The moment fans have been waiting for ahead of From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi’s release on August 29 is here…the character cards have been revealed! Over an hour and half, the details for all 40 stories in this trilogy finale dripped through on Twitter (no, it’s not named anything else), and it’s always a joy to see fans react to each new release, be it favorites getting their time to shine, stories they guessed, or big surprises, and today’s character cards were no different. Head below to see my Top 10 most anticipated and some general thoughts on the rest.
It’s never easy culling the list of 40 stories down to only 10, based only from these little teases in the character cards alone, but From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi’s was the toughest yet, especially as I surprised myself a few times when certain ones fell away and the list below emerged victorious. After the Top 10 Anticipated (which don’t always end up my Top 10 stories after reading), there are some short thoughts on the remaining thirty cards, including some insights from authors themselves or editor Tom Hoeler across them all!
Top 10 (in story order)
“The Key to Remembering” by Olivia Chadha {#3/40}: Everything about EV-9D9, from her visual design, her somewhat smoky, outdated voice (provided by Richard Marquand in RotJ and Mark Hamill in The Mandalorian), to her manners has always invited questions and what is sure to be a storied history. It’s neat to think this tale seems to be told during her Mandalorian appearance, tending Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina, looking back at her past and of course, her time in the film. What’s this anomaly she mentions which made her want to remember, despite memory wipes or all? I’m ready for EV’s story!
“My Mouth Never Closes” by Charlie Jane Anders {#11/40}: The title alone, especially knowing it’s a story from the sarlacc’s POV, is enough to have me excited, but it being written by Charlie Jane Anders is a blessing. As I mentioned when the authors were revealed (we knew she would be writing the sarlacc then), two of her original fiction novels I’ve read, All the Birds in the Sky and The City in the Middle of the Night, were fantastically fantastic and already from the character card, it’s clear she’s bringing that literary might to bear on this story. We’ll never look at Boba’s battle with the sarlacc in The Book of Boba Fett the same way again, I’m sure.
“The Light That Falls” by Akemi Dawn Bowman {#13/40}: From the excerpt in the card, I was interested in seeing the story from the dragonsnake’s eyes, but when Tom revealed it’s more about how Dagobah reacts to Yoda’s passing, I was hooked. Having lived there for 20 plus odd years, with a trip away VERY infrequent, during a time in his life where he’s spent it dealing with his perceived failures, I’m sure the planet rife with life and the Force will have a reaction that’ll be quite the thing to read.
“No Contingency” by Fran Wilde {#15/40}: Fran Wilde’s Bone Universe was hard to put down, book after book, and watching Genevieve O’Reilly’s performance as Mon Mothma in Andor was hard to look away from, full of layers I didn’t think was possible. So you’re telling me Wilde is being combined with Mothma?! And it’s a secret mission to save the Alliance? And it’ll work in concert with Mothma’s story in the first From a Certain Point of View? I need this story, pronto! And it sounds like Wilde has been waiting all her life to write it!
“The Last Flight” by Ali Hazelwood {#25/40}: This isn’t the first story, and far from the last, but it highlights how neat these novels have been, taking characters seen in the films very briefly and given a full, vivid life….even if they are about to die. But then you find yourself caring about it the next and every time you watch the film again. As much as I’m looking for a good cry with these, the fact this one focuses on Sila Kott what really called me to it, as the briefly seen Rebel pilot was played by the actress Poppy Hands but unfortunately dubbed over by an male actor in post-production. I’ll be interested to see if this plays into that history at all or not, but it’s time Sila got her due.
“The Ballad of Nanta” by Sarah Kuhn {#27/40}: Kuhn’s Doctor Aphra audiobook is one of the all-time greats, not because it stars my favorite character in the franchise, but for its whip smart humor, great characterization of Aphra, and ability to turn from funny to emotional on a dime (and the actors completely inhabit their parts). There are a few Ewok tales in this one, because of course there are, though when Tom promises we’ll want 5 weeks off after reading it, I’m already ready to tell my boss.
“Then Fall, Sidious” by Olivie Blake {#28/40}: I’m still not familiar with Olivie Blake’s writing, but on this excerpt alone, I’ve realized this is a giant mistake. Holy HELLS! I mean, if this character card was the entire length of her story, this would already be one of the best, because there is so much to unpack in her twisty, lyrical, almost rhymey, almost Shakespearian prose. I can’t wait to bask in this style for Palpatine’s final, for now, moments!
“The Chronicler” by Danielle Paige {#36/40}: Getting to see our favorite characters or otherwise through the eyes of a historian, one of the book’s original characters, where their focus will be on the reality of their actions, of the truth of events, should be a humbling read for us with our expectations with said characters (and maybe for our characters in-universe too).
“The Veteran” by Adam Lance Garcia {#37/40}: Dexter Jettster’s appearance in Attack of the Clones was always interesting to me, as I loved his design, his seemingly average, everyday citizen of the galaxy with a rich history vibes, and that he could give me a hug with four arms. He’s since grown to have many engaging stories, even if he’s a secondary character in them, from the Padawan novel or the recent run of The High Republic Adventures, but to see him now, during such a timeframe, in a less than happy mood, immediately leaves me wanting more. Then add in the fact Garcia has teased he’s spoken with Daniel José Older, who wrote THRA and gave Dexter such a memorable appearance there, leaves me hopeful we’ll mentions of stories (and characters!) all over Dex’s illustrious life. In the end though, have to mention there’s no fan bigger than James Dillon, so this is their day, much like Veers Watch had his for the last FaCPOV, and we’re all just living in it.
“Brotherhood” by Mike Chen {#38/40}: Not to be mistaken with Chen’s Brotherhood, a stellar novel about Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi set just after the end of Attack of the Clones, but actually sort of is meant to be mistaken with it, as it’s another tale of the two characters. We’ve known since the authors were announced Chen would be writing Anakin as he becomes one with the Force, but this small excerpt is already tugging at all the feels, so I can only imagine how much more tears this will elicit when it’s all said and done.
Special Mention: “Trooper Trouble” by Laura Pohl {#30/40}: I laughed pretty good after the final paragraph of the excerpt for Pohl’s story, and definitely want to read more, but she took the time to reach out and mention to me there will be mynocks in the story!!! At this mojo dojo casa house for mynocks, we always look forward to having a role in any tale, so I wait patiently to learn how they get included! Hence the special mention for this one, couldn’t help myself!
And now here’s for the rest!
“Any Work Worth Doing” by Amal El-Mohtar {#1/40}: Moff Jerjerrod has some deleted scenes expanding his role if you’ve ever wanted more, but he’s been one of the Imperials that’s always interested me. Can’t wait to see what El-Mohtar has cooked up here, especially going off that little line about him admitting he lied to Vader in their opening conversation!
“Fancy Man: by Phil Szostak {#2/40}: Max Rebo gets his own tale?! While it’ll come after Return of the Jedi: Max Rebo #1 comic, I’m sure this will be just as memorable, as I can’t wait to see how he survived (only to die…maybe, in The Book of Boba Fett), and I’ll be curious to see how it captures the energy of the musician’s music.
“Fortuna Favors the Bold” by Kwame Mbalia {#4/40}: Bib Fortuna really needs to get in line with trying to kill Jabba, though I struggle to imagine how he thinks he’ll pull it off, so that’s what this story is for!
“Dune Sea Songs of Salt and Moonlight” by Thea Guanzon {#5/40}: Featuring an original character, seeing many of the events within the Palace from new, fresh eyes could be quite exciting. The dialogue in the excerpt has me intrigued.
“The Plan” by Saladin Ahmed {#6/40}: Could this be FaCPOV: RotJ if it didn’t feature Malakili?! Absolutely not!
“Reputation” by Tara Sim {#7/40}: And how about one from Boba’s hotshot POV?! Wonder how much this will cover and if we’ll get a little bit of his time in the sarlacc or not.
“Kickback” by K Arsenault Rivera {#8/40}: If you’ve never noticed the gangster who basically pretends to be kicked by Luke Skywalker as he battles to free his friends, well, now Sion has the spotlight. Can’t wait to see how it plays into the gaffe which remains.
“Everyone’s a Critic” by Sarah Glenn Marsh {#9/40}: I’ll be very curious to see where this one hopes to go with the creepy little puppet, whose laugh is never forgotten.
“Satisfaction” by Kristin Baver {#10/40}: Baver continues to win, and we do along side her by getting a new, original fiction tale from her! It promises to link into Max Rebo‘s, someway somehow!
“Kernels and Husks” by Jason Fry {#12/40}: If you’ve ever wondered more about the strangely dressed aristocrats aboard the Death Star II with Palpatine, wait no more, as this one will feature them in all their terrible glory. Fry expanded a little more in his SubStack, saying the story was inspired by a weird, unfortunate, accidental way people die…and if you can murder someone by the same method.
“From a Certain Point of View” by Alex Jennings {#14/40}: Basically what this series of wonderful novels has been all about, the title puts some big weight on Jennings shoulder with this Obi-Wan Kenobi tale. Said to form a great trilogy with the two previous Obi-Wan tales as well.
“The Burden of Leadership” by Danny Lore {#16/40}: Lando’s always ready for the spotlight and I’m looking forward to see what Lore has cooked up for the swindling smuggler turned Rebellion hero, which we’ve seen him morph into in the current comics.
“Gone to the Winner’s Circle” by Patricia A. Jackson {#17/40}: Not since the Legends days have we been graced with Jackson’s work but I am all here for her return, especially with this being about speeder bike pursuit!
“One Normal Day” by Mary Kenney {#18/40}: Nothing makes Wicket more relatable than wanting one normal day…I totally hear you, little teddy bear. Certainly gives Hobbit vibes with this one.
“Divine Intervention(?)” by Paul Crilley {#19/40}: All for more Ewoks! And having it focus on their shaman as he faces everyone’s belief in their new golden god? Count me in!!
“The Buy-In” by Suzanne Walker {#20/40}: Norra Wexley!! That’s right, one of the stars of the Aftermath Trilogy, who most recently showed up again in Resistance Reborn, gets her time in the film finally explored.
“The Man Who Captured Luke Skywalker” by Max Gladstone {#21/40}: This almost was the another honorable mention, after it was on the Top 10 list for a considerable time, as I’ve always been intrigued to see how the moment went when Luke “surrenders” and now we’ll finally get it!!
“Ackbar” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka {#22/40}: There’s always a comic, but centering on Ackbar is a pleasant surprise. Hope this shies away from his trap line and does more for the character.
“The Impossible Flight of Ash Angels” by Marieke Nijkamp {#23/40}: These stories always have some good slice of life before a character dies moments and now it’s Arvel Crynyd’s time to shine, as not even intensifying forward firing power could stop him.
“Ending Protocol” by Hannah Whitten {#24/40}: Not a lot to go on just yet for this one, but keeping my mind open to see where it goes.
“Twenty and Out” by Lamar Giles {#26/40}: The classic I’m about to retire story? And it’s about a Death Star gunner? Count me in!
“Impact” by Sean Williams {#27/40}: Sean Williams is back?! And while he helped write the scene of a Star Destroyer being torn down in The Force Unleashed novelization, he’s going to focus on another ship going down again, though in a more poetic way it seems. Tom thinks it might make us re-think space travel afterwards.
“To the Last” by Dana Schwartz {#31/40}: Another final moments one, but this time about Piett, where Schwartz seems so clearly to capture his voice?! I’m totally down for this!
“The Emperor’s Red Guards” by Gloria Chao {#32/40}: A story about one of the guards was not on my bingo card, but I am fully invested already, as this one could be quite unique given the role they serve! Chao says the story will even deal with them learning about Palpatine’s fate!
“Wolf Trap” by Alyssa Wong {#33/40}: If you’ve visited the Manor before, I’ve likely said something great about the continuously fantastic Alyssa Wong and their work on the Doctor Aphra comic. They’ve revealed this story tells us what happened to the scout trooper Peepka bonks on the head, as seen in their Return of the Jedi: Ewoks #1, a stellar comic which shows the power of the medium. The final line definitely made me laugh in the excerpt, and they promised Tom it would be a comedy, but he’s telling us it’s anything BUT. SO ready!!
“The Extra Five Percent” by M.K. England {#34/40}: Karie Neth, a character you only see for a few moments in the briefing room, takes center stage in this one, which seems to hold heartbreak and some queer representation!
“When Fire Marked the Sky” by Emma Mieko Candon {#35/40}: Once you’re done reading one of the best Star Wars books, Ronin: A Visions Novel, you should come back here to hear about Candon’s first canon SW piece! They get to tell Wedge’s tale in this giant battle, which given their previous work, could be something we’ll never quite forget.
“The Steadfast Soldier” by Adam Christopher {#39/40}: After how Christopher expanded Pryde in Shadow of the Sith, I’m all for learning more about what this character was up to during this era!
“Return of the Whills” by Tom Angleberger {#40/40}: These are always so fun and that doesn’t look to stop here. So excited for this to be the overall finale of the piece.
Big thanks to Chris Trevas again for the fantastic card on these cards!
We have quite the final entry in this series ahead of us, don’t we, fellow readers?! Tell us in the comments below or on social media what ones you are most looking forward, then return here for a review closer to release!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.