12 Star Wars Graphic Novels You Must Read Before You Die

10. Infinities: A New Hope

Star Wars Darth Vader Comic
Marvel Comics

The Infinities series were alternate history versions of the original Star Wars films, indulging fans with different ways the story could have unfolded if something changed along the way.

In The Empire Strikes Back edition, Luke actually dies of exposure on Hoth before Han can find him, so someone different must rise to challenge Vader and the Emperor. In the Return of the Jedi edition, the attempted rescue of Han from Jabba's palace goes awry, and Luke doesn't make it back to Dagobah before Yoda dies.

But in by far the best entry in the series, Infinities: A New Hope, Luke's miracle shot on the Death Star goes wrong, only temporarily stalling the attack on Yavin 4. The Rebels are crushed, Leia is captured and finds herself in the clutches of Vader and the Emperor, and Luke gets years of Jedi training under Yoda.

It's a fascinating glimpse at what might have been, as we're treated to a fully-trained Jedi Luke, a more dangerous Leia, and a more manipulative version of Yoda. Everything spirals out naturally from the change in story, and the narrative universe that follows feels more complete and satisfying than either of the other Infinities tales.

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Author, puzzle guy, and lifelong consumer of pop culture. I'm a nerd for wrestling, Star Wars, literature, trivia, and all sorts of other things. Feel free to mock and/or praise me and my scribblings at @glennmandirect on Twitter.