Forget Tatooine: Star Wars Is Wasting One of Its Best Planets, But I Know How to Fix That
The Star Wars universe is full of various planets and systems that play significant roles in the lore. From Coruscant to Dagobah, each planet has its own history, peoples, and ties to major characters. For instance, Luke Skywalker is synonymous with Tatooine, just as Padmé Amidala is with Naboo. Yet, despite the importance of planetary lore in Star Wars, the franchise seems to be forgetting about one of its best planets.
One planet in Star Wars lore that doesn’t receive its due justice in the comics is Lothal. Lothal plays a significant role in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels and even has a connection to Lando Calrissian. Additionally, Princess Leia Organa is introduced to Lothal in Rebels, further strengthening the planet’s ties to the original trilogy.
However, with a new Star Wars comic series—written by Alex Segura and illustrated by Phil Noto—set to premiere in May and take place just after Return of the Jedi featuring familiar classic characters, now is the perfect time for Lothal to make its long-overdue return.
Lothal Is EXTREMELY Important in Star Wars History
Lothal Was Introduced in Star Wars: Rebels
Lothal is almost as much a character as the Star Wars: Rebels characters themselves, as viewers become just as attached to Lothal as Ezra Bridger and the rest of the Ghost crew. This small, Outer Rim planet is not only Ezra’s home but also an Imperial stronghold where the Empire established a weapons development factory, exploiting its natural resources and inhabitants. Lothal serves as a hotbed for rebel activity, from the Bridgers' early anti-Empire transmissions to the rebel-sympathizing former governor, Ryder Azadi.
When Grand Admiral Thrawn enters the fray as the rebels’ most formidable foe and the Empire’s brilliant strategist, he seeks to crush the insurgency once and for all. Everything culminates in the Battle of Lothal, where the rebels make their final stand against Thrawn. While they achieve victory, they lose Ezra in the process; he willingly jumps into wild space after luring Thrawn into a trap, ensuring his friends’ safety. Though Ezra doesn’t witness it, Lothal flourishes after the Galactic Civil War.
Lothal Is a Narrative Treasure Trove That Marvel Should Utilize in New Series
A Return to Lothal May Be Imminent
The Disney+ series Ahsoka showcases a vibrant and thriving Lothal, appearing just as it did in a Force vision Ezra had years earlier, reflecting peace throughout the troubled world. While Ahsoka concludes with Ezra's return from wild space, it does not delve into his reactions to the changes on Lothal. Given that Ahsoka is set after Return of the Jedi and Segura’s upcoming Star Wars comic also takes place during this period, there is a perfect opportunity for the comics to introduce Lothal and its significance in Star Wars lore.
Despite Lothal's importance since Star Wars: Rebels premiered in 2014, the planet has been sparsely featured in Star Wars comics. Over the past decade, Lothal has only been mentioned in various Star Wars: Rebels comics that appeared in international magazines not widely available in the United States. Segura’s upcoming series offers the ideal platform to bring Lothal into the mainstream Star Wars comic narrative, especially since Leia Organa is set to play a prominent role in the storyline.
Star Wars Announces New Series That Will Bridge Return of the Jedi and The Mandalorian
Marvel's "Star Wars" comics are making their long-awaited jump into the post-Return of the Jedi part of the timeline, filling in gaps in the franchise
Star Wars #1 is available May 7, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars Rebels
- Network
- Disney Channel
- Showrunner
- Dave Filoni, Simon Kinberg
- Directors
- Dave Filoni
- Writers
- Dave Filoni, Greg Weisman
- Franchise(s)
- Star Wars
Cast
David Oyelowo
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Tiya Sircar
Set between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise, Star Wars Rebels is a canon animated series that follows a group of ragtag heroes who band together to face the Empire. In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a teenage outcast named Ezra Bridger is discovered to be force sensitive by a surviving Jedi known as Kanan Jarrus. Agreeing to join them and accept Jedi training, Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determined to destroy the empire covertly.
