In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Doctor Aphra comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Doctor Aphra. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).

You might as well read the whole first DARTH VADER series, as Doctor Aphra in introduced there, has a support role then a small backup role to the end...plus, Vader's story is great!

The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Doctor Aphra, if it's within your budget. Although her name was mentioned in issue #2, Aphra first appeared in DARTH VADER [2015] #3 along with her assassin droids, Triple-Zero and Bee-Tee.

• DARTH VADER [2015] #3  (1st appearances of Doctor Aphra, 0-0-0 (Triple Zero), BT-1 (Bee Tee))

Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Doctor Aphra comic books. Doctor Aphra was introduced in the pages of the DARTH VADER [2015] series. She appeared in the VADER DOWN crossover story arc and the REBEL JAIL story arc in the STAR WARS [2015] series before gaining her own self-titled series with associated annual.

• DARTH VADER [2015] #3-25   (1st and subsequent early appearances as support character; only a small backup part in the last couple story arcs)
• STAR WARS: VADER DOWN [2016] #1   (Part 1 of a crossover story arc)
• STAR WARS [2015] #13-14   (VADER DOWN crossover issues)
• STAR WARS [2015] #16-19   (REBEL JAIL story arc)
• STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA [2017] #1-40   (1st solo ongoing series)
• STAR WARS: THE SCREAMING CITADEL [2017] #1   (Part 1 of a crossover story arc)
• STAR WARS [2015] #31-32   (SCREAMING CITADEL crossover issues)
• STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA ANNUAL [2017] #1-3   
• STAR WARS: EMPIRE ASCENDANT [2020] #1   (ongoing series epilogue)
• STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA [2020] #1-   (2nd ongoing series)

A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Doctor Aphra, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags. The issues listed in this section are predominantly non-variants (i.e. main covers).

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• DARTH VADER [2015] #3   (1st appearances of Doctor Aphra, 0-0-0 (Triple Zero), BT-1 (Bee Tee))
• STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA [2017] #1   (1st issue of this series)