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.
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