Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
John Ostrander and Jan Duursema are back Wednesday with a new arc of their Dawn of the Jedi series in Force War #1. Meanwhile, collections of Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin and Legacy: Prisoner of the Floating World will also debut in comic shops.
Novel fans sit tight – next week brings the paperback edition of Timothy Zahn’s Scoundrels.
Jedi News has snagged an image from the European Brand Licensing Show that reveals a few things about Lucasfilm and Disney’s marketing plans going forward.
First off, in spring/summer 2014, there’s ‘Classic LEGO Games Mobile” release, which speaks for itself, and “Darth Vader Themed TV Specials.” With Rebels is named separately and no LEGO, what form could these take? This is, quite literally, the first we’ve heard.
In autumn/winter 2014, there’s mention of a “Digital Library Launch.” Given the context here, I don’t believe this is anything to do with the books – which are already available digitally anyway – but to the release of the films themselves in a digital format (Apple TV, perhaps?) And I really doubt they’ll come alone – this could be a venue for The Clone Wars, other cartoons (Ewoks, Droids, Clone Wars 2D) and various specials from over the years – From Star Wars to Jedi, maybe, or even the Holiday Special. And even if it’s only the movies themselves, a digital release is long overdue.
And finally, there’s a reiteration of spring/summer 2015 for Episode VII. Shocking.
UPDATE: And here’s the rumor part of the equation from Jedi Master SQL.
Star Wars will make its debut at Disney’s own D23 Expo in Anaheim this August 9-11. Lucasfilm will be presenting ‘The Evolution of a Villain,’ an exhibit on the Darth Vader and Pablo Hidalgo will give fans a ‘Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101.’
If we don’t get any announcements regarding rumored expansions in Disney parks at Celebration Europe, we may see them here… But, as usual, don’t hold your breath.
We’ve heard this one before, but from the friend-of-a-Redditor-who-talked-to-a-guy hotline, here’s a report that Darth Vader – or at least his suit – will be back for Episode VII. And that there will be children of Han and Leia involved. Alrighty then.
It’s not an entirely awful idea, and would open up some interesting possibilities. (Like the whole issue of Luke, Leia, their parentage and the public knowledge/perception of it, which the EU left almost completely unexplored.) I can certainly see ‘who’s in the suit’ as J.J.’s Star Wars answer to Star Trek Into Darkness’ ‘who is Benedict Cumberbatch playing.’ I’m sure it would sell a hell of a lot of toys, too. But possibilities aside, I’m not going to stop being cynical now.
Mythbusting. Tosche Station got Pablo Hidalgo to dig into his notes to clarify one of the most widespread rumors about the New Jedi Order series. Did the almighty George Lucas order LucasBooks to kill off Anakin Solo? Turns out… Not so much.
Forthcoming. Jeffrey Brown, the author of Vader and Son and next week’s Vader’s Little Princess, told the Full of Sith podcast about his next Star Wars project, Jedi Academy. In a hurry? FOS co-host Bryan shares the relevant details.
Comics. Brian Woods’ Star Wars gets a new artist, Ryan Kelly, for the new arc that starts with issue #7. Meanwhile, Cosmic Book News interviews Wood.
Excerpt. Just a little one from Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void.
Reviews. James is glad the action picks up in Star Wars #4 and thinks the story gets off to a fast start with a very intriguing foe in Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #1.
Finally, a feast! For comic fans, anyway. In the shops on Wednesday is Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #1 and the fourth printing of Star Wars #1.
And there are two collections as well: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison in hardcover and the trade paperback of Knight Errant: Escape – the series’ final (for now, anyway) storyline.
‘Industry insiders’ tell Express.co.uk that Darth Vader will be returning in Episode VII.
“He’s an integral part of the franchise. Replacing him is virtually impossible,” explains a film mole.
“The plan is for him to return and play a significant role in the new films.”
Lest we forget, Darth Vader died – as Anakin Skywalker – in Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. And I’m sure this can be fanwanked to hell and back – flashback? Zombie? Reincarnation? – but for now, let’s just remember that sometimes a rumor is just a rumor.
Coming soon…”The Force Is Strong With This One” @DENISEVASQUEZStay tuned for more info ;o) #MayThe4thBeWithYou twitter.com/HerUniverse/st…
— Her Universe (@HerUniverse) May 1, 2012
Very Day of the Dead, no?
Soon you won’t need to head to eBay to get an old-school Star Wars cake pan: Wilton is bringing back Darth Vader this summer. Now, finding a recipe for black icing that tastes decent will be your only problem! (via)
Addressing the latest round of the ‘gays in Star Wars‘ controversy last night, Conan O’Brien found some other characters that might benefit.
I’d like to take this opportunity to link (again) Todd Alcott’s post on Darth Vader and Boba Fett in ESB. OTP!