The galaxy far, far away has always had its share of spine-tingling moments—from the creature lurking in the Death Star's trash compactor to Anakin Skywalker's tragic transformation into Darth Vader. But this year, Lucasfilm is leaning hard into the macabre with a new horror anthology that promises to deliver genuine chills.
Announced during Lucasfilm Publishing's panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror is a deluxe hardcover collecting Dark Horse Comics' recent horror-themed one-shots into one oversized volume. Think of it as Tales from the Crypt with lightsabers and Wookiees.
The collection brings together three previously released comics: Tales from the Rancor Pit, Tales from the Death Star, and Tales of the Nightlands. Written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by a murderer's row of talented artists, these stories explore the darker corners of the Star Wars universe—ghost pilots haunting the void, undead Imperial troopers shambling through corridors, and alien were-beasts stalking unsuspecting victims.
This isn't the franchise's first foray into horror. In the 1990s, the Galaxy of Fear young adult novels channeled Goosebumps energy with tales of clones, ghosts, and a living, carnivorous planet. Joe Schreiber's Death Troopers novel turned an Imperial Star Destroyer into a zombie apocalypse zone. Even The Clone Wars animated series dabbled in the macabre with undead Geonosians and the fearsome Witches of Dathomir, who have since become franchise staples.
But Galactic Tales of Terror marks the first time Star Wars has packaged its horror comics in a premium library edition. The oversized hardcover, set for release on September 22, is designed to look like an ancient tome—perfect for display alongside your grimoires and occult texts. It's a collector's item for fans who want their horror served with a side of nostalgia.
If comics aren't your thing, Lucasfilm Publishing has another horror project brewing for fall. Star Wars: Hiding from the Dark, a new YA novel by Kiersten White, hits shelves on September 1. It follows a young girl named Bia who flees her homeworld of Coruscant, pursued by Imperial forces and a nightmarish black specter—Darth Vader himself. The novel promises a cat-and-mouse thriller that explores the terror of being hunted by the galaxy's most iconic villain.
For those who want to dive deeper into the horror genre, check out our ranking of the best horror book series for more spine-tingling recommendations. And if you're curious about how other franchises blend horror and sci-fi, this animated epic made the sea people truly terrifying long before The Odyssey.
Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror arrives on September 22. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates from San Diego Comic-Con and all the latest in entertainment news.
