'The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope — The Manga' is Now on Kickstarter from Dark Horse Comics and Lucasfilm

Dark Horse Comics’ First Ever Kickstarter Will Feature Limited Edition Kickstarter Tiers and Collectibles, Ahead of a Traditional Release in Comic Shops and Bookstores in 2026

In 1997, from deep in the heart of Japan’s manga scene, mangaka Hisao Tamaki set out with an extraordinary goal: to capture the spirit of Star Wars: A New Hope — not just retelling the story, but reimagining the landmark motion picture through the lens of manga. The result was a bold, unforgettable adaptation that ultimately earned Tamaki the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material. Now, nearly three decades later, Dark Horse Comics and Lucasfilm are proud to present a Kickstarter campaign for The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, a stunning, deluxe book that showcases Tamaki’s original never-before-seen art boards. A retail edition arrives in Summer 2026, but fans can secure exclusive Kickstarter-only editions–and receive them before retail release.  Fans can support the project on Kickstarter now. 

“This is Star Wars like you’ve never seen it,” said Dark Horse President, Founder and CEO Mike Richardson. “We’re sharing Hisao Tamaki’s legendary manga with fans in an edition that not only showcases the art, but also offers an unprecedented glimpse into the creative process behind it.”

Remembering the project’s beginnings, Tamaki said: “The editor in charge of the project [at the time…] asked, ‘Would you like to draw Star Wars?’ and with zero hesitation or second thought, I responded, ‘A New Hope? Absolutely!’I have to draw Star Wars.”

In 1977, the world was changed by the release of George Lucas’s seminal science-fantasy epic. Fascinating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and breathtaking action affected audiences in ways that movies never had before and seldom have since. Twenty years later, Hisao Tamaki adapted the films in his own singular style that allowed legions of Star Wars fans to enjoy their favorite story in an exciting new way. Now, Dark Horse has meticulously scanned and assembled Tamaki-sensei’s original art boards to chronicle and showcase the creation of a unique artifact of popular culture. 

The book is available through Kickstarter in multiple deluxe editions, including: 

• The Collector’s Edition is a two-volume hardcover set presenting Tamaki’s artwork in high resolution, with Kickstarter-exclusive cover and a new English translation that’s taken directly from Tamaki’s handwritten Japanese text. This edition is perfect for fans looking to read the masterful adaptation for the first time, with the new translation included in the margins to preserve the original Japanese lettering. The books are printed on archival-quality stock to showcase  Tamaki’s intricate linework and rich tones. While a retail version featuring a different cover will be available in 2026, the Kickstarter-exclusive Collector’s Edition features exclusive designs distinguished by bold use of blue  and red —a visual nod to the light and dark sides of the Force, as well as special treatments that will not be offered anywhere else.
• The Collector’s Edition - Tamaki Variant is a minimalist, art-forward reinterpretation of the Collector’s Edition, limited to 260 sets.
• The Collector’s Edition + Slipcase. The complete two-volume Collector’s Edition, presented with a custom black slipcase.
• Deluxe Signed Collector’s Edition. An extremely limited version of the Collector’s Edition—only 250 sets will be produced exclusively for Kickstarter backers.
• The Masterpiece Edition is a large-format, premium release that faithfully presents Hisao Tamaki’s original work, with high-resolution reproductions of his unaltered art at its original size—10.85” x 15.05”. Collected in a faux-leather clamshell case, the two 176-page volumes of this edition are accompanied by a separate 104-page companion book that contains a new translation of the authentic Japanese lettering, which itself was inspired by the alternate language dub of the film that has been enjoyed by Japanese-speaking audiences for generations. The Masterpiece Edition format is only available through Kickstarter and will not be produced for retail.
• The Signed Masterpiece Edition, a definitive version of the Masterpiece Edition featuring special enhancements, limited to only 250 sets worldwide. 
• The Signed Darth Vader Masterpiece Edition (Limited to 25), the rarest edition of the campaign, limited to only 25 sets worldwide to backers, combining the full Masterpiece Edition with exclusive Darth Vader-inspired features.

As part of the campaign, fans can also purchase the Tamaki Art Print Set, a curated set of six prints featuring standout pages from Hisao Tamaki’s Star Wars: A New Hope manga. While the artwork is black and white, each print is reproduced in full color to capture every nuance of the art boards— from fine pencil marks and paste-ups to editorial notes and the natural aging of the paper. Fans can also select the Tamaki Art Triptych Folio, a large-format, three-panel folio designed to match the height of the Masterpiece Edition, containing two complete triptych print sets.

“The deluxe Kickstarter-exclusives offer fans an opportunity to revisit the classic adventure through new eyes and in a fresh voice,” said Mike Richardson. 

Fans can look forward to the standard edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga  arriving in comic shops and bookstores in Summer 2026–or support the Kickstarter to receive exclusive editions ahead of retail launch. Join Dark Horse and Lucasfilm to explore the creative journey of a novel view of a galaxy far, far away. Follow Dark Horse Comics on social media for more news, announcements, and updates. To support the project, head to Kickstarter.