My 'The Force Awakens' Prep Guide Part VI: Fandom

Well my friends, the time has come to end this saga at it's sixth chapter.  However I will not be back 30 years later to do another; maybe.  I hope I've given you some good products to entertain and prepare you for The Force Awakens.  I myself am about to do my prep by reading lots of Stars Wars comics, watching some of my favorite Clone Wars episodes, and watching the film saga a few days before Episode VII arrives in theaters.  

But asides from stories involving Luke, Vader, and Obi-Wan there have been some great stuff about the love and phenomenon that is Star Wars.  This last part highlights some very entertaining Star Wars related material that I recommend you check out.  It's just people taking their love of Star Wars to the next level.  Just like a guy who re-edited the prequel films so he could make a dark part in Star Wars history just a little more bearable to get through.

Tag and Bink Were Here

A two-part comic that turned into four after it's huge success.  This mini series chronicles the adventures of two rebel volunteers during the events of the original Star Wars trilogy.  To stay away from trouble, Tag and Bink find themselves constantly in the middle of it.  The two TIE fighter pilots who went down the Death Star trench with Vader; that was Tag and Bink.  The two storm troopers who Chewie knocked out right before Han was frozen in carbonite; that was Tag and Bink.  And the Emperor's guards dressed in red on the 2nd Death Star; that was Tag and Bink.  

Going back and watching the trilogy makes me laugh any time one of their scenes comes on.  Now, the 4th chapter is a prequel.  Tag and Bink are younglings during the prequel trilogy, who accidentally erase Kamino from the Jedi archives and then follow Anakin and Padme to Naboo, where they try  to help Anakin woo the senator.  Go out and get this one immediately!

Fanboys

A film that not many people knew about when it was released, yet is now known as a cult classic in the Star Wars fan community.  It stars a lot of actors you know from other projects, but not enough to remember their names.  It also has quite a few Star Wars alumni cameos. Kyle Newman directs this film about a group of life-long Star Wars friends in the Fall of 1998.  The group is anxiously awaiting the release of The Phantom Menace, and are devastated when one of them receives a life threatening illness. The group decides to trek across the country to Skywalker Ranch in hopes of stealing a copy of the film they can all watch together.

When released, this film was only playing in a few theaters in the country, and I was so excited to see it I dragged my wife along with me.  She had never heard it, and now she gets mad when I watch it without her.  It's hilarious, heart-warming, and a must-see for anyone who likes Star Wars.

Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed

Many years ago the History Channel did a special about Star Wars.  It talked about the cultural influence on society, and also it's influences.  Scholars and celebrities weigh in on where George Lucas got his inspiration for his saga.  We see not only Joseph Campbell's classic heroes journey, but also influences of biblical, greek, and japanese mythology.  The Empire is compared to Nazi's, and George W. Bush is compared to Anakin Skywalker.  You can find this on YouTube and it's a great in-depth look at the Star Wars mythology.

 How Star Wars Conquered the Universe

Last year, Chris Taylor wrote a book that has now become the Star Wars bible.  Taylor spends hundreds of pages chronicling the Star Wars story.  It starts out talking about George Lucas's family and childhood. And how a car accident sent Lucas on a path from being race car driver to film maker.  It shows the struggle Lucas went through to get the first Star Wars film made, the rise of his Lucasfilm empire, and the effects it had on his personal life and marriage.  We read about the conception and reception to the Star Wars prequel films, and the thought process that led to Lucas selling Lucasfilm, and Star Wars, to Disney in 2012.

Throughout my life I've read and seen quite a bit about the making of the original Star Wars trilogy, but this book went beyond that.  We see what the franchise went through between the trilogies, what  went on behind the scenes during the prequel films(and how you can't blame Hayden Christensen), and when Lucas decided it was time for him to bow out.  It really is a great read for anyone who loves Star Wars. 

My 'The Force Awakens' Prep Guide Part V: Canon 2.0

The countdown has begun!  The Journey to The Force Awakens is upon us!  With less than three months to go we are being bombarded with everything Star Wars.  Several new novels are now on bookshelves, the comic books are in full swing, and toys are being bought in record numbers.  Star Wars has something it didn't have the last time we saw a film in theaters; Disney.  Back in 2012, Disney bought Lucasfilm/Star Wars for $4 billion.  Like Marvel Studios, Disney lets Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy run the production company, but she still reports to Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Having the Disney marketing team behind it, The Force Awakens is becoming a gold mind of franchising. Disney will make back that $4 billion they spent by next year probably!

Now, when Disney bought Lucasfilm, aside from announcing more Star Wars films would be made, they also had another big announcement in regards to Canon.  For those who don't know the term, Star Wars Canon is anything that exists in the main Star Wars timeline.  With twenty-five years of Star Wars novels, comics books, games, television series, and all other media, the lore of Star Wars has gotten big, and somewhat confusing.  Some of it fits together, some of it doesn't.  So Kennedy announced a clean slate.  Anything that isn't the six live-actions films or The Clone Wars TV series would be known as 'Legends" and is no longer part of true Star Wars lore.  Which means it's pretty much fan fiction. 

 Some fans were upset, but all those stories haven't gone away.  In fact, future Star Wars stories are free to draw from what has come before.  Even J J Abrams said he may 'cherry pick' some ideas that have come before for future tales.  But now, post 2012, it all counts!  Lucasfilm has two men, Leland Chee and Pablo Hidalgo, to keep track of Canon 2.0.  Their job, their career, is keeping track of all the Star Wars stories (novels, comics, TV, etc.) and make sure it all fits together.  Some think it's too big of a task to work long-term, but as a big Star Wars fans I've now been trying to keep up with it all before it become too much.

Since I don't read single issue comic books anymore I'm still waiting for graphic novel versions to come out, but I've heard Star Wars, Kanan: The Last Padawan, and Shattered Empire are starting off really good. And thanks to Disney XD and the public library I've been able to keep up with the novels and Star Wars: Rebels.  So if you just want to check out "what counts" now in the Star Wars universe, here are some of my recommendations.

DARK DISCIPLE

One of the best characters to come out of The Clone Wars was Asajj Ventress.  She started out as Count Dooku's apprentice and was betrayed by Dooku to become a much deeper character.  She became a bounty hunter for hire, and last we saw her she tried to help Ahsoka Tano clear her name at the end of season 5.

As the clone war wages on the Jedi Council has reached a decision; to end the war, Count Dooku must die.  It's a dark decision for the Jedi and so a dark Jedi must carry it out. Quilan Vos has mainly worked undercover as a Jedi spy, but is asked to find Asajj Ventress, gain her trust, and then use her inside knowledge on Dooku to assassinate him.

If you are fan of The Clone Wars, and the character of Ventress, this is a terrific read!  It starts out slow, but picks up and ends on a nail biter.  The finale left me satisfied, yet sad.

LORDS OF THE SITH

When we see Darth Vader in A New Hope he is over 40-years-old and half machine.  But back when he first became a Dark Lord he was the boogie man of the universe.  Several years after Order 66 and the formation of the Empire, their are pockets of rebellion springing up throughout the galaxy.  Darth Vader and the Emperor himself travel to Ryloth to squash these rebels down before a bigger movement begins.  But the Twi'lek rebels are waiting for them and see this as an opportunity to take out the head of the Empire and end their tyrannical rule.  It's the Sith Lords, by themselves, verses a planet.

Probably my favorite new Canon book so far because of Palpatine and Vader being the main characters.  We see Vader still struggling with his past and who he has become.  Meanwhile, we still see Palpatine manipulating Vader and playing with his mind to make him the lieutenant he wants him to be. 

LOST STARS

To be honest I've only just started this book, but so far I am impressed.  I heard a spoiler a few days ago and I just had to pick it up.  Lost Stars is about two friends who join the Empire shortly before the events of A New Hope, and soon end up on opposite sides of this galactic civil war.  Their stories play out during the events of the original trilogy and beyond.  That ship falling from the sky on the cover?  That is the Star Destroyer we see on Jakku in The Force Awakens trailer.  That's all I needed to know to get me to read this book.

STAR WARS: REBELS

I bought the first Canon 2.0 book, A New Dawn, right before I started the first episode of Rebels.  And after that first episode I was excited to go back read the prequel to the series.  If anyone ask me how to describe Rebels I say it's Firefly/Serenity in the Star Wars universe.

Kanan, Hera, and the crew of the Ghost like to make trouble for the Empire.  They rob from the Imperials and give to those in need.  On a mission they run into Ezra, a young orphan who has a strong "Aladdin vibe" to him.  Kanan recognizes that Ezra is also strong in The Force as well, and he begins training Ezra in the ways of the Jedi, even though Kanan never even finished his own training before Order 66 was carried out.  The crew travel through the galaxy making lots of waves.  So many waves that it's caught the attention of Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader. Uh-oh.

The first season of his series just came out on blu-ray and dvd and season two premieres out next month.  Some assumed Rebels was going to be a kiddie show because it was on Disney XD, but as the first season continued, the tone and story got darker and more interesting.  The first two-part episode of season two has already aired, and has the crew of the Ghost running into Darth Vader and getting their ass handed to them.  

I'm so excited for season two.  We will get to see more classic characters, and even some from The Clone Wars like Ahsoka and Captain Rex.  The first season is only 13 episodes so it's easy to catch up in time for season two.  So far, anyone who was against Rebels have changed their tune after watching it stating, "this is the first thing in a long time that feels like Star Wars."  But as we know, no one from the Ghost is in the original Star Wars trilogy.  Are they hiding, or did they meet a tragic end?  I can't wait to find out the answer!

My "The Force Awakens" Prep Guide Part IV: Graphic Novels Galore

Yesterday Shattered Empire was released on comic stands everywhere.  This is another part of "Journey To The Force Awakens" that will have events leading directly into The Force Awakens.  I have not read it yet, but so far the buzz seems positive about this book that follows several side characters the day after the second Death Star was blown up by the Rebel Alliance.

Aside from the movies and TV series, my other major Star Wars fandom has been the comic books.  Whether it's Dark Horse or Marvel publishing, I've tried it all throughout the years.  I've already suggested you read Clone Wars omnibus if you want some good stories during that time period, but here are a few more you can read while we all wait another three months for The Force Awakens to be released. Again, they are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being my most recommended.

The Force Unleashed (5)

One of several Star Wars multi-media events that kicked ass!  This was a video game that then spawned books, comics, and action figures to complete it.  The game is great to play, and the storyline is even better.  Starkiller was a young boy when Darth Vader killed his father and took him under his wing.  Starkiller has since grown up as Vader's secret apprentice and now he wishes for Starkiller to build a rebellion against the Emperor in hopes of dethroning him.  But is this plan for real, or is Starkiller just a pawn in the Sith's chess game of power?

Great story, great characters, and some badass game play.  I recommend if you don't read the graphic novel, book, or play the actual video game you go on YouTube and watch the story parts of both this game and the sequel.  Seriously, it's a great story.

Shadows of the Empire (4)

Another Star Wars multi-media event that took place many years before The Force Unleashed.  It started out as a book, then a comic book, then a video game.  It even has a soundtrack, but was never even a movie.  Set between Episodes V and VI, Luke and Leia are trying to hunt down Boba Fett before he delivers Han to Jabba the Hutt.  Meanwhile, Vader is forced to recruit the help of The Black Sun in helping with the construction of the second Death Star.  But Vader doesn't trust the Black Sun's leader, Prince Xizor, who has evil intentions of his own.

A nice in-between story that fills the gaps between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the video game follows scoundrel Dash Rendar, but the novel and comic focuses on Luke, Leia, and Boba Fett.  While I'm not a big fan of the character, I will admit Fett comes off pretty cool in this one.

The Thrawn Trilogy (3)

Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire started the Star Wars Expanded Universe back in 1991 and completed his novel trilogy with The Last Command.  Because of it's success Dark Horse decided to turn the series into comic books, and that is what I've enjoyed reading throughout the years. Set five years after Return of the Jedi, the New Republic is trying to wipe out the last pockets of the Empire, but their new leader, Grand Admiral Thrawn, is very formidable and has plans to claim the galaxy and restore the Empire to glory.  Meanwhile, Luke is still trying to figure out how to restart the Jedi Order.  Having only trained Leia, he feels he may fail in fulfilling his destiny.

This trilogy saw a bunch of great new characters like Thrawn, dark Jedi Jorus C'Baoth, and Mara Jade.  Heir to the Empire is my favorite in the series, but I like how The Last Command ends with Luke Skywalker having a lightsaber duel with a clone of himself.  

Dark Empire (1)

Back in the late 1980's Dark Horse comics acquired the rights to Star Wars comics from Marvel.  Dark Empire was even supposed to be published by Marvel and take place immediately after Episode VI, but plans changed a bit.  Set six years after Return of the Jedi, the Empire is still struggling to regain power with the help of their new Massive World Devastators.  Luke soon discovers that the Empire's new mastermind is still the Emperor, whose clone was killed during the Battle of Endor.  To take down the Sith Lord for good Luke decides to learn the power of the Dark Side, but begins down a path that may destroy him unless Han and Leia can save him.

I still remember when this series came out.  I love the covers and even the art seems "dark".  The sequels to this book, Dark Empire II and Empire's End, weren't as good, but this one definitely holds up.  I will always credit Dark Horse, who kept Star Wars comics alive for over twenty years until Marvel gained the rights back in 2012. 

Legacy (2)

How would you do a Star Wars film post-Jedi without Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher?  Star Wars: Legacy is my answer.  Set 130 years after Return of the Jedi, the Republic has turned into a less menacing Empire, but the Sith have returned and in greater numbers, once again killing many Jedi and sending the rest scattered throughout the galaxy.  The Skywalker heir, Cade, has denounced is Jedi past and is a bounty hunter using his Force skills to make money when he isn't sucking down death sticks.  Cade wants to be left alone, but when the Empire, the Jedi, and the Sith all learn of his existence Cade can no longer hide from his destiny. 

Not only is Cade a terrific, and flawed, character but he is supported by a lot of great minor characters as well.  The 50+ issues of this series could be split up into a great trilogy; whether it be live-action or animated.  It's got the mature tone older Star Wars fans want and plenty of appearances by fan favorites. Such as the Force ghosts of Luke, Yoda, and Mara Jade.  And what would a Skywalker be without R2-D2 by his side?  Still my favorite Star Wars comic book series.

Mark Millar Brings Us "The Flash on Drugs" in MPH

Mark Millar has made quite a name for himself not only in the comic book industry, but now in Hollywood. This year's Kingsman: The Secret Service is based on a mini-series written by Millar, just like another one of his book-turned-film; Kick-Ass.  Mark started out writing great tales for DC and Marvel Comics like The Flash, Ultimate X-Men, and Marvel's Civil War.  But Millar has his own universe of characters he's been building for the last decade, and if you look closely, you can see Mark is drawing his inspirations from heroes already in the DC and Marvel pantheon.

MPH is about two small time criminals, Roscoe and Chevy, who work on the streets of Detroit.  Roscoe is caught by the cops selling drugs and is sent to the Big House for a fifteen year sentence. While in the Joint, Roscoe takes a pill that makes everyone move really slow, allowing him to escape and settle some old scores.  But in hindsight, Roscoe was actually moving at super speed and plans to use this miracle drug for his benefit.  He shares his super pills with Chevy, his girlfriend Rosa, and her brother; nicknamed Baseball.  The four rob from the rich who they feel caused the destruction of their city, and while making millions, also give millions back to the people of Detroit.  But the charity part of their plan doesn't sit well with Chevy and Baseball.  Neither does the fact that they've only got a week's supply of the MPH pills.  Soon the team begins to divide, and the FBI is hot on their trail, led by a mysterious man known as Mr. Springfield who knows their every move.

So basically, this story is Chronicle meets The Flash, and it's pretty entertaining.  As a guy who has read comics his who life I know that Mr. Millar has created his own universe off the backs of classic comic book characters.  Kick-Ass is about ordinary people who experience tragedy and then decide to fighting crime; which is Batman.  Superior is about a young boy who turns into a Superman-like being; which is Shazam.  And then of course there's MPH; which is Flash, or Kid Flash, depending on how you see it.  However, the modern twist is what makes these books great reads.  Millar makes the center piece of his stories nerds or thugs, and then makes a much more believable scenarios as to what these people would actually do if they were given these powers.

MPH has a good twist at the end that you should see coming a thousand miles away, and also left me really satisfied.  If you're into superheroes I recommend anything by Mark Millar because I haven't disliked any Millerverse book yet. They're a nice break from the DC and Marvel corporations, and always entertaining.  I'm excited to read Chrononauts because I've heard nothing but good things about it.  And I'm drooling to pick up the sequel to Jupiter's Legacy.

So while I admit Millar just seems to be recycling old characters and themes that are fifty to sixty years old I'm of the mind set that I don't care.  Just give me something good to read.

  

My "The Force Awakens" Prep Guide Part III: 'Legend' Novels

Happy Force Friday!  I hope everyone got out there and saw all the new Star Wars products that flooded the shelves.  Also today marks the start of Journey To The Force Awakens.  This is three months of Star Wars media such as books, comics, and video games that all leads to The Force Awakens on December 18th.  Aftermath, the first novel in the "journey", was released today and I am anxious to read it.

The Star Wars Expanded Universe kicked off in 1991 with Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn.  I remember by dad buying the book and me trying to read it, but I wasn't quite up to that reading level yet.  Since then their have been lots of Star Wars books.  I've read quite a few Star Wars novels in my day, but a lot of them I didn't end up finishing.  Like I've said, I'm more a comic book Star Wars guy. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good tale when I read it.
When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012 they announced all Expanded Universe media, like the novels, were no long part of true Canon, but now part of something called Legends. I'll get more into what this new Canon is all about in a later post.  But for now, here are my recommendations on some Star Wars novels pre-Canon 2.0.  Also, while I think The Thrawn Trilogy is one of the best Star Wars novels I'm saving it for the comic book section in my next post.

Darth Plagueis by James Luceno (3)

"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis?"  Chancellor Palpatine asked this of Anakin right before he told him the story.  But Palpatine didn't tell him the WHOLE story.  It turns out Plagueis was Palpatine's Sith master and helped conspire with him on the events in The Phantom Menace.  I enjoy this book not really because of Plagueis, but because it highlights Palpatine's rise as a Sith Lord, and how Plageuis recruited him, and helped him gain power.  That is until Darth Sidious eventually killed him.  We even learn Plageuis may have had a hand in Anakin's conception.

Rogue Planet by Greg Bear (4)

Obi-Wan Kenobi watched his master and friend, Qui-Gon Jinn, die right in front of him.  And he could do nothing but make a vow.  Now, several years after The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan is finding it hard to keep his vow.  This book shows us the relationship between Obi-Wan and his young padawan at an early stage.  Anakin has trouble keeping out of trouble, and this only thins the bond he and Obi-Wan must make.  But by the end of this novel you see the beginning stages of their intriguing friendship.

 Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno (1)

Leading straight into the events of Revenge of the Sith this book is a great read for any Star Wars fan.  Obi-Wan and Anakin are actually in pursuit of Darth Sidious!  The two go on one of their legendary adventures through space as they try and find out who the Sith Lord really is.  

The Truce At Bakura by Kathy Tyers (5)

This book takes place the very next day following Return of the Jedi.  Luke, Han, and Leia are quickly dispatched to Bakura, where a reptilian race is trying to fill the power vacuum the Empire is about to leave before the Rebels can.  However, the most interesting part to me is Leia's journey in this book. Luke has already come to terms that his father was Darth Vader, but Leia despises him.  That is until Anakin's Force ghost pays her a visit.  I recommend this book on that scene alone!  Also, if you think their were no repercussions for Luke taking all that Force lightening from the Emperor, think again.

Legacy of the Force by Aaaron Alltson, Karen Traviss, and Troy Denning (2)

This is really a 9-book series written by various authors, and I always thought it would make a great blue print for Episodes VII-IX.  Han and Leia's children, Jacen and Jaina, are Jedi Knights, and have just suffered the loss of their younger brother Anakin, and their uncle Chewbacca.  But Jacen has taken Luke's son, Ben, under his wing as his padawan.  But as war is slowly creeping into the galaxy once again, Jacen slowly becomes the next Dark Lord of the Sith; Darth Caedus.  Caedus causes much trouble in secret before revealing himself to his family and the galaxy.  And the only hope in stopping Caedus lyes with his twin sister, Jaina, and a battle to the death!