The Star Wars Canon Dispatch
September 2016
Welcome to The Star Wars Canon Dispatch, an unofficial monthly contextual look at the recent and upcoming releases in Star Wars storytelling. There were quite a few Star Wars canon releases over the last four weeks, with a couple of surprises hidden within, and while the next four weeks are a bit lite, there are some heavy hitters coming up.
Recent Releases (August 16 – September 15)
“Becoming Hunted”
Martin Fisher, writer / Bob Molesworth, artist
Comic Story in Rebels Magazine #6 by Titan Magazines
August 16, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope, likely during the events of season one of Star Wars Rebels.
Canon Influence: This particular comic story does not do a whole lot for the canon at large. It does show a bit more of the “average citizen,” which we do not get a lot of in other Star Wars media.
Companion Stories: There are no ties to any other stories for this particular comic.
“Assessment”
Martin Fisher, writer / Ingo Romling, artist
Comic Story in Rebels Magazine #6 by Titan Magazines
August 16, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope, after “Vision of Hope” and before “Call to Action” of season one of Star Wars Rebels.
Canon Influence: This is perhaps the first of these Rebels Magazine comic stories that has a relevant canon connection. While going through the Rebels TV series, the arrival of Grand Moff Tarkin may not seem like an unusual one, he does have quite a large area of the galaxy that he is overseeing. This story reveals the work of Assessor Potalla, who was sent to evaluate the work being done on Lothal in order to determine if Tarkin’s involvement was necessary.
Companion Stories: “Assessment” ties into the Servants of the Empire book series, taking place between books three and four. Also, episodes of Star Wars Rebels featuring Zare Leonis help understand his involvement here (“Breaking Ranks” and “Vision of Hope”).
Poe Dameron, Issue #005: Lockdown (Book I, Part IV)
Charles Soule, writer / Phil Noto, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
August 17, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode VII: The Force Awakens, after Poe Dameron, Issue #004.
Canon Influence: Poe Dameron and BB-8 are on a mission with Black Squadron to locate Lor San Tekka at the request of General Leia Organa. This story takes them to a prison where they are seeking out the advice of the criminal gangster, Grakkus the Hutt. We see BB-8 take a leadership position amongst the droids in Poe’s squadron, similar to that of R2-D2 in some of the Clone Wars stories.
Companion Stories: Poe Dameron, Issue #004 is an essential read. For more details about Grakkus the Hutt, check out Star Wars Issues #008-#012. If you want to find an even more interesting connection, go look through Lando, Issue #001, where we first met Papa Toren, who has returned in this series.
The Force Awakens, Issue #003
Chuck Wendig, writer / Luke Ross, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
August 24, 2016
Time Frame: Retelling the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Canon Influence: This issue serves as a fun retelling of the events of the movie, however it does not add anything to the lore of the film. We do get to see a scale reference of the Rathtar to the Millennium Falcon, an angle we did not see in the film, and a wide shot of the denizens of Maz Kanata’s bar.
Companion Stories: Aside from its previous issue, as long as you are familiar with the film, this comic will read well. However, if you are not familiar with the film, the comic may seem a bit rushed or disjointed.
Star Wars, Issue #022: The Last Flight of the Harbinger, Part II
Jason Aaron, writer / Jorge Molina, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
August 24, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, following the events of Star Wars, Issue #021.
Canon Influence: For the very first time since this series began, we see Luke, Leia, and Han in a mission together, without the story separating them in some fashion. This is also the first time we have seen Han fly with rebel fighters in a mission. The trio is after the Star Destroyer Harbinger. This is not the first time we have seen rebels capture Imperial Starships: the crew of the Ghost and Phoenix Squadron went after an Imperial Hanger ships to add to their personal armada. We also get a sense of just how frightened Imperial officers were of Darth Vader.
Companion Stories: Sana solo has returned to aid the rebels in this mission. Sana has been part of this series throughout, appearing in Issues #004-#012 and #016-#019. There is no influence outside of the Star Wars comic series in this issue that I can tell at this time, though, just as with many of these arcs, something is bound to show up sooner than later.
“Blade Squadron: Kuat”
David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams
Short Story in Star Wars Insider #168 by Titan Magazine
August 30, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode VII: The Force Awakens, concurrent with the events of Star Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt.
Canon Influence: The Blade Squadron short stories have done a lot to give a personality to the different sections of the rebel alliance, and this story does no different, as it continue to develop the characters of these fighter pilots. This short story adds another layer to the overall narrative of the galactic conflict between the waning Empire and the budding New Republic.
Companion Stories: There are three prior short stories featuring Blade Squadron, which introduce the characters in the series. While this short story is referenced in Aftermath: Life Debt, I would not consider it an essential read.
Han Solo, Issue #003
Marjorie Liu, writer / Mark Brooks, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
August 31, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, following the events of Han Solo, Issue #002.
Canon Influence: More so than anything, the Han Solo comics are showing the conflict within himself, between his duty to the rebellion, and his love of the challenge of the race. Han wants to prove himself, and the Dragon Void Run is turning out to be his ultimate proving ground.
Companion Stories: So far, the Han Solo comics are quite self-sufficient, with no real link to other canon stories. This is the beginning of Han Solo’s taste in racing, which really plays into where we see him in Bloodline.
Poe Dameron, Issue #006: Lockdown, Part III
Charles Soule, writer / Phil Noto, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
September 7, 2016
Time Frame: Between Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode VII: The Force Awakens, after Poe Dameron, Issue #005.
Canon Influence: This short story arc has come to a close. The conflict between Poe Dameron and Agent Terex continues, but we find that the Resistance may have an even more significant problem.
Companion Stories: Poe Dameron, Issue #004 and #005 are essential reads. For more details about Grakkus the Hutt, check out Star Wars Issues #008-#012. Lando, Issue #001, gives us a look at Papa Toren prior to his incarceration.
Finn’s Story
Jesse J. Holland, author / Brian Rood, illustrator
Children’s Book by Disney-Lucasfilm Press
September 13, 2016
Time Frame: Retelling the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Canon Influence: Finn’s story provides another look at this film, similar to Rey’s Story. In this, we get to see the entire story from Finn’s perspective. There is a little added context to the film with this approach which helps us really understand what is going on in his head.
Companion Stories: Greg Rucka’s Before the Awakening plays into this story, as the first chapter of this book takes elements from that story. (Order here)
The Force Awakens, Issue #004
Chuck Wendig, writer / Luke Ross, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
September 14, 2016
Time Frame: Retelling the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Canon Influence: As I’m putting this together, I do not yet have access to this comic. This one intrigues me the most as this is the issue that will depict Rey’s vision, which may give us a better look at what actually was going on during this moment in the film.
Companion Stories: Aside from its previous issue, as long as you are familiar with the film, this comic will read well.
Upcoming Releases (September 16 – October 15)
Poe Dameron: Flight Log
Michael Kogge
Children’s Book by Studio International Fun
September 27, 2016
Know Before You Read: This book is expected to be very similar to Rey’s Survival Guide. It will serve more as a reference book to the events in Poe’s life than a narrative. Hopefully it will tie into some of the moments we’ve seen Poe be part of prior to The Force Awakens, but we will soon see exactly what this story hold. (Pre-order here)
Star Wars, Issue #023: The Last Flight of the Harbinger, Part III
Jason Aaron, writer / Jorge Molina, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
September 28, 2016
Know Before You Read: Continuing the story of the Harbinger capture started in the previous issue, we will see the dynamics between Leia and Han play out very similar to the way they did in A New Hope and the early part of The Empire Strikes Back. Be sure to check out Issues #021 and #022 before picking up this issue.
Ahsoka
Emily Kate Johnston
Young Adult Novel by Disney-Lucasfilm Press
October 11, 2016
Know Before You Read: Perhaps the next most anticipated novel in the Star Wars canon, Ahsoka follows the story of our favorite Jedi Padawan gone rogue between her departure from the Jedi order and her appearance in Star Wars Rebels. We hope that this novel answers a lot of questions, but we know the story of Ahsoka is vast and I personally hope that this novel just scratches that surface. (Pre-order here)
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Issue #025: End of Games, Part V
Kieron Gillen, writer / Salvador Larroca, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
October 12, 2016
Know Before You Read: This is the final issue in the run of Darth Vader. This would be a good time to re-read from Issue #001 in preparation for the final chapter in this tale.
Han Solo, Issue #004
Marjorie Liu, writer / Mark Brooks, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
October 12, 2016
Know Before You Read: The troubles of the Rebel Alliance have followed Han into the Dragon Void Run race. Be sure to catch up on Han Solo, Issues #001-#003 before picking up this issue. His duty to the Rebellion will be put against his pride and personal desire to win the biggest starship race in the galaxy.
The Force Awakens, Issue #005
Chuck Wendig, writer / Luke Ross, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
October 12, 2016
Know Before You Read: We are nearing the end of this adaptation, as we follow Ray captured by the First Order. Finn aids the resistance in plans to destroy Starkiller Base while trying to figure out a way to save Ray at the same time.
DON’T FORGET! Also out in the coming weeks is Star Wars: Complete Locations, a DK Publishing reference book discussing the many locations across the galaxy. This book is planned to be released on September 27, 2016. (Pre-order here)
On The Horizon
In case you missed any news, here are the Star Wars canon titles we are expecting beyond October 16, 2016 (dates subject to change):
10/18/16 – Rebels Magazine #7 (Comic Stories – Titan Magazine)
10/25/16 – Star Wars Propaganda (Reference Book – Harper Design) (Pre-order here)
10/25/16 – “Turning Point” [Insider 169] (Short Story –Titan Magazine)
11/9/16 – The Force Awakens, Issues #006 (Comic – Marvel)
11/9/16 – Han Solo, Issue #005 (Comic – Marvel)
11/15/16 – Rogue One: Catalyst (Novel – Del Rey) (Pre-order here)
11/30/16 – Star Wars Annual, Issue #002 (Comic – Marvel)
12/16/16 – ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (Lucasfilm)
1/3/17 – Adventures in Wild Space #1 & #2 (Children’s Book – Disney-Lucasfilm Press) (Pre-order Book #1 here, and Book #2 here)
2/21/17 – Aftermath: Empire’s End (Novel – Del Rey) (Pre-order here)
4/11/17 – Thrawn (Novel – Del Rey) (Pre-order here)
Star Wars, ongoing (Comic – Marvel)
Poe Dameron, ongoing (Comic – Marvel)
“Voices of the Empire” [Insider 170] (Short Story –Titan Magazine)
“Blade Squadron: Jakku” [Insider TBD] (Short Story –Titan Magazine)
Let me know your thoughts by posting in the comments below. You can find my coverage of #starwarscanon stories at my YouTube channel Star Wars: The Canon Explained. I can be found on Twitter (@starwarstce) and Instagram (@starwarstce), and you can also reach me at jbrame@coffeewithkenobi.com.
There are stories about what happened…
It’s true… all of it…
