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.

My Trilogy of Star Wars EU Trilogies

It's only one week until May the 4th, otherwise known as National Star Wars Day.  I, along with most Star Wars enthusiasts, are hoping that some news will come out regarding the casting of Episode VII.  For many months it seems like every actor and their sister have been rumored to be up for a part in the next Star Wars film.  However, Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to confirm even that the "Big 3"(Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher) are even locked down to be in Episode VII.  Last week Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, spoke out in regards to the future of Star Wars and the beloved EU(Expanded Universe) that has been thriving for over twenty years; from books to video games.  Kennedy hinted that some ideas of the EU may be cherry picked to be put in the new Star Wars canon.  

This leaves us fan boys with more rumors and hysteria as we ponder, and obsess, as to what of our favorite EU ideas could be put in Episodes VII-IX, Star Wars: Rebels, or even the Star Wars spin-off films.  Growing up I've tried to absorb as much of the EU as I could.  Being a man who enjoys comic books I've definitely read a lot of that, several novels, and even played a few video games based "In A Galaxy Far, Far Away."  If I could whisper into some one's ear these would be the Star Wars tales I would recommend bringing to the big screen.

1) THE THRAWN TRILOGY

Set 5 years after Return of the Jedi this was the first book to really launch the Expanded Universe.  It had been eight years since the last Star Wars film was released so loyal fans were rabid to jump on anything new from the land of Jedi and Wookies.  Heir to the Empire was published in 1991 with Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command being released the following years.  This trilogy blew the door wide-open for the Expanded Universe and it's all thanks to it's writer; Timothy Zahn.

In this trilogy we see Luke training Leia in the ways of The Force and trying to figure out how to jump-start the new Jedi Order.  Meanwhile, in a dark corner of the galaxy, Grand Admiral Thrawn has taken an Imperial Fleet to seek out a Jedi named Joruus C'Boath, who believes can help him reclaim the galaxy for the Empire. C'Boath only agrees to help Thrawn after he learns that Leia is pregnant with potential Jedi twins.  C'Boath seeks out Luke, and after spending some time with C'Boath, Luke realizes the guy it bat sh*t crazy!  But that doesn't stop C'Boath and Thrawn from trying to take down Luke and the New Republic.  

This trilogy also introduced some other classic characters like Talon Karrde and Mara Jade, who has a deep hatred for Luke.  We learn that Mara was the Emperor's hand, and followed Luke when we was in Jabba's Palace in Episode VI.  The end of this series comes down to a climatic lightsaber that Luke has....with himself!  C'Boath cloned Luke using the hand he lost at Bespin!  Young Skywalker must defeat himself, C'Boath, and try not let Mara kill him either.  

This was a great beginning to the EU with great moments.  One of my favorites is when the team crashes the Millennium Falcon.  Lando criticizes Han's landing and he replies, "At least the sensor dish is still on" referring to Lando's time inside the Death Star in Episode VI.  Thrawn and Mara Jade have become classic characters in the Star Wars EU and mythology, and years later, Luke marries Mara and they have a child; Ben.  I love the EU!

2) THE DARK EMPIRE TRILOGY

From 1977-1986 Marvel comics had an on-going Star Wars series that ended with issue #107.  The next Star Wars comic book wasn't published until 1991 by Dark Horse comics titled Dark Empire.  Just has Heir to the Empire had a hand in helping to start the ever expanding Expanded Universe, Dark Empire introduced many comic readers to not only Dark Horse comics, but a darker Star Wars tale.  This story also spun right out of the Thrawn trilogy by recognizing Han and Leia's twins, Jacen and Jaina.

As the story begins Han, Leia, and Chewie are off to save Luke and Lando from a horrific battle.  Luke has been drawn to the battle by The Force and refuses to leave until he finds the power that calls to him.  It turns out to be The Emperor!  Luke then turns to the Dark Side of The Force to try and understand why it engulfed his father, Anakin.  It's up to Leia to save her brother from the Emperor and himself.

After the popularity of Dark Empire is spawned a sequel, Dark Empire II.  The Emperor comes back and seeks out Luke, Leia, and her children.  Meanwhile, Luke is searching for Jedi to help him start the new Order.  It all comes to a head in the final installment, Empire's End, as the Emperor is dying and wishes to transfer his essence into a newborns body: Anakin Solo!

As Star Wars stories go this one was really dark, which some fans may like given their disappointment with Episode I.  Dark Horse has published Star Wars comics for over twenty years now, but soon will be letting go of the property since Disney not only own Lucasfilm now, but also Marvel comics.  Marvel will start publishing Star Wars comics again, and so "the circle is complete." 

3) STAR WARS: LEGACY

Set 126 years after Return of the Jedi, we find the descendant of Luke Skywalker, Cade.  After the New Jedi Order has fallen apart Cade became a bounty hunter.  He uses his Jedi tricks to help him in his profession, and by night dines on death sticks.  When the rest of the galaxy learns that a Skywalker is alive everyone from the Jedi to the new Sith Order rush to find Cade.  But all Cade wants is to be left alone.  This 50 issue series saw the appearance of some of our favorite characters; from R2-D2 to a ghostly Luke Skywalker who tries to guide Cade towards his destiny.  With every move Cade seems to make the wrong decision and it could not be more fun to read!  Cade is a great mix of Han and Luke and the kind of flawed and complex hero today's readers like seeing.  

I've figured out how to break this 50+ part series into three nice pieces.  It has the makings of a great modern Star Wars trilogy.  You wouldn't have to worry about aging actors because you'd have a fresh new cast in a world we're all familiar with.  I recommend this series to anyone who likes Star Wars, but is interested in seeing something totally different in the Star Wars EU.

BONUS:  What I Think Episode VII-IX Should Be:  LEGACY OF THE FORCE

This nine-book series sees Luke, Han, and Leia as the elders while their children, Jacen, Jaina, and Ben take center-stage.  After losing his younger brother, Anakin, Jacen is lured to the Dark Side of The Force.  He becomes Darth Caedus and tries to bring down the Jedi Order and the New Republic.  He even kills his own aunt, Mara, and leaves everyone wondering who did it.  This is an epic series that ended with Jacen facing off against is twin sister, Jaina, in a fight to the death for the fate of the galaxy!

This story takes place within the 30-year time frame Episode VII is set to be told in, and it's got enough edge to keep modern audiences interested.  Plus, it has the "Big 3" in the story, but the next generation at the forefront.  

While I know the next era of Star Wars films won't be any of these stories I do hope Disney and Lucasfilm take notice of these EU stories that people have enjoyed when their wasn't any hope of another Star Wars movie ever being made.  All we ask is a few easter eggs to make us geeks smile as our excitement for more Star Wars punches into hyperspace.