If the War of the Bounty Hunter is over, the story continues in another Star Wars event, Crimson Reign. Written by Charles Soule and penciled by Steven Cummings, this is the second part of a trilogy that is supposed to reshape the Star Wars galaxy during the Age of Rebellion!
As the official synopsis reveals, “The criminal organization known as the Crimson Dawn has risen — but what is their goal, and how do they plan to achieve it? And how will the Rebel Alliance and the Empire both react to this new galactic power player? Featuring the return of beloved characters, shocking twists, epic feats of the Force, and a story that will reach from the darkest underworld all the way to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant.”
What to read before Star Wars: Crimson Reign?
This event takes place during the Age of the Rebellion. Check out our Star Wars Comics Canon Reading Order to learn more about it.
Crimson Reign is the second part of a trilogy launched with War of the Bounty Hunters. For better enjoyment, you’ll have to read at least the main series from this crossover event. For the complete experience, we recommend also reading the tie-ins. See our War of the Bounty Hunters Reading Order for more information.
- War of the Bounty Hunters (only the main series)
Collects Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha (2021) #1, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters (2021) #1-5. - Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Omnibus (the whole event) (coming soon)
Collects Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha (2021) #1, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters (2021) #1-5, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Jabba The Hutt (2021) #1, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – 4-Lom & Zuckuss (2021) #1, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Boushh (2021) #1, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Ig-88 (2021) #1, Star Wars (2020) #13-18, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2020) #12-17, Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #12-17, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020) #10-15, material from Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha Director’s Cut (2021) #1
As Crimson Reign focuses on the character of Qi’ra and the Crimson Dawn organization, you can check out the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story where she first appeared (played by Emilia Clarke). For the perfectionist out there or lover of the character, you can also check the book Most Wanted, which takes place shortly before the movie’s events.
- Star Wars: Most Wanted (novel) (optional)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (movie) (optional)
Star Wars: Crimson Reign Reading Order
As always, the miniseries Crimson Reign tells a complete story. The series crosses over with the Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, Star Wars, and Bounty Hunters ongoing series but you don’t have to read all of the tie-ins if you don’t want to. You can choose to read them all or just the ones with the characters you are invested in.
Crimson Reign Reading Order: Collected Editions
There is no omnibus announced yet though we can imagine one will be released in the future.
Following is a listing of the trade paperbacks collecting the issues from the Crimson Reign crossover, which will be released between August 2022 and April 2023.
- Star Wars: Crimson Reign
Collects Star Wars: Crimson Reign #1-5. - Star Wars Vol. 4: Crimson Reign
Collects Star Wars (2020) #19-23. - Star Wars Vol. 5
Collects Star Wars (2020) #24-29. - Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol. 4: Crimson Reign
Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #18-22. - Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 5: The Shadow’s Shadow
Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #23-28. - Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 4: Crimson Reign
Collects Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020) #16-20. - Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 5: The Spark Eternal
Collects Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020) #21-25. - Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 4: Crimson Reign
Collects Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #18-22. - Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 5: The Raid on the Vermillion
Collects Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #23-28.
Crimson Reign Reading Order: Issue by Issue
- Darth Vader (2020) #18
- Bounty Hunters #18
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #16
- Star Wars (2020) #19
- Crimson Reign #1
- Bounty Hunters #19
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #17
- Darth Vader (2020) #19
- Star Wars (2020) #20
- Bounty Hunters #20
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #18
- Crimson Reign #2
- Star Wars (2020) #21
- Crimson Reign #3
- Darth Vader (2020) #20
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #19
- Star Wars (2020) #22
- Bounty Hunters #21
- Bounty Hunters #22
- Crimson Reign #4
- Star Wars (2020) #23
- Darth Vader (2020) #21
- Darth Vader (2020) #22
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #20
- Doctor Aphra (2020) #21
- Star Wars (2020) #24
- Crimson Reign #5
- Bounty Hunters #23
- Darth Vader (2020) #23
- Darth Vader (2020) #24
- Bounty Hunters #24
After Crimson Reign
After the events of Crimson Reign, Charles Soule and Steven Cummings will continue and conclude their trilogy with the third installment, The Hidden Empire!