Tag: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Lost Stars

Posted on September 21, 2015August 17, 2019 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Lost Stars is a YA novel in the “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” line of books and comics, written by Claudia Gray. While the novel comes off as fan-fiction and a little too melodramatic at times (as one might fear a Young Adult novel might), those things actually make Lost Stars that much stronger, giving the original parts not centered on moments from the movies a lot to build on and build up, both for the characters and the galaxy at large. In fact, it’s such an enjoyable ride it might even be better than some of the adult novels we’ve gotten so far. Continue reading “Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Lost Stars” →

Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: The Weapon of a Jedi – A Luke Skywalker Adventure

Posted on September 13, 2015September 28, 2021 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

The Weapon of a Jedi is a Luke Skywalker-centric YA novel in the “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” initiative, set between Ep. IV and V, written by Jason Fry with art by Phil Noto. Having read The Weapon of a Jedi last amongst the Big Three focused novels, I have to say Luke’s falls somewhere in the middle, as it has the light, fun adventure of Smuggler’s Run, but it also gets close to the level of introspective for its lead character as Moving Target did. With one of better Luke characterizations in recent memory (alongside the current on-going comics) and intriguing, thought-provoking Force training, The Weapon of a Jedi is the best Luke focused novel of the new canon, though it falters a little with the maybe too mysterious Sarco Plank. Continue reading “Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: The Weapon of a Jedi – A Luke Skywalker Adventure” →

Canon Comic Review: Shattered Empire #1

Posted on September 9, 2015August 4, 2019 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Shattered Empire is one of Marvel’s entries into the “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” initiative, taking place during and after the final moments of the Battle of Endor. While the series won’t be following Luke, Leia, or Han, the main character Shara Bey and her husband Kes will find themselves interacting with them throughout the limited 4 issue run. Issue #1 might be a little too chaotic for its own good, but it helps set up Shara and her husband while including fun little scenes with familiar characters and packing quite the surprising little tie to The Force Awakens. Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Shattered Empire #1” →

Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run – A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure

Posted on September 9, 2015September 28, 2021 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Smuggler’s Run is a Han (and Chewbacca)-centric YA novel in the “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” initiative, set between Ep. IV and V, written by Greg Rucka with art from Phil Noto. While not as deep as Leia’s novel, Moving Target, Smuggler’s Run has a very strong Han Solo characterization, competent Imperials, and a good sense of adventure. Continue reading “Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Smuggler’s Run – A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure” →

Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Moving Target – A Princess Leia Adventure

Posted on September 7, 2015September 28, 2021 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Moving Target is a Leia-centric YA novel in the “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” initiative, set between Ep. V and VI, co-authored by Cecil Castellucci and Jason Fry, with artwork from Phil Noto. While the term YA might conjure up fears and prejudices, Moving Target should not be missed thanks to its solidly written Leia, overall enjoyable tale, and rather adult subject matter covering topics like the costs of always just fulfilling your duty and sacrificing a few to save many. Continue reading “Canon Young Adult Novel Review: Star Wars: Moving Target – A Princess Leia Adventure” →

Canon Novel Review: Star Wars: Aftermath

Posted on September 6, 2015August 17, 2019 by Head Butler Ryan

– Spoiler Review –

Star Wars: Aftermath, sharply written by Chuck Wendig with a style that might be off-putting at first, is the most thrilling adventure of the new canon, stars a multi-dimensional and diverse cast, has an engaging character driven plot, sets a new tone and path for the expanded universe, and has a series of short stories begging (maybe too much) to be expanded. Continue reading “Canon Novel Review: Star Wars: Aftermath” →

The Force Awakens Soundtrack Pre-Order, C-3PO’s Red Arm Gets Comics Backstory

Posted on September 4, 2015June 19, 2016 by Head Butler Ryan

While we’re all out buying merchandise like there are holes in our wallets (it certainly felt like there was one in mine afterwards), the Star Wars official site has been busy announcing both The Force Awakens soundtrack and Marvel’s C-3PO centric one-shot comic. Continue reading “The Force Awakens Soundtrack Pre-Order, C-3PO’s Red Arm Gets Comics Backstory” →

Global The Force Awakens Toy Unboxing Live on YouTube Next Week

Posted on August 25, 2015February 7, 2016 by Head Butler Ryan

Well this is certainly an interesting idea: around the globe in different countries and their various cities, the upcoming The Force Awakens toy line to be released on Force Friday will be unboxed live on YouTube (using Disney’s recent acquisition of Maker Studios to their advantage), hosted by various YouTube personalities. It all culminates in the midnight merchandising bonanza that will be Force Friday. So far there’s been no official reveal of what you’ll be emptying your wallets for (and more importantly how much) in the wee hours of the morning next week Friday, nor no official reveal of what stores will be doing for the promotion, but with this announcement going live it’s not hard to imagine we’ll know something officially soon. Continue reading “Global The Force Awakens Toy Unboxing Live on YouTube Next Week” →

JJ Abrams and Team Spill The Force Awakens Secrets to EW

Posted on August 13, 2015February 7, 2016 by Head Butler Ryan

Just ahead of their parent company’s expo, D23, Lucasfilm gave Entertainment Weekly some big secrets and interesting reveals for December’s The Force Awakens. They include new photos, details on how they arrived at certain character’s names, part of Kylo Ren’s true name, the big, enticing question which brought JJ on board, and Harrison Ford’s first day on set/Han’s Anthology film details (and a few more items on Friday). Continue reading “JJ Abrams and Team Spill The Force Awakens Secrets to EW” →

New “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Shattered Empire Details Emerge, Stars New Characters

Posted on August 9, 2015February 7, 2016 by Head Butler Ryan

Over at the Star Wars official site, Dan Brooks has an interview with Star Wars: Shattered Empire writer Greg Rucka, who reveals plot details, the series’ new main characters, whether we’ll see Luke, Han, and Leia, and hints at how different the new canon’s take on post-Return of the Jedi material will be (something we saw already in the Aftermath excerpt recently released). Continue reading “New “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Shattered Empire Details Emerge, Stars New Characters” →