As expected, it’s a slow week for Star Wars releases. Comic-reading Clone Wars fans can look forward to something on Wednesday with the release of a new Clone Wars digest, The Sith Hunters.
The merchandise selection for the show store is out, and there’s plenty of great stuff to chose from. We already knew about the Expanded Universe maquettes, above. (There’s a zombie stormtrooper one as well.) As for the rest, I’m guessing the Jar Jar whoopie cushion and retro-style bag will be big sellers… See them, and a few of my other picks, below.
And yes, there’s a ton more at the link – StarWars.com has a handful of high res pics – and the Han and Leia couple shirts are back as well.
Not a lot of love for the catsuit round these parts this week. On Tumblr, Molly approached the outfit from a costumer’s perspective, and Ellen Hyde pointed out that it and the Jabba’s dancer outfit are the only Mara costumes recognized by the 501st – while you can get into the Rebel Legion with the green Visions of the Future getup, it’s not that many options. I realize the costuming organizations have to draw the line somewhere, but maybe the 501st will OK the Choices of One version one day?
But I do have a treat for you! Del Rey editor Erich Schoeneweiss has generously shared with us a piece of Mara artwork from Pablo Hidalgo’s Essential Reader’s Companion, which is due out October 2. It’s by Darren Tan and shows Mara’s first encounter with the Yuuzhan Vong in Vector Prime – and no, she’s not in the catsuit. Check it out under the cut.
Every Star Wars character has an iconic outfit or two. (Or twenty. Hey, Padme.) Obi-Wan has his Jedi robes, Han Solo has his bloodstripe pants and vest, Boba Fett has his armor. Hell, even Chewbacca has his bandolier.
When it comes to Expanded Universe characters – at least those that derive from books, as opposed to more visual mediums like games or comics – things get a little trickier. Authors generally don’t go for detailed descriptions of clothing, so it’s usually pretty up in the air… At least until someone gets on a book cover, or makes an appearance in a comic book. Which is how Mara Jade got the black leather catsuit that has become – like it or not – her trademark.
Which leads me to hypothesize that ‘The Kessel Run’ is really just the GFFA version of Iron Chef. Or something. Also: A bit of EU, a bit of Star Wars life, and some (more) Hobbit snark.
We linked several of the early reviews on Friday, but the weekend brought one more by Big Shiny Robot’s Bryan Young. “The book kept my heart pounding and a smile on my face, which is the best I could ask for from a Star Wars book,” he writes… So far, so good!
Accessibility and the EU is something I’ve been meaning to write on. Of course, I don’t really agree with Pete. Despite the vast amounts of clunky exposition stuffed into every book, I would never recommend a brand new reader to jump on with anything in the New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force, or Fate of the Jedi. The recent series are all too big and bloated, and I think are just as likely – if not more – to turn people off.
On that note, a self-contained book like Shatterpoint, which doesn’t need much more background than the movies themselves… Well, why not? Granted, Shatterpoint wouldn’t be my first recommendation, as I haven’t read it, but it is Stover, one of the finer writers in the stable. You could do a lot worse. (Eric’s post is part of a whole series – the only one I wouldn’t shrug and say ‘sure’ at are the Imperial Commando books, because that way lies abject disappointment, and we have the comments to prove it.)
Of course, I’m also the person who once started a comic series by picking up the issue where the title character dies. (You don’t even want to know how I’m catching up on Doctor Who.) I suppose it all depends.
Chats. Star Wars Books on Facebook has two chats coming up. First, this Wednesday, John Jackson Miller talks Lost Tribe of the Sith. Next Wednesday, on August 14th, Leland Chee will chat about – you guessed it – continuity. Tom Taylor and Dark Horse had a Twitter chat last week – Roqoo Depot has the recap.
Comics. Jedi News has the cover for the next arc of Dawn of the Jedi, ‘Prisoner of Bogan.’
…I’m guessing yes. Ashley Eckstein writes on this Celebration sneak peek: “This strong female character with Red hair, may have her own awesome shirt.” And who else goes sleeveless with a beige cape?
This is an Instagram photo with a filter, so don’t be too quick to judge on coloring… Though I’m afraid the jumpsuit was inevitable.
Ashley said in February that Her Universe was working with artist Cat Staggs on a Mara shirt for Celebration.
Meanwhile, there are several early non-spoiler reviews already up. Knights Archive’s Bry Dean says “Aaron Allston built a great new adventure like only he can do, utilizing known characters in a way that was familiar, yet fresh.”
Peter Morrison at Lightsaber Rattling “particularly enjoyed” the book. He goes into a lot more detail on both new and returning members the X-Wing cast (though he doesn’t spoil the plot!) saying that “the characters are allowed to shine.”
Star Wars Report’s Aaron Goins is completely new to the X-Wing books. He does caution that you may want to read the old stuff, but praises Allston’s characters… Though he did find the humor a bit much at times. Still, he says “I was not expecting to like this book nearly as much as I did. It was the characters and storytelling that won me over. ”
“Besides . . .” Myri suddenly sounded cheerful. “Did you hear what Trey said? You’re going to Si’klaata Cluster. That’s Hutt space. I can stay here, wallow in the mud, and eat worms all day, and I’ll still be in a cleaner, nicer place than you two will.”
Mercy Kill, a hardcover, will be out next Tuesday.
As expected, it’s a slow week for Star Wars releases. Comic-reading Clone Wars fans can look forward to something on Wednesday with the release of a new Clone Wars digest, The Sith Hunters.
Not a lot of love for 
Tomorrow is the day… Aaron Allston’s 
Where to start? Probably not here. 9.9 times out of 10 I will tell you Heir to the Empire and the Thrawn trilogy, but you probably knew that.
With the release date less than a week away, the