Interviews, Suggestions, & Confessions

Having opinions is nothing new, but rarely will you get to hear the thoughts and opinions from members of the service-staff caste (they mostly have to hear yours!). They’ve seen all sorts of interesting events, mostly too devious to share, but those which can be shared safely with the public can be found here. Check out the staff’s thoughts and opinions below!

Also, we’ve managed to procure some interviews, providing insights from others with opinions beyond just are staff. Be sure to check those out below as well!

Star Wars Interviews

Ario Anindito Interview Artist The High RepublicDrawing Monsters: An Interview with The High Republic’s Artist Ario Anindito

“To help writer Cavan Scott bring the horrors of the Drengir, the righteousness of Keeve and Kriss, Sskeer’s mysterious struggles, and epic-sized action to the pages of the comic, Marvel tapped Ario Anindito…and our eyeballs have never been the same, in the best way possible! This masterful artist has brought scary panels and tender moments to vivid, detailed life, so I reached out to him to understand how he does it, the pressures of building up a new era, and so much more. Read our interview with Ario Anindito today!”

Ariana Maher Interview Lettering The High RepublicComics’ Metronome: An Interview with The High Republic’s Letterer Ariana Maher

“Lettering in comics is far more complex and nuanced than just a few thought bubbles, as you’ll soon see thanks to our interview with letterer Ariana Maher, who was gracious enough to offer help with reviewers covering comics and even more patient with my endless questions, as a way to help spread understanding of her and other letterers’ craft. Check out the interview today!”

Michael Moreci Clone Wars Battle Tales InterviewMichael Moreci Discusses IDW’s The Clone Wars – Battle Tales

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales is an upcoming miniseries from IDW comics which sees many fan favorite clones, like Rex, Cody, and more, including a new one, swapping stories featuring other familiar characters like Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé, and even General Grievous. It’s similar in style to the Tales from/Return to Vader’s Castle miniseries, where each issue contains a new Battle Tale while advancing a larger framing story. We were lucky enough to speak with The Clone Wars – Battle Tales‘ writer, Michael Moreci, about what to expect from the miniseries as well as where it all came from, which you can read below in our latest interview!”

Colin Jackman Interview
Image Credit: Cinefex

Colin Jackman: Key Sculptor with Lucasfilm’s Creature Department

“Together Ryan and Elliot cooked up some questions for Colin (though both Qs & As got looked at by Lucasfilm so don’t go expecting any scoops on upcoming films like The Last Jedi), and his answers are full of insightful looks behind the curtains of creatures like Grummgar from TFA and Bistan and Pao from Rogue One, how to have calm under fandom pressure, and advice for anyone looking to get into the field. Check out our interview with Colin Jackman!”

Star Wars Ring Theory: An Interview with the Author, Mike Klimo, and Why You Should Read It

“Star Wars Ring Theory: The Hidden Artistry of the Star Wars Prequels is one of those unique things only a fanbase as passionate as the Star Wars universe can conceive of. If you haven’t read this multi-page epic dissection of the first six films in the saga, do so now and then return here for an interview with the author, Mike Klimo. If you don’t want to read it just yet, stick around and I’ll try to explain why you should read it no matter what level of fan you may be of Star Wars.”

Star Wars Suggestions

Introducing our concierge service, where we offer ideas on expanded content to enjoy for your favorite characters!

Mynock Manor Suggests Sana Starros Expanded Content Sana Starros

"One of the most popular characters to come out of the Marvel comics line is Sana Starros: bounty hunter, smuggler, con-woman, and potentially, an ex-wife?? Creating an extra wrinkle for our heroes very early in the canon reset, Sana Starros took a starring role in the comics as her backstory was fleshed out, and we’re happy to share with you the best places to get acquainted with her!"

Mynock Manor Suggest Hera Syndulla Expanded Content

Hera Syndulla

"One of the biggest stars of the new canon arrived not on the big screen, but rather on the small screen, and she was not only an impressive pilot, great leader, and committed rebel…but also the best Space Mom this side of any galaxy: Hera Syndulla! Read on to find out more about the Rebellion’s most vital asset and her many adventures with friends, family, and even rogue archaeologists!"

Mynock Manor Suggests Captain Phasma Expanded Content 1

Captain Phasma

"Every once in a while, a character appears in a Star Wars film, full of intrigue and promise of future stories, deep lore, and expansive adventures. One such character was Captain Phasma, first introduced in the teaser trailer for The Force Awakens. With chrome armor and a long cape, Phasma gained the attention and excitement of fans across the galaxy. Unfortunately, she had only a scant few minutes of screen time in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi before being bested by Finn. Eager to learn more about the “Chrome Dome”? Read on!"

Mynock Manor Suggest Count Dooku Expanded Content 1

Count Dooku

"The prequels were full of villains, many easy to see from a parsec away, but one who could hide in plain sight, and look quite dashing while doing so (even in pjs), was none other than the luxurious Count Dooku! While a key component in Darth Sidious’ plans, Dooku wasn’t always a dashing looking Sith and Separatist leader, he was once even a Jedi! If you’ve ever wondered how he went from Jedi, to Count, to Sith Lord, then read on for a breakdown on what exciting tales explore the Count’s varied careers!"

Mynock Manor Suggests Rose Tico Expanded Content 2

Rose Tico

"One of the break out stars from the Sequel Trilogy is Rose Tico – mechanic, hero, and a good motivator. Ever wondered what it would look like to serve behind the scenes of the Resistance? Or have you ever wondered what courage in the face of evil and hatred looks like? Look no further, as we explore the life of Rose."

Mynock Manor Suggests Lando Calrissian Expanded Content

Lando Calrissian

"As much of the world faces quarantine to help combat the pandemic, staying at home opens up a lot of free time for many people. It’s a time to catch up on movies one has always wanted to watch, shows to binge, books/comics to read, boardgames to play, etc., and since the halting of new comics has opened up time/space at the Manor, we’ve decided to start a long overdue service: the Concierge! Staying at hotels, B&Bs, and even Airbnb’s there are often concierge services available about what to see and do in the area you’re visiting, so we’ve opened the concierge desk at the Manor to offer suggestions on what to read, watch, and enjoy when wanting to find out more about your favorite Star Wars characters now that you have the free time to do so! For the inaugural Mynock Manor Suggests, I’ve decided to focus on the smooth talking entrepreneur, Lando Calrissian."

Star Wars Confessions

Galaxys Edge Visit Mynock ManorTo the Edge and Back Again: A Mynock’s Adventures to Galaxy’s Edge

“There’s not a clear point where it really hit me, and even weeks later it still feels more like a dream, that I was on Batuu, a planet in the galaxy far, far away of which I’d been dreaming of, reading about, and enjoying my whole life, when I visited Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World with my wife and our friends in late February, but I left it knowing I’d love a chance to go back. In many ways, it lived up to my expectations (which weren’t too high), the rides really blew me away, the “citizens” of Batuu were integral to the experience, and I even cried making a lightsaber, but in the end it’s still unavoidable to know you’re in a park and you’ll likely need more than one trip to truly take it all in and fully enjoy it. So read on for some impressions of the park, from its food, its rides, and even Savi’s!”

A Toast to Mynocks Celebrating 5 YearsA Toast to Mynocks: Celebrating Five Years of Canon (and Mynock Manor)

“The five year milestone of both the new canon, which started with the excellent A New Dawn in September 2014, and of the site Mynock Manor itself is finally here and we have the article you’ve all been waiting for: a look back at the handling of the majestic, mighty, and marvelous mynock in canon over these past five years. Come along as I flutter into the mynocks’ greatest hits, improvements to make, and the newest additions to the great, nay greatest line of Star Wars creatures…of which we have ZERO bias towards.”

Ahch-To Or Bust The Mynocks Adventure to IrelandAhch-To or Bust: The Mynocks’ Adventure Across Ireland

“Even drenched from the ocean’s spray, nothing could drown out my enthusiasm as we boated out into the wild sea. Swelling in my ears was “Rey’s Theme,” along with “Jedi Steps,” though no one was playing the tunes aloud. Alongside me, besides a handful of strangers and the driver, were two of my best friends, found at a Star Wars convention three years prior. On the horizon, an ancient, mysterious island, Skellig Michael, which I’ve only seen in my dreams (and a film or two), the culmination of our own long and nearly 100% cancelled journey to Ahch-To. Here’s the tale of the Mynocks’ Adventure to Ireland: Ahch-To or Bust.”

40 Years of Star Wars? It’s Time for a Miniature Golf Course

Mynock Manor's Star Wars Mini Golf Ideas“I’ve been wondering what a completely Star Wars-themed mini golf course would be like. So, as my site’s way of celebrating 40 years of the saga today, I took it upon myself to design a dream Star Wars mini golf course because if we can get a Jar Jar Binks Candy Tongue, how come there’s never been SW mini golf in its 40 years? So I took my many years of professional mini golf designing and playing skills (see: next to none, but who’s really counting?) to make a course which include visits to such memorable GFFA locales like Endor, Hoth, the Millennium Falcon, Mustafar, and even the dreaded Death Star to name a few. Check it out!”

 

Curious Case Series

The Curious Case of Sheev PalpatineA

The Curious Case of Sheev Palpatine

"It’s hard to keep a good villain down. When Star Wars was launched in 1977, we never met the Emperor of the fabled and hated Galactic Empire that Luke is so eager to rebel against. Little did viewers know in 1977 that they were being introduced to a highly complex villain, whose plans for galactic conquest would stretch over 60 years, including magic, political subterfuge, clones, apprentices, and lots and lots of Force lightning. Have you ever wondered how broad and complex his plan was? Read along as we uncover the Curious Case of Sheev Palpatine and his plan that changed a galaxy!"
The Curious Case of Force Ghosts

The Curious Case of Force Ghosts

"...I’ll be looking at how even though the whole idea of Force spirits got simpler, it has gotten equally more complicated (Yoda’s The Clone Wars arc helped on both ends), offering up curious questions including why Anakin Skywalker hasn’t made many visits (yet), and who’s still haunting around in the sequel trilogy. Strap in, unless you’re a ghost of course then float around at your leisure, as Detective Mynock is about take you on a ghoulish ride into the spirits of Star Wars where the answers might be more fleeting than any of us would like at the moment."
The Curious Case of Governor Pryce

The Curious Case of Governor Arihnda Pryce

"...Governor Pyrce has pretty much been a non-entity in the show and suddenly in her first appearance not only is shown as practically an equal to Grand Moff Tarkin but she’s standing right by Thrawn’s side after she demanded he be brought in. How did she go from a character barely mentioned in season one, rarely in season two, to hanging out with the two most recognizable Imperials who have names that start with “T?” After some careful research, I’ve uncovered ewok crumbs leading straight to the answer..."

BY TRINITY:

Rey and the F Word

“From the first time we see Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, she is independent. She leads a precarious profession that endangers her life daily and that danger coupled with the harsh elements of an outlaw desert world made her a survivor. The preferred adjective we give to those of her breed is “strong” and she is indeed that. But when fans discuss Rey’s journey, sometimes things go wrong. Her “strength” becomes a liability.”

Through Luke’s Eyes: A Creative Character Analysis

“It had been months since Luke Skywalker had fought Darth Vader in Cloud City. A plan had taken shape between Luke, Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian to save Han Solo from his carbonite prison at Jabba the Hutt’s palace. In the weeks leading up to the day that they’d infiltrate the palace, Luke stayed on Tatooine living in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s old hut, an ivory colored, dome-shaped desert igloo that had few comforts but enough to stay cool during the day, warm at night and live a simple life. He filled his days with Jedi training, reading Obi-Wan’s journals, practicing lightsaber dueling as best he could and meditating with the Force.”

“I’m a Rogue Archaeologist. You Have to Expect a Little Digging”: The Many Reasons Why You Should Be Excited for the Doctor Aphra Comic Series

Doctor Aphra Comic Series Excitement Article Header“When Doctor Aphra was initially introduced in Darth Vader issue #3, it didn’t take long for myself and many others to fall in love with the character. Twenty plus comic issues since, the enjoyment and excitement that comes from her being on the page hasn’t waned and has only grown even more and more. It recently reached a fever-pitch since the dual revelation she survives her time with Vader and will have her very own ongoing series, but for those who have yet to enjoy her special brand of snark, wit, and love for weapons, you’re probably wondering why exactly fans like myself are so damn enthusiastic this rogue archaeologist persists.”

The Last Jedi and a New Hope

The Last Jedi and a New Hope“Everything in The Last Jedi leads to hope being straight up strangled, stabbed in the back, forced to drink green milk directly from a Thala-siren, and left for dead, not just for its characters, but for the audience as well. And it might be my favorite thematic aspect of the film. But don’t worry, neither The Last Jedi nor I are soulless and evil, because this desecration of hope leads into its brilliant resurrection by the very end. Let’s take a look.”

Grand Admiral Canon: To Be or Not to Be “So Artistically Done” Again

“…how can the new unified canon make the Grand Admiral character fresh and unique while still honoring what came before in Legends? Can he really be so artistically done again? This article has my answers to those questions.

The Great Reboot of 2100: Just How Evergreen Is Star Wars?

“Could Star Wars still be alive as a franchise in 2115, because as evergreen a property as it may be, can it really survive another 100 years, especially as is? Could those behind the franchise finally run out of ideas, letting Star Wars fade into everyone’s great-great-grandparent’s distant memories or could they have taken certain measures to ensure its survival for 100 more years? Enter ‘The Great Reboot of 2100.'”

With New Eyes: The EU Reboot Changed How I View Ep.VI

“Over the past decade(s), I (and many other fans like me) have watched RotJ and had a subconscious and/or conscious knowledge of what was to come thanks to the EU. Now, with the slate wiped clean, watching RotJ feels like seeing it for the very first time.”

Chutes, Shafts, and Sinkholes: Star Wars and the Descent into the Underworld Mytheme

“While “descent into the underworld” isn’t exactly a step in Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, which George Lucas worked with extensively for the Original Trilogy, it fits within other versions of the monomyth. But as a motif, it’s been widely used, and most famously depicted in Dante’s The Divine Comedy: Inferno, something at least one of the below examples emulates. And in fact, there’s a wide possibility of moments in the greater Star Wars saga that could represent the descension motif and I chose the ones involving literal representations of the underworld like chutes, shafts, and sinkholes.”

Dream or Force Vision: A Crazy Night’s Thoughts on Star Wars: Episode VIII

“It’s not very often I have Force visions (see: never), but I just recently had a dream that I could easily mistake for one. This dream, despite all the Rogue One news and trailer dropping or all the hours I’ve sunk into No Man’s Sky on PS4, was about the ending to Episode VIII. In the interest of posterity, and just seeing if maybe somehow this dream was actually a prophetic Force vision of the future, I wrote it all down so when the next saga film releases in December 2017, I could compare. I’ve decided I’ll share that dream with you all as well…”

The Future of Star Wars Video Games series: Choice isn’t an Option (Part One)  |  Always on the Move (Part Two)  |  A Good Blaster at Your Side (Part Three)

EU and Gaming: Thoughts on Their Relationship

“Imagine this: strapped in the top turret of the Millennium Falcon, the ship shuddering from the projectiles of enemy craft, you’ll have to actively ignore Han Solo bellowing obscenities after each hit to keep your concentration. You swivel the turret, attempting to keep the asteroid shaped objects currently assailing the Falcon within your targeting frame.”

Preserving the Mystery of In-Universe History

Preserving the Mystery of In Universe History2“…as this article’s title suggests, it’s not going to be about spoiling TFA, instead it’ll be discussing the advantages of keeping the in-universe history which leads up to TFA a mystery. Because if the 30-35 years post-Return of the Jedistays a mystery until the opening crawl and even after the credits roll for TFA, the film has a chance to emulate a feeling similar to when viewers were first introduced to the galaxy far, far away (be it 1977 or their first viewing of the films). Who doesn’t want that?”

The Force Awaken’s “(Just) Let It In,” – A Parody of Frozen’s “Let It Go

“It got to the point where I was hearing “Let It In” replacing the words “Let It Go” in Idina Menzel’s song and that’s when it hit me: the only way to get the two unconnected in my head was to go all out and completely redo Elsa’s showstopping number “Let It Go” to become Rey’s breakout hit, “Let It In.” Maybe not the best idea, but here are the results.”

Netflix Hopes #1: The Rule of Two

“…a show focusing on the Rule of Two, and how over the generations Bane’s simple plan managed to survive long enough for Palpatine to use it to destroy the Jedi. Here’s why I think it would work so well as a TV series.