New look for The Clone Wars with Gambit: Stealth

Gambit: Stealh cover teaseGranted, the cover for Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth isn’t going to blow anyone’s socks off, but it’s a vast improvement over the previous Clone Wars book covers. (Interesting that the title, design and artwork all seem to be downplaying the cartoon connection.) Lest I forget, this also gives us our first official blurb for the book:

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are on a secret mission to one of the many worlds caught in the middle of the struggle between the Republic and the Separatists. A pastoral planet, Lanteeb wants only to be left alone to survive — but it is the source of what could be one of the most devastatingly destructive weapons ever. If this potential weapon were to fall into the hands of the Separatists, uncounted worlds would fall. But should the Republic succeed in destroying it first, one world that needs it to survive will be annihilated. A frightening dilemma that Obi-Wan and Anakin will have to untangle, if they can get in and out of the occupied planet alive…

Amazon blurb for Fate of the Jedi: Backlash

SWBooks.co.uk spotted a brand new (and somewhat awkward) blurb for Allston’s Fate of the Jedi: Backlash at amazon.co.uk.

Three major storylines run through the “Fate of the Jedi” series. One is the odyssey of Jedi Grand-Master-in-Exile Luke Skywalker and his son Ben, as they travel from one world of non-Jedi Force-users to the next in search of clues as to what might have turned Jacen Solo to embrace the evil ways of the Sith Lords. The second is the attempts of Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala to break the power of the Jedi Order, while young Jedi Knights on a variety of worlds are inexplicably going insane. And the third is the tale of a previously unknown lost tribe of Sith as they rejoin the known galaxy determined to kill Luke Skywalker, destroy all the Jedi, and reinstate the Sith as supreme rulers. In “Backlash”, Luke and Ben will visit the deadly world of Dathomir, home to the Night Sisters, otherwise known as the Dathomiri Witches, as an ancient evil, released from its prison, stretches its hungry tendrils ever farther through the galaxy.

Dathomir? I am so glad Denning isn’t writing this one.

Forcecast talks with Steve Sansweet in Chicago

TFN’s Forcecast (which now has a brand-new website of their very own) caught up with Steve Sansweet at Chicago Comic Con. He talks about Celebration V and the issues as to why we don’t have a definitive announcement yet. Key statements: He hopes to announce it before the end of the summer, and “It could very well be later in the summer” than the previous events.

They also address the whole ‘second animated series’ thing. “You don’t build two animation studios and just do one series. You have other things in mind,” and “not nessarily Star Wars,” Steve said.

On Jossing, canon, and The Clone Wars

Can’t say I’m particularly broken up about the departure of Karen Traviss from Star Wars, as I wasn’t planning to read any of her forthcoming novels anyway. However, I’ve been following the threads on the fan boards and in-between the mourning/celebration some interesting points have been raised: How far is The Clone Wars going in railroading over existing canon, if it’s driven away an author who infamously loved to retcon? Continue reading “On Jossing, canon, and The Clone Wars

Continuing profiles of The Empire Muggs Back

Lady Muggs

StarWars.com has continued putting out profiles of the customized Mighty Muggs from SDCC, so here’s what’s gone up since I last blogged them: Dave Filoni, JAKe, Michael Possert, Nicole Falk, Spencer L. Brinkerhoff III, Chris Rabilwongse, Frank Duran, Camilla d’Errico, Kyle Newman and Jaime King.

The Muggs are are still on auction to raise funds for Make-A-Wish. The bids range from $900 (!!) to $60 tonight, and they’re only going to go up! (It ends Friday.)

Karen Traviss quits Star Wars

The second Imperial Commando novel will be the last Star Wars for Karen Traviss, she writes on her blog, due to “changes in continuity.” (via)

Imperial Commando I & II are due out in October 2009 and July 2010, respectively. Presumably this means that her standalone Boba Fett novel and military Essential Guide, both tentatively scheduled for 2011, are now no-gos. Somehow I’ll manage not to cry into the giant margarita I plan to have tonight.