- Patterns of Force, Coruscant Nights 3Patterns of Force doesn’t just wrap up the Coruscant Nights trilogy, but several plotlines from previous Michael Reaves’s stories and finishes in a satisfying way. It is a fun adventure, but a bit frustrating because it doesn’t so much explain all it’s own started … Read more
- Champions of the Force reviewSpoilers for the previous books. Jedi Academy: Champions of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson story itself does reiterate and repeat certain points, as a refresher for those who haven’t read them in awhile. It’s an action packed finale to the series. It was … Read more
- Dawn of the Jedi ComicsThe inspiration for this era comes of Star Wars the Old Republic game’s Tython and it’s ancient Jedi lore, as well as Knight’s of the Old Republic’s Rakata. Who were the Jedi, before their were Jedi, or a Republic? Dawn of the Jedi comics … Read more
- Clone Wars Micro SeriesIn 2003 George Lucas decided to hire Genndy Tarkovsky to create a series of animated shorts of the Clone Wars. Originally it aired in the commercial break, during cartoons on the Cartoon Network channel. Eventually these shorts were put together into DVDs. The first … Read more
- Jedi Academy – Jedi SearchStory by Kevin J. Anderson, original cover art was by John Alvin. It was released in 1996. This is an amazing piece of galaxy building and I can’t overestimate it’s importance to the mythos of Star Wars. This was the book that starts the … Read more
- Jedi Twilight, Coruscant Nights 1Jax Pavan had barely made knighthood when Order 66 or ‘Flame Night’ went down. Now in Jedi Twilight, he’s finding that being on the run has compromised his morals as well as his ability to access the Force. To top it off, Vader for … Read more
- Hard Merchandise, Bounty Hunter Wars 3The final chapter of the Bounty Hunter Wars is an action packed story of survival set during the events of Return of the Jedi. Hard merchandise is the cold term that bounty hunters use for the people they hunt and treat as products to … Read more
- The Power of Return of the JediI’m writing this coming up on it’s 40th anniversary! Growing up on the original trilogy, this was my hands down favorite even though as a kid, I wasn’t sure what moved me so strongly. It left me speculating on who Anakin Skywalker was before … Read more
- I,Jedi Review of Corran Horn’s AdventuresI,Jedi is by Michael Stackpole and he is the primary author of most stories (but not all) stories involving Corran Horn and his family. Warning going in: this book I,Jedi contains a few spoilers for the X-Wing Rogue Squadron Book Series. It also has … Read more
- Clone Wars Video Game 2002 XBox ReviewThis game is a challenge but has a great story. It’s quite a thrill to defeat it at all, even for one like me, who fails at hitting bonus goals. The Clone Wars video game is a blast if you love playing as a … Read more
- Why did Padmé Die?Padmé’s death dissatisfied many people. They felt it took away from her ‘strong woman’ status that she simply died when Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. Or they felt betrayed she died then at all, given that it was suggested that Leia had some memory … Read more
- The Death Star’s JourneyThe plans for and initial construction of the Death Star is told in bits and pieces throughout the saga. This is how it fits together. It truly was an engineering marvel, and its a shame the technological advancements made for it were put to … Read more
- The New Rebellion ReviewMy Thoughts I absolutely love this book, Star Wars the New Rebellion. It’s by far one of my favorites of the post Return of the Jedi era. All the heroes of the movies have a part to play with the same sense of adventure, … Read more
- Choices of One ReviewThe story of Choices of One goes that an Imperial Governor is offering the Rebels safe haven for a base, in part, in hopes they’ll help guard the system from alien attack from outside the Empire. This is being investigated by our heroes among … Read more
- Lightsaber FactsThe classic hum of lightsabers being activated tends to mesmerize or terrify the citizens of the galaxy. The Jedi are a symbol of peace and to those supporting them it signifies hope, unless of course, you are a criminal. To the Sith, it’s merely … Read more
- Razor’s Edge ReviewRazor’s Edge surely implies where Leia finds herself as a mission to trade for supplies for the new Hoth base takes a dark twist. Between being attacked by the Empire, an Imperial spy among the rebels, and just to top it off, a band … Read more
- Tales of the Jedi ReviewThe Comics It would be difficult to overstate the importance of Tales of the Jedi comics, both to me and the expanded universe. It opened up a whole new era of storytelling in a galaxy far far away. The characters for the first time … Read more
- Why KOTOR and SWTOR are Expanded Universe CanonIncompatibility with Disney’s Timeline There are several reasons why the very founding of the KOTOR and SWTOR games prevent them ever fitting into the Disney’s new canon. When Disney’s LFL announced they would not be continuing the old Expanded Universe, they claimed several things. … Read more
- Vision of the Future ReviewIn Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn, It’s time for our heroes to step up and break through the morass of red tape, fear, and political hatreds stirred up first by the discovery of the Caamas document and then by the alleged re-appearance … Read more
- Specter of the Past ReviewMy rating: 4 1/2 Stars Overview: Our heroes are in a bit of transition from their usual jobs. But the past is a specter that haunts them, both individually and as a united government. They won’t be allowed much down time as an old … Read more
- SWTOR Planets and their OriginsSome worlds were invented just for Star Wars the Old Republic, such as Quesh, Voss and Odessan. But others had their origins in other media. Some were in the movies but others were in the books, comics, and other video games before they are … Read more
- The Approaching Storm Review“He’s just been on Ansion dealing with a border dispute.” It’s a simple statement at the beginning of the movie, hinting at what Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice did right before Attack of the Clones. But the mission to Ansion entails a planet spanning … Read more
- The Ewok Adventure AKA Caravan of Courage ReviewThe Ewok Adventure was released on TV in the US and in overseas theaters as ‘The Caravan of Courage’. Two human children are searching for their missing parents after a starship crash leaves them stranded on Endor. Who should show up to help…but Wicket … Read more
- The Expanded Universe VS The Clone Wars TVWhen The Clone Wars was released there were two types of fans. The movie fans and those who delved deeper into the Expanded Universe. The former would’ve been thrilled with anything based on the movies. The latter naturally expected it would follow the foundational … Read more
- Boba, Jango, and the MandaloreansBoba Fett and his Mandalorean introduction came even before Return of the Jedi Initially we only got the briefest of hints from the Empire Strikes Back that his armor was Mandalorean. We get the news he was a Mandalorean Protector from Fenn Shysa, one … Read more
- Reconciling the Prequels and the Early Expanded UniversePeople often seem to assume the Expanded Universe’s early works contradict the movies and use it as an excuse to say they are not canon. However, we can demonstrate how the movies themselves prove they do not contradict. The movies are a window to … Read more
- The Phantom Menace is integralThe Phantom Menace is integral to the Star Wars saga, because it foreshadows Anakin’s entire journey. It reveals his strength that saved a galaxy, and his love that brought it hope. It also shows that his weakness isn’t a penchant for sadism, or mere … Read more
- Splinter of the Mind’s Eye and CanonSplinter of the Mind’s Eye often pops up when people complain about contradictions in the Expanded Universe. However, people perhaps aren’t noticing the publishing date. Splinter of the Mind’s Eye was written before The Empire Strikes Back, and is the story Lucas considered doing … Read more
- Han Solo Trilogy by Ann Crispin ContinuityThis is one of the most amazing trilogies ever regarding continuity. Han Solo’s story is followed from his childhood taken in by a thief to right before A New Hope. It’s also one of my favorites. The Han Solo trilogy explains many things never … Read more
- Dark Forces & Katarn InfluenceDark Forces: The first video game. Dark Forces primarily starts life as a video game. Built on the old Dos System, by modern standards its pretty out of date. But this pixelated adventure starring Kyle Katarn (the player) is the first critical movie tie … Read more
- MedStar 2: Jedi Healer Review & ContinuityMedstar 2 picks up the pace from the first book. Barriss makes a startling discovery about the Bota that brings her to face the real, subtle temptations of the Dark Side. Her questioning is a serious question on what one should do for the … Read more
- Game Canon, Mechanics and ContinuityStar Wars games have a continuity set in the Expanded Universe. Some would prefer to assume that they have no game canon versions since there are many different endings. There are even some that are determined to believe that game mechanics mean the games … Read more
- The Marvel Expanded Universe ConnectionThe early Marvel comics were a huge part of helping Star Wars become a success. 20th Century Fox’s reluctance to promote the film meant that Lucas had to do it himself. This included setting up comics to whet fans appetites for a new sci … Read more
- Star Wars Sourcebook ReviewThe Star Wars Sourcebook by West End Games even predates Heir to the Empire. merchandise, the first new companies to put out new products. It came out in 1987. Coming out even before Heir to the Empire, let alone the prequels, there were a … Read more
- Tales of the Jedi Influence on the Expanded UniverseTales of the Jedi is one of the biggest tie-ins to the Expanded Universe. The Dark Horse Comics story was later subtitled ‘Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic’ and was followed three sequels arcs: Dark Lords of the Sith, The Sith … Read more
- Obi-Wan X-Box Review & ContinuityContinuity and the Story Obi-Wan plays. In between the story bits there are training / sparring levels in between the main ones. The game starts out before The Phantom Menace, and has Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon investigating the Black Heth gang and their Jin Ha … Read more
- SWTOR ContinuityI expect this to get long as I am still playing the Star Wars The Old Republic game and I can’t walk a few steps without running into references. This isn’t surprising as its a follow up to the Knights of the Old Republic … Read more
- Crucible ReviewThe Last Adventure Of Han, Luke, Leia and Lando – the Original Trilogy Heroes Crucible the culmination of a lifetime of service that began with the Original Trilogy, as well as a chance to unexpectedly reflect on the past and decide on the future. … Read more
- Clones & ClonersIn the Star Wars Galaxy, Kaminoans are the most famous cloners but not the only ones. The Clone Armies of the Republic too, are famous. But again, they are not the only clones. Clones: Jango Fett clones: While the first clones were born on … Read more
- Jedi Academy Game Review & ContinuityThe Jedi Academy Game is a tie in that goes in all directions. By this I mean previous games, comics and books, as well as those that come after. For that alone I would love it. I also find it most helpful in that … Read more
- Medstar I: Battle Surgeons Review & ContinuityMedstar, Battle Surgeons is not an adventure in the sense where the heroes are running from or blasting bad guys. These are the kind of heroes who fight to save lives with medical supplies. This is the Star Wars version of M*A*S*H with a … Read more
- Darth Maul Shadowhunter ReviewIf one has seen Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and realizes where Darth Maul: Shadowhunter lies in the timeline, one might assume one knows how it ends. If Darth Maul gets halved by Obi-Wan there, he clearly doesn’t die here. But sometimes the journey … Read more
- Han Solo Trilogy by Brian Daley ContinuityLong before Ann Crispin fleshed out Han Solo’s life, someone else had already explored some of his adventures. The trilogy of books about Han Solo was by Brian Daley, who also scripted the radio drama versions of the Original Trilogy. Han’s adventures are in … Read more
- The Truce at Bakura, Aftermath of Endor, InfluenceThe Truce at Bakura is the literal aftermath of the Battle of Endor and deals with the emotional and very real strategic fall outs of it. As such, its a great place to dive into the Expanded Universe. The Truce at Bakura starts immediately … Read more
- Prequels and ContinuityThe prequels introduced to the movie screen things that were, until now, only in print. Things that some viewers complain about were actually explained in print, in some cases, long before the movies. From Print to Movie The world of Coruscant was glimpsed in … Read more
- Rogue Squadron InfluenceKeys: M = Movie | N = Novel | C = Dark Horse Comics | G = Video Games | R = Audio/Radio Drama Rogue Squadron was never a planned multimedia event. It became one without any help, featuring novels, comic books, video games … Read more
- Jedi Academy Trilogy ContinuityThe Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson is the new beginning of the Jedi Order. At the time of writing, the Jedi philosophy of the prequels the specifics of Jedi training were unknown, including the rules of no attachments (families), one master to … Read more
- Shadows of the Empire InfluenceShadows of the Empire was the first multimedia event. Everything was tied in but an actual movie. The story takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The mission: to find and rescue Han Solo before Boba Fett gets him … Read more
- The Thrawn Trilogy InfluenceThe Thrawn trilogy was a big bang in the creation of the Expanded Universe. For years there had been no new Star Wars. Even the ewoks and droids cartoons had faded away. Then came the Thrawn trilogy, set 5 years after Return of the … Read more
- The Courtship Of Princess Leia: Witches and HapansThe Courtship of Princess Leia is only one book, and a controversial one at that. Some loved it, others hated it. But it has to be given credit for two of the most popular cultures in the EU. It is set 4 years after … Read more