Dark Horse Comics has launched an exclusive preview and Kickstarter campaign for The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga, offering fans an unprecedented look into Hisao Tamaki’s Eisner Award-winning 1997 adaptation of the iconic film. The campaign, which went live recently, provides opportunities to secure deluxe editions of the book featuring meticulously scanned original art boards ahead of its general retail release in Summer 2026.
A Deep Dive into Hisao Tamaki’s Vision
In 1997, mangaka Hisao Tamaki embarked on an ambitious project: to reimagine George Lucas’s Star Wars: A New Hope through the distinctive lens of manga. This endeavor resulted in a “bold, unforgettable adaptation” that earned Tamaki the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material. His work allowed legions of Star Wars fans to experience their beloved story in an entirely new and exciting visual style.
Dark Horse Comics, in partnership with Lucasfilm, is now celebrating this seminal work by reproducing Tamaki’s artwork directly from scans of the original art boards. This initiative allows for a faithful and high-resolution presentation of his intricate linework and rich tones.
Unprecedented Access to Original Artwork
The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga is described as a “stunning, deluxe book” that provides a never-before-seen look at the original art boards from Hisao Tamaki. Dark Horse President, Founder, and CEO Mike Richardson emphasized that this edition offers an “unprecedented glimpse into the creative process behind it,” allowing fans to see Star Wars “like you’ve never seen it.”
The book meticulously chronicles and showcases the creation of this unique cultural artifact, preserving Tamaki’s original vision. The art is presented in its original right-to-left orientation, with new English translations carefully integrated into the margins to maintain the integrity of the original Japanese lettering.
Exclusive Editions and Kickstarter Campaign
While a standard retail edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga is planned for Summer 2026, Dark Horse Comics‘ first-ever Kickstarter campaign offers fans the chance to acquire exclusive editions with unique content and early access. The Kickstarter was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan, and it has already been fully funded shortly after its launch.
Collector’s Edition Details
The Collector’s Edition is a two-volume hardcover set featuring high-resolution reproductions of Tamaki’s artwork. These Kickstarter-exclusive covers are distinguished by bold blue and red designs, visually referencing the light and dark sides of the Force. This edition includes a new English translation printed alongside the original Japanese text.
Masterpiece Edition Details
For the ultimate collector, the Masterpiece Edition is a large-format, premium release that reproduces Hisao Tamaki’s unaltered art at its original dimensions of 10.85” x 15.05”. This edition is housed in a faux-leather clamshell case and comes with a separate 104-page companion book containing a new translation of the authentic Japanese lettering. The Masterpiece Edition will never be produced for retail, making it a true Kickstarter exclusive.
Additional offerings through the Kickstarter include signed and slipcase editions, a Tamaki Art Print Set featuring six full-size prints of select pages, and a large-format Tamaki Art Triptych Folio. These exclusive items provide a comprehensive look into the manga’s creation and are printed on archival-quality stock. As Mike Richardson noted, this project “offers fans an opportunity to revisit the classic adventure through new eyes and in a fresh voice.”
