Star Wars, Geek Culture, and Power Converters
Found over at io9, Marvel has apparently released a new plot synopsis of the mysterious Guardians of the Galaxy film that’s will comprise part of the second phase of the Marvel film universe.
“A U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.”
A U.S. pilot who ends up in space? Chances are it’s Peter Quill or Vance Astro, but if I could make a suggestion for someone who fits that description…
It’s Thursday, which means Nanci and I will be sitting down to record another episode of Tosche Station Radio. This week we want talk heavily about Celebration VI and what you can expect there. If you’ve got any questions about the convention or want to know what we’ll be up to, please leave a question in this post and we will answer it.
In addition to our answers, be sure to check out Dunc’s Convention Tips over at Club Jade.
We’re also going to be at Dragon*Con if you have questions specific to that event as well. Again, leave your inquiries, comments, and questions in the comments!
Sleeves!
After nearly four months we received over a dozen entries in our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest. We’ll announce a winner later today, but first we want to give you all the chance to look over what was submitted and give us some feedback. Whose costumes or art did you like? Any trends you noticed among the entries?
Now, because we got so many entries, we’re going to add another prize tier! Here’s what is potentially up for grabs now:
Below are all of the entries for the contest. We’d love your feedback as we go through and select the prize winners today, so take a look at the submissions below. Leave a comment in the post!
I admit it. I have never been this nervous about an Expanded Universe novel. By know I suspect you’re all aware that the X-Wing books hold a special place in my heart. I’ve long appreciated the kinds of stories that series told and the types of characters used within them. I hoped that this book would be a return to those kinds of novels. Thankfully, after reading it I firmly believe Aaron Allston succeeded on that front and succeeded in ways I couldn’t have imagined before picking the book up.
Mercy Kill is a unique book in its construction and tone, one that legitimately can be called a spy thriller. Imagine taking the feel of Mission Impossible and the lore of the Star Wars universe and combining the two. The result is a book that’s easily the most fun I’ve had with an Expanded Universe novel in thirteen years. The plot revolves around finding evidence of treachery by one of the Galactic Alliance’s most powerful military figures. To find that proof, Face Loran has to rebuild Wraith Squadron and send them off on an adventure.
I could go on at length about how much I enjoyed the twists and turns, but to do so would be to completely spoil a large chunk of what makes this book work. Instead, I feel it’s more important to dive into the characters of this tale. Aaron Allston has long been known for his work at crafting characters and allowing them to dictate the story rather than shoehorning characters into plot. Mercy Kill is no different. They are the backbone of this novel and the primary reason it’s so effective as an Expanded Universe story.
The characters (and potential spoilers) loom below the cut!
We’ve got another entry today in our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest! This costume comes courtesy of reader Sarah. Her description:
Hello Tosche Station,
In just under the wire.
This is my entry for the Replace the Cat Suit Contest.
I decided to create something I thought Mara would have worn in her Smugglers’ Alliance days working with Karrde after The Last Command. It’s a flight suit with a jacket. The colour was chosen for its practicality as it will not show dirt easily and I expect this is slightly before the fabulous Scotch-guarded outfit she wears in Vision of the Future. Also, Mara, no doubt, knows that green is a good colour for her.
I was influenced by the uniforms of the Rebel Alliance in Return of the Jedi and the Swarm War cover image on her Wookiepedia entry – which is one of my favourite existing images of her. I also pulled in some Firefly influences in the creation of the jacket with a slight Asian flavour to the collar and torso and then lacing on the sleeves for the pirate/smuggler side of things. She is wearing the Smuggler’s Alliance logo as well.
My key elements were pockets as I can’t imagine Mara without them, and sleeves loose enough to hide a blaster in.
The hair is too dark, I know, but that was the wig my budget allowed for.
Thanks,
Sarah
You had me at Firefly influences, Sarah. Thank you for submitting! Remember, you’ve got until 11:59 Pacific tonight to get your entries in.
I don’t know how I missed this, but jawajames over at Club Jade pointed out that Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark will be coming back to theaters this September in gigantic, awe-inspiring IMAX format. Screen Crunch has the details:
Can’t get enough ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark?’ Well, you’re about to get a lot more. To help promote the upcoming release of the Indiana Jones Blu-ray Box Set, we can confirm that Paramount will be re-releasing ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ in IMAX theaters this September.
As it went through the restoration process for Blu-ray, Paramount and Steven Spielberg also worked with IMAX on reformatting ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ for 70mm. The ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ will IMAX re-release will hit theaters starting on Friday, September 7th and run through until September 13th. (The ‘Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures’ Blu-ray box set hits shelves on September 18th.)
And if you’re wondering, yes. Yes I will definitely be seeing this.
It’s the LAST DAY to enter our Replace Mara’s Catsuit contest! If you’ve got a costume or art piece you want to submit, you need to get them e-mailed, Tweeted, Facebook’d or otherwise linked to us by 11:59PM Pacific time.
The first entry on the final day comes from reader Serena. I’ll allow her to describe the piece:
Hi,
This is my entry for the Replace the Catsuit contest. The first drawing is of Mara in formal clothing for a festive occasion during the Emperor’s time. She hides her blaster and a lightsaber in one sleeve, while concealing a tiny grenade and a knife in the other of her flowery sleeves. She piles her hair on top of her head and leaves the rest in a braid where it will not interfere with any of her battles against the enemy.
The skirt and the sleeves are attached by bands and a belt, but are easily discarded. The rest of the outfit is revealed to be a simple, yet elegant blue, Imperial military, feminine jacket. Mara wears plain dark green, comfortable pants instead of the illogical choice of a dress to lightsaber fight. Her gloves protect her hands from poisonous flora while climbing and also keep her from leaving telltale fingerprints when she breaks into a room.
Note her tan Jedi like boots and the choice of gray, not black gloves. She may be the Imperial Hand, but the talented, compassionate Mara is no Sith.
Even though this outfit is simple and very practical, it also emphasizes the beauty of Mara.
The images are big, so head down to the jump to see them!
We got a teaser a few weeks ago, but today Her Universe finally revealed its Mara Jade shirt, designed by artist Cat Staggs. The bad news? Only 300 shirts will be available at Star Wars Celebration, and only 50 will be available online. The other bad news? Of course, Mara is wearing her trademark catsuit.
Still, it’s a gorgeous shirt (love the v-neck design!) and I’ll definitely be trying to get my hands on it. Hopefully it will sell out and Her Universe will produce even more Expanded Universe items; perhaps even Mara in Jedi attire, or Mara and Luke?
Also exclusive to Celebration include an R2-D2 charm. In wider availablity, Her Universe will debut two awesome tanks featuring the Rebel Alliance insignia and Imperial emblem. I will definitely be purchasing the Rebel option.
Read all about Her Universe at Celebration VI here.
Edit: Ashley tweeted me some information about why it’s an exclusive design:
We do not have the rights for the SWEU and we had to get special rights just to do this shirt. We are only allowed to make this an exclusive for Celebration. We are also releasing 50 online. I will work on getting the rights for the SWEU but that’s why this has to be exclusive.
Thanks for the update, Ashley! I hope the Powers That Be will see how much interest there is for Expanded Universe shirts and allow Her Universe to produce even more.
It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these, but let’s get back to it. Welcome to another installment of Trope Tuesday, where we take a look at the literary devices and themes that make our favorite entertainment chug along. This week, we’re featuring The Charmer.
The Jack-The-Lad. Cocky, cheeky and devil-may-care, he’s the type of guy you can’t help but like, even as he’s wrapping you around his little finger. Especially if you’re a woman — mostofthe time — and The Charmer knows this all too well. As a result, if there’s a file he wants to see in a filing cabinet guarded by a pretty secretary, all he has to do is switch on his easy smile, and he has not only the file he wants, but also the secretary’s phone number.
There’s definitely a hint of the The Casanova about him, but he’s generally a lot kinder, more decent and less concerned solely with getting his end away; where the The Casanova would ultimately do anything, no matter how underhanded, to score a conquest, only to discard her once he’s achieved his pleasure, The Charmer knows what the limits are. He certainly doesn’t mind the fact that he can have any woman he wants, but he’d never stoop so low as actually take advantage, and is often a lot more chivalrous in his dealing with women. The Charmer generally doesn’t set out to break hearts; it just seems to be an unfortunate byproduct. But even if he’s Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places, The Charmer‘s usually too relaxed in his lifestyle to really consider changing.
Also, where sex is the The Casanova‘s ultimate driving goal, with The Charmer it’s usually a welcome extra; he often has bigger fish to fry, and ultimately knows his priorities
One could argue that Han Solo fits into this category, but to really find who in Star Wars fits the Charmer bill, you have to dive into the Expanded Universe. The character that best personifies this trope?
Wes Janson. Rogue, sharpshooter, Charmer.
Outside of the Star Wars universe, you see characters like The A-Team’s Face or Starbuck from the original Battlestar Galactica. Wow. Dirk Bennedict pretty much personified this trope. You’ve got Rick Castle from Castle and occasionally Dean Winchester from Supernatural slides into this trope. Of course, how can you forget Captain Jack Harkness, the rare bisexual (omnisexual?) example of the trope.
The Charmer has to be executed with care. Done right, it can be an amusing character trait, but go overboard and you will venture into extremely off-putting territory.
Yesterday, Star Wars Books released the final cover for Crucible, the 2013 Big Three novel by Troy Denning.
It’s not too much different than the original cover that was shown at San Diego Comic Con. Of particular note, though, is that the release date has apparently been pushed back slightly from Spring ’13 to Summer ’13.
