Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
Over the last week, we finally got our first look at Del Rey’s first post-ROTJ novel in the new canon – and a brand new, very Twitter-savvy author to go with it. We also swooned over Oscar Isaac pictures, planned for Celebration (#SWCA is the official hashtag, if that matters to you) and partook of some delicious fanboy tears. Onward!
On Wednesday, head to your local comic store or app to nab Darth Vader #3, which introduces Aphra, “the galaxy’s foremost raider of lost weaponry.” There’s a preview at CBR.
There’s sure to be another new comic next week, but our next book release will be the paperback of John Jackson Miller’s A New Dawn on March 31.
Jedi Bibliothek spotted an extended blurb for Christie Golden’s Dark Disciple at Random House. The Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos story is based on unproduced scripts from The Clone Wars
The only way to bring down the dark side’s most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.
In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.
Well, that’s an unexpected turn for this book. (…Or is it?) Hopefully Golden’s take romance here is less winceworthy here than what we saw in Fate of the Jedi…
Dark Disciple will be out in eBook and hardcover on July 7.
Marvel’s Star Wars to get a new artist with #8. Jon Cassaday’s last issue on the comic will be #6, with Stuart Immonen coming on the book with #8. Issue #7 will feature a “very special guest artist.”
Editor Jennifer Heddle introduces officially introduces Aftermath and author Chuck Wendig at StarWars.com today. She reveals for the first time that the book is first of a trilogy that “that begins to bridge the Star Wars timeline between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens:”
Obviously I wish I could tell you more about the story, but I can’t just yet. What I can reveal is that you will be introduced to a sweeping new cast of characters, along with a fan favorite from the films. And who knows what other familiar faces will pop up along the way? And once you’ve seen The Force Awakens in movie theaters, you may find that certain names and places in Aftermath have a relevance you never knew–so keep your eyes wide open!
Will Wendig write the next two books in this trilogy? (We have reason to suspect they won’t be coming before TFA… But who knows?) Hopefully we’ll find out soon. Aftermath is due out September 4.
Marvel keeps the new stuff coming as Wednesday brings us Princess Leia #2, only two weeks after #1. CBR has a preview of the new issue.
We finally got name – and a hint at the content of – our first standalone Star Wars film this week: Rogue One. We still don’t know all that much about it, but there are a few hints out there, both official and speculative.
/Film has a description of the concept art that was shown to Disney shareholders for Rogue One that is supposedly reminiscent of video games, particularly Halo. No X-wings, but why would they go for a name that recalls Rogue Squadron, then? I don’t know, but I hope as we learn more things will become clear.
Mike Stackpole is, as you might expect, all for Rogues in a movie. At Barnes & Noble, Andrew Liptak looks at the Rogue Squadron books and comics – which, it should be noted, contained a fair amount of on-the-ground missions.
StarWars.com gives us our first look at Marvel’s first The Force Awakens tie-in, Shattered Empire #1. PHIL NOTO!
The series will start in September, and I’m certain that none of us are having trouble figuring out the time period.
Jedi Bibliothek was first to stop that the Random House online catalog ha slipped an author name onto Del Rey’s Aftermath – the very prolific Chuck Wendig, who expressed an interest in Star Wars last year on Twitter.
Jedi Bibliothek (in English) also spotted some blurbs for the YA components of Journey on Amazon.
Claudia Gray’s Lost Stars:
This thrilling Young Adult novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe, from the rise of the Rebellion to the fall of the Empire. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two childhood friends-Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell-who have grown up to become an Imperial officer and a Rebel pilot. Now on opposite sides of the war, will these two star-crossed lovers reunite, or will duty tear them-and the galaxy-apart?
The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry:
Set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the story finds Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 stranded on a mysterious planet, and explores Luke’s first-ever duel with a lightsaber.
Cecil Castellucci’s Moving Target:
Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the story follows the warrior princess as she leads a ragtag group of rebels on a dangerous mission against the evil Galactic Empire.
Greg Rucka’s Smuggler’s Run:
Set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the story follows everyone’s favorite pair of smugglers as they fly the Millennium Falcon on a top-secret mission for the Rebellion.
All four promise “all-new post-Return of the Jedi content, as well as hints and clues” about The Force Awakens.
UPDATE: Our book release schedule has been updated!
UPDATE: It’s not the Star Wars Insider going on hiatus, it’s sister publication Star Wars Magazine, which used to be a Clone Wars-based publication, Jedi News corrects. So basically, nevermind. (And that explains why I didn’t get the hiatus email!)
Per their website, Star Wars Magazine hasn’t put out an issue since October.
The Star Wars Insider, which has been published by various companies over the years, traces back to Bantha Tracks, the original official Star Wars Fan Club newsletter. The current numbering began when it was called The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine; It was renamed to Star Wars Insider in the early ’90s.
The current publisher of both is Titan Magazines, which handles a number of franchise publications.
Star Wars Insider #156 is in stores now.