Category: books and comics

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Brief blurb offers new hint at Knight Errant

I’m not sure how noteworthy this is to anyone who picked up the preview of the comic/novel at Celebration – and it’s much less detailed than what we saw at StarWars.com – but this new blurb does offer a new detail of John Jackson Miller’s Knight Errant novel.

A lone Jedi in Sith space dedicates her life to bringing down Sith rule, one act of sabotage at a time. A thousand years before Star Wars: A New Hope, the Republic is in a dark age and groups of Sith have taken over vast swaths of the galaxy. Hiding in one Sith hell-hole is Kerra Holt, a young Jedi working alone to destroy the Sith Masters. But what she doesn’t know is that she just might be the pawn of a powerful Sith Lord…

The Knight Errant comic book is due to start in October, with the novel coming in January.

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Heir to the Empire anniversary hardcover is coming

NJOE has discovered a listing for a special reissue of Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire coming out next year. This is unconfirmed of course, but LFL has been hinting that something special is coming for the 20th anniversary of the book that jump-started the modern Expanded Universe.

Sue Rostoni confirms:

Yes, there are plans for a 20th Anniversary Issue of HEIR TO THE EMPIRE, coming out next June. It’s a hardcover — and that’s all I can reveal at this time.

Let’s hope the details emerge soon – and that they’ll include better cover art.

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Why do books come out on Tuesdays? And comics on Wednesdays?

As witnessed on Twitter this evening, a lot of folks are only just now noticing that books (at least the ones with official street dates) always come out on Tuesdays. Here’s some speculation, thanks to @Blankitout. But regardless of the reasons, that’s just the way it is, unless you happen to be J.K. Rowling.

It’s not unknown for bookstores to put books out earlier, but it’s not encouraged by the industry or a something you can depend on happening. In the last couple years – since the Legacy of the Force series began – I have purchased books early… Twice. And by ‘early’ I mean more than one day. And one time I paid as much for quick shipping as I did for the paperback. It is really not worth the trouble.

Of course, not all books are street dated, as we’ve seen with most of the Star Wars stuff geared towards kids. But it’s pretty standard for hardcovers and genres/authors with big followings.

Comics are easier… Wednesday is the day that Diamond delivers to comic stores. (They’ll start delivering on Tuesdays next year, but the books will still be street-dated for Wednesdays.) For all intents and purposes they have a monopoly on the direct market (aka comic stores,) so I feel pretty secure in trusting their distribution list.

Note: This is all as regards domestic (U.S.) books and comics. I haven’t the slightest idea how things work elsewhere.

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Out this week: The Jedi Path and everything else

This is a big week for releases, which I guess is understandable seeing as all we’ve had for the rest of the month is a reprint. Hunker down, kids: I got a lot to go through.

The biggest item (literally) is Daniel Wallace’s The Jedi Path, the wildly anticipated “in-universe artifact” that will teach you to be a Jedi. Or so they claim. (I am skeptical. Of course, that’s my job.) It does have a neat case, though. Also out on Tuesday is Drew Karpyshyn’s Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil in paperback.

Also of interest is The Art of Drew Struzan, which TFN has graciously reviewed.

As for Wednesday Dark Horse (or their printers) are making up for lost time with Blood Ties: A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett #2 and Invasion: Rescues #4, while those who prefer TPBs can pick up The Force Unleashed II adaption and the second volume of the A Long Time Ago… omnibus.

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EUbits: Upcoming from DK and Dark Horse

Upcoming. StarWars.com has a look at some of DK’s 2011 offerings, including Secrets of the Jedi, which sounds like a kid’s version of The Jedi Path. Also up are the December 2010 comics, including Knight Errant #3 and Legacy: War #1.

Interviews. Nathan P. Butler and Andrew Lupi talk to Shannon McRandle.

Column. EUC’s column this week, about death in the EU, is… gigantic.

Fanmade. A custom Mara Jade Mighty Mugg.

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Out this week: The Sounds of Star Wars, probably

No comics, but you shouldn’t have to look too hard to find The Sounds of Star Wars, which I’ve been seeing in stores for few weeks now. (Your mileage may vary, but Amazon is shipping it.)

Also, if you’re looking forward to The Force Unleashed II (out October 5,) there’s an excerpt. (Also Dynasty of Evil, an odd choice seeing as it’s been out for a while, but there’s a paperback imminent and I suppose they’re trying something new..?)

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EUbits: Tenel Ka’s lightsaber, Riptide peek, Legacy cover, John Jackson Miller and more

Fanmade. Check out this version of Tenel Ka’s rancor tooth lightsaber by Heather (@hexterah) who dressed up as the character at DragonCon.)

Riptide. Paul S. Kemp broke out another brief excerpt from his Crosscurrent sequel on Friday.

Comics. Dark Horse has revealed the cover to Legacy: War #2; Writer John Jackson Miller talks Knight Errant at The Sci-Fi Block.

Further reading. EU Cantina has a new column by Chris (@VileZero) and so far he’s addressed the Darth Plagueis novel and upcoming comics as well as some gaming/Clone Wars stuff. Check it out.

Street date shuffle. It was a slow news week, so Random House moving Denning’s Fate of the Jedi: Vortex up a week got a lot of ink. Still months away, but I did update our book schedule.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@clubjade) for updates and discussion.