Black Sun is no one’s ally, and stamping it out and keeping it that way has been a job for Jedi, the Republic and even certain Sith. It isn’t the only bit of the past to rear its head in these stories. While a bit simplistic in the resolution (or suggested implementation) its still a fun romp that hits on some old favorite characters, strained family relations and questions of friendship. This story arc consists of 3 Young Jedi Knights novels, which were all released in the “Under Black Sun” omnibus. Young Jedi Knights series is by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta.
The stories in the Young Jedi Knights Under Black Sun arc are Return to Ord Mantell, Trouble on Cloud City and Crisis on Crystal Reef. I admit I don’t care for the “Under Black Sun” title given to the omnibus, because for anyone who hasn’t read it it gives away a bit of the story. But I haven’t a better title. It’s also notably shorter than the other two story arcs.
Anja is daughter of an old rival of Han Solo’s and she blames him for her father’s death. This is the premise on which the story is based. But behind that is why she believes this, lies and a larger threat. The ancient criminal gang known as Black Sun that has plagued the galaxy for millennia and the man who wants to resurrect it. That is where the Under Black Sun title comes from I believe, the shadows of this criminal organization are regathering after getting annihilated by the Empire.
Jacen and Jaina Solo, Tenel Ka, Zekk and Lowbacca all react differently to Anja and her accusations against Han Solo. Their father’s reluctance to talk about his past and the boy’s reaction to the slightly older girl are all taken on a bit of a deeper story than usual. This is a story where one gets brought short as we realize that just because the reader might know Han’s adventures, the kids do not. And as they get older the personal relationships are becoming more complicated. To top it off the new girl, a smuggler, is not too subtly an addict to spice (drugs).
Spoilers for other stories that lead to events in Under Black Sun.
Having read the stories regarding Gallandro and Han Solo, I was more than a bit shocked he had a daughter. The man was cold as ice and I had a hard time picturing it. That said we only saw a brief bit of that life when it intersected with Han Solo.
The last we heard of Black Sun, it was shattered when Darth Vader destroyed Prince Xixor’s skyhook, right after his son destroyed Xixor’s Coruscant castle. While many of the lower echelongs and even some Vigos (senior members) were left, that destruction took out much of the organization records.
My Opinions on Under Black Sun:
The war on Anja’s planet seemed realistic, with the usual reckless disregard for life by the war monger weapons dealers. They aren’t in it for the ideals, only the credits so peace isn’t in their interest. We don’t get to see how the 2 villages influence the whole planet, or how the New Republic continues the process our heroes start though. I don’t mean we should devote a book to politics, but we got very little wrap up there and it was very simplistic. Granted it’s a young adult book, but I think the Diversity Alliance did it better (of course that had more than three books to work with.)
The part where we return to Cloud City was fun and a nice callback also to the Galaxy of Fear series. That’s rare, to see any reference to that series. We get to ‘see’ more of Cloud City and Bespin’s life than in the movie.
The last story Crisis on Crystal Reef was impressive in that the kids are now dealing with the villains stepping up to re-establish the criminal gang in a way that it’ll be very hard for the New Republic to root out. While I didn’t find the original Jedi Academy students doing much growing in this (beyond dealing with their father’s unexpected past), Anja did have an interesting arc, in no small part thanks to them. I found the overall resolution (an idea put forth by Anakin Solo) a bit simplistic. The main issue I had with it being that the governments themselves had corrupt officials and those are not easy to deal with.
Rereading the Under Black Sun arc again post prequels, I also see some similarities between the Mon Calamari underwater adventure and the Gungan sub adventure in the Phantom Menace. The kids also remind me of the adventures of both Anakin and Obi-Wan during their padawan years, particularly when separated from their masters (Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest, as well as the movies.)
One final nice echo is that it was originally Luke Skywalker’s actions, as well as Darth Vader’s, that had dealt the original fatal blow to Black Sun and now the next generation of the Skywalker Solo family is making sure the fear of living under Black Suns doesn’t rise up again.
References
Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley, Han Solo’s Revenge and Han Solo and the Lost Legacy
Galaxy of Fear 4: The Nightmare Machine by John Whitman
The Illustrated Star Wars Universe by Kevin J. Anderson & Ralph McQuarrie
Black Sun
- Shadows of the Empire (first appearance) led by Prince Xixor (multimedia)
- SWTOR : It existed as far back as Star Wars the Old Republic, you can encounter enemies there in game.
- Darth Maul (comic arc) was sent to kill the head Vigo before TPM. He also battled his bodyguard, a nightsister.
- Medstar 1 and 2 by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
- Coruscant Nights Trilogy by Michael Reaves
- Han Solo Trilogy by AC Crispin
- Side Trip by Timothy Zahn & Michael Stackpole, 4 short story arc
- The Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy by K.W. Jeter
Bit of disclaimer: the villain in Under Black Sun matches the description of one in Classic Star Wars comics. It’s no secret that is because he was meant to be that villain, but the continuity editors caught the problem. That character had already been killed off. In any case, it’s no secret Han Solo had multiple bounty hunter problems on Ord Mantell, and its no surprise he’d use the same tactics as needed to escape!
