Star Wars: The Clone Wars Seasons 1 and 2 to be Syndicated

The official site, StarWars.com formally announced the September 29, 2012 premier of Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Season Five on Cartoon Network airing at 9:30 am.

Included in the announcement was that the first 44 episodes of the series, Seasons One and Two are being sold in the U.S. for domestic syndication.

"In addition to its bold new episodes, the celebrated stories of the series' first two seasons will premiere in domestic syndication, marking its first appearance ever on U.S. broadcast television. Now, Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be available to a whole new audience, as well as provide an additional destination for its already loyal viewers to relive the amazing saga from its beginning."

This is cool news not only for Lucasfilm's bank account, but also to hopefully expand the audience of the show.

SOURCE: StarWars.com

New Original Trilogy Star Wars Novel Series: "Rebels" Book #1 and #2 Announced at Celebration VI

Are you tired of reading stories about Han, Luke and Leia escaping the old folks home?  Do you yearn for the classic Star Wars tales that existed in the films, Marvel Comics and early EU novels?  Well Del Rey and Lucas Books have something coming up that you might like.

Jennifer Heddle, Senior Editor at Lucas Books summarized the announcement of the series from Del Rey Celebration VI panel.

"Speaking of the original Big Three…we’re happy to announce that we’ll be doing new, “classic” novels, taking place during the time of the Original Trilogy. We have two books in the works so far: a Leia-focused novel, to be written by Martha Wells; and a Luke-focused novel, to be written by Kevin Hearne. Our tentative title for the series is Rebels. This is still in the early stages, so there will be more to come as things unfold. Martha and Kevin are both talented authors who are also huge Star Wars fans, and I know they’re going to be fantastic additions to the EU."

Tosche Station has the detail for the time setting of the Leia novel,

"A Leia book set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back is FINALLY coming. This was just approved and will be part of a trilogy of classic-era novels. Another book in this series will center around Luke. The tentative working title for this series is “Rebels.” "

Martha Wells will be writing the Leia focused novel and Kevin Hearne will be writing the Luke focused novel.  A subsequent Han focused novel should be expected.  

Martha Wells at Glasgow WorldCon via her Facebook

Martha Wells described how the deal went down and her emotions regarding writing a Star Wars novel on her blog:

Good News!
August 24th, 18:54
I was waiting to make sure it was okay to announce this, but Jennifer Heddle from Lucasfilm/LucasBooks mentioned it on Twitter: @jenheddle Super excited that @marthawells1 will be writing a Leia-focused novel for us, and @KevinHearne a Luke-focused one. Great authors. Can't wait  

I'm writing a Star Wars novel! This happened very fast. I got the first call from my agent about it on July 26, the Thursday right before ArmadilloCon, when I was sitting in a hotel room in Austin waiting to go meet friends to go to dinner. I couldn't tell anybody, which was easier than you'd think, because part of me still doesn't believe it's actually happening.
Star Wars was my first fandom love....

 You can learn more about Ms. Wells by visiting her website, http://www.marthawells.com/

Kevin Hearne the author of the Iron Druid Chronicles also has a website at http://www.kevinhearne.com/ and he recently sat down for a brief interview with SUVUDU following the announcement of his Luke Skywalker focused novel.

Photo via KevinHearne.com

"Shawn Speakman: Tell fantasy and “Star Wars” fans the big news. 

Kevin Hearne: Del Rey noticed that I’m kind of a “Star Wars” nut and asked me if I’d like to write a book for them focusing on Luke Skywalker, set betwixt Episode IV and V. Well, I was seven when the first movie came out and I grew up with this stuff. I couldn’t say no—I mean, I was playing with the original action figures and making up new adventures all the time. I’m talkin’ “PEW! PEW! PEW!” and “I can’t shake him!” and “Copy Gold Leader!” and attempting to sound like James Earl Jones when I hadn’t even reached puberty yet. So yeah, I’m thrilled to be on board and my nerd cred has skyrocketed amongst my friends."

I am intrigued that they are doing novels set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back.  We already have Splinter of the Mind's Eyes during that period and Shadows of the Empire between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. 

It sounds like this series has just come together so plans may be subject to change and the working sub-series title "Rebels" may be subject to change.  Undoubtedly this series will make continuity following fans nervous, but I like to think this provides Leland Chee with some extra job security as he helps the author's and editors navigate the continuity hurdles. 

The series could also provide a unique opportunity to pick up on some familiar faces from The Clone Wars animated series who may have survived the Dark Times and made it to the Rebellion Era. 

I will be very happy if we get a return of Winter in the Leia novel as well as an exploration of Leia's emotions regarding the destruction of Alderaan and lose of her family.  Perhaps even dealing with the political splintering and factions within the Rebellion. 

The Luke novel would feature a Luke we haven't seen in a while, one with limited Force abilities. It is often said that one of the difficulties with writing Luke in the modern EU is that he is so powerful you have to invent new and clever ways to injure him to make him beatable.  

This series of novels seems targeted to fit in with Dark Horse Comic's new comic series simply entitled, Star Wars.  

"Set during the original trilogy of films, this exciting new ongoing series is directly informed by the classic characters’ reactions to the events in A New Hope. The Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, crippling the Empire, and is now trying to recover from its own losses and move into the next phase of their stand against Emperor Palpatine’s wicked regime. The series will span the time period of the three films, with appearances by all of the beloved characters.

Brian Wood helms this exciting new story line, with interiors by Carlos d’Anda (Batman: Arkham City, Justice League) and covers by Alex Ross. The first issue arrives at your local comic shop on January 9, 2013."

I am ecstatic to see Alex Ross doing the covers, his DC Comics' Kingdom Come is my favorite comic art ever. 

Does this venture back into the OT time period mean we are in for a soft re-boot of the franchise where new material will gently push into lower levels of canon earlier works?  I am not sure, but as always I am excited for new and exciting Star Wars stories.  

SOURCES: Star Wars Blog , Tosche Station , Martha Well's LiveJournal,  SUVUDU , and DarkHorse.com

Sword of the Jedi Trilogy to be written by Christie Golden

Art by John VanFleet

The solo surviving Solo sibling steals the spotlight in the next Star Wars series, set after the Fate of the Jedi novel series. Star Wars: Sword of the Jedi (SotJ) will star Jaino Solo-Fel.

Way back during the New Jedi Order series when the galaxy was crumbling under the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, Jaina Solo was one of a group of young Jedi apprentices to be knighted by Luke Skywalker. At that ceremony, the Force spoke through Luke as he knighted and announced his niece the "Sword of the Jedi."

Luke said,

"I name you the Sword of the Jedi. You are like tempered steel, purposeful and razor-keen. Always you shall be in the front rank, a burning brand to your enemies, a brilliant fire to your friends. Yours is a restless life, and never shall you know peace, though you shall be blessed for the peace that you bring to others. Take comfort in the fact that, though you stand tall and alone, others take shelter in the shadow that you cast." ~Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams

Not exactly the cheeriest destiny and certainly one that makes it seem like it's Jaina's lot in life to suffer.

Having to kill your twin brother after he becomes a Sith Lord can really ruin a persons day. On the plus side she has a spunky niece and a brand new hubby to help her find a little bit of happiness in that crazy galaxy far, far away.

In Legacy of the Force we saw Jaina do her best Rocky IV training montage, with Mandalore replacing the Soviet Union.

In Fate of the Jedi, I think we finally got the most balanced and satisfying characterization for Jaina. That is not to say that Jaina has not had some highlights in the SWEU, I particularly enjoyed Dark Journey. On the whole however the adult Jaina's story features far to much of the Zekk/Jaina/Jag love triangle.

I would like to see more of the Han side of Jaina's personality, the tinkering with electronics and ships. I like this idea of physical activity as a coping mechanism. This is something that both her father and her grandfather on her mother's side did.

The upshot of the Fate of the Jedi series for Jaina is that it finally elevates her to the level of Jedi Master and it finally resolves her love life with her marriage to Jag.

This means that Jaina is ready for her next big challenge. She has already grown as a Jedi and proved herself as one of the best Jedi of her generation.

She now also has her domestic life in order. Jaina is driven by duty, but in submitting to love she has allowed herself to reap the rewards of her labors. The healthy relationship between Jaina and Jag follows in the example set by Han/Leia and Luke/Mara.

It will be interesting to see Jag and Jaina play off each other. As a non-Force user Jag is in a similar role to what Han is in with Leia. How does a non-Force user keep up with a Jedi?

Of course Jag because of his Chiss upbringing has a very different personality than Han.

Jaina as part of the marriage feels a lot like Mara Jade to me. I certainly hope we see some of that same sort of playful teasing that made Mara such an endearing character.

Author Christie Golden is getting a huge opportunity and as one of the newer (relatively) authors in the Star Wars bullpen, I am a little surprised she was given the trilogy. Of course given the job I think she did in the FotJ series, maybe I shouldn't be so surprised.

I was very disappointed in Ms. Golden's first Star Wars novel. It was a good story but the book was simply to short for a hardcover book in a series that was stretched out with so much time in between books.

I do think that Ms Golden did a very good job with the character of Vestara in the FotJ series and I think her books come off very well.

I am really curious what the major threat and antagonist will be in this series.

I think it would make sense to get the story away from Coruscant. Whether that means it is set in the Imperial Remnant, which I would love and think is an underused setting. Or whether it is set in Wild Space, the Outer Rim or some other far off part of the galaxy remains to be seen.

In the last few series we have seen (1) a major external threat, i.e. the Vong invasion, (2) very alien threat, i.e. the Killiks, (3) a major internal threat i.e. Jacen's fascism and Sith path, and (4) a mixture of internal and external threats with Daala, the Lost Tribe and Abeloth.

It feels like it may be time for a super-weapon of the week kind of story, but in any event I just hope we get away from every series involving the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance and focus more on more personal struggles and battles on a smaller more intimate level.

Stay tuned to Lightsaber Rattling as I will bring you the latest on this series as we learn more.

SOURCE: STAR WARS BOOKS ON FACEBOOK
Image Sources: Wookieepedia

Paul S. Kemp Duology Celebration VI Update: Has the Outline Been Submitted?

Clearly the folks at Del Rey and Lucas Books are quick to recognize how awesome author Paul S. Kemp is, because about a millennia ago it was announced that he would be penning a duology of novels.

News has been sparse on these two novels, but things appear to be picking up steam.  While no announcement regarding the books was made at Celebration VI, we did get some vague talk.

According to Tosche Station's CVI coverage,

"The Paul S. Kemp duology is still shrouded in secret."

Club Jade chimed in with the following from their CVI coverage,

"Nothing on the Kemp duology yet, though he did tweet in to say “hi.” Honestly, I believe he tweeted about sending in the outline only last week, so it’s probably just a matter of timing and approval."

Well Dunc at Club Jade was correct, as Mr. Kemp did Tweet a vague confirmation that his outline for the story has been submitted.

Hopefully Kemp's duology becomes a foundational piece of the Star Wars Expanded Universe just like Timothy Zahn's Hand of Thrawn Duology.

SOURCES: TOSCHE STATION, CLUB JADE, AND @PAULSKEMP

New Star Wars Short Fiction E-Book Initiative: Essential Guides and New Timothy Zahn story "Winner Lose All"

Art by Joe Corroney from  "Underworld: A Galaxy of Scum and Villainy," Star Wars Insider 89

The e-book revolution has firmly taken hold and will continue to capture the digital hearts of Star Wars fans if Del Rey has anything to say about it.

At Celebration VI at the Del Rey and Essential Guide panels it was announced not only that books from the Essential Guide series would be making the conversion to digital e-book format, but also that Del Rey and Lucas Books are launching a new initiative of digital exclusive fiction.

Lucas Books' Senior Editor Jennifer Heddle summarized the announcement on The Star Wars Blog:

"Tim Zahn announced that he’s writing a piece of short fiction featuring Lando, as well as some other characters from Scoundrels, to be released in December, in e-book formats only. The up-till-then untitled piece was given the title “Winner Lose All” after Shelly wrote it down on a piece of paper for me right there during the panel and I said OK. As you can see sometimes the Lucasfilm approval process is extensive and exhausting. Ha ha. The plan is for this to be just the beginning of more regular e-only publications, giving authors and readers new opportunities to play in the Star Wars universe we might not have otherwise."

On Facebook Del Rey Editor Erich Schoeneweiss summarized the announcement from the Celebration VI Essential Guide panel, including the move of the EG series to include e-book editions.

"1) Beginning with WARFARE and READER'S COMPANION on October 2, Del Rey will release the Essential Guide books in eBook formats as well. After the first two books we will follow up with an additional Guide like ATLAS and GUIDE TO THE FORCE every few months. More to come on this."

It is good to see Del Rey attempting to stay ahead of the e-book curve in pushing new and exclusive content.  Early in the e-book days there where a number of novella's released as well as a few full length Star Wars novels.

I really enjoyed Karen Traviss' novella, Boba Fett: A Practical Man.  I certainly expect Timothy Zahn's "Winner Lose All" to be a winner, after all how can you fail when you have sabacc in the story?



SOURCES: STAR WARS BLOG and FACEBOOK