The Star Wars universe is full of a varied cast of characters - some of the most iconic being droids. The 2023 Marvel Comics series Star Wars: Dark Droids by Charles Soule and Luke Ross addressed what happens when droids go rogue. However, there is already a lovable rogue droid who deserves his own comic story: Chopper.
Coming in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, the droids are the backbone of society in Star Wars lore. They act as mechanics, caretakers, soldiers, and everything in between. Star Wars: Rebels introduced audiences to Hera’s trusty and rusty astromech sidekick, C1-10P, affectionately named Chopper.
Chopper is loyal to Hera and tolerates the rest of the Ghost crew, but is known for his unexpected actions that may or may not classify him as a war criminal. A solo comic series following Chopper’s chaotic antics would certainly be action-packed, as Chopper is canonically one of the most - if not the most - deadly Star Wars characters, and there's plenty of precedence for comic series starring droids.
Star Wars: Dark Droids Sets a Precedent for Tales of Rogue and Deadly Droids
Star Wars: Dark Droids #1 by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, Alex Sinclair, and Travis Lanham
Chopper debuted in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels in 2014 and appeared in some Rebels comics that were sporadically published in magazines or not readily available in the United States. Years later, a five-issue series brought rogue droids to the forefront of Star Wars comics. Star Wars: Dark Droids takes place in the time period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. During this era, the outcome of the Galactic Civil War was uncertain, putting the Rebel Alliance in a precarious position.
Marvel's Star Wars line of comics is firmly set within continuity. For a new story starring Luke, Leia, and Han Solo set immediately after the original trilogy, be sure to check out the upcoming Star Wars series by Alex Segura and Phil Noto, which is available May 7th, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
In the midst of an all-out war, a new threat emerges that threatens both the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. A being known as the Scourge, who is comparable to a modern day disastrous computer virus, spreads through all of droid-kind, causing the trusty robots to turn on their owners, companions, and partners in battle. As droids are essential to the function of society as a whole, the Scourge’s attack wreaks havoc and causes irrevocable damage. With the typical programming erased, the droids’ “cyber virus” makes them uncontrollable and dangerous.
Chopper Was a Rogue Droid Long Before the Events of Star Wars: Dark Droids
Chopper’s Behavior Is of His Own Volition
Chopper is a C1 series astromech that served in the Clone Wars as a Y-wing navigator. At the time of the Clone Wars, Chopper was already outdated, but still perfectly functional. After his Y-wing was shot down on the planet Ryloth, Chopper was pulled from the wreckage by a young Hera Syndulla. Hera fixed Chopper up as best she could, but as Chopper was an antiquated droid, his mechanical parts were difficult to change, and his programming was essentially defunct. Without being able to receive proper maintenance due to his old age, Chopper developed an independent and crotchety attitude.
Chopper’s advanced age alone lends itself to the possibility for a comic to fill in so much history.
Chopper obeyed Hera out of love and respect, and he followed her as she began her own adventures as a rebel. As Hera’s found family of rebels grew with Kanan, Sabine, Zeb, and Ezra, Chopper frequently caused mischief and enjoyed setting up scenarios pitting everyone against each other - particularly Zeb and Ezra. Chopper’s unpredictable actions sometimes led to violent confrontations among enemies, where Chopper would kill and maim while whizzing excitedly. Chopper’s rouge nature puts his kill count at over 4,000 over the course of Rebels, making him one of the most dangerous creatures the Star Wars universe.
A Chopper Solo Series Would Surely Be Filled with Adventure and Danger
Chopper Has Many Tales to Tell
Chopper’s advanced age alone lends itself to the possibility for a comic to fill in so much history. Absolutely nothing is known about Chopper’s life during the Clone Wars, except for the way it ended for him on Ryloth. A solo comic series exploring Chopper and his relationship with his assigned pilot during the Clone Wars would be an interesting story, as Chopper’s personality is an acquired taste. One has to wonder if he worked well with his pilot or if Chopper was too much to handle even then, especially considering he was already outdated during the Clone Wars.
The fact that audiences only know Chopper in his old age with lack of regular maintenance also leaves the door open for a solo comic series showing what Chopper was like in his prime or right after he was commissioned. In Star Wars: Rebels, Chopper also encounters and works side-by-side with Star Wars’ most famous droids, R2D2 and C3PO. A comic series expanding more on quests featuring the three droids working together could easily fit in during the Rebellion era, as Hera frequently came in contact with R2D2 and C3PO’s master and Resistance leader, Bail Organa.
Hera Syndulla is a fearless Rebel and arguably the best pilot in the Star Wars galaxy; a comic series could fill fans in on Hera's history.
A solo comic series could hone in on Chopper’s unpredictability during "side quests," or even in the time period between the finale of Rebels and when he is seen again in Ahsoka. During that time, Chopper was with Hera as she raised her and Kanan’s son, Jacen.In Ahsoka, there is a distinct air of a babysitter-child relationship between Jacen and Chopper. A Star Wars comic series about Chopper dealing with a child - especially Hera and Kanan’s - would certainly be full of hilarity and chaos.
Star Wars: Dark Droids is available now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
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