Disney Reveals Marvel Comic Tie-In for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Timeline Change. Disneyland is updating Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with a new timeline and a Marvel comic book tie-in featuring Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Starting April 29, 2026, the park is moving away from its sequel-only rule. To explain how original trilogy characters can coexist with newer ones, Disney is using a “retcon” strategy centered around a new comic series that changes the history of the planet Batuu.
How the Comics Fix the Story
In Star Wars, fans care a lot about the timeline. Usually, you wouldn’t see Darth Vader and the Mandalorian in the same place. Marvel’s new series, Echoes of the Empire, fixes this by showing that Batuu has been a hotspot for heroes for generations.
The comic introduces a “Force Phenomenon” on the planet that acts as a narrative bridge. This allows the park to host characters from different eras without breaking the official story. It’s a clever way for Disney to give fans the classic characters they want while keeping the story nerds happy.
Written by ETHAN SACKS
Art by JETHRO MORALES & ROI MERCADO
Cover by PHIL NOTO
Character Variant Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Mandalorian & Grogu Variant Cover by E.M. GIST
On Sale 4/22
New Details for Fans
If you’re planning a visit, here is some extra info that wasn’t in the original announcement:
- The App Update: The “Play Disney Parks” app is getting a major update. When you walk into different zones, your digital “Datapad” will switch modes to show you history from either the Empire era or the First Order era.
- Savi’s Workshop: New “Legacy” kyber crystals are coming. These crystals are tied to the comic’s plot and will let you “unlock” dialogue from Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader when you put them in a custom lightsaber.
- The Clone Troopers: The two retired clones running the new Black Spire Surplus shop actually have names now: Stump and Rel. The comic will explore their backstory and how they managed to stay friends after Order 66.
- The Mandalorian Movie: This park update is timed perfectly for the movie release on May 22. Expect the comic to have a few “Easter eggs” that hint at what Mando and Grogu are looking for on the big screen.
What’s the Catch?
Right now, this is only confirmed for Disneyland in California. Disney World fans in Florida are still stuck in the sequel timeline for now. Most experts believe Disney is testing the waters in California first to gauge whether the “mixed timeline” approach feels too messy or if fans appreciate it.
The first issue of Echoes of the Empire comes out on April 22. If you want to know exactly why Vader is standing by that ship, that’s the day you’ll find out.
