The Story of 'Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker' Begins with 'Allegiance'

It's two months until "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," but you don't have to wait until opening weekend to find out what's next after "The Last Jedi" - you can find out now in Marvel's "Journey To Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance."

Set in the one-year gap between the two movies in the Star Wars timeline, it picks up from General Organa and her crew's initial escape from Crait to the opening scene of "The Rise of Skywalker." No, no spoilers here for you to worry about - but new insight can be gained about Poe, Rey, Rose, Chewbacca, Finn, BB-8, C-3PO, and more.

With the first issue on stands and three more to come out this month at a weekly clip, Newsarama spoke with series writer Ethan Sacks about where this story is going - and what other pieces of the Star Wars mythos it'll bring to play, such as characters from Disney's Galaxy's Edge.

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Newsarama: Ethan, How does "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance" fit between "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?"

Ethan Sacks: There is a significant period of time between Episode VIII and Episode IX, and Journey to "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance" is a major puzzle piece that fills in those blanks.

Nrama: Roughly one year, which is huge compared to the gap between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Sacks: When we last saw the Resistance, there were only enough survivors to fit on the Millennium Falcon. If they are to stand a chance against the First Order, they are going to need to recruit allies and get ships. And Kylo Ren, not the calmest of adversaries, is hounding them across the galaxy. This story documents the quest of General Organa and her followers to re-arm and re-inspire.

Nrama: Who would you say are the primary characters in this series?

Sacks: This series features an all-star lineup. There are two adventures happening simultaneously: Leia, Rey, Rose, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are off to Mon Cala, and Finn, Poe, and BB-8 are on their own clandestine mission.

Nrama: Let's talk about the Mon Cala avenue first; this deals with an attempt to get the Mon Calamari to join the Resistance. They were a big part of the Rebellion due to Imperial occupation of their planet. What is their situation like now?

Sacks: There’s a new generation that’s come of age in the shadow of the Imperial Occupation. They know the cost of sticking their necks out of the water. There’s a mentality among many that they should let someone else make the sacrifices this time around.

Nrama: What's their hesitance in fighting the First Order once more?

Sacks: There are those in the highest rings of power that not only are weary of sacrificing again, but also legitimately are skeptical that the Resistance can win.

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Nrama: Unfortunately we don't have Admiral Ackbar here for this series - but is his death noted here?

Sacks: His death is very much a major part of this series. He still is a major hero to his people. And there are many that resent Leia and the Resistance for the way he died.

Nrama: Ok. so tell us about Poe, Finn, and BB-8's "clandestine mission"?

Sacks: Let’s just say there’s a big bounty on their heads… and certain enterprising elements aim to collect.

Nrama: That's never gone well in Star Wars. Speaking of secrets, how do you go about writing a lead-in to a movie those plot is so secretive? Did they fill you in after some copious NDAs? How does that work?

Sacks: It’s a credit to the Jedi Counsel at Lucasfilm that they briefed us on what we needed to know, but as a fan, I’m thrilled that I don’t know much about the new movie. I want to sit in the theater with as fresh eyes as possible when that opening crawl hits the screen.

Nrama: Any surprise characters appearing in this that fans should know about?

Sacks: I would have answered something to the effect of, "then that would ruin the surprise," but then I saw that Will Sliney's variant cover hit the web. So, it’s now okay to say Kendoh and her gang from our "Galaxy's Edge" comic are among the antagonists in this series. There’s also a major new character debuting in this series who will be next seen on the big screen.

Nrama: So what is your big goal with "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance?"

Sacks: The greatest privilege of working on the Star Wars saga - be it movies, television, video games, books or comics - is that it’s all pieces of the same mosaic. There are real consequences in this series that reverberate into Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. We wanted to make a big story that makes the experience of wading into the Skywalker Saga feel even more complete. And I'd like to think we managed just that.

Originally published on Newsarama. 

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Originally published on Newsarama. 

• 'Star Wars and the Power of Costume' Exhibition: Gallery
• 'Star Wars'! 40 Surprising Facts from a Galaxy Far, Far Away
• Star Wars: History and Legacy on Space Exploration