This particular quality of the show which some viewers critiqued is a strength as it makes the jump into comics. While a creative team for the graphic novel has not been announced, it seems to be a different writer and artist than those who have worked on Star Wars comics in the past. As Marvel’s The Mandalorian #1 will release in June, The Mandalorian: The Graphic Novel of Season 1 will debut a month before in May.
