As announced by Dark Horse Comics, Randy Stradley, Vice-President of Publishing, has retired effective 26th February 2021. As its Star Wars Senior Editor from 2002 to 2014, Randy was highly influential on the former Expanded Universe (now Star Wars Legends) after Dark Horse Comics obtained the Star Wars comics license in 1991.
However, Randy's first official contribution to the Star Wars universe was back in 1984 for Marvel when he penned the story, The Alderaan Factor, for issue #84 of Marvel's original Star Wars line. One year later and Randy was approached by Mike Richardson, an Oregon comic store owner and friend, who looked to start his own comic book publishing company. Thus Dark Horse Comics was born and in December 1991 the company published their first Star Wars licensed title, Dark Empire issue 1.
Over the next two and-a-half decades Randy continued to contribute to the Expanded Universe. He penned stories including the Crimson Empire trilogy (co-writing with Richardson), published 1997-1999 & 2011-2012; Jedi Council: Acts of War in 2000 (an Episode I prequel story). But it was as his secret pseudonyms Welles Hartley and Mick Harrison (a secret kept for seven years) that Randy created the fan favourite characters of Jedi Das Jennir (Dark Times) and Imperial Lieutenant Janek Sunber (To the Last Man & The Wrong Side of the War).
Many fans will be thankful to Randy not just for his stories but also for the openness and connectivity he had with them while he was Star Wars editor. Randy regularly contributed to discussions on Dark Horse Comics's own forums liking to correct and "set the record straight" of fans' errors and misconceptions regarding interpretations of stories and Star Wars "facts".
Following the change of the Star Wars comics license back to Marvel in 2015, Randy was promoted to the position of VP of Publishing at Dark Horse where it continues to publish its own original titles as well as other licensed products.
After 35 years at Dark Horse, Randy says:

“I believe I’ve done just about all that I can. It has been a great ride, and I want to think Mike Richardson for the tremendous opportunities he’s afforded me. It’s with mixed emotions that I step down, but I know that Dark Horse will continue on to new heights, and that the company is in good hands.”

We would like to wish Randy a happy retirement.

This story occurs approximately 4 years after Episode IV: A New Hope:
News of the New Republic’s victory still reverberates through the galaxy. In its wake, the capital ships of the newly legitimized galactic government journey to the farthest stars, seeking out and crushing the remnants of imperial tyranny. But some old ghosts are harder to banish than others. And none are more dangerous than Shadow Wing.
Yrica Quell’s ragtag Alphabet Squadron still leads the search for Shadow Wing, but they’re no closer to their goal—and the pressure to find their quarry before it’s too late has begun to shake them apart. Determined to finish the fight once and for all, Quell works with New Republic Intelligence’s contentious Caern Adan and the legendary General Hera Syndulla to prepare the riskiest gambit of her starfighting career—a trap for Shadow Wing that could finish the chase once and for all.
But in the darkness, their enemy has evolved. Soran Keize, last of the Imperial aces, has stepped into the power vacuum at the head of Shadow Wing, reinvigorating the faltering unit in their hour of need. Once adrift in the aftershocks of the war, Keize has found meaning again, leading the lost soldiers of his unit through to safety. The only thing standing in his way? The most mismatched squadron in the New Republic Navy, led by his former mentee: the traitor Yrica Quell.

This story occurs approximately 200 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace:
Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier-and he couldn't be less happy about it. He'd rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives. But when the ship he's traveling on is knocked out of hyperspace in a galactic-wide disaster, Reath finds himself at the center of the action. The Jedi and their traveling companions find refuge on what appears to be an abandoned space station. But then strange things start happening, leading the Jedi to investigate the truth behind the mysterious station, a truth that could end in tragedy...

This story occurs approximately 200 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace:
Vernestra Rwoh is a new Jedi Knight at age sixteen, but her first real assignment feels an awful lot like babysitting. She's been charged with supervising twelve-year old aspiring inventor Avon Starros on a cruiser headed to the dedication of a wondrous new space station called Starlight Beacon.
But soon into their journey, bombs go off aboard the cruiser. While the adult Jedi try to save the ship, Vernestra, Avon, Avon's droid J-6, a Jedi Padawan, and an ambassador's son make it to an escape shuttle, but communications are out and supplies are low. They decide to land on a nearby moon, which offers shelter but not much more. And unbeknownst to them, danger lurks in the forest...more

StarWars.com has posted the next video in a series that introduces us to the the characters of The High Republic through a series of short animations. The latest character to be featured is Trandoshan Jedi Master Sskeer who features in Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi novel, and children's books A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland and The Great Jedi Rescue by Cavan Scott:

“A Jedi Master of the High Republic, Sskeer is a gruff, opinionated Trandoshan who has been around the block more times than he cares to remember. Sskeer is loyal, but brutally honest, and you can always be sure he will tell you exactly what’s on his mind…or so his fellow Jedi think; he hides a devastating secret that is tearing him apart.” - Star Wars Databank

Watch the video here.

As announced on StarWars.com Marvel will publish a new mini-series featuring Boba Fett titled War of the Bounty Hunters and penned by Star Wars comics stalwart Charles Soule. Set after the events of The Empire Strikes Back, War of the Bounty Hunters will reveal what Fett experienced on his journey to deliver Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt.

“The mini-series is planned to run from May through October, beginning with with War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha #1 from Soule and artist Steve McNiven on May 5, but will then spin out into Marvel’s entire post-The Empire Strikes Back line, including Star Wars, Bounty Hunters, Darth Vader, and Doctor Aphra.
The five-issue War of the Bounty Hunters mini-series from Soule and Luke Ross, which will anchor the story, begins in June.”

Read the full announcement plus a preview of War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha #1 here.

StarWars.com has posted the next video in a series that introduces us to the the characters of The High Republic through a series of short animations. The latest video features one of the villians of The High Republic: the Drengir:

“Chock full of tentacles, teeth, and thorns, the Drengir are horrific, sentient plant-like creatures that have once again been released upon the galaxy. Carnivorous, amorphous, and unsettling, the Drengir aim to reap a terrible harvest across the galactic frontier.” - Star Wars Databank

Watch the video here.

This story occurs approximately 3 years after Episode IV: A New Hope:
• After passing the test of The Eye of Webbish Bogg, Vader has learned the route to the hidden location of the Emperor's greatest secrets!
• But in The Red Nebula along the way, can Vader survive the onslaught of the greatest predator in the galaxy? Especially if the monster’s most brutal attack transcends the physical?

Celebrate 200 issues of Star Wars Insider!
Features: 200 Reasons We All Love Star Wars; interview with Ian McDiarmid; Anthony Daniels pens a special Wonder Column; remembering Carrie Fisher with those who have voiced Leia in Star Wars animated adventures; find out more about Star Wars: The High Republic with author Charles Soule.
Plus second part of exclusive The High Republic short fiction story by Charles Soule.

This story occurs approximately 200 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace:
• The Nihil strike! A ship found adrift in space, the crew brutally slaughtered and cargo stolen.
• What terror awaits the the Jedi of Starlight Beacon as they explore the wreck?
• Newly knighted Keeve Trennis must overcome her insecurity in the face of new teammates, but can she trust her closest ally?

This story occurs approximately 3 years after Episode IV: A New Hope:
• The mission to reunite the Rebel Fleet is countered by a deadly trap sprung by the cunning Commander Zahra!
• How will Wedge, Shara and the other elite pilots of Starlight Squadron survive?
• And then there’s Lando... forced to choose between the Rebellion and one of his oldest friends!

A team of inexperienced Padawans race to Trymant IV to aid its citizens after an attack by the Nihil, a band of dangerous marauders, leaves the city on fire. Padawans Lula, Farzal, and Qort do their best to help as many people as they can. Meanwhile, Zeen and Kriz, part of a group that resents and fears the Jedi, must decide whether they can accept their help or try to save the day on their own.

Join the Wookiees of Kashyyyk for part one of a special Life Day celebration! Then, follow Kylo Ren as he learns what it means to be the Supreme Leader of the First Order.

StarWars.com has posted the next video in a series that introduces us to the the characters of The High Republic through a series of short animations. The fourth character to be featured is Jedi Padawan Bell Zettifar who features in Charles Soule's Light of the Jedi novel:

“Bell Zettifar is a Padawan apprenticed to the legendary Loden Greatstorm. Deep in the Outer Rim, Bell and his Master are stationed at a Jedi Outpost on the oreworld of Elphrona. Though conditions are harsh, Bell is guided by the light and determined to keep the peace, and while he spends most of his time training, the Jedi Knight-to-be finds enjoyment wandering the iron hills of the planet with his faithful charhound named Ember.” - Star Wars Databank

Watch the video here.

This story occurs approximately 200 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace:
Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier-and he couldn't be less happy about it. He'd rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives. But when the ship he's traveling on is knocked out of hyperspace in a galactic-wide disaster, Reath finds himself at the center of the action. The Jedi and their traveling companions find refuge on what appears to be an abandoned space station. But then strange things start happening, leading the Jedi to investigate the truth behind the mysterious station, a truth that could end in tragedy...