The message of this week's show is important to our friends at MarvinDog Media, and we agree with the message, so we wanted to give our listeners a chance to hear it as well. Diversity is not a bad thing. Period. This month, the guys talk about a small line from the mid-80s that was born out of a mother's desire to give her son toys that looked like him and his friends. It was a terrific toy line, but very short-lived. Taylor has suggested that Mattel might take a page out of this toy line for t...
Aug 02, 2020•53 min
It's been more than four months since we last left Darth Vader and Sabé and now we know where they've gone. For Prequel Trilogy fans, this issue is for you. For fans of E.K. Johnston's "Star Wars: Queen's Shadow" novel, this issue is for you. There are familiar faces we've not seen in a long, long time in a story that, despite the long gap in time, remains quite compelling. In news, we debate whether the five-issue adaptation of "The Rise of Skywalker" by Jody Houser and Will Sliney is actually ...
Jul 29, 2020•45 min
The stars, and schedules, aligned so in the heat of the summer, the Young Padawans -- Emily and Micah -- along with Amy and Matt gathered to talk about Star Wars Adventures, with a look at issues #28 and #29, as they draw ever closer to completing the first volume of the series, which recently ended with issue #32.
Jul 24, 2020•58 min
It's a return to normality, at least in terms of weekly Star Wars comics, after the ups and downs of the pandemic-affected distribution. We're starting this "new normal" with the decidedly not at all normal at all return of Doctor Aphra in issue #2 of the series' second volume. Also out today? The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (4th Printing) and Star Wars #3 (2nd Printing) As for news, here's the details on the Star Wars-related SDCC at Home Panels on the Doctor Aphra Audio Drama, which was released July ...
Jul 22, 2020•40 min
No news is good news, the saying goes, but we don't agree, which is why we have an all-news episode for you this week. Why no Star Wars Adventures #32 review and discussion? That's because the Young Padawans are gearing up to complete their run on the IDW series and we're saving the finale for Amy, Emily and Micah. As for news, here's the details on the Star Wars-related SDCC at Home Panels on the Doctor Aphra Audio Drama (https://bit.ly/38O4gLW) and the Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories From a Gala...
Jul 15, 2020•21 min
No new comics this week to discuss, but it's a splendid opportunity to dim the lights, pour a glass of wine and ponder some artwork from a bygone era: The Dark Horse Comics 18-issue adaptation of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command). If you've read neither the trilogy or the three mini-series, there are spoilers, so consider yourself warned. Upcoming Star Wars comics include: July 15: _ Star Wars Adventures #32 July 21: _ Doctor Aphra Audio D...
Jul 08, 2020•55 min
Despite the two-month gap from issue #2 and #3, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters retains its crown as the only book that's pure adrenaline from start to finish and, at this rate, future issues are liable to combust on the shelf, that's how much power they pack. Here why in our discussion of the latest issue and why it's going to be so hard to wait another two months for #4. Upcoming Star Wars comics include: July 8: _ Star Wars Adventures #32 _ Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Legacy, Vol. 3 Trade Ju...
Jul 01, 2020•36 min
Two new issues of Star Wars comics out June 24, though we're focusing solely on IDW Publishing's Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #2 by Michael Moreci, Derek Charm, Megan Levens, Luis Antonio Delgado, Charlie Kirchoff, Jake M. Wood, Elizabeth Brei and Denton J. Tipton. We'll dive deep into Marvel's Bounty Hunters #3 on episode #183 on July 1, given there aren't any new comics that day. In news, we're still trying to figure out when the fifth and final issue of Battle Tales is...
Jun 24, 2020•34 min
This week's episode is a behind-the-scenes discussion with writer, editor and translator Ricardo Cachoua Jr. (https://twitter.com/RiCachoua_Vader), who works with Panini Comics Mexico to translate Marvel Star Wars comics into Spanish for the Latin American market. It's a fascinating look into how comics are made, what the process entails and what goes into ensuring that the story is not only true to the English-language version, but done so that the nature of not just the tale, but Star Wars its...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Our interview subject had to cancel, there weren't any new Star Wars comics and we didn't read enough of the classics or Dark Horse to do a specialty episode. What did we do? What we always do: Talked. It's not as boring as it sounds, we swear. You'll laugh a bit, groan but you won't cringe. We promise. Upcoming Star Wars comics: June 17: _ Age of Rebellion Hardcover June 24: _ Bounty Hunters #3 _ Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars — Battle Tales #2 July 1: _ Star Wars Adventures #32 (IDW says...
Jun 10, 2020•15 min
This week's episode features an in-depth interview with illustrator and concept designer Roberto Venegas, whose Star Wars illustrations may be quite familiar to you. Venegas joined us to talk about the genesis of his first-ever comic, "Dyad," a tenderly written and lushly illustrated story that serves as a seamless postscript to 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker" film with its emphasis on the complex yet unsurprising relationship between Rey and Ben Solo. (There are spoilers for the comic, which you...
Jun 03, 2020•1 hr 11 min
In a titanic pairing of Star Wars comics-focused podcasts, Matt Wood and Brian Keohan of the Star Wars Comics Daily join forces with us to put Eric Lasko through the wringer. No, wait, that's not right. It's Eric who put US through the wringer as we discussed Star Wars comics, podcasting and the Saga, along with life, cons and so much more. This episode was done jointly by both podcasts to support Creators4Comics and wouldn't have been possible without Eric's participation. We had fun and we thi...
Jun 01, 2020•2 hr 10 min
Denton Tipton is a long-time comics pro who worked for IDW Publishing from 2008-2020, becoming managing editor. He helped shepherd not just 32 issues of Star Wars Adventures and Forces of Destiny, but the recently-begun The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales miniseries, Tales From Vader's Castle, Return to Vader's Castle and Destroyer Down, among others. He joined us to talk about what it was like to create Star Wars comics for an all-ages audiences, the talented creatives hired to write, illustrate, co...
May 27, 2020•1 hr 2 min
IDW is back on comic-store shelves with debut of Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #1, the first of five-issue mini-series that was to have been released weekly during April until the coronavirus pandemic knocked such plans askew. Still, the wait was worth it, with the debut issue by series writer Michael Moreci, intro and outro artist Derek Charm, interior artists Arianna Florean and Mario Del Pennino, colorists Luis Antonio Delgdo and Valentina Taddeo, letterer and designer ...
May 20, 2020•34 min
This week's episode sees us going through Dark Horse Comics' penultimate Star Wars comics title: Rebel Heist. Some six years after it's debut, there's a lot to love about this four-issue mini-series that, at the time, augured some elements that we've seen since Marvel resumed publishing the property in 2015. As for news, there's a summary of Marvel's decision to do away with its web-based comic store and the latest updates on Marvel and IDW shipping plans as we edge closer to the return of Star ...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 11 min
In a surprise move, Marvel released Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) #1 digitally on May 4 as part of Star Wars Day, more than three weeks before the book goes on sale in comic shops on May 27. That means we're back in business, at least when it comes to a new Star Wars comics, and the first issue by creative team Alyssa Wong (script), Marika Cresta (art), Rachelle Rosenberg (color artist), VC's Joe Caramagna (letters) and editors Thomas Groneman and Mark Paniccia, has delivered an entertaining and balance...
May 05, 2020•48 min
The Young Padawans reconvene to discuss the now-on hiatus Star Wars Adventures, with a look at issues #26 and #27. Emily, Micah, Amy and Matt breakdown the four stories that feature a bevy of characters, new and old, as they learn to trust themselves, work with others and absorb some life lessons. A note to listeners, there are some audio issues here and there, but it shouldn't detract from your listening enjoyment or the wider discussion.
May 01, 2020•1 hr 3 min
It's a mix of old and new as Jeff and Matt explore the "Forever Crimson" trade collecting four vintage and one modern vintage issues of the first volume of Marvel's Star Wars comics. Released in 2019, thee book collects issues #16, 27, 29, 50 and 108 and is geared around Beilert Valance, the Legends character who was brought into the new canon by Robbie Thompson in the Han Solo: Imperial Cadet mini-series, featured in the Target Vader mini-series and is now center stage and the ongoing Bounty Hu...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 12 min
The Young Padawans gather with Amy and Matt to discuss Star Wars Adventures #25, a rare full-length story that focuses on Leia Organa and Amilyn Holdo in a tale spanning Coruscant's many levels, that weaves the specter of myth with the potential for doing right by those whom power often overooks. This issue is written by Delilah S. Dawson, lavishly illustrated by Margaux Saltel and expertly lettered by Tom B. Long. It's editors include Elizabeth Brei and Denton J. Tipton.
Apr 24, 2020•38 min
This week's episode is an expansive interview with writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson whose fan-made comics -- 2015's "Green Leader" and 2019's "Old Man Skywalker" -- have given Star Wars comics fans new views of characters both direct and tertiary in wordless stories that are as fluid as they are evocative. (You can check out "Old Man Skywalker" at https://bit.ly/3ayP3Op and "Green Leader" at https://bit.ly/2Kq0YTW.) While Johnson's mark on Star Wars, unofficial though it may be, cannot be...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Given the closings (temporarily, we hope) amid the coronavirus pandemic, it was fitting that a new film documentary by Anthony Desiato looking at comic shops across the U.S. made its debut on iTunes and Amazon.com. We spoke with Desiato about the film, comics, shops and the overall industry, and the unique role they play in weekly comics. Learn more about the film by visiting http://firstrunfeatures.com/mycomicshopcountry.html...
Apr 17, 2020•26 min
We've dimmed the lights, opened a bottle of the good stuff and found the comfortable chair for this episode that sees us tackle Star Wars comics published by Dark Horse. It's only fitting we start at the beginning of Dark Horse's long run of publishing Star Wars stories, turning our attention to the six-issue mini-series Dark Empire. We compare and contrast the series' parallels with the new canon and a certain film from December 2019. New Star Wars comics originally scheduled for April 22: _ St...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 7 min
The man in the Mandalorian armor has long been a draw for Star Wars comics since that appearance in the Star Wars Holiday Special. While we would have been talking Boba Fett in today's release of Star Wars -- Bounty Hunters #3, not to mention Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #2, the lack of new comics didn't deter us. Despite his limited screen time in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Boba Fett holds a special place for lots of fans. His appeal is enduring and ...
Apr 08, 2020•52 min
There's no new Star Wars comics this week, which has us -- and you -- bummed, given we were very much looking forward to sharing our thoughts about the debut of Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) #1 and Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars -- Battle Tales #1. So what could we do but talk about the six-page preview of Doctor Aphra that was released last week, as well as the three pages that were revealed last month! Besides the truncated discussion about those issues, there's discussion about the coronavirus ...
Apr 01, 2020•38 min
It's an odd week for comics, given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic that's caused a lot of comic shops to close amid orders from local and state governments, but that's not stopping us from talking about this week's Star Wars -- Bounty Hunters #2, a fast-paced and energetic book that's quickly become must-read when it comes to Star Wars comics. We also dive into what Diamond's decision to halt all new comics shipments for the immediate future and ponder whether Marvel and IDW, along with ...
Mar 25, 2020•48 min
We're breaking down Star Wars #4, a pivotal issue in the first arc of Vol. 3 of this series, with Luke, Leia and Lando learning not just about each other, but themselves, too, in a story that pitches this arc forward into what may be a lifechanging moment for each of them. As for news, we take a look at the February sales statistics, talk about how the spread of the coronavirus is affecting comic shops and what it may mean for comics in general, too. New Star Wars comics out March 25 include: _ ...
Mar 18, 2020•47 min
Ben is dead. Long live Kylo Ren. Padme is dead. Long live ... Padme? Valance isn't dead, but with company that includes Bossk and Boba Fett he may be shortly. This episode is ripping at the seems with Star Wars comics stories that see readers follow Ben Solo's collapse into Kylo Ren in that mini-series final issue. In the pages of Darth Vader #2, echoes are stirred of a love that left both in ruins. Bounty Hunters #1 begins with a bang and never lets up, casting a gritty pall over the Star Wars ...
Mar 11, 2020•1 hr 38 min
With no new comics this week, we took advantage of the momentary lull to talk with the team behind Star Wars Audio Comics, a group of like-minded Star Wars fans who are transforming Marvel's Star Wars titles, along with other stories, too, into aural journeys. Don't call these motion comics. Rather, think of them as a multimedia way of reading comics. Joining us for this wide-ranging talk about the channel are Daniel Plumb, channel founder; Rob Angelli, channel manager; and Gilbert Santillanes, ...
Mar 04, 2020•1 hr
Star Wars #3 and Project Luminous are our main topics in this week's episode with both offering up page-turning storytelling along with cliffhangars galore. In news, Project Luminous was finally revealed and chief among the ambitious new project is pair of comics -- one each from Marvel (written by Cavan Scott) and IDW Publishing (written by Daniel Jose Older) -- that will be part of the event, which begins Aug. 25 with a novel by Charles Soule who, coincidentally, writes Marvel's ongoing Star W...
Feb 26, 2020•34 min
An absence of official Star Wars comics is no reason not to podcast, not when we have the chance to talk with Aaron Russell, the writer of Jace Wars, a stirring and heartwarming comic that frames family, awareness and kindness using Star Wars as a lens for hope. Russell's work, along with artist Shane Kirshenblatt and layout editor Robert Goldie, is unlike any other we've read because it proffers an enriching tale about never giving up, no matter the odds, and always looking to the future for fu...
Feb 19, 2020•41 min
