Star Wars: Princess Leia #1, the third Star Wars release by Marvel Comics, has already secured over 250K pre-orders, reports ComicBook.com. Darth Vader #1 was reported to have locked in 300K pre-orders last month. And Star Wars #1 sold over 1 million copies before it’s release, making it the best-selling comic in the last 20 years.
The comic finds Princess Leia Organa after firing a blaster at the Empire while getting rescued, joining the Rebel Alliance, and helping destroy the Death Star. The five-issue miniseries narrates her pursuit to locate survivors of her destroyed planet who are scattered throughout the galaxy.
Probably the world’s favorite planetary princess shot a twist to the literary bill of the typical damsel in distress in the 1970 blockbuster film.
This quality is what made Princess Leia, writer Mark Waid’s favorite character.
“That was the setup, and yet the payoff is, once you get her onscreen and she’s active in the story, she’s a badass,” Mr. Waid told StarWars.com. “She’s the one teaching the boys how to use their toys. That was so unique at the time, and sadly, it’s still a little unique.”
Mr. Waid, wrote iconic titles in both the DC and Marvel Universe. Some of his notable works include Daredevil, The Flash, Captain America, and Superman: Birthright.
Terry Dodson, whose worked on Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Uncanny X-men, and Dark Horse’s Star Wars comics in the 1990s is doing the art.
“I’m definitely shooting for making the character I draw feel the same as the one we know from the screen, but now not limited to film/photography… meaning I want her to be Leia without tracing photos of her,” Mr. Dodson told ComicsAlliance. “I want to use the strength of the comic medium to make the reader believe they are seeing as real a version of Leia as in the movie.”
Star Wars: Princess Leia #1 will be available for purchase on March 4, 2015.
