The Clone Wars review: ‘Overlords’

“The longer we stay here, the stranger it gets,” says Ahsoka Tano in last week’s episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, ‘Overlords’. I think this applies to us as viewers as well as the show tackles one of the most important notions of Star Wars and takes it in a new direction, as well as bringing back some prequel characters (and their actors). And helping to show Anakin Skywalker’s slow slide toward the dark side, he confronts past guilt but in the end, chooses the path of selfishness. Continue readingThe Clone Wars review: ‘Overlords’”

Ashley Eckstein responds to CJ readers’ concerns

So yesterday, Erika wrote a piece for us on Her Universe and response that some (but by no means all) male fans have to it. She laid out her case well, and it’s generated quite a bit of discussion. Now, Ashley has posted her response to the issues at hand, namely price, sizes, and design.

Some familiar faces in Her Universe gear at SDCC. (Photo by Nicole Love for StarWarsBlog @ Flickr.)
Some familiar faces in Her Universe gear at SDCC. (Photo by Nicole Love for StarWarsBlog @ Flickr.)

It’s important that we understand that Her Universe is a brand-new company, and starting a company from scratch is no mean feat. And it’s particularly tough to please everyone.

What we need most here is patience. It’s not the popular answer, but there it is. If you can’t afford a $30 t-shirt, then you can’t afford a $30 t-shirt. But the hope here is that enough of us can and will, and that will form the base that allows Her Universe to grow. And remember, they haven’t even been selling stuff for an entire year at this point!

Given how accessible Ashley has been to feedback, I expect that each addition to the line will reflect more than a few things that fans have requested, or at least as much is possible at this point. So yes, we have to be patient: There’s a lot of catching up to do here. 30-some years of it.

Ashley Eckstein talks Her Universe, Mara shirt

Jessica Johnson (@laregista) interviewed Ashley Eckstein at New York Comic Con. We can expect new items for Cyber Monday (the day after Thanksgiving – Santa Maul will be thrilled) and then again in March or April.

But the information most relevant to our specific interests is towards the end, where Jessica asks about the Mara Jade shirt. From the transcript:

J: I have to ask you this question because an onslaught of people are asking about it. What’s up with the Mara Jade tee, is it happening, is it not?

A: I kinda opened up my mouth too soon. It is going to happen. I don’t have a date for how soon yet. I still don’t have a design for it but I’m definitely talking to artists. It’s definitely going to happen I just don’t have a date. I kinda made it sound like it was happening tomorrow but I wish it was but it’s not. But hopefully, I would say next year I will push it forward so I will keep you updated. The second we start designing I will let the fans know.

In the news: Carrie’s Hoth confession, Sandcrawlers in Singapore, and George speaks out for education

I doubt this was the kind of revelation that Lucasfilm was hoping would make waves in the wake of the new Making of book, but it’s been tough to miss Carrie Fisher’s disclosure down under that she did cocaine on the Hoth set of The Empire Strikes Back. “I didn’t even like coke that much,” she says. “It was just a case of getting on whatever train I needed to take to get high.” She goes on to talk about John Belushi and (of course) her show ‘Wishful Drinking,’ which she’ll be performing in several Australian cities through November.

UPDATE: Fisher blogs about the cocaine incident with her characteristic zing:

So, a long time ago, in a nostril far far away, I ventured outside the perimeters of the appropriate by inhaling a substance that would render me less than professional by abusing the privilege of playing the powerful space princess that I had been given.

And yes, she goes on to say, “I suggest you stay away from ingesting this anxious making powder.”

Wait, what’s that? Lucasfilm is building a new facility in Singapore that resembles a chromed Jawa sandcrawler. Pretty interesting, particularly given that the company seems to prefer a more vintage look when it comes to architecture (or maybe that only applies in California.)

The Maker… blogs? George Lucas has come down from on high to blog for The Huffington Post on the importance of education. Note: He probably wrote it on a yellow pad and had one of his many employees type it up, so don’t start holding your breath for his tweets.

Spreading the word. Ashley Eckstein talks Her Universe in an interview with McClatchy Newspapers.

Her Universe teams with SyFy

Her Universe’s second partnership is one that’s sure to make a lot of ladies around here happy: It was announced today at the SyFy Digital Press Tour that Her Universe will be producing a line of female-oriented merchandise for the science fiction channel.

We’re still waiting on the details, of course, but this is certainly a good sign for Her Universe and the fans.

UPDATE: TFN has the press release, which namechecks Caprica, Eureka, Battlestar Galactica, Destination Truth, Ghost Hunters International, Ghost Hunters Academy and Warehouse 13.

The fandom minute: Star Wars economics, Her Universe fan interviews, adorable crafting, and Chad does D*C

Click to see the whole thing!The economics of Star Wars. This infographic that’s been circling around the interwebs breaks down just how much money the Star Wars cash cow brings in. To which we say: Damn.

Interviews. Ashley Eckstein turns the tables on the fans! She talks to our pal Mandy from TheForce.net, plus costumer Vera Campbell and EU fan Erin Kelahan.

Listage. Totalfilm includes four Star Wars movies in their 40 baffling movie plot holes, and Darth Vader as one of their 30 most influential movie characters.

Fanmade. These super-adorable Star Wars amigurumi almost inspire me to learn how to crochet. Almost.

Video. Chad Vader identifies costumes and meets George Lucas at Dragon*Con.

The Clone Wars returns with lots of hot trooper action

Hey! Apparently the new season of some Star Wars TV show starts up on Friday. Have you heard? (Ha.)

Yes, The Clone Wars returns with ‘Clone Cadets’ and ‘Arc Troopers.’ Also back is the webcomic, which relaunches for the new season with ‘The Valsedian Operation’ from Tom Hodges and Pablo Hidalgo.

The clip above is courtesy Big Shiny Robot, who had several folks in San Francisco attending the red carpet premiere… And discovering some possible censorship on the part of Cartoon Network. In less controversial news, Ashley Eckstein revealed that Imperial logo earrings and Yoda pajamas are on the way from Her Universe. (What’s been getting the biggest ink is Seth Green and Matt Senreich, but been there done that.)

Check out a critical mass of red carpet photos on the StarWars.com Flickr.

If you have a craving that can’t wait, the official site has some videos featuring Dave Filoni answering your no-doubt burning questions on Leia Troopers, Plo Koon (naturally,) MASH Troopers and the fate of Rumi Paramita. Plus a profile of Anakin. Oh, Matt Lanter, you are so much prettier than that other guy.