Early this year, Dark Horse was given a unique publishing opportunity -- to publish the Japanese comics adaptations of George Lucas' sci-fi epic Star Wars trilogy for English-speaking audiences. It could have been a risky endeavor, considering Star Wars and manga don't necessarily share an audience, but it proved a risk worth taking, as Star Wars: A New Hope -- Manga outsold everyone's expectations and became one of the most popular series of the summer. Now Dark Horse confidently continues the course set by the first series by introducing The Empire Strikes Back -- Manga to an eager fan base.

In the aftermath of Luke Skywalker's glorious victory and the destruction of the Death Star, Lord Vader is determined to find -- and kill -- the brash young warrior who lead the Rebel assault on his prized battle station, and the Empire prepares to unleash its formidable fury on the renegades who destroyed it. Now more than ever, the Rebels must band together if they hope to beat the evil Empire. Manga artist Toshiki Kudo takes us through this intense battle every step of the way with his artful renderings and exquisite attention to George Lucas' original vision of the Star Wars universe!

"The Empire Strikes Back -- Manga is just as incredible as Star Wars: A New Hope -- Manga. Artist Toshiki Kudo has done a spectacular job on this book," exclaimed editor Dave Land. " From the battle on the ice planet Hoth to Luke Skywalker's lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, the attention to detail is truly remarkable. Both manga fans and Star Wars fans are sure to be pleased."

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back -- Manga is a four-issue series of trade paperbacks, retelling the second installment of the world's most popular science fiction fable, available for $9.95 starting January 27. The first issue features 96 pages of Toshiki Kudo's brilliant art and follows the original screenplay for the blockbuster film.