Admiral Daala brings up the rear on Backlash

Relax.StarWars.com has revealed the back cover of Fate of the Jedi: Backlash, featuring an extremely flattering image of the sixtysomething Admiral Daala. Sue says: “She’s now sporting an artificial eye — her left one. She has been taking excellent care of herself over the years.” Or, this is just a cover, can we please stop overthinking it?

Oh, and there’s a blurb:

Repercussions from the dark side’s fatal seduction of Jacen Solo and the mysterious plague of madness afflicting young Jedi continue to wreak havoc galaxy-wide. Having narrowly escaped the deranged Force worshippers known as the Mind Walkers, and a deadly Sith hit squad, Luke and Ben Skywalker are in pursuit of the now Masterless Sith apprentice Vestara Khai. It is a chase that leads to the forbidding planet Dathomir, where an enclave of powerful dark-side Force-wielders will give Vestara the edge she needs to escape — and where the Skywalkers will be forced into combat for their quarry and their lives.

Meanwhile, Han and Leia Solo are on their own desperate mission, shuttling madness-stricken Jedi from Coruscant to safe haven in the Transitory Mists — and beyond the grasp of Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala. But the bold maneuver only intensifies Daala’s fury, and she is determined to shatter Jedi Order resistance once and for all.

Yet, no greater threat exists than that which still waits in the depths of the distant Maw Cluster: A being of pure, ravenous dark-side energy named Abeloth calls out across the stars to Jedi and Sith alike. For some, it may be the ultimate source of answers crucial to their survival. For others, it could be the ultimate weapon of conquest. But for all, it is a game-changing — and life-altering — encounter of untold magnitude, and a tactical gambit with unimaginable consequences.

Backlash is the fourth Fate of the Jedi novel and the second by Aaron Allston. It’s due out in March.

A Fate of the Jedi clarification: Premium paperbacks are not trade paperbacks

UPDATE 11/11: Sue Rostoni says that Del Rey is dropping the plan to print the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks as premiums. They will be regular mass markets.

Comparing trade, premium, and mass market paperbacks

Comparing trade, premium, and mass market paperbacksWhen we first heard that the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks were coming out in the (newish) premium paperback format, a lot of people seemed to think that meant trade paperbacks; Not so. Above and to the right, photos I took last week comparing the trade, premium, and standard mass market formats. They were originally stuck in the comments of the original post; However, I’m still seeing questions about this out and around, so perhaps some top-leveling is in order.

The Fate of the Jedi paperbacks will be in the same ‘premium’ format as the Stephen King book shown here. The Clone Wars: Wild Space is a trade paperback, while Dark Force Rising is a mass market.

Meanwhile, Sue Rostoni confirmed today that only the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks will be in the new format for the foreseeable future:

re: Premium Paperbacks — I found out that only the Fate of the Jedi reprints will come out in the premium size. For now, anyway…..

So, if you truly object? Vote with your wallet and utilize your local library. She goes on to say:

The pages are a little bigger, enhancing readability, and the paper quality is better.

Better paper? That might soften the blow for some… Though I still think you people freaking out about your bookcase symmetry are a little weird. (Sorry.)

It’s worth noting larger softcovers – like any of the Essential Guides – are also called ‘trade paperbacks.’ Why they play fast and loose with that term and not ‘mass market’ is beyond me.

Meet the names of Crosscurrent

There are several bits of EU news toady, but first up tonight, Paul S. Kemp reveals the dramatis personae for Crosscurrent. Sith, Jedi, assassins… But no women. Sigh. (Though let’s point out right here any now that the presence of a major female character does not necessarily have to mean romantic subplot… At least not in the EU. Though, considering our history here at CJ, uh…)

Anyway, you tell me:

[poll id=”63″]

Knights of the Old Republic to end with #50

KOTOR #31John Jackson Miller writes about wrapping up the comic series on his blog:

We’ve been working toward the series’ climax for some time, getting pieces into place for the big finale — where we really have pulled out all the stops. Every question posed in the series (at least to my way of thinking) is addressed.

Miller goes on to say he does have another project in the works – but we’ll have to wait and see whether it’s a Star Wars or KOTOR one.

Out this week: Death Troopers, Invasion #0

You probably don’t need me to tell you that the internet famous Star Wars/zombie mashup novel Death Troopers is out today, what with all the twittering and reviewing and interviewing and such. Like, StarWars.com’s Zombie Week. (I don’t know about you, but I’m crossing my fingers for an official ‘Thriller’ video.)

Don’t forget Joe Schreiber’s book tour, which begins tonight in Huntington Beach, California.

As for Wednesday comics, there’s Invasion #0, which may look a little familiar.