The New Book Is “Maul: Lockdown” by Joe Schreiber

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Maul: Lockdown book coverLooks like the mystery of what the unannounced Star Wars project will be has been solved!  The official Del Ray Star Wars twitter account just tweeted a link to io9 announcing that Joe Schreiber will be turning his horror expertise to focus on Darth Maul.  The book is due out at the end of 2013.

The synopsis of the book, taken again from io9, is as follows:

From the mind of Joe Schreiber, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Death Troopers, comes the delirious follow-up to last year’s Darth Plagueis. In a tale of retribution and survival set before the events of The Phantom Menace, Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious dispatch Sith apprentice Darth Maul on a secret mission to infiltrate a criminal empire operating from inside Cog Hive Seven-a hidden prison teeming with the galaxy’s most savage criminals. There, he must contend against the scummiest and most villainous in gladiatorial death matches while carrying out his masters’ clandestine commands. Failure is not an option; success will ignite the revenge of the Sith against the Jedi Order.

I’m fairly sure that this never came up in speculation the other week.  Surprise.

Tosche Station Radio #42: Genre Savvy

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Brian and Nanci are coming to you from Seattle this week and are flying by the seat of their pants!

Kicking off the show, Nanci highlights what’s new on the blog. Bria’s Waru Express visited Return of the Jedi and is perhaps mercifully taking a week-long hiatus so she can read some non Star Wars tales. Meanwhile, Shane discussed the end of the Wheel of Time series.

In Fixer’s Flash, Nanci finished Scoundrels (while Brian is still reading at his glacially slow pace). She’s also working on her new original novel. Both the hosts went and saw Les Mis and X-Men First Class. Brian also attempted to get Nanci to read a comic by giving her copies of the first three volumes of Astonishing X-Men.

Deak’s Dirt starts with news of a Shakespearean Star Wars novel. Meanwhile, the live Action Series is not dead yet. In the Episode VII rumor mill, Zack Snyder is NOT working on a Star Wars movie! In Expanded Universe news,updates on Rebels and Kenobi hit the interwebs. Ashley Eckstein hinted that a Rogue Squadron product from Her Universe might be on the way. Finally, Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void had its cover revealed!

On this week’s Camie’s Concerns, the hosts took issue with TOR’s article on what books new readers to the Expanded Universe should pick up. Brian and Nanci offer up their suggestions on what novels to pick up based on genre.

Wrapping up the show, the hosts answer questions from the livestream chat in our Ask Us Anything segment.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of the Solo Sound network. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store or the Xbox Music Store. We can also be found on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

Struzan Approached for Episode VII

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It’s already going to be weird enough seeing Episode VII without the Fox Fanfare. I’m not sure if I could handle a new Star Wars film if it were missing something else iconic. Something like Drew Struzan poster artwork.

For those that don’t know, Struzan has been retired for a number of years, which makes getting new art from him for the sequel trilogy potentially problematic. Thankfully, there might be a bit of hope. From a joint interview with Sam Witwer, Drew said…

I got a couple calls already this week on Star Wars from Disney. Oh my god, I’m trying to be retired! You know, I spent 35 years painting Star Wars. [laughs] I painted Star Wars before most of you were born! But I guess there is always a chance. There’s no intention. But I would love to have a day off every now and again, and I have to work a weekend and all through the night. If the opportunity arises, it will be a real temptation.

Here’s to hoping Struzan returns for at least one more Star Wars film.

(Via)

Cosplay Monday: Mandalorian Warrior

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We’re back with another edition of Cosplay Monday: the weekly post where we try and awe you with an awesome costume and distract you from your case of the Mondays.  This week, we’re highlighting a pretty cool costume by hydraness over on DeviantArt.  Check out her original Mandalorian character: Umi.  The armor looks pretty awesome and it’s always neat seeing someone create and costume as their very own character in the Star Wars universe.  Plus, anyone who’s willing to go outside and shoot in the snow for a photoshoot has my respect.  You can check out more pictures of the costume and more of hydraness’s work over at her DeviantArt page.

Umi hydraness

New Book: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars

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Well this is certainly… something. Spotted over the weekend was a new Star Wars book on Random House’s Page. What is it, you might ask? Star Wars in the style of Bill Shakespeare.

May the verse be with you! Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language—and William Shakespeare—here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter, William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify learners and masters alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.

So if you’ve ever wanted Shakespearean Alternate Universe Star Wars fan fiction published by a major publishing house, boy howdy you’re in luck!

No word as to whether or not this is the surprise book announcement we heard about two weeks ago.

Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void Cover Revealed

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Hollywood.com revealed the cover of Tim Lebbon’s upcoming Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void cover today. The official summary of the book:

On the planet Tython, the ancient Je’daii order was founded. And at the feet of its wise Masters, Lanoree Brock learned the mysteries and methods of the Force—and found her calling as one of its most powerful disciples. But as strongly as the Force flowed within Lanoree and her parents, it remained absent in her brother, who grew to despise and shun the Je’daii, and whose training in its ancient ways ended in tragedy.

Now, from her solitary life as a Ranger keeping order across the galaxy, Lanoree has been summoned by the Je’daii Council on a matter of utmost urgency. The leader of a fanatical cult, obsessed with traveling beyond the reaches of known space, is bent on opening a cosmic gateway using dreaded dark matter as the key—risking a cataclysmic reaction that will consume the entire star system. But more shocking to Lanoree than even the prospect of total galactic annihilation, is the decision of her Je’daii Masters to task her with the mission of preventing it. Until a staggering revelation makes clear why she was chosen: The brilliant, dangerous madman she must track down and stop at any cost is the brother whose death she has long grieved—and whose life she must now fear.

And the cover …

Rogue Squadron Product from Her Universe Incoming?

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Working with a staff that’s predominantly female has taught me a few things. One, Her Universe products are amazing. Two, Her Universe should totally get a Rogue Squadron shirt in their lineup. Weeelllll about point two …

If you click on that Instagram link in the embedded tweet above, you’ll see that it appears to be ‘Rogue Squadron’ stenciled over what appears to be a Rebel flak vest.

Update: 

Want to see this product become reality? Let Ashley know!

The Fake Geek Girl’s Real Motivation: Murder

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“Maybe [the Fake Geek Girl] is just a manifestation of the insecurities about the opposite sex. I mean, why else in God’s green Earth would anyone pretend to read Aquaman comics?”

Much has been said about the Fake Geek Girl meme and why it’s utterly bogus. But sometimes it takes a video to point out the silliness of it all. Cue Patrick Willems’ humorous video response to the mythical Fake Geek Girl. What possible motivation could a female have for faking an interest in geek culture? Clearly, the only explanation is murder.

If you think the Fake Geek Girl actually exists, be sure to post a comment on the video’s YouTube page so that the creator can make fun of you.

(Via io9)