TASCHEN’s Star Wars Comics Library: Worth the Price?

TASCHEN’s Star Wars Comics Library. Vol. 1: 1977-1979 is exactly the kind of book that sparks passionate debate among collectors. On one hand, fans are blown away by the production quality. On the other hand, many are struggling with the reality of its hefty price tag and enormous physical size. Then again, TASCHEN has never been in the business of doing things small. The publisher has built its reputation on creating oversized, museum-quality books, and that level of craftsmanship inevitably comes at a premium.

The 680-page hardcover collects the first 23 issues of Marvel’s original Star Wars comic series, including the classic adaptation of the 1977 film. When Star Wars exploded into a worldwide phenomenon, fans wanted more adventures featuring Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Darth Vader. At the time, Marvel’s comic series was one of the few places where readers could continue exploring that galaxy far, far away. The title quickly became a bestseller and remains an important piece of Star Wars history.

Still, the biggest point of discussion isn’t the content. It’s the cost. With a retail price of $200 USD ($275 CAD), many casual readers see it as a luxury purchase rather than an everyday reading copy. Some collectors point out that standard Marvel Omnibus editions often contain twice as many issues for considerably less money, making TASCHEN’s offering feel more like a coffee-table art object than a value-priced collection.

Then there’s the question of size. Does size really matter?

Apparently, yes.

Standing nearly 40 centimetres tall and weighing approximately nine pounds, the book has become almost as famous for its dimensions as its contents. Many collectors joke that it barely fits on a standard bookshelf. Others embrace the oversized format, arguing that the larger pages allow readers to appreciate details that would be lost in smaller reproductions.

My own introduction to TASCHEN came through 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, a book that immediately demonstrated what the publisher does best. While many people associate TASCHEN with art, photography, and design books, the company’s connection to comics goes all the way back to its origins. Founder Benedikt Taschen opened a comic book store in Cologne, Germany, in 1980 to sell his personal collection. Decades later, that passion evolved into some of the most ambitious comic book publishing projects ever attempted.

TASCHEN’s modern comic publishing era truly began in 2010 with the release of 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking. Written by former DC publisher Paul Levitz, the Eisner Award-winning volume remains one of the definitive histories of the company. At more than 700 pages and weighing a staggering 16 pounds, it even included a built-in carrying handle.

Since then, TASCHEN has developed two distinct comic publishing tracks: lavish historical retrospectives and oversized archival comic reprints.

Among the most celebrated is the Marvel Comics Library series, a flagship collaboration that launched in late 2021 with Spider-Man Vol. 1 (1962-1964). Rather than relying on digital restorations, these books reproduce early Silver Age comics from pristine collector copies, preserving the look and feel of the original newsprint editions. Subsequent volumes featuring the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men have become highly sought-after collector pieces.

Another standout is The History of EC Comics, released in 2020. This enormous volume chronicles the rise and controversial downfall of the legendary publisher behind Tales from the Crypt and Weird Science, featuring rare photographs, original artwork, and complete stories.

Collectors of underground comix have gravitated toward TASCHEN’s R. Crumb Sketchbooks series, which offers an intimate look at the raw sketches and creative process of one of the medium’s most influential artists.

More recently, the publisher has expanded its Disney Comics Library, creating premium showcases for legendary creators such as Carl Barks and his definitive Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge stories.

Viewed in that context, Star Wars Comics Library. Vol. 1 feels less like a comic collection and more like a continuation of TASCHEN’s long-standing mission: transforming beloved pop culture artifacts into oversized historical treasures. Whether that experience is worth the premium price will depend entirely on the collector. For some, it’s an extravagance. For others, it’s the closest thing to owning a museum exhibit devoted to the early days of Marvel’s Star Wars comics.

Street date: October 3, 2026.