Slap a blindfold on and a toss a rock. You’ll probably nail at least one of the many comic book adaptations currently in some form of production, not to mention the plethora that have already been released. Another well-established trend extends the universe of television shows through the comic medium. But Dark Horse Comics, no stranger to licensed product tie-ins, has lined up one of the strangest and potentially most exciting adaptations that comes to mind, which you’ve gotten a peek of above.
Star Wars fans have long heard the rumors of there being a far different original idea behind George Lucas’ magnum opus, and Coming Soon tells us the rough draft screenplay, titled The Star Wars!, will be Dark Horse’s next project, adapting the 1974 script into an eight-issue series. Writer and LucasBooks executive editor J.W. Rinzler will be working with artist Mike Mayhew, famous for his work on the Avengers, as well as his stellar cover art.
It sounds like a truly different experience, as the press release calls it “a tale of fantastic adventures, daring escapes, ‘lazer swords,’ romance, and monsters. A story of Jedi Annikin Starkiller and General Luke Skywalker, an alien named Han Solo, and evil Sith Knights.” I’m not sure how Han Solo would have taken to being an alien, but he probably still would have gotten the girl.
“While researching in the Lucasfilm Archives I’ve found many treasures—but one which truly astounded me was George’s rough draft for The Star Wars. His first complete imaginings were hallucinating to read—mind blowing,” said writer J.W. Rinzler. “While working with George on another book project, I once asked if we could adapt his rough draft. He was hesitant. Years later, with Dark Horse’s invaluable help, we showed him a few drawn and colored pages of what it might look like. He gave us the okay.”
Luckily, this series will be coming this September, long before J.J. Abrams’ Episode VII, and months after his Star Trek Into Darkness, so sci-fi fans can experience a high-profile project that doesn’t bear the Abrams signature.
And yes, this isn't an April Fool's Prank. It's really happening!
