Anika Patel
Get ready for a festive treat from Marvel Comics! They have just announced a dazzling lineup of “Life Day” variant covers for their beloved Star Wars titles this holiday season.
Marvel has unveiled four incredible Life Day Variant Covers, each more captivating than the last. The talented Mike Del Mundo has crafted a stunning cover for Star Wars #40, featuring Han Solo and Chewbacca joyfully decorating for Life Day (available on November 1). And that’s not all! Rod Reis has contributed three breathtaking covers. Star Wars: Darth Vader #40 showcases Shmi and Anakin Skywalker celebrating the holiday (available on November 8). Doctor Aphra and Black Krrsantan strike a pose for a Life Day photo on the cover of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #38 (available on November 15). Lastly, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #40 stars the infamous Chef Gormaanda, a character beloved by fans of the Holiday Special (available on November 22).
Prepare to be enchanted by Marvel’s Life Day Variant Covers:
The strange legacy of The Star Wars Holiday Special
Travel back in time to November 17, 1978, when The Star Wars Holiday Special graced the screens of CBS. Just a year and a half after George Lucas’ groundbreaking film hit theaters, this television special took viewers on a heartwarming journey centered around Chewbacca’s quest to make it home to Kashyyyk in time for the Wookiee holiday of Life Day. Along the way, audiences were treated to a delightful mix of variety show segments, guest star appearances, and toe-tapping musical numbers.
Over the years, the Holiday Special has gained a notorious reputation as perhaps the most infamous piece of Star Wars media. Even George Lucas himself reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the production. Critics and viewers alike criticized the special for its lackluster script, uninspired performances, low production value, and downright bizarre tone.
Yet, despite its flaws, The Star Wars Holiday Special became a coveted treasure among collectors. Before the internet era, finding a copy was like discovering a hidden gem. It aired on TV only once and never received an official home video release. As a result, the few existing copies were all fan-made bootlegs.
In recent years, Lucasfilm has embraced certain aspects of the Holiday Special, and these new Marvel covers are the latest testament to that. In 2019, the beloved Disney+ original series, The Mandalorian, officially confirmed Life Day as part of Star Wars canon. While the full special has yet to be re-released, Disney+ treated fans to the animated segment “The Story of the Faithful Wookiee” in 2021, which notably marked the first official appearance of Boba Fett.
