Just one comic to talk about this episode, but it hit all the right points at all the right times, which is why we think Star Wars #69 is setting the stage for a Saturday-afternoon serial through this entire arc. Then there's the news about October's Star Wars comics, including the release dates for the weekly Star Wars: Allegiance and Return to Vader's Castle mini series, not to mention a third Doctor Aphra annual. This week's Star Wars comics out this week, July 31: _ Star Wars: Age of Resista...
Jul 30, 2019•32 min
We remain deeply enamored of the Doctor Aphra series, with issue #34 delivering all the right beats, while TIE Fighter #4 has us in an odd position: Rooting for the bad guys. So much new Star Wars comics news is discussed, too, particularly news that Charles Soule is taking "Ben to Ren" in December's four-issue mini series The Rise of Kylo Ren, as well as the covers for October's four-issue weekly mini series Star Wars: Allegiance and IDW Publishing's five-issue Star Wars Adventures weekly mini ...
Jul 23, 2019•55 min
New arc, new creative team, new characters, new worlds and more in Star Wars #68, while readers who haven't read Phasma get a brutal look at how Captain Phasma, and the First Order as a whole, in the pages of Age of Resistance -- Captain Phasma #1. Both comics add more layers to Star Wars' history while paying homage to those that came before them, giving readers a more detailed tapestry of things yet to come. In news, Doctor Aphra is back in the top 100, according to June comics sales stats, wh...
Jul 16, 2019•55 min
Beilert Valance returns in a book that's conceivably about Darth Vader but is, in fact, the bounty hunter book we've been craving since 2015. Such is the breadth of Star Wars: Target Vader #1. Meanwhile, FN-2187's past is given more backstory in a story that sows the seeds of his personal rebellion as Star Wars: Age of Resistance -- Finn #1 leads readers into the Sequel Trilogy era. There's also news about this fall's Star Wars Adventures 2019 annual and so much more. This week's Star Wars comic...
Jul 09, 2019•45 min
Just two Star Wars comics this week, but both had plenty of material to make our discussion rather lively, what with the Rogue One, Doctor Aphra and The Clone Wars references, not to mention the smart dialogue, expansive art, lustrous colors and tight lettering and editing. We're also taking time out to offer a hearty and hale thank you and farewell to artist Angel Unzueta, whose work on last month's Star Wars #67 culminated a stretch illustrating comics in a galaxy far, far away that surpassed ...
Jul 02, 2019•53 min
Farewells, hellos, sudden plot twists, long-lost lore and sudden death. This past week's Star Wars comics left no stone unturned when it came to whipsawing readers emotionally and so much more. From the final goodbye to writer Kieron Gillen as he leaves Star Wars after 30-odd issues (along with Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra, too) to the unexpected loss in TIE Fighter #3 (oh, Lyttan and Zin, we hardly knew ye) to the realization and resentment of true love in Doctor Aphra #33, these comics did not...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 16 min
The Young Padawans convene anew to discuss the various stories found within the pages of Star Wars Adventures #20 and #21. Some intense conversation, featuring an array of viewpoints from the rather young to the young at heart.
Jun 20, 2019•34 min
Combine mortal terror with a mild hallucinogen and what you get is Vader -- Dark Visions #5, the final issue in a mini series that came about through a long and winding process, with some supreme successes, a lot of controversy on and off the pages and and some truly amazing visuals that left us reeling in all the right ways. In news, we're eager to check out Jedi: Fallen Order -- Dark Temple this September, while John Tyler Christopher fans can buy a new Jedi Master Yoda variant from the artist...
Jun 18, 2019•26 min
We enjoyed a rather telling story of what may have been for Luke Skywalker and the efforts that Emperor Palpatine made to try and lure the son of Vader to the Dark Side. Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Luke Skywalker #1 made us think while, at the same time, riveting us with its space-borne action and fighting. We also had a great conversation with artist Stephen Mooney, whose work on Vader -- Dark Visions #4 was technically acute yet emotionally evocative at the same time. Listen in as he discus...
Jun 11, 2019•1 hr
Just two issues but so much to talk about, thanks to not just Vader -- Dark Visions #4, but Marvel's return to legends and lore with Star Wars #108, a sprawling, ambitious and immensely satisfying nod to the original 1977-86 run of Marvel's first volume of Star Wars. The over-sized issue is so immense that we asked Mark Paniccia, who oversees Marvel's Star Wars comics, to join us and discuss how the issue came about, what it took to shepherd the story to fruition and so much more. There's also n...
Jun 04, 2019•53 min
The Young Padawans have returned, along with Amy and Matt, to talk about the developments in Star Wars Adventures #18 and #19. Believe you, me, there is much to be said about these stories, too, with Emily and Micah weighing in what they liked most about the not one, two or three, but four stories.
May 30, 2019•40 min
A double-dose of Jabba, of sorts, as we examine the implications for the Sequel trilogy in the pages of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge #2, including a now-familiar axe that was seen in the latest images from The Rise of Skywalker. Then we travel back to the Original Trilogy with Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Jabba the Hutt, which sports an intriguing story about how truly good it is to be Jabba. As for news, we discuss the upcoming Princess Leia-Amilyn Holdo story in August's Star Wars Adventures #25...
May 28, 2019•44 min
After a too-long hiatus, the Young Padawans have returned. Emily, Micah, Amy and Matt gather to discuss the Star Wars Resistance-inspired tales in Star Wars Adventures #16 and #17, along with the superb backup "Flight of the Falcon," as it continues its multi-issue way around the Star Wars Saga.
May 23, 2019•42 min
Much to discuss this episode, given Marvel released three Star Wars comics on May 15 -- TIE Fighter #2, Star Wars #66 and Age of Rebellion -- Lando Calrissian #1 -- that featured some solid storytelling, lush visuals and, of course, cliffhangers galore! This week's Star Wars comics, out May 22, include: _ Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge #2 _ Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Jabba #1 _ Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Rebellion Years #3 (collects Star Wars: River of Chaos #1-4, Star Wars: Empire #28...
May 21, 2019•51 min
A new arc begins in Doctor Aphra #32 and Boba Fett's laconic gunslinger image is burnished in the pages of Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Boba Fett #1 as Jeff and Matt talk about last week's Star Wars comics this week. In news, we break down April's sales figures for Marvel and IDW's Star Wars titles, and ponder Charles Soule's latest (cryptic) tweet about a Star Wars project he's working on that's not the fabled Project Luminous effort. This week's Star Wars comics, out May 15, include: _ Star ...
May 14, 2019•49 min
We're remembering Peter Mayhew, discussing Han Solo's struggles when it comes to duty now for the future and if extreme violence is allowable to topple evil as we engage in a robust conversation about Star Wars #65 and Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Han Solo #1. Joining us this week is writer Ken Lowery whose fan-made, head-canon comic, Rebel: A Rogue One Story, gives readers an entertaining Jyn Erso story about the lengths she's willing to go to protect a child from the Empire. As for news, we'...
May 07, 2019•1 hr 20 min
From Doctor Aphra #31 to Galaxy's Edge #1 to Vader -- Dark Visions #3, we're intrinsically focused on which Star Wars comics thrilled us, left us reeling and disturbed us. To help unpack the discourse about Vader -- Dark Visions #3, Amy Wishman Nalan joins us to talk about the book in all its scope and why it struck a chord among readers. (To see some of the Daaé Leíra art and fix-it fiction mentioned, start here and here and here.) On the news front, we chatted about the March "sales" figures f...
Apr 30, 2019•1 hr 30 min
Two comics yet four stories -- five if you count the excerpt of Alphabet Squadron -- and numerous new characters along with some familiar faces, too, in the pages of Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Special and the start of the new TIE Fighter mini series. This week's episode sparks a lively debate about how serious a Star Wars story should be and whether the Saga as a whole glosses over the loss of life that is the conflict between the Empire and Rebellion. This week's Star Wars comics, out April...
Apr 23, 2019•1 hr 2 min
We're through Star Wars Celebration Chicago and into the start of the Age of Rebellion Star Wars comics, with the first two issues focusing on Princess Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin. Join us as we discuss news from Celebration, including the new Target Vader mini series featuring Valance the Hunter, as well as plot synopses of this summer's Age of Resistance maxi from Tom Taylor, along with the "official" reveal that Greg Pak and Phil Noto are taking over the flagship Star Wars monthly. This week's...
Apr 16, 2019•51 min
We've got a great conversation with artist Will Sliney, whose tenure on the just-completed Solo: A Star Wars Story adaptation allowed him to flex not just his creativity, but his love for Star Wars, which is fitting, given issue #7 is among the two issues we're discussing this episode. The second title, Star Wars #64, was a thrilling ride, setting the line for when devotion becomes fanaticism, then moving it. This week's Star Wars comics, out April 10, include: Star Wars: Age of Rebellion -- Pri...
Apr 09, 2019•1 hr
Be warned, spoilers abound for Star Wars comics to come, including the flagship Star Wars monthly post-Kieron Gillen and the upcoming Star Wars -- Age of Resistance maxi series. They're in the news section of the show, so proceed with some trepidation. Once you've done that, stay for the vibrant discussion about Doctor Aphra #30 and the absolutely mindblowing Star Wars: Vader -- Dark Visions #2. You'll be glad you did. This week's Star Wars comics, out April 3, include: Star Wars #64Solo: A Star...
Apr 02, 2019•55 min
The tension is building in Star Wars #63 while Solo: A Star Wars Story adaptation #6 offers some new material, along with some stunning art, as we discuss the two comics in this week's episode. We also break down Star Wars comics plans for next month's Star Wars Celebration Chicago, including Charles Soule's admonition that no one miss the Lucasfilm Publishing writer's roundtable on Monday, April 15. (He was quite adamant that you not miss it.) This week's Star Wars comics, out March 27, include...
Mar 26, 2019•43 min
It's a pair of endings as we come to the end of Star Wars: Han Solo -- Imperial Cadet, along with the last installment in the Star Wars: Age of Republic titles, and neither did so meekly, but rather with deft writing, dynamic illustrations and lingering thoughts. The ending of Han Solo -- Imperial Cadet #5 sets the stage for a pair of new characters, whose stories we think will come back around sooner than later, while in Age of Republic -- General Grievous, a notorious villain is given a better...
Mar 19, 2019•44 min
Three Star Wars comics from different eras of the Saga, each of one solidly executed and featuring some stellar character development, glimpses into stories already told and a rethinking of long-held perceptions of others, too. This week's podcast is focused on Age of Republic -- Padme Amidala #1, Star Wars #62 and Vader: Dark Visions #1 and the conversation is frantic and encompassing. Also drawing our interest is a new 16-page "fan made" comic, Rebel: A Rogue One Story that features a story ab...
Mar 12, 2019•1 hr 20 min
Just a single issue this episode, but it's got enough story beats, action and verve to fill up an entire story, but that's not surprising, given how deliciously weird and wild Star Wars: Doctor Aphra has been since the character's introduction in the pages of Darth Vader, Vol. 1. As such, Doctor Aphra #29 is inarguably the best issue so far of this story arc, and we'll explain our reasoning behind our assertion. Agree? Disagree? That's OK because like this stellar comics series, it's the differe...
Mar 05, 2019•33 min
Just a single issue to delve into in this week's episode, but there's enough material in Solo: A Star Wars Story adaptation #5 to generate some significant discussion about the role adaptations play in the wider Star Wars comics segment. In comics news, we're excited about word that Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet's Star Wars Adventures #22, out in May, will feature a Princess Leia, R2-D2 and C-3PO story set after The Empire Strikes Back as they search for Han Solo. Then there's IDW's annou...
Feb 26, 2019•40 min
Amid rumors of relaunching and renumbering the main Star Wars title later this year, Jeff and Matt discuss the pros and cons of such a move and whether it would have any significant effect on Marvel's existing titles and their sales. Then there's Star Wars (Vol. 1) #108, the one shot due at the end of May that will serve as a sequel to Vol. 1's Star Wars (Vol. 1) #50. Looking farther afield, there's a conversation about what titles may be announced at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. As for comics...
Feb 19, 2019•55 min
A reflection on doing what's right, even when you're told it's wrong, leads our discussion of Marvel Star Wars comics Age of Republic -- Anakin Skywalker #1, along with knowing when to forgive, but not forget, in Star Wars #61. There are no easy answers to the questions both issues presented, but that's part of what makes such contextual storytelling so dynamic. This week's Star Wars comics, out Feb. 13, include: Star Wars: Age of Republic -- Count Dooku #1Star Wars: Han Solo -- Imperial Cadet #...
Feb 12, 2019•51 min
The Star Wars comics this week -- Doctor Aphra #28 and Solo: A Star Wars Story Adaptation #4 -- are emotionally draining yet exhilarating, too, whipsawing readers through a range of despair, elation and betrayal. Why? Great writing enmeshed with superb illustrating to tell these stories. We're also discussing the latest news about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and wondering what the announced IDW all-ages Galaxy's Edge comic may be about, as well as the rundown of the podcast stage at April's Star Wa...
Feb 05, 2019•52 min
Plenty of discussion about not just Star Wars #60, but A Star Wars Comic #18, too. We're discussing the ongoing Flight of the Falcon story, too, joined by novelist and comics writer Michael Moreci to talk about his contribution to the cross-format story that's been appearing in the pages of Star Wars Adventures. Be sure to check out the fan-made anthologies Moreci had a hand in creating, too. (Volumes One and Two) As for news, we lament the recently announced decision by Jim Mello and Alex Ray t...
Jan 29, 2019•1 hr 15 min
