During a recent convention appearance, legendaryStar Warsauthor Timothy Zahn discussed theStar-Lordminiseries he wrote for Marvel Comics in the 1990s – andrevealed that he produced a sequel series, which has never been published. Zahn’s comments make it clear that an incredible artifact of comic book history is locked away in Marvel’s vault, though whether it will “ever see the light of day” remains to be determined.
Appearing on the “Star Wars' Thrawn: AlliancesComes to Comics” panel at Dragon Con 2024. Timothy Zahn discussed how his work outsidetheStar WarsExtended Universe, including his three-issueStar-Lordminiseries from the ’90s. Of particular note to fans of the author’s work was the tidbit he dropped about a second, unreleasedStar-Lordseries.
According to the author, he has occasionally prompted Marvel to release the series over the years since, though at this point, his efforts have been to no avail.
Thrawn Creator Timothy Zahn Explains The Forgotten Follow-Up To His 1990s Star-Lord Miniseries
Zahn Spoke At DragonCon 2024
Released long beforeStar-Lord became a household nameas a result of his central role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’sGuardians of the Galaxy, Zahn’s series – featuring beautiful painted artwork by Dan Lawlis – centered around an intergalactic lawman, Sinjin Quarrel, finding the original’s costume and weaponry, subsequentlybecoming the new Star-Lord. At this point in his career, the author had already created his most iconicStar Warscharacter, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and the newStar-Lordwas his attempt to replicate his success in the Marvel Universe.
Born with golden eyes, Sinjin Quarrel was a “Probiti,” powerful beings in the Carinian Cluster known for their telepathic powers. After spending the first seven years of his life with his parents, Sinjin was later sent to the Probiti to be trained in their ways, after which he would be sent to a world in their system to act as a peacekeeper and regulator. Sinjin was assigned to the insignificant planet of Bovric once his power levels were revealed to be lower than initially thought, and that was where Sinjin discovered theoriginal Star-Lord’s ship, crashed there some twelve years before.
Ultimately, this did not go according to plan, and the miniseries proved to be Sinjin Quarrel’s only Marvel Comics appearance. This was not initially going to be the case, however. As Zahn explained at this year’s DragonCon, he actually penned a follow-up to hisStar-Lordminiseries, but Marvel has never released it. Zahn told the convention audience:
“I did a three-part Star-Lord series. I also did a second three-part story, which (Marvel) bought and paid for and never published.”
TheStar-Lordseries from the ninetiesis a curious artifact, released at a time when the character was barely in the public consciousness, and the knowledge of a canceled sequel makes it even more interesting.
It Is Unlikely Timothy Zahn’s Star-Lord Sequel Will Ever Be Released – But Not Impossible
Star-Lord (1996) Three Issue Miniseries – Written By Timothy Zahn; Art By Dan Lawlis; Lettering By Bill Oakley
Getting Timothy Zahn to write the series was a pretty big acquisition for Marvel, given that the author was still riding high off thesuccess ofHeir to the Empire. In other words, it is surprising that the publisher gave up on Zahn’sStar-Lordso quickly. Fans would think that Marvel would have been keen to keep the acclaimed author around to write more comics, making his unreleasedStar-Lordseries a puzzling footnote in the history of the comic book industry, and Zahn’s wider pop culture legacy.
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According to Timothy Zahn, he doesn’t anticipate the series being released now, even for the novelty of it.
“It’s sitting in somebody’s drawer at Marvel.I don’t know if it will ever see the light of day…I’ve nudged them a couple of times, but nothing’s ever come of that.”
Given the success of Thrawn in the new era ofStar Wars, it is remarkable to think that Marvel has another comic from Thrawn’s creator just sitting in their files. That said, Zahn just returned to Marvel Comics, this year when he co-wrote the adaptation of hisStar WarsnovelThrawn: Allianceswith Jody Houser; meaning that perhapsit remains possible the nearly-forgottenStar-Lordseries from the creator ofStar Wars' Thrawnwill eventually be released after all.
Source: Timothy Zahn, “Star Wars’ Thrawn: Alliances Comes to Comics,” Dragon Con 2024
Grand Admiral Thrawn
The only alien to ever ascend to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.
