Jar Jar Binks Comic Finally Gives the Gungan a Heroic Role in the Star Wars Saga

For years, Star Wars fans have joked, debated, and speculated about the fate of Jar Jar Binks – the clumsy Gungan who went from comic relief to one of the saga’s most controversial figures. Now, more than two decades after his debut in The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm is finally giving him a chance at redemption.

A new one-shot comic titled Star Wars: Jar Jar Binks promises to explore the character’s life after the fall of the Republic, teasing a surprising twist: Jar Jar may have played a key part in the early sparks of the Rebel Alliance.

The comic, due out in February 2026, is being co-written by none other than Ahmed Best – the actor behind Jar Jar himself – alongside seasoned writer Marc Guggenheim. In an unexpected creative reunion, the story will also feature Kelleran Beq, the Jedi Master Best portrayed in The Mandalorian. A variant cover already hints that the two characters will share page space, setting up a mix of nostalgia, redemption, and fresh canon-building. The official synopsis reads: “Jar Jar faces the consequences of granting emergency powers to Chancellor Palpatine. What pivotal role does he play in the formation of the Rebel Alliance? Guest starring Jedi Knight Kelleran Beq!”

For many longtime fans, Jar Jar Binks was once the symbol of everything wrong with the prequel trilogy – over-the-top humor, clumsy CGI, and tonal imbalance. But time has softened that image. Younger fans who grew up with the prequels have since come to defend him, while the internet has transformed Jar Jar into a meme legend. The infamous ‘Darth Jar Jar’ theory – suggesting he was secretly a Sith Lord – has fueled countless fan debates and even inspired his inclusion in Fortnite. What was once ridicule has evolved into affectionate irony and, increasingly, genuine curiosity.

In Star Wars canon, Jar Jar’s later years were only vaguely mentioned. In the novel Aftermath: Empire’s End, a nameless Gungan street performer on Naboo is implied to be Jar Jar – adored by children, pitied by adults, and burdened by guilt over his political mistakes. The comic seems poised to bridge this gap, offering a chance to explore how this broken entertainer might have quietly helped ignite the rebellion against the Empire he inadvertently helped empower.

Best’s return as Kelleran Beq already reignited fan enthusiasm after his heroic rescue of Grogu during Order 66 in The Mandalorian. Now, his co-authorship of this new comic adds a personal and emotional dimension to Jar Jar’s story. For the first time, the actor who once bore the brunt of fan backlash gets to redefine his character’s legacy – not as a punchline, but as a key player in Star Wars history. Whether this redemption arc will fully win over the fandom remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Jar Jar Binks is no longer the galaxy’s most misunderstood Gungan – he’s part of its rebellion.