As part of Star Wars Celebration, Dark Horse Comics is announcing that they will publish The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga. Two stunning volumes will each be available wherever books are sold, and will spotlight Hisao Tamaki’s original art from his acclaimed 1997 manga adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope and include a new English translation. Ahead of retail launch in Summer 2026, Dark Horse Comics will also be offering special editions through the publisher’s first ever Kickstarter campaign. This beautifully drawn manga will be available through Kickstarter in two distinct editions, each offering a unique way to experience this extraordinary adaptation. The Collector’s Edition features the same two-volume hardcovers that will be available at retail but with Kickstarter exclusive covers. The Masterpiece Edition will faithfully reproduce Tamaki’s art at its original size in two volumes and include an auxiliary volume. The Masterpiece Edition format will be exclusively available through Kickstarter. Fans can now follow the prelaunch page for the Kickstarter page.
In 1977, the world was changed by the release of George Lucas’s seminal space fantasy epic. Fascinating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and breathtaking action affected audiences in ways that movies never had before and seldom have since. Twenty years later, Hisao Tamaki adapted the films in his own singular style that allowed legions of Star Wars fans to enjoy their favorite story in an exciting new way. It was later published internationally in English by Dark Horse Comics, winning the 1999 Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material to confirm Tamaki’s reputation among manga and Star Wars fans alike. Now, 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 editor in charge of the project…asked, “Would you like to draw Star Wars?” and without hesitation or second thought, I responded, “A New Hope? Absolutely!” said Hisao Tamaki. “I have to draw Star Wars.”
These deluxe Kickstarter-exclusive sets offer fans an opportunity to revisit the classic adventure through new eyes and in a fresh voice. A standard edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga will be released in comic shops and bookstores in 2026. Join Dark Horse and Lucasfilm to explore the creative journey of a novel view of a galaxy far, far away.
Follow Dark Horse Comics on social media for more news, announcements, and updates. To get an email when the campaign launches, follow the prelaunch page:
About Hisao Tamaki
Born in 1964 in Niigata, Hisao Tamaki is a Japanese manga artist best known for his adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope, originally published in Japan in 1997. He grew up immersed in tokusatsu, anime, and sci-fi, with Ultraman, Space Battleship Yamato, and Star Wars shaping his artistic passion.
Tamaki began drawing manga in childhood and later honed his skills in Tokyo under Akira Sakuma and Atsuji Yamamoto. He worked as an assistant on Yamamoto’s Elf 17, a manga which was serialized in Hakusensha’s Monthly Comicomi, the same magazine that ran Kentaro Miura’s first Berserk story, a one-shot today known as “Berserk: The Prototype.” Part of the same generation of aspiring young manga creators, in the summer of 1985 Tamaki and Miura were also both entrants in Kodansha’s 34th semiannual Shonen Magazine Newcomer Award contest. Tamaki recalls with pride that he won second place—for first place went to Kentaro Miura.
Tamaki’s adaptation of A New Hope was a meticulous recreation of the film, earning praise for its dynamic storytelling. It was later published internationally in English by Dark Horse Comics; its 1999 win of the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material confirmed his reputation among manga and Star Wars fans alike.
About Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson with the goal of creating a welcoming environment for comics professionals. The company strives to be an example of how integrity and innovation can broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Dark Horse has published modern masters such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Colleen Doran, Janet Evanovich, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Eric Powell, Stan Sakai, and Gerard Way, as well as Hall of Fame legends Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Richard Corben. The company also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, based on properties such as Star Wars, Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, The Witcher, and Halo. Dark Horse established an entertainment division in 1989, finding success with company-owned projects The Mask and TimeCop. Current hits from Dark Horse Entertainment include The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and Resident Alien on SyFy. Additionally, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing new creative talent throughout all of its divisions.
In 2022, Dark Horse Media, LLC was established as the parent company of all three divisions, and became part of Embracer Group AB, strengthening the company’s transmedia capabilities.
About Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Ltd., is a global film, television, and digital entertainment leader. In addition to its feature film and series production, the company’s offerings include cutting-edge visual effects and audio post-production, digital animation, immersive storytelling, and the management of global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties, including the legendary “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is also home to premier visual effects and audio postproduction studios Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
