Myths & Fables, part of the Galaxy’s Edge tie-in program, is a book full of exactly what its title implies, myths and fables the denizens of the Star Wars galaxy tell one another. Written with fantastical wit by George Mann, with gorgeous illustrations by Grant Griffin, Myths & Fables offers a unique view into the galaxy far, far way not to be missed. UPDATE: As of 8/31/2020, a Target exclusive Galaxy’s Edge themed edition of this book released, offering new tales. I’ve got some thoughts on the new additions below!
As intrigued as I was regarding Myths & Fables when it was originally announced, it had mostly flown under my radar since, but I’m glad it didn’t get past me because M&F is sneakily good, and I ended up liking it a lot, and while it was certainly due to overall quality, the main reason I enjoyed it so much was due to what it represents, a similar aspect that endured me to 2017’s The Legends of Luke Skywalker. Both books deal with stories citizens of the GFFA tell one another, and instead of furthering some plot or connecting dots to an upcoming film release, these stories give us a glimpse of what it’s like to be within the GFFA. The Galaxy’s Edge parks will be the best way to experience being in Star Wars, but for those who can’t/haven’t/maybe never will go, M&F represents a way in unlike most novels released. What I anticipated most in Myths & Fables was seeing what is considered a myth or fable to the denizens of the galaxy because, when they live in a universe where everyday life is the stuff of our myths and fables, how can anything get more fantastical than what they already deal with? Not a single story disappointed, as each delivered a glimpse at how, in-universe, they twist potential real events to teach lessons at large, and did so in a mesmerizing way. In fact, it’s the simplicity of each tale by writer George Mann which makes them so fascinating, as it’s easy to see how these myths evolved into the stories we can read in this book, but there’s also layers within, making their purposes fun to explore and ponder on.
Grant Griffin’s paintings breathe convincing, wondrous life to the fantasy aspect of the stories, and because Star Wars is more space fantasy than sci-fi, they easily fit within. My favorite pieces were from “Vengeful Waves,” “Gaze of Stone,” and “The Witch & The Wookiee,” though they were all gorgeous to behold, meaning you can’t go wrong with having any as your favorite. I’d love to see Griffin back for some cover artwork for books!
Now some one to two sentence reviews of each story within Myths & Fables:
“The Knight & The Dragon“ – The safest tale to begin with, though starting with a likely Obi-Wan featured tale is never a bad choice! And now one has to imagine this could be part of his potential upcoming Disney+ series…
“The Droid With a Heart“ – Like The Legends of Luke Skywalker proved, droids can have their own stories too, and this one regarding a renegade tactical droid defying General Grievous’ orders, while getting to the heart (or lack thereof) of his character, managed to be better than expected.
“Vengeful Waves“ – I’d still understand wanting to retire to Glee Anslem and play the valachord after this story, vengeful ocean spirit or not.
“The Wanderer“ – Really enjoyed the idea of what appears to be a Jedi helping out only three times, like a genie whose wishes are limited. I’d be very curious to learn about the Wanderer’s weariness later in the fable.
“The Black Spire“ – First of two Galaxy’s Edge-related stories, it takes Yoda’s size matters not quote to a whole new level!
“Gaze of Stone“ – For now, I’m calling this my favorite of the bunch, due to how it was a much needed change-up to a fable with wicked characters and wicked deeds and how clearly it charts the dangers of the Sith path. It’s got a delicious ending and lesson about hubris, to boot.
“The Witch & The Wookiee“ – Spooky as it gets, this one makes the price of thievery feel real.
“The Dark Wraith“ – Interesting take on Darth Vader. It left me very curious to learn how and why he’s associated with the destruction of the town first mentioned in “The Wanderer,” and if it had to do with them relying on the unnamed Jedi and Vader came to destroy him/teach them a lesson.
“Chasing Ghosts“ – The second Galaxy’s Edge-related story. Loved how it shows the power of stories with a story itself.
UPDATE 8/31/20: The Target exclusive, US only Galaxy’s Edge themed editions of the book come with three extra tales and awesome artwork. However, they do not include a Maul-centric tale, which is only available in a different edition that is sold only at Galaxy’s Edge itself. It’s a little hard to keep track of, but if you’re like me and it’s going to be a long time before I ever even think about going to Galaxy’s Edge, or for those who will likely never go for a variety of reasons, picking up the Target edition is going to be the best option. However, you’re still getting a great collection if you can only get the original edition. Anyways, I have some quick thoughts on the three new tales below!
“The Sleeping Eye“ – Stargazing has never been so dramatic as it is in this tale, as a population of starry-eyed Duros keep looking to the sky for hope. I feel like I didn’t grasps the intention of this tale as well as some of the others and I felt so-so about it by the end.
“The Leviathan“ – This one was more of a return to form, as it follows young Mon Calamari Carus’ adventures for fame and glory, daring to go into the deepest, darkest trenches of their watery homeworld. It was interesting to think even a species of a primarily water dwelling planet don’t even quite know what may or may not lurk deep within their oceans.
“The Golden One“ – This one stars Ewoks and that only almost makes it my favorite tale. What manages to help it beat out “Gaze of Stone” however is the way Mann develops an intriguing and fun reason why and how Threepio is a god-like figure to them. Such a fun thing to do with tales like these!
Here are a few other things:
- Interviews! First, George Mann, where he talks about his process for writing these stories, like placing kernels of truths in each one and revealing Darth Caldoth gets a mention in Cavan Scott’s Dooku: Jedi Lost simply because they shared notes! Artist Grant Griffin is next, giving some commentary on a few pieces and detailing what it was like to work with both legacy characters and create new ones.
- In “Gaze of Stone,” the creepy cult the two Sith visit certainly sounds reminiscent of the death cult of the Central Isopter from Kieron Gillen’s Star Wars run, while the titular Witch and Wookiee from “The Witch & The Wookiee” both come from a now defunct mobile game, Uprising. Mann did say he layered a lot of Easter Eggs within…find anymore?
Not every new novel has to dive deeply into a character’s past or reveal little tidbits about upcoming films to be worth a read, something Myths & Fables proves with aplomb.
+ Fascinating, layered myths
+ Excellent, fitting artwork
+ Glimpse into being within the GFFA
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
ALSO BY GEORGE MANN AND GRANT GRIFFIN
Dark Legends
GALAXY’S EDGE RELATED REVIEWS:
A Crash of Fate (novel) | Black Spire (novel) | Galaxy’s Edge (comic miniseries) | Thrawn – Alliances (novel) | Star Wars Resistance: “Fuel for the Fire”