Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm are bringing two of pop culture’s biggest universes together in Star Wars | Marvel: Hope Assembles, and new artwork revealed at New York Comic Con 2026 gives fans a better look at the ambitious crossover.
During Saturday’s Marvel Comics: House of Ideas panel, writer Kevin Smith made a surprise appearance to discuss the upcoming series, which features artwork by David Marquez. Marvel also unveiled new covers, including an Alex Ross illustration bringing Spider-Man and Luke Skywalker together.
The series, launching in January 2027, marks the first major crossover between the Marvel Universe and the galaxy far, far away. The story begins when a reality-shattering spell allows Marvel’s heroes to witness the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, setting the stage for an encounter between characters from both franchises.
As revealed during the panel, Hope Assembles has also expanded from its originally announced five issues to six issues. The debut installment will feature 30 pages, with the remaining issues running 20 pages each.
Smith shared his enthusiasm for the project during the presentation, revealing that Lucasfilm had previously declined the idea of a crossover until the approaching 50th anniversary of Star Wars helped make it possible.
The writer also teased some of the unlikely interactions readers can expect, including Spider-Man searching for a missing Luke Skywalker, Captain America and the Thing poking fun at Stormtroopers, and Magneto attempting to hold back the Death Star.
Other characters discussed during the panel included Scarlet Witch, while the creative possibilities raised some entertaining questions, including whether a lightsaber could cut through adamantium.
Marvel reveals an extensive variant cover lineup
Alongside new interior artwork by Marquez, Marvel revealed additional covers that give fans a closer look at the crossover’s possibilities.
Among the highlights is a new Alex Ross cover featuring Spider-Man and Luke Skywalker together, bringing two of the most recognizable heroes in comics and film into a single illustration.
Marvel is also organizing the series’ variant covers into recurring categories, allowing collectors to follow particular themes throughout the crossover.
The announced cover programs include:
- Main Cover (A): Connecting covers by series artist David Marquez.
- Alliance Variant (B): Marvel and Star Wars characters joining forces in unexpected partnerships.
- Battle Variant (C): One-on-one fights between characters from the two universes.
- A New Hope Variant (D): Famous moments from the original Star Wars film reimagined with Marvel characters.
- Crossover Variant (E): Characters adopting weapons, costumes, and iconic imagery from the opposite franchise.
- Retro Variant (F): New illustrations inspired by Marvel’s original Star Wars comics.
- Marvel Homage (G): Classic Marvel covers recreated with characters from both franchises.
Additional variants may be released outside these recurring programs.
The cover concepts offer plenty of room for unexpected character combinations, particularly as the crossover brings together superheroes, Jedi, Sith, and some of Marvel’s most dangerous villains.
Celebrating 50 years of Marvel and ‘Star Wars’
The timing of Hope Assembles is particularly significant given Marvel’s long history with Star Wars.
Marvel published its first Star Wars comic in 1977, the same year George Lucas’ original film arrived in theaters. The publisher’s adaptation helped introduce the franchise to comic book readers, beginning a relationship that has continued across decades.
With the 50th anniversary of Star Wars approaching in 2027, Hope Assembles takes that connection in an entirely new direction by bringing the characters of both universes together.
The crossover also promises to explore some of the more unusual possibilities that come with combining these worlds, particularly when Marvel’s superpowered characters encounter the Force, lightsabers, and the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars | Marvel: Hope Assembles launches in January 2027. Check out the newly revealed covers and interior artwork below, and visit your local comic shop for preorder information.
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