May Star Wars Book Releases 📚

Revenge of the Sith Re-Release a Huge Success!

Author

JG Carse
May 03, 2025

Good Morning Youtinians. It’s the week before May the Fourth. We hope you have the best time, whether you’re celebrating by hopping into the Star Wars Fortnite update, making some Star Wars food, or checking out the new animated series Tales of the Underworld. However you celebrate it, may it bring you extra joy this weekend from the Youtini Dispatch team.

May Star Wars Publishing Releases

Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd. and Youtini Illustration

There are so many good things coming down the pipeline! Here are a few that we're really looking forward to coming up in May:

  • Free Comic Book Day One-Shot by Alex Segura, Charles Soule, and Marc Guggenheim: This one-shot comic will be free at all comic shops participating in the annual Free Comic Book Day!

    • This one-shot is actually a small collection of three independent stories, one from each author.

    • While we don't know much about the stories themselves, we do know that one focuses on Luke Skywalker, one on Qui-Gon Jinn and Tensu Run, and one on a character named Vanee who has some connection to both Darth Vader and Kylo Ren.

    • This comic will be released on Free Comic Book Day, May 3rd!

  • The High Republic: A Valiant Vow by Justina Ireland: It has been a long time coming, but we have finally arrived at the final middle-grade novel of the High Republic publishing initiative. 

    • As we've seen throughout Phase III of The High Republic, our (young) heroes will take on the mysterious blight slowly spreading throughout the galaxy.

    • The middle-grade novels of The High Republic have been a lot of fun and truly add to the overall story. If you haven't kept up with them, we highly recommend it regardless of age!

    • A Valiant Vow will hit shelves on May 6th!

  • The Acolyte: Wayseeker by Justina Ireland: One more entry from Justina Ireland for May! As she announced recently, these two will be her final Star Wars novels. Though we are sad to see her step down, we have thoroughly enjoyed her contributions to Canon and look forward to her other non-Star Wars projects!

    • Justina Ireland introduced us all to Vernestra Rwoh way back in Phase I of The High Republic, and we now get to see her as she was just before the events of The Acolyte.

    • This new adventure will pull Vern away from her freedom as a Wayseeker to team up with Jedi Knight Indara back on Coruscant in order to assist a mysterious Republic senator on an undisclosed mission.

    • We've got a lot of reading coming up because this book is also slated to be released on May 6th!

We're all fine here now — how are you? These are just a few Star Wars reads we can't wait to check out next month. Check out the Youtini Canon Book Club podcast for Emmi, Hannah, and JG's thoughts on Justina Ireland's final Star Wars novels!

Thrawn Faces a Trap!

Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Star Wars Celebration presented us with SO much news that our minds are still spinning! However, one of THE most exciting announcements came from the mouth of the heir to the Lucas throne, Dave Filoni, and it was about the return of one of the most quoted rebellion leaders in the galaxy!

The Word Of Dave

The panel was about Ahsoka Season 2 and we were waiting with bated breath for any minor update that could send the blood pressure sky-rocketing. Well, my friends, it came with a bang when Filoni revealed that the nemesis of Grand Admiral Thrawn's return would be no other than our very favorite Mon Calamari, Admiral Ackbar.

How this can happen: Filoni went on to talk to reporters after appearing on stage and went into a little more depth about how this plays out.

Ackbar's Journey: He is one of the most recognizable non-human, or alien, characters in all of Star Wars, and he has been since his very first appearance on the big screen.

  • Return of the Jedi: Way back in the 80s, the beautiful orange, squid-like profile first stood aboard the Rebel homeship, Home One, when alongside Mon Mothma and General Madine, he spoke of the ensuing battles on Endor and against the new Death Star.

  • The Clone Wars:  His back story was then fleshed out in the highly acclaimed animated series, The Clone Wars, where he was instrumental in protecting his leaders and people from Separatists' forces on Mon Cala.

  • The Force Awakens: We were SO pumped when it was confirmed that Ackbar would return in the sequel trilogy. His part was significant, yet small, as he appeared with the Alliance leaders in planning the insurrection against the First Order's massive Starkiller Base. (On a personal note this performance was epic and unforgettable as Australian actor Tim Rose donned the headwear. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!)

  • But, my friends, with the release of The Last Jedi's novelization, came confirmation that just before his death, Admiral Ackbar uttered defiantly, "Torpedos inbound. It's been an honor serving with you all." What a true legend!

And so, what a delight it is that we will see the Admiral return to our screens in Ahsoka season 2, and what a fantastic battle of the minds it will be when he faces the gifted military mind of Thrawn. Wow! Now, that is worth waiting for!

We're all fine here now - how are you? We have two amazing Mon Calamarians in the Star Wars stable. We break down Ackbar in The Star Wars Archives.

🛰️ In the Youtiniverse

🎙️ On The Youtini Show, we cover Star Wars: Starfighter, Maul: Shadow Lord, new Visions previews, secrets from Andor and Ahsoka, and look ahead to Celebration 2027!

🎙️ Andor Season 2 is here! On Bounty Hunt, Oz, Jacob, JG, and guest Hannah break down Episodes 1–3 and discuss the epic return of this acclaimed Star Wars series.

✎ Trevor, the keeper of the Youtini timeline, walks through the process of breaking down a Star Wars book in order to find its accurate placement in Star Wars history.

✎ Legends Lookback host Jared, dives into how Revan became one of the most legendary figures in the Star Wars Old Republic Era. Learn how the Mandalorian Wars influenced the arc of this fan favorite character.

✎ Sam dives explores how do you balance the wealth of stories to enjoy in the Star Wars universe with the desire to revisit a favorite or two? Let Youtini help you with the decision to reread Star Wars books. 

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📆 Releasing this Week

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