Category Archives: Star Wars

Hondo Caravan: It’s Hondo Time!

Posted on by

Hondo!  That’s the difference between the Hondo Caravan and the Waru Express folks.  With the Waru, I spent months dreading and working my way towards The Crystal Star.  With the Hondo, I get to meet him in the third batch of episodes and it’s great fun all around!

Oh.  And there was some other stuff that happened in these episodes too, I guess.

Dooku Captured
I was so excited about this episode from the get-go.  It’s all Obi-Wan and Anakin.  I can’t get enough of Obi-Wan’s exasperated snark or his all-knowing snark.  Honestly, all I need to be happy with the show is some wonderful banter between the two of them.  Anakin’s exasperation about having to be the one captured is hilarious as is Obi-Wan’s quip about how he’s already a Master… just not a Jedi Master.

However… Boys.  BOYS.  Those lightsabers are your lives, NOT GLOWSTICKS.

AND THEN HONDO APPEARED HUZZAH!

Ahsoka, on the other hand, believes none of their assurances about having everything totally under control.  Smart girl, that one.

I like that this episode didn’t go the way I thought it was going to at all.  When it was titled ‘Dooku Captured’, I expected it to be the Republic who’d captured him, not a bunch of pirates.  This is a very nice twist.  Actually, this is probably my favorite episode so far.  I adore all of the parallels and all of the banter.  My only problem is that line about dispatching Representative Binks.  Don’t give Jar Jar any responsibility.  We know this goes badly.

Continue reading →

Review: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin

Posted on by

If you’re looking for a Vader story that doesn’t go too deep and has a high body count, then this week’s Star Wars hardcover release will be right up your alley.  Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin, written by Tim Siedell with art by Stephen Thompson and Ivan Fernandez, is an enjoyable enough tale even if it’s not precisely groundbreaking.

A father is heartbroken over his son’s death at the hands of Darth Vader so he hires eight assassins to try and enact revenge for him.  All of them fail.  He pays a high price to hire the titular ninth assassin who follows Vader to a more distant planet to track a dark and powerful force that seems to be blocking their senses.  Darth Vader will have far more to deal with than he anticipated.

It’s a decent enough read if you’re looking for a Vader centric book.  That’s actually the strength of the book or at least one of them.  (The other strength would be the Emperor but that’s diving into spoiler territory.)  It’s absolutely a Vader story.  It only briefly dives deeper into his psyche with a handful of pages where he’s hallucinating but they’re very well done.  While the overall story isn’t terribly involved, it’s a neat look at the idea of choice.  Plus, of course, we get to see Vader kill people.  A lot of people.  It’s not rocks fall and everyone dies; it’s Vader happens and everyone dies.

The Ninth Assassin never really does anything beside stalk Vader.  Slightly off panel, we see him kill a heck of a lot of people but other than that, he’s just a masked character who ultimately fails at his task.  Other than that, readers get to learn nothing about him.

The artwork is serviceable and decent enough although not remarkable.  The best page is the one where they come out of hyperspace mostly for how the glow of hyperspace was drawn and colored.  The Ninth Assassin also has a neat looking character design.  My one main critique is that occasionally Vader’s proportions look a little bit off.

Overall, it’s a decent enough book but it’s not new or exciting.  The plotline where Vader tracks down the potential traitors is intriguing enough to catch your interest and keep you engage with the story.  If you want more Vader then pick up the book.  If you’re interested in seeing Vader as he’s still in the first few years of transitioning from being Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader than this is probably a book you should pick up.  However, if you’re looking for a book with tons of layers and lots of fully developed characters than this is probably one you should skip.  Again, I’m not saying that this is a poorly done book as it’s certainly enjoyable enough.  It’s just likely not everyone’s cup of tea.

I give Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin a 3/5 and only casually recommend it.

Hondo Caravan: And then Jar Jar happened

Posted on by

Look sir!  More droids!  I probably should’ve saved that joke for a few more discs down the line but oh well.  This week, Artoo was awesome, certain Jedi were kicked butt, and oh no it’s Jar Jar Binks.  Help.

Downfall of a Droid
This was actually a pretty action packed episode.  I was surprised by how much happened in it.  Inevitably, it’s poor Artoo who gets captured but on the other hand, he’s probably the best character who possibly could get captured.  He’s totally the guy you want as your back up in a bad situation.  Why?  Because he gets things done, of course!

I love how focused Anakin is on getting Artoo back and it’s definitely not just because he didn’t wipe the droid’s memory.  It’s because he considers him to be a friend and in part because Padmé gave Artoo to him.  It’s really quite sweet.

That droid smuggler guy is appropriately skeevy and Grievous continues to be hilariously inept.  Honestly, why was the Republic that worried about this guy?

Also, I’m calling it now.  This replacement Arthree droid is totally going to be a Separatist spy.  No one can possibly be that inept.

Continue reading →

Hondo Caravan: Begun the Clone Wars Have

Posted on by

Welcome to the very first stop on the Hondo Caravan!  This week, I started from the very beginning and boy was this interesting.  I’ve got a couple of notes before we get into the individual episodes though.  First, several people made comments on the introduction post asking why I wasn’t doing the episodes in chronological order.  The easy answer is because I don’t feel like it.  The longer answer is that watching the show one disc of episodes at a time is much easier for me to do.  I’m also trying to avoid looking at anything Clone Wars related online for fear of further spoilers.  Also, this happens to be my project and I feel like watching them in air order.  Second, I’ve decided to watch the Director’s Cut version of episodes whenever they’re available.  I’ll be sure to note when that’s the case.

Housekeeping is over so on with the show!

The Clone Wars Feature Film
I have to say, it’s strange hearing some of the same voices and some different voices from the films.  It’s a strange sort of simultaneous continuity and break of continuity.  There’s a part of me that finds it hilarious that what was basically an oversized pilot episode was put into theatres.  Mostly, this feels like three episodes edited together.  Most people on Twitter were pretty down on this film.  In my current context, I didn’t find it awful.  I just didn’t think it was the best.  On the other hand, everyone’s assurances that it gets better are quite promising.

I know a large part of the premise of the show rests upon it but I think Yoda and Obi-Wan might’ve been hitting the booze bottles a liiiiiiittle too hard if they really thought that giving Anakin Skywalker a padawan was a good idea.  It’s hard to think of Jedi less suited to it than him.  Sorry.  Apparently I just make fun of Skywalkers and their abilities to deal with children like it’s my job.

Ahsoka’s outfit bothers me a lot because why in the world is she wearing a bandeau top?  She’s what?  14?  An entire shirt would’ve been nice and, as any woman knows, strapless tops are not the best at staying up.  I do, however, super dig her reverse grip Shien lightsaber combat style.  It makes me think that she’d be amazing at Jar’Kai or Form Six with a shoto.

I was, however, completely and utterly unprepared for Ziro the Hutt.  Just… what.

Overall though, this wasn’t a bad start to the show and this blogging project.

Continue reading →

One Woman’s Expanded Universe Wish List for 2014

Posted on by

All I want for Christmas is… more Star Wars book announcements!  Now before you say anything, I know.  I know and I understand why they haven’t been able to give us any news about future books in the Expanded Universe.  It is not Del Rey’s fault that they cannot tell us more.  Several projects like the Paul Kemp duology and the Sword of the Jedi trilogy seem to be in book limbo so while we miiiiiiight see those in 2014, I’m not going to hold my breath for them even though I’d love to see them finally be published.  Instead, I’ll use that breath to give you my thoughts on eight different books that I’d like to see Del Rey possibly announce as new projects.  Yes, some of these are definitely pipe dreams.  But hey!  It’s always fun to speculate wildly and close your eyes and wish really hard.

So without further ado and in no particular order, eight ideas that could take place in the already established timeline:

Continue reading →

Mark Your Calendars: December 18, 2015

Posted on by

Star_Wars_logoIt’s official!

The official site has announced that Episode VII will open on December 18, 2015.

Alan Horn, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, made the announcement today. “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” he said.

Looks like the rumors about Lucasfilm wanting a 2016 release while Disney wanted a 2015 release may have held some water, but this seems to be a good compromise. Extra time to make a better movie is always a good thing.

(Although, personally, seeing a Star Wars movie in December, without the 20th Century Fox Fanfare, is going to be really really really weird.)

Episode VII will begin filming in Spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios.

Review: The Star Wars #3

Posted on by

It’s a Desert Ambush as the cover proclaims in Issue #3 of The Star Wars, out in comic book stores today.  Jonathan Rinzler and Mike Mayhew continue to adapt the original draft of A New Hope in an action packed issue with more sass than you could possibly imagine.  (And hey, I can imagine quite a lot.)

Darth Vader searches for the royal family of Aquilae, hoping to complete the Empire’s victory and a new player joins the search: Prince Valorum; a Knight of the Sith.  Meanwhile, See Threepio and Artwo Detwo disagree about how to handle being stranded in the Dune Sea only to both end up being found by Annikan and Leia as they hurry back to the hidden fortress to the Palace of Lite.  With the King dead, Leia is now the true Queen of Aquilae but for her safety, Queen Breha orders General Skywalker to take Leia and her younger brothers to the Ophuchi system.  But first, they must get safely past the Empire’s army on planet.

For an issue that starts with the droids being stranded in the desert, this issue certainly isn’t lacking for action and goes by so quickly that readers will likely find themselves surprised when they reach the last page so soon.  Rinzler definitely knows how to keep readers coming back for more.  The weirdness of how some of the names are spelled has yet to wear off and I suspect I’ll never be able to type Artwo correctly on the first try but the weirdness is honestly a part of the book’s charm.  It’s difficult to find a reason to complain about Rinzler’s grasp of dialogue and pacing.  Again, his use of lines from the film invokes smiles instead of eye rolls and that is absolutely a good thing.

One of the best things about this particular issue was the banter between different pairs of characters.  To put it simply: the sass levels were off the charts.  I frequently found myself chuckling at Artwo’s lines and downright laughing when Threepio puts an end to the argument.  This version of Princess Leia continues to take none of anyone’s crap.  Some things stay true no matter what alternate universe they are in.  She also has quite the mind for retaliation tactics.

I’m also still not over Mike Mayhew’s artwork.  It’s absolutely gorgeous.  Mayhew also continues to excel at costume design.  The official royal regalia that Princess Leia and Queen Breha wear in the throne room are truly magnificent.  I haven’t the faintest idea how Leia can sit with that headdress much less stand but wow does it have a visual impact.  Another strength of Mayhew’s artwork is the facial expressions of the characters.  At times, it feels like some of the panels don’t even need the dialogue bubbles for the words to get across.

The Star Wars #3 has elevated this book from a ‘pick this book up if you’re intrigued by the concept’ to ‘you should definitely give this book a try’ so run out and go find the first three issues!

Review: The Haynes Death Star Owner’s Technical Manual

Posted on by

Death Star manualLet’s just get this out of the way. The Haynes Death Star Owner’s Technical Manual by Ryder Windham, Chris Reif, and Chris Trevas continues right where the Millennium Falcon manual left off. Suffice to say, if you enjoyed that book, you’re going to enjoy this one just as much.

The text is a fun in-universe affair. It should be said that this book isn’t exactly the sort of oil-stained Haynes manual your father kept in the garage to do self-repairs on the old Datsun pickup truck that he just refuses to get rid of. This is less of a book of diagrams and more of a history text and reference book. You’re not going to find out how to repair a deactivated tractor beam (though there is a nifty labeled diagram), but you will learn a great deal about the key minds behind the Death Star and just what all those little details on the surface of the station are.

Some of the neater sections are memos and letters from characters in the Star Wars universe discussing the Death Star. In particular are the Personal Data Journal Entries from Grand Moff Tarkin that discuss various key elements of the battle station. You gain insight into his mindset and why he wanted specific things. More interesting, they detail why his specific needs for the Death Star wound up being its downfall.

There’s a host of new artwork within the pages of this reference book. Personally one of my favorite illustrations was the Death Star cross section early on in the book. It really gives scale on just how massive that superlaser was. Throughout there are a multitude of cutaways, diagrams, and new illustrations that shed a lot of light on just how the Death Star operated and functioned.

The end of the book looks briefly into the second Death Star. Once again, the art is incredible. I would gladly pay for a print of the comparison chart showing the size differences between a Star Destroyer, a Super Star Destroyer, the first Death Star, and the Second Death Star. For that matter, there’s a lot of art in this book I’d love to get as a print. The Death Star Cutaway in particular would look great in any geeky office or bedroom.

At 122 pages, there’s a whole lot to sink your teeth into. It’s the perfect size and the perfect material to make a great geeky coffee table reader. For a casual fan, there’s all sorts of neat trivia that will keep anyone’s attention. For a fleet junkie, the book is a huge wealth of knowledge that you’ll come back to scan again and again. The Haynes Death Star Owner’s Technical Manual is a fun and brilliant read. Go pick it up.

The Hondo Caravan: Bria’s Watching The Clone Wars

Posted on by

One year ago today, I made a very poor life decision: I decided to reread the Star Wars Expanded Universe.  That train wreck (did you see what I did there?) resulted in what has become known as the Waru Express.  It was a 7 month journey through 130 books with my commentary that ranged from squeeing to flailing to ambivalence to headbashing to gross sobbing.  It seemed to amuse and entertain a good number of people.

Good news, folks!  I’m doing it again.  No, don’t give me that look.  I’m not rereading all the Expended Universe books again.  Instead, I’ll be watching The Clone Wars from start to finish.  So don’t be shy: come aboard the Hondo Caravan!

There are going to be a few differences between the Waru Express and the Hondo Caravan.  The Hondo will have a much steadier pace because my fast reading speed is of no use here and I cannot watch an episode any faster than anyone else.  I’m also coming into the show relatively blind.  I watched the film and saw some of the first season episodes a few years ago but that’s it.  There are some things (such as the finale) where I just couldn’t avoid spoilers but for the most part, I really don’t know much of anything.  (So sorry, Waru groupies: there will no be encore to the Crystal Star event this time.)  If Season Six becomes available in a timely fashion, I’ll definitely add those episodes to my watch through.

A few things will stay the same.  I’ll be watching about 6 episodes or however many episodes are on a disc and then posting my thoughts and commentary on them.  I’ll be posting about once a week, give or take a bit depending on my schedule.  You’ll also be able to follow my progress in relative real time again on Twitter @chaosbria or the hashtag #HondoCaravan.

So sit back and enjoy my latest trip into madness and enjoy your stay aboard the Hondo Caravan!

Check out the master list of episodes/future review links after the jump!

Continue reading →

2013 in the Star Wars Expanded Universe

Posted on by

It’s the vogue thing to do right now so I couldn’t help but sit down and take a retrospective look at this year’s Expanded Universe books and then rank them in my order of preference. (Because hey!  All the cool kids are doing it!)

Overall, 2013 was a solidly enjoyable year for Expanded Universe releases.  After all, what else could it be when we literally started 2013 with Scoundrels?  I can promise you that I paid no attention to the ball dropping in Time’s Square and was instead impatiently waiting for Scoundrels to finish downloading to my Nook instead.  As those who followed the Waru Express are probably well aware, I’ve had my fair share of problems with a number of the Expanded Universe releases in the past five years or so.  2013 has, for the most part, been a giant breath of fresh air.

We’ll start with my basic rankings and then I’ll go a bit more into detail because this list is going to look deceptive.  My reviews for each of these books are linked.

  1. Kenobi
  2. Razor’s Edge
  3. Scoundrels
  4. Into the Void
  5. The Last Jedi
  6. Crucible

That’s the simplified version of the rankings.  If you really want a better sense of how I felt about these books, it’ll look something more like this.

  1. Kenobi
  2. Razor’s Edge OR Scoundrels
  3. Into the Void.

9. The Last Jedi

87. Crucible

Let’s start with the good. (And a few spoilers that will be said in passing.)

Continue reading →