Marvel has announced via a press release that comic book stores will have the option to throw official launch parties with exclusive items to celebrate the release of the all-new "Star Wars" #1. The launch parties will take place at participating local comic shops when the debut issue arrives on January 14, 2015.

As stated in the release, every retailer that enlists will receive a "Star Wars" Party Kit from Marvel, containing exclusive promotional materials including exclusive variants, promotional buttons, cake toppers and more. The list provided in the release includes;

  • Star Wars #1 Invitational Postcards
  • Star Wars #1 Promotional Pins
  • Star Wars #1 Skottie Young Lithographs
  • Star Wars #1 John Tyler Christopher Sketch Party Variant

Retailers wishing to participate have until December 8 to opt-in and secure their promo items and exclusives. More information will be made available to comic shops via the Marvel Mailer.

"Star Wars" #1 marks the return of the franchise to Marvel Comics after almost twenty years; the publisher's last "Star Wars" comic was released in 1986. The new "Star Wars" title will be written by Jason Aaron and feature art by John Cassaday. In addition to the exclusive party variant, the issue will feature alternate covers by Alex Ross, Joe Quesada, Sara Pichelli, Bob McLeod and Skottie Young.

Official Press Release

Welcome Home Star Warsâ„¢ With Epic Launch Parties in January!

The Force is Strong With Your Local Comic Shops in 2015!

Marvel is kicking off 2015 with a bang big enough to destroy a Death Star as Star Wars makes its triumphant return to the House of Ideas and into comic shops on January 14th! That's right, your local comic shop is the place to be to get your hands on the blockbuster first issue of Star Wars! In addition to being among the first to purchase and read the landmarkSTAR WARS #1, fans will also be able to receive special items exclusive to these launch parties.

STAR WARS #1 is already poised to be one of the biggest launches of the year, and Marvel is making sure comic book stores worldwide are armed and ready for the landmark return of Star Wars to its home at Marvel. Each retailer opting into the STAR WARS #1 Launch Party will receive a Star Wars Party Kit from Marvel, containing exclusive promotional materials including exclusive variants, promotional buttons, cake toppers and more. Check your Marvel Mailer for more information on how to opt-in by 12/08 to ensure your store has these promo items and exclusives.

"Brand new Star Wars comics featuring some of the biggest names in comics deserve the red carpet treatment," says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. "We're committed to making sure our valued retail partners have everything they need to engage regular customers and new fans to check out what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest launches of the year."

All qualifying retailers will receive the following as part of the Star Wars #1 Launch Party:

Star Wars #1 Invitational Postcards

Star Wars #1 Promotional Pins

Star Wars #1 Skottie Young Lithographs

Star Wars #1 John Tyler Christopher Sketch Party Variant

This January, take your first step into a larger world as a galaxy far, far away returns to Marvel with STAR WARS #1 - on sale January 14th!

STAR WARS #1 (NOV140709)

STAR WARS WELCOME HOME PARTY OPT-IN (NOV140723)

Written by JASON AARON

Art & Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

Variant Covers by ALEX ROSS (NOV140716), JOE QUESADA (NOV140714),

SARA PICHELLI (NOV140718), BOB MCLEOD (NOV140712) and SKOTTIE YOUNG (NOV140719)

Party Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (NOV140720)

Movie Variant Also Available (NOV140713)

Connecting Variant A by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL (NOV140710)

Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (NOV140721)

FOC - 12/08/14, On-Sale - 01/14/14

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