<P> Charles Lippincott , Lucasfilm 's publicity supervisor , initially approached publisher Stan Lee at Marvel Comics in 1975 about publishing a Star Wars comic book prior to the film 's release as a means to appeal to its most likely audience . Lee initially declined to consider such a proposal until the film was completed , and was only persuaded otherwise in a second meeting arranged by Roy Thomas , who wanted to edit the series . Since movie tie - in comics rarely sold well at that time , Lee negotiated a publishing arrangement which gave no royalties to Lucasfilm until sales exceeded 100,000 . At that point , legal arrangements could be revisited . Issue # 1 of Star Wars was released for sale on April 12 , 1977 , and Marvel published the series from 1977 to 1986 , lasting 107 issues and three annuals . According to former Marvel Editor - In - Chief Jim Shooter , the strong sales of Star Wars comics saved Marvel financially in 1977 and 1978 . Marvel 's Star Wars series was one of the industry 's top selling titles in 1979 and 1980 . The only downside for Marvel was that the 100,000 copy sales quota was surpassed quickly , allowing Lippincott to renegotiate the royalty arrangements from a position of strength . </P>
<P> Charles Lippincott , Lucasfilm 's publicity supervisor , initially approached publisher Stan Lee at Marvel Comics in 1975 about publishing a Star Wars comic book prior to the film 's release as a means to appeal to its most likely audience . Lee initially declined to consider such a proposal until the film was completed , and was only persuaded otherwise in a second meeting arranged by Roy Thomas , who wanted to edit the series . Since movie tie - in comics rarely sold well at that time , Lee negotiated a publishing arrangement which gave no royalties to Lucasfilm until sales exceeded 100,000 . At that point , legal arrangements could be revisited . Issue # 1 of Star Wars was released for sale on April 12 , 1977 , and Marvel published the series from 1977 to 1986 , lasting 107 issues and three annuals . According to former Marvel Editor - In - Chief Jim Shooter , the strong sales of Star Wars comics saved Marvel financially in 1977 and 1978 . Marvel 's Star Wars series was one of the industry 's top selling titles in 1979 and 1980 . The only downside for Marvel was that the 100,000 copy sales quota was surpassed quickly , allowing Lippincott to renegotiate the royalty arrangements from a position of strength . </P>
when was the first star wars comic released
when was the first star wars comic released
April 12 , 1977
April 12 , 1977