Star Wars Insider has been a staple of fandom since 1987. Founded by Dan Madsen, and following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine, Insider has gone through some changes over the years, but one thing has always remained — the desire to bring the best of Star Wars from the creators to the fans. 2021 marks the 200th issue of Star Wars Insider, and it’s filled to the brim with quality content.
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A favorite from this issue is the special edition of The Wonder Column by Anthony Daniels. The column was a regular feature of Insider before being retired with issue 47. However, Anthony Daniels is back to celebrate the big 200 with discussion of his involvement with the sequel trilogy and his delightful memoir, I Am C-3PO. It’s a bit like having an old friend over for a visit for a lovely afternoon of catching up.
Moving along we come to an interview with Ian McDiarmid, the Emperor himself. It’s always disarming to hear from such a charming man while trying to reconcile the fact he plays the ultimate villain in the Star Wars universe. Such is his talent, however, and his generosity of spirit when discussing his cast mates Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley, and his experiences being part of Star Wars as a whole.
Of course, being the 200th issue, there’s a feature called “200 Things” enumerating the many reason we love Star Wars. Contributors run the gamut from creatives involved in the films to fans and to luminaries such as William Shatner. One could easily see Insider doing an update for the 300th issue! There are innumerable reasons to love Star Wars, all just as varied as the fans themselves.
On a more somber note, there’s a heartfelt tribute to the late David Prowse, written by editor Christopher Cooper. He recounts what the actor meant to him, not only in his role as Darth Vader, but also as the Green Cross Code Man, a superhero who helped kids learn the proper rules for crossing the street safely. It sounds like a small thing, but as Cooper points out, he likely saved the lives of many children across the UK by teaching them these simple lessons.
This issue also continues the return of original fiction with part two of an exclusive short story written by Charles Soule. “Starlight: Part Two: Go Together” picks up after the events of Soule’s novel Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi. Part two continues its focus on characters Joss and Pikka Arden, a husband/wife duo who are engineers and project managers involved in the construction of the space station Starlight Beacon. When the pirates known as the Nihil threaten galactic peace in the wake of a tragic hyperspace catastrophe, the Ardens get swept up in efforts to thwart the Nihil — events that play out in Light of the Jedi. In “Go Together: Part Two,” the couple is questioned by the Jedi and officials within the Republic as they seek to understand just how Joss and Pikka were able to fight the Nihil without being warriors or soldiers themselves. Their unconventional methods make them desirable recruits.
This issue also features an all-new interview with Charles Soule. In it, the author discusses how he transitioned from being an attorney to a writer in the Star Wars universe. It’s a great read for anyone who might be looking to follow their dreams or focus more on their creative side, apart from their day jobs.
There’s so much packed into this milestone issue, only the surface has been scratched. “Princesses of Alderaan” brings together all the voice actors who have portrayed Leia Organa in animation and video games. Ira Keeler looks back on his 20 years working for Industrial Light & Magic, and in “A Certain Point of View” Michael Kogge answers the question of politics in The Phantom Menace. There’s a recap of the final season of The Clone Wars, book and comics updates, quizzes, and more.
Even in the age of the internet, when all the info you could possibly want is at your fingertips, Insider has always been like comfort food. Sure, one can get info faster by hopping onto Google or social media, but there’s something satisfying about holding a magazine dedicated to one of the great loves of our lives. Star Wars Insider has endured for 200 issues. Here’s hoping for 200 more!
Star Wars Insider issue #200 is available on newsstands now.
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