Star Wars out this week: Force Friday brings Spark of the Resistance and plenty more

It’s the week of Force Friday, which means that in addition to the usual Tuesday (five books!) and Wednesday (three comics!) releases, we also have two novels coming later than usual.

Our headliners, out Friday, October 4, are our first Journey to The Rise of Skywalker titles: Justina Ireland’s Spark of the Resistance and Cavan Scott and Elsa Charretier’s Choose Your Destiny: A Finn & Poe Adventure, plus all the usual sticker books and the like. And toys. So many toys, not just for TROS, but The Mandalorian as well.

But first up on, Tuesday, October 1, is the hardcover script of Cavan Scott’s Dooku: Jedi Lost, the audio drama that originally came out back in April. Then there’s illustrated storybook The Skywalker Saga by Delilah S. Dawson and Brian Rood. And it’s also time to nab Christian Blauvelt’s Be More Leia and Be More Lando and the charming Creatures Big & Small from Caitlin Kennedy, Calliope Glass and Katie Cook.

Then, on Wednesday, October 1, it’s time for Return to Vader’s Castle #1, Star Wars #72 and Doctor Aphra #37.

And that’s pretty much out book allotment for the month of October, but expect more comics, particularly the rest of Return to Vader’s Castle. This also gives us plenty of time to finish up Spark, since Del Rey’s JTROS offering, Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse, isn’t coming until November 5.

Is Dooku: Jedi Lost coming out as a hardcover?

Star Wars Upcoming Book and Comics has spotted listings for a hardcover version of the audio drama on both Amazon UK and Amazon France. (via)

Cavan Scott’s Dooku: Jedi Lost is Del Rey’s first foray into original Star Wars audio drama. There has been some backlash from fans – both the hearing impaired and those who just plain aren’t into audio formats – so an alternate format is not out of the question.

These Amazon listings are curious, but they doesn’t make it for sure – Amazon has steered us wrong many times before! If a text version is coming, expect an official announcement from Del Rey first.

For those who are into audio, Dooku: Jedi Lost is available now.

Del Rey goes full audio for Dooku: Jedi Lost

Coming up from Del Rey is… An audio drama?

Dooku: Jedi Lost is written by Cavan Scott and will only be available in audio. Here’s the blurb:

Darth Tyranus. Count of Serenno. Leader of the Separatists. A red saber, unsheathed in the dark. But who was he, before he became the right hand of the Sith? As Dooku courts a new apprentice, the hidden truth of the Sith Lord’s past begins to come to light. 
 
Dooku’s life began as one of privilege—born within the stony walls of his family’s estate, orbited by the Funeral Moon where the bones of his ancestors lie interred. But soon his Jedi abilities are recognized and he is taken from his home to be trained in the ways of the Force by the legendary Master Yoda.
 
As he hones his power, Dooku rises through the ranks, befriending fellow Jedi Sifo-Dyas and taking a padawan of his own, the promising Qui-Gon Jinn—and tries to forget the life that he once led. But he finds himself drawn by a strange fascination with the Jedi Master Lene Kostana, and the mission she undertakes for the Order: finding and studying ancient relics of the Sith, in preparation for the eventual return of the deadliest enemies the Jedi have ever faced.
 
Caught between the world of the Jedi, the ancient responsibilities of his lost home, and the alluring power of the relics, Dooku struggles to stay in the light—even as the darkness begins to fall.

Unlike an audiobook, which generally only has one narrator, this will feature a full cast, including Euan Morton, Orlagh Cassidy, January LaVoy, and Marc Thompson. The full cast list is available on the Random House listing.

Audio dramas are a popular format for Doctor Who, which regularly brings back actors from the show to reprise their characters in new adventures, but this is a Del Rey first for Star Wars. (Although the original trilogy radio dramas still get a lot of love.)

Dooku: Jedi Lost will drop on April 30 and can be pre-ordered now.