Dec 15, 2015 why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels. Canon, tiein media like books and comics that connect the time periods. Star wars legends books chronological order part 1 100. These books are considered history and the material that occurs in these stories is officially part of the star wars timeline. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created by george lucas that includes star wars 1977, the empire strikes back 1980, and return of the jedi 1983. This body of work represents the original star wars expanded universe, which was rebranded as star wars legends and declared noncanon to the franchise in april 2014. Many derivative star wars works have been produced in conjunction with. That being said, the new canon is excellent, and i still enjoy the highlights of the eu as star wars stories, even if they arent part of the regular timeline anymore. The issue of which aspects are canon was one of the most hotly debated.
Star wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. Dozens of science fiction authors created exciting narratives featuring all the. Legends notification emails are working properly again. Zahns books, and hundreds of others, will be repackaged under the title star wars legends. Episode vii the force awakens, many stories that preceded or continued the films were removed from canon as star wars legends. Such derivative works have been produced concurrently with, between, and after the original, prequel, and. Yoda is called to a planet of child warriors in the middle of a tribal conflict. The term classic can get thrown around a lot undeservedly, but in the case of this classic star wars collection, the term is very appropriate. That being said i prefer legends material for a number of reasons. All novels here are published in collaboration with the lucasfilm story group, and are canon with the films and animated tv series. Admiral, a main bad guy of many of the nolongercanon legends books. As the title implies, the empire is part of the legends continuity, which is confirmed as noncanon. Art is such an incredibly subjective thing that it is impossible to say what is objectivally better or worse. And in 2014, to much fan protest, they were designated noncanon as the star wars legends, with a new series of novels interwoven into the canon taking their place.
Novels and novelizations are separated, as are junior novels and junior novelizations. After george lucas concluded his original trilogy with return of the jedi, star wars fans didnt know when they would ever get new stories from the star wars universe. If youre new, and want to learn more about the expanded universe, you can find a few links in the sidebar that may be helpful. In other words, in what disney now calls legends, here are the best non canon stories we wish were still part of the continuity. According to wookieepedia, this is a collection of old eu comics star wars. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books, comic books, video. Each novel is attributed to its respective era, along with name, timeline, authors name and date of release. Star wars legends is the only true star wars canon.
Star wars legends is too massive to fit into a single 100 book list, therefore this is part 1 of a multiple part list that contains all novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the expanded universelegends continuity in order of the timeline. Plus, of all the star wars eras, this is the one i would most like to see new stories in. Comics legends archie goodwin and al williamson began a star wars newspaper strip in 1981 which has been reformated and collected in this beautiful graphic novel. All the star wars books released after 2014, when disney started releasing books that fell into the official star wars universe. We have an unprecedented slate of new star wars entertainment on the horizon, said kennedy. All other comics, novels, video games, and other materials released before the series. Star wars canon novels a reading order justin beeson. It was an understandable move on disneys part to wipe the slate clean. These books contain short star wars stories from several notable science. Since disney bought the rights from the star wars franchise, most of the expanded universe all of the books, comic books, games and series that are based on the star wars setting became. Why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. I think it gets built up quite heavily around most star wars subreddits and while it is good, i dont think its for everyone and distant 11 and 12 for the first aftermath book and heir to the jedi. There are plenty of fans for whom the movies arent nearly enough, and the people behind one of the alltime great science fantasy sagas have always been more than happy to oblige.
Simple list of star wars books in order of when they take place, with sidebyside timelines for legends and the new canon. The star wars legends, also known as the extended universe, are noncanon. The 10 best star wars legends books, ranked screenrant. This is a timeline for novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the. Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated eu, encompasses every one of the licensed, fictional background stories of the star wars universe, outside of the original six star wars films produced by george lucas and certain other material such as star wars. While their comics became the foundation of the greater star wars legends canon, many of their decisions clashed stylistically with the rest of the canon. This is a timeline for books considered canon in the new continuity.
Basically, legends ran the gambit of ones and tens in terms of quality, 10 being kotor 1 and 2, tor, the bane books and the rogue squadron and battlefront games and 1 being say the cg clone wars movie, the holiday special, the. This would then explain the differences between the legends and canon continuities. Dec 28, 2016 after disney purchased lucasfilm in 2012, the official star wars canon was reset. They all contribute to the lore of star wars, but in the end it is one saga and that saga is called. They broke the star wars books into two categories. Bloodline by claudia grey honestly, one of the best star wars books ever written, and my personal favorite, featuring a 40something leia and a lot of the political leadin to the force awakens. This timeline is organized chronologically and in six different categories. The best place to put this would be before the darth bane books already confirmed as legends.
It is derived from and includes most official star wars books. After the force awakens, multiple films have been released, including spinoffs rogue one 2016 and solo. Ask any star wars reader what book to start with, and nine times out of 10, youll get the. Star wars inspires a love that can border on obsession. A brief history of star wars canon, old and new io9. After disney purchased lucasfilm in 2012, the official star wars canon was reset. Star wars stories have been told for more than 40 years, but many of them were sent to the legends territory. Legends minus anything during and after the yuuzhan vong, also anything prior that was trash looking at jedi prince, the holiday special and dark empire, and the clone wars 3d series. More star wars legends characters will become canon cbr. Star wars legends is the only true star wars canon home. Aside from toys, clothes, and the obscenely large death star co. Yodas secret war, by jason aaron, salvador larroca, kelly thompson, and emilio laiso though presented as a flashback, this 2017 story is the first one to take us back to a time prior to episode i, even if just.
This list of the top 15 noncanon star wars stories includes books that examine sith mythology, jedi training, ancient worlds and the murderous rampage of darth vader. Zahn deliberately wrote thrawn so it wouldnt clash with any of his legends works, so the character is the same. Back in the canon purge, the specifically mentioned new comics were to be published. They either included everything being published, or. The clone wars, the third trilogy that began with the release of the force awakens, and supporting materials and spinoffs released since ownership changed hands. The new canon so far has some flaws of course, but it seems the story is much more connected and just has a much clearer vision. Young readers books are almost always an adaptation of a previously released piece of content. Nov 18, 2016 this list of the top 15 non canon star wars stories includes books that examine sith mythology, jedi training, ancient worlds and the murderous rampage of darth vader. Delve into the history of the sinister count dooku in this audio original set in a galaxy far far away. He said alliances wouldnt be as legends friendly however if we include rebels theres is minor changes in his character, but its still mostly the same in canon and legends. Originally conceived of as a loose trilogy featuring the principle heroes of the star wars films, one of the books, kevin hearnes heir to the jedi, is actually in the new canon.
A definitive legends clone wars timeline was never established by lucasfilm. The series depicts the adventures of various characters a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Jun 27, 2019 the death star designers star wars canon vs legends by star wars explained. Furthermore, all star wars creative development is under the. Although canon does have some good things like vader actually being a dangerous powerhouse, who can solo armies instead of a bar to set for an oc jedi to beat, as well as rogue one and an overall more consistent settingtimeline instead of legends and its whole how many times do we have to steal the death star plans or that shuttle from rotj. The star wars expanded universe sweu encompasses all of the officially licensed, fictional material of the star wars saga, outside of the seven feature films, the clone wars film and series, and rebels series produced by lucasfilm. Take a look at the list table of star wars official canon books. Star wars canon novels a reading order justin beeson medium. From the press release regarding the new disney vs legends canon. Welcome to the star wars expanded universe subreddit. One of the biggest topics of speculation in the runup to the new star wars movie is how it will fit in with the preexisting expanded universe. The goto source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Theyre among the worst star wars books ive read including legends. Before lucas continued his epic saga with a trilogy of prequels, and before the latest trilogy was announced, the star wars legends existed as a means to expand on the star wars universe with novels, video.
Author john jackson millers next novel will be a preceding chapter to the star wars rebels tv. Dec 02, 2019 star wars inspires a love that can border on obsession. Shattered empire comics series by greg rucka, marco checcheletto, and joe caramagna, followed by star wars. An unexpected offer threatens the bond between quigon jinn and obiwan kenobi as the two jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future in the first canon star wars novel to take place before the events of star wars. The exact chronology of the events described in this article is currently unknown. The legends continuity just seemed like it was being pulled in a million different directions with seemingly very little communication between authors to create well flowing story. Below are our picks of the best star wars books from both the legends timeline and current canon. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by fictional era with symbols designating such. When vader met c3po star wars canon vs legends by star wars explained. Taking place five years after return of the jedi, it shows how the galaxy was reshaped after the empires destruction with a peace treaty between the empires remnants and the rebel alliance. In other words, in what disney now calls legends, here are the best noncanon stories we wish were still part of the continuity. In star wars rebels this year, dave filoni and company made the jedimandalorian wars, the kickoff event to how revans story was told in star wars. Were set to bring star wars back to the big screen, and continue the adventure through games, books, comics, and new formats that.
This article is about star wars books by inuniverse chronological order. The current canon consists of the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, star wars. They were always secondclass citizens in star wars canon, occupying a separate tier below the movies. A red saber, unsheathed in the an unexpected offer threatens the bond between quigon jinn and obiwan kenobi as the two jedi navigate a dangerous new planet and an uncertain future. One of the most popular characters from the star wars legends catalog, mara jade was the emperors secret. A complete list of all fulllength star wars novels in chronological order. With one of the most highly respected additions to star wars legends, timothy zahn began his epic thrawn trilogy with the novel heir to the empire. The expanded universe includes books, comic books, video games, toys and other assorted media. Please check your email spam folder and if you see any emails from the cantina there, make sure to.
Since then bits and pieces of the novels have made their way into the sequel trilogy and elsewhere. The beginning of the novel is actually a meticulous retelling of mist encounter. Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated eu. The death star designers star wars canon vs legends by star wars explained. I wanted to keep track of my slow progress reading through all the star wars canon novels, but i couldnt find a good list. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created. Now that were 3 films and multiple bookscomics into the new canon, id like to know everyones thoughts on whether they prefer the new canon continuity or legends. This star wars legends article contains information that is affected by the star wars. The best star wars novels from the new canon and legends. The han solo trilogy, book 3 the hutt gambit star wars. When marvel bought the rights to publish star wars comics back in the 70s and 80s, they didnt really grasp the full magnitude of what star wars would end up becoming. Some cancelled the clone wars episodes were adapted into canon books and comics in the clone wars legacy multimedia project. The adaptation was written by science fiction author brian daley and directed by. The newspaper strip took place between the events of the first.
A lot of random tie ins to scenes from the movies that can feel a bit forced. I would give up every star wars book, comic, and video game ever just for these three movies. As a disclosure, this blog is mostly for myself to share my fandom of the star wars universe with others. Are the marvel star wars legends comic books canon. And in 2014, to much fan protest, they were designated non canon as the star wars legends, with a new series of novels interwoven into the canon taking their place. Jan 29, 2018 the star wars franchise is about to add some familiar faces, as more legends characters are confirmed to appear as we head toward episode ix, rian johnsons spinoff trilogy, the animated successor to star wars rebels, and assorted related media, the galaxy far, far away will introduce plenty of new additions, unrelated to the skywalker family. New books released in direct collaboration with lucasfilm have potential to become canon, as well. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon.
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