Hey all, I though starting over might be in order, since the old EU thread is no longer really relevant. I wanted to restart my continuity commentary now that there is a ton more material out there. It was fun chatting about this in the old thread.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Obi-Wan and Anakin Miniseries (Marvel Comics) - Ongoing as of this writing. The mini-series focuses on the early years of Anakin's training, when Obi-Wan and Anakin are dispatched to a world that destroyed itself to investigate and old Jedi signal that recently appeared. Deals with the themes of the Jedi's inability to help everyone and the Republic's corruption and unwillingness to help this world because it had nothing of value.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The Clone Wars (TV Show, CGI Version) - While the movie pilot is awful, and some of the story arcs are hit and miss, this show is overall fantastic. It does a much better job showing what was going on in the galaxy politically, and showing Anakin's emotional journey, than the films do. It manages to turn bratty Padawan Ashoka into one of the most well-liked characters in Star Wars over the course of six seasons. It's a must watch, especially the few episodes of Season Six that were completed before cancellation.
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir (Dark Horse Comics) - This story is based on cancelled Clone Wars stories from Season Six. I Haven't read it yet, but it wraps up Darth Maul's hanging story thread after the Clone Wars.
Dark Disciple (Novel) - This story is based on cancelled Clone Wars stories from Season Six. If you liked The Clone Wars, you'll like this. Details the relationship between Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos. It wraps up many of the story threads left handing from The Clone Wars.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Lords of the Sith (Novel) - Most of the book takes place over a very short period of time, but it does a nice job in showing a hyper-competent Rebel leader facing off against two Sith Lords. I definitely recommend reading it, and it has some very minor ties to Rebels in that the Rebel leader is Hera's father (this is revealed in the first chapter). Can't recommend it enough.
Essentially, the Rebel Leader is a Twilek trying to free his homeworld of Ryloth from the Empire. When his constant attacks bring Vader and the Emperor themselves to Ryloth, he spends all his resources on one committed attack to try to take them down. Even though you know the outcome in advance, he's so competent and capable that you're still rooting for him, and loving Vader's magnificent bastard at the same time. The chapters detailing the take down and defense of the Star Destroyer are as good as the X-Wing series.
Tarkin (Novel) - The advertising for this book called it 'Tarkin getting the Darth Plagueis treatment', and if that is the case I'm glad I skipped that book. Tarkin is a mixed bag. It reads like one part Tarkin biography, and one part average adventure. It has some interesting ideas but fails to deliver satisfactorily on the idea of Tarkin as a magnificent bastard or with his weird history. This book is entirely skippable, but it IS notable for doing a few things, it established a lot of the world building of the EU as still being canon, including many star systems, companies and even the crime syndicate Black Sun. It also feature a budding bromance between Tarkin and Vader.
Essentially, the A plot boils down to a mysterious group with Holonet hacking capabilities. While assigned to investigate this group (which attacked the base responsible for the coordination of the Death Star development), Tarkin gets his top-of-the-line personal cruiser stolen out from under him. The rest of the plot follows Tarkin and Vader in a budding bromance as they chase down those responsible and develop a mutual respect for each other's abilties. The antagonists turn out to be former Republic operatives who want revenge on Tarkin for the mass arrests and executions he performed on a Separatist planet after the Clone Wars (which didn't bother to discriminate between those fighting for the Republic and the Separatists).
The B Plot deals with Tarkin's youth, in which members of his family undergo a kind of wilderness survival right of passage that has affected his worldview and tactical sense dramatically. It also talks a bit about his disappointment with various issues in the Republic.
A New Dawn (Novel) - This book is a prequel to Rebels and surprised me. I found myself really engaged by this story all the way through, even though it had some problems. This book serves as a prequel to the Rebels TV series, but it's unclear exactly where it takes place in the overall timeline. It was a fun read, especially if you're a fan of the show (and even if you aren't).
Kanan (one of the stars of the Rebels TV Series) is a former Padawn who has become a drifter that takes on dangerous, solitary jobs and has spent the better part of a decade hiding his force abilities. His current job is as an explosives hauler on a small mining world, the chief export of which is used to make shock absorbers for the weapons of capital ships.
Hera (another star) is on a scouting mission for the proto-Rebel Alliance (the book makes it pretty clear the Alliance as we know it in Episode IV hasn't quite coalesced yet), investigating one of the Empire's top leaders (and efficiency expert) as he comes to inspect the mining planet. A slightly crazed miner tries to warn everyone of the dangers of mining the planet's moon, but when no one listens he takes it upon himself and with one well-placed mine brings down a large part of the moon's structure. He brings his data to the efficiency expert, but the expert, who is under heavy pressure to deliver results, instead uses the data to hatch a plan to destroy the moon to get better access to the needed materials.
The plot takes some twists and turns, but in the end Kanan is forced to reveal some of his force abilities to save Hera's life, and begins to find the purpose he's been missing since his Master was killed at the end of the Clone Wars.
Rebels (TV Show) - Rebels Season 1 was rather weak. It followed a small cell of rebels and their adventures on a planet called Lothar, and focused a lot on the early teen Ezra and his journey to learning about the force from Kanan - a fomer Padawan and reluctant teacher. It introduces the concept of Inquisitors to the Disney Canon, who were force-sensitives partially trained by Palpatine and Vader to hunt down other force-sensitives and escaped Jedi that could be a threat to the Empire. By Season 2, however, this show became must-watch and also tied in many of the remaining loose threads from the Clone Wars that were left hanging after cancellation.
Specifically, it re-introduces Ashoka, Anakin's old apprentice, as 'Cipher', the de facto leader of the Rebellion. It then brings back Captain Rex to assist the fledgling rebellion.
Kanan (Marvel Comics) - Kanan takes place both concurrent with the Rebels story and at various points in Kanan's past. I'm placing it here rather than after RotS because the 'past' stories are all in flashback. Essentially, this comic establishes Kanan as having been a troublesome Padawan during the Clone Wars, only to have his master killed and barely escape with his life. These flashbacks cover many of Kanan's early years and how he survived and started down the path to the rogue we know now.
Rogue One
Episode IV: A New Hope
Heir to the Jedi (Novel) - The story follows Luke through a series of adventures as a struggling Rebel Alliance attempts to keep going after losing their base on Yavin 4. It probably takes place concurrently with the Star Wars comic series. I'm not putting anything in spoilers for this one because this is probably the least plot heavy of the books, it just follows Luke on one adventure that leads to another as Luke comes to terms with being the undertrained heir to the Jedi legacy. If you like Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series, you'll like this, as Luke is essentially Atticus Finch. If you don't like those books, you probably won't like this, as the first person perspective is a little off-putting. It's a solid read, but ultimately entirely skippable.
Star Wars (Marvel Comics) - This comic takes place a short time after A New Hope and chronicles the adventures of the film's cast between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It takes place concurrently with Darth Vader. It's a fun read, and still ongoing, although the amount that Vader interacts with the cast may irk some.
Darth Vader (Marvel Comics) - This comic takes place concurrently with the ongoing Star Wars comic, between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It details Vader's quest to find the force-sensitive pilot who destroyed the Death Star, and what he does we he discovers it to be his own son. It also details how he navigates his relationship with the Emperor, whose good graces he lost after the destruction of the Death Star. A fun read for anyone who loves reading about villains.
Princess Leia Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - A short throw-away story about the titular character as she tries to gather all the Alderaanian ex-patriots together. Entirely skippable, but good if you like the character.
Lando Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - Another short throw-away story about a different character. It follows Lando as he attempts a heist that he finds is way out of his league, and explains how he got on the Imperial's radar. Entirely skippable.
Chewbacca Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - Yet another short throw-away story, this time about Chewbacca after his ship malfunctions while on a rare trip without Han. It follows a young girl who convinces her new Wookie friend to help her free a group of slaves being forced to mine in dangerous conditions. Chewie is awesome throughout, and it does a great job with his characterization despite him having no dialogue.
Battlefront: Twilight Company (Novel) - Haven't read this one yet, either, but it's on my list.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Shattered Empire Miniseries (Marvel Comics) - This is a short series following the adventures of Poe Dameron's parents from the battle of Endor and follows the immediate aftermath to the Battle of Endor. It's a cute read, but ultimately skippable.
Aftermath (Novel) - This novel follows the adventures of a new group as they come together by accident after becoming entangled in an Imperial plot on the planet Akiva. Imperial Leadership is attempting to determine the future of the Empire. It features the teenage version of Temmin Wexley, who would go on to become a resistance pilot played by Greg Grunberg in The Force Awakens. It's hit or miss, I didn't find this book incredibly compelling, but it has constant interludes into what is happening around the galaxy in the wake of the Battle of Endor. It's apparently also becoming a trilogy.
Lost Stars (Novel) - Haven't read it yet, but it deals with childhood friends (and romantic interests) who find themselves on opposite sides of the Galactic Civil War, all the way up through the Battle of Jakku.
Aftermath is an awesome book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I am currently working my way through Lost Stars and then it will be on to the newest book in the Star Wars canon, Bloodline. Have you gotten around to reading Lost Stars? With regard to Aftermath, I personally think that the main character in it and Rey from Force Awakens are either one and the same or they are related in some way. What do you think? Also I can't wait until Rogue One comes out as it looks to be an awesome movie.
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Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Obi-Wan and Anakin Miniseries (Marvel Comics) - Ongoing as of this writing. The mini-series focuses on the early years of Anakin's training, when Obi-Wan and Anakin are dispatched to a world that destroyed itself to investigate and old Jedi signal that recently appeared. Deals with the themes of the Jedi's inability to help everyone and the Republic's corruption and unwillingness to help this world because it had nothing of value.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
The Clone Wars (TV Show, CGI Version) - While the movie pilot is awful, and some of the story arcs are hit and miss, this show is overall fantastic. It does a much better job showing what was going on in the galaxy politically, and showing Anakin's emotional journey, than the films do. It manages to turn bratty Padawan Ashoka into one of the most well-liked characters in Star Wars over the course of six seasons. It's a must watch, especially the few episodes of Season Six that were completed before cancellation.
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir (Dark Horse Comics) - This story is based on cancelled Clone Wars stories from Season Six. I Haven't read it yet, but it wraps up Darth Maul's hanging story thread after the Clone Wars.
Dark Disciple (Novel) - This story is based on cancelled Clone Wars stories from Season Six. If you liked The Clone Wars, you'll like this. Details the relationship between Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos. It wraps up many of the story threads left handing from The Clone Wars.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Lords of the Sith (Novel) - Most of the book takes place over a very short period of time, but it does a nice job in showing a hyper-competent Rebel leader facing off against two Sith Lords. I definitely recommend reading it, and it has some very minor ties to Rebels in that the Rebel leader is Hera's father (this is revealed in the first chapter). Can't recommend it enough.
Tarkin (Novel) - The advertising for this book called it 'Tarkin getting the Darth Plagueis treatment', and if that is the case I'm glad I skipped that book. Tarkin is a mixed bag. It reads like one part Tarkin biography, and one part average adventure. It has some interesting ideas but fails to deliver satisfactorily on the idea of Tarkin as a magnificent bastard or with his weird history. This book is entirely skippable, but it IS notable for doing a few things, it established a lot of the world building of the EU as still being canon, including many star systems, companies and even the crime syndicate Black Sun. It also feature a budding bromance between Tarkin and Vader.
The B Plot deals with Tarkin's youth, in which members of his family undergo a kind of wilderness survival right of passage that has affected his worldview and tactical sense dramatically. It also talks a bit about his disappointment with various issues in the Republic.
A New Dawn (Novel) - This book is a prequel to Rebels and surprised me. I found myself really engaged by this story all the way through, even though it had some problems. This book serves as a prequel to the Rebels TV series, but it's unclear exactly where it takes place in the overall timeline. It was a fun read, especially if you're a fan of the show (and even if you aren't).
Hera (another star) is on a scouting mission for the proto-Rebel Alliance (the book makes it pretty clear the Alliance as we know it in Episode IV hasn't quite coalesced yet), investigating one of the Empire's top leaders (and efficiency expert) as he comes to inspect the mining planet. A slightly crazed miner tries to warn everyone of the dangers of mining the planet's moon, but when no one listens he takes it upon himself and with one well-placed mine brings down a large part of the moon's structure. He brings his data to the efficiency expert, but the expert, who is under heavy pressure to deliver results, instead uses the data to hatch a plan to destroy the moon to get better access to the needed materials.
The plot takes some twists and turns, but in the end Kanan is forced to reveal some of his force abilities to save Hera's life, and begins to find the purpose he's been missing since his Master was killed at the end of the Clone Wars.
Rebels (TV Show) - Rebels Season 1 was rather weak. It followed a small cell of rebels and their adventures on a planet called Lothar, and focused a lot on the early teen Ezra and his journey to learning about the force from Kanan - a fomer Padawan and reluctant teacher. It introduces the concept of Inquisitors to the Disney Canon, who were force-sensitives partially trained by Palpatine and Vader to hunt down other force-sensitives and escaped Jedi that could be a threat to the Empire. By Season 2, however, this show became must-watch and also tied in many of the remaining loose threads from the Clone Wars that were left hanging after cancellation.
Kanan (Marvel Comics) - Kanan takes place both concurrent with the Rebels story and at various points in Kanan's past. I'm placing it here rather than after RotS because the 'past' stories are all in flashback. Essentially, this comic establishes Kanan as having been a troublesome Padawan during the Clone Wars, only to have his master killed and barely escape with his life. These flashbacks cover many of Kanan's early years and how he survived and started down the path to the rogue we know now.
Rogue One
Episode IV: A New Hope
Heir to the Jedi (Novel) - The story follows Luke through a series of adventures as a struggling Rebel Alliance attempts to keep going after losing their base on Yavin 4. It probably takes place concurrently with the Star Wars comic series. I'm not putting anything in spoilers for this one because this is probably the least plot heavy of the books, it just follows Luke on one adventure that leads to another as Luke comes to terms with being the undertrained heir to the Jedi legacy. If you like Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series, you'll like this, as Luke is essentially Atticus Finch. If you don't like those books, you probably won't like this, as the first person perspective is a little off-putting. It's a solid read, but ultimately entirely skippable.
Star Wars (Marvel Comics) - This comic takes place a short time after A New Hope and chronicles the adventures of the film's cast between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It takes place concurrently with Darth Vader. It's a fun read, and still ongoing, although the amount that Vader interacts with the cast may irk some.
Darth Vader (Marvel Comics) - This comic takes place concurrently with the ongoing Star Wars comic, between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It details Vader's quest to find the force-sensitive pilot who destroyed the Death Star, and what he does we he discovers it to be his own son. It also details how he navigates his relationship with the Emperor, whose good graces he lost after the destruction of the Death Star. A fun read for anyone who loves reading about villains.
Princess Leia Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - A short throw-away story about the titular character as she tries to gather all the Alderaanian ex-patriots together. Entirely skippable, but good if you like the character.
Lando Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - Another short throw-away story about a different character. It follows Lando as he attempts a heist that he finds is way out of his league, and explains how he got on the Imperial's radar. Entirely skippable.
Chewbacca Mini-Series (Marvel Comics) - Yet another short throw-away story, this time about Chewbacca after his ship malfunctions while on a rare trip without Han. It follows a young girl who convinces her new Wookie friend to help her free a group of slaves being forced to mine in dangerous conditions. Chewie is awesome throughout, and it does a great job with his characterization despite him having no dialogue.
Battlefront: Twilight Company (Novel) - Haven't read this one yet, either, but it's on my list.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Shattered Empire Miniseries (Marvel Comics) - This is a short series following the adventures of Poe Dameron's parents from the battle of Endor and follows the immediate aftermath to the Battle of Endor. It's a cute read, but ultimately skippable.
Aftermath (Novel) - This novel follows the adventures of a new group as they come together by accident after becoming entangled in an Imperial plot on the planet Akiva. Imperial Leadership is attempting to determine the future of the Empire. It features the teenage version of Temmin Wexley, who would go on to become a resistance pilot played by Greg Grunberg in The Force Awakens. It's hit or miss, I didn't find this book incredibly compelling, but it has constant interludes into what is happening around the galaxy in the wake of the Battle of Endor. It's apparently also becoming a trilogy.
Lost Stars (Novel) - Haven't read it yet, but it deals with childhood friends (and romantic interests) who find themselves on opposite sides of the Galactic Civil War, all the way up through the Battle of Jakku.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
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