Almost thirty years after its original publication, Hisao Tamakis celebrated manga adaptation of A New Hope is being revived in a new luxurious art book that pays homage to the rich history of Star Wars within the realm of Japanese comics. This announcement comes amid the excitement of Star Wars Celebration Japan, where fans and industry insiders gather to celebrate the beloved franchise.

In an exclusive reveal to io9, Dark Horse Comics has confirmed that they are set to launch The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope The Manga as a two-volume collection in the upcoming year. This collection will showcase Tamakis iconic artwork, made even more special with the inclusion of newly acquired scans of his original storyboards. To complement the visual artistry, a new English-language translation will also be provided, making it accessible to a wider audience and allowing fans worldwide to appreciate the unique storytelling style of Tamaki.

Before the official retail release, Dark Horse is making an exciting move by launching its first-ever Kickstarter campaign. This initiative will allow early supporters and fans to place orders for exclusive editions of the art book, including a rare collectors variant that will not be available in traditional retail locations. This first-of-its-kind Kickstarter will be an opportunity for enthusiasts to engage directly with the creators and to secure a piece of memorabilia that celebrates both the Star Wars franchise and its crossover into Japanese culture.

The Kickstarter will feature two special editions of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope The Manga. The first is the Collectors Edition, which mirrors the standard retail release but comes with variant covers exclusive to the Kickstarter backers. The second is the Masterpiece Edition, which will be a limited edition offering available only through Kickstarter. In addition to reprinting Tamakis artwork in two volumes at its original size, the Masterpiece Edition will also include a third auxiliary volume. This additional content promises to delve even deeper into the fascinating relationship between Star Wars and Japanese culture, potentially exploring how Tamaki's version influenced both the franchise and its fans.

For those interested in following this project, the prelaunch page for the Art of Star Wars: A New Hope The Manga Kickstarter is currently accessible for fans to check out. This gives avid followers a chance to stay updated on launch details and other exclusive content leading up to the release.

As for the standard retail release, fans can look forward to the collection hitting comic book stores and bookstores across the globe starting in summer 2026. With this resurgence of Tamaki's work, fans of both Star Wars and manga can celebrate a unique fusion of storytelling that has captivated audiences for decades.