Cover for Star Wars #1 (July 1977). Art by Howard Chaykin and Tom Palmer.

Just before the movie was released, Marvel Comics released a comic book, also in 1977.

The most valuable of the comic books is the $.35 test issue. There were also some pre-opening articles in movie magazines and a 2-page article in Time naming Star Wars the best movie of the year.

This was the beginning of a very highly profitable tsunami of licensed products, in which book releases were buried. Lucas licensed vast numbers of action figures, ceramics, clothing accessories, coins, more comics, toys, die cast models, dolls, electronic games and toys, food collectibles, games and puzzles, bathroom items including soaps, personal grooming tools and bubble baths, lip balm, towels, bedding, sleeping bags, nightlights, cake decorating kits, paper tissues, straws, cork boards, drapery bookcases, rugs, party supplies, masks and costumes, make-up kits, micro figures and vehicles, micromachines, model kits, lego systems, bookmarks, bookplates, calendars, greeting cards, magazines, posters, postcards, portfolios and blueprints, radio adaptations, film frames, photographs, role play toys, school supplies, lunch boxes, 3-D magnets, porcelain busts, trading cards, and wall art. It would be an interesting exercise to imagine the same vast quantity of products related to some other works, like the Codex Seraphinianus.