NGP Review : A New Dawn

NGP Review : A New Dawn

In the wake of this weeks debut of the new trailer for The Force Awakens, I have completed my first journey into the newly pointed Star Wars Canon novels with A New Dawn. Although I'm a bit late to the party, with the novel releasing in September of 2014, I've made it a point to catch up and maintain speed now that the possibility of keeping up with continuity is within reach.

A New Dawn is the first novel published as part of the new canon, and with it brings the story of how Rebels Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla first cross paths and together alongside a Sullustan splicer, Zaluna, and a human Clone Wars veteran, Skelly, spark a Rebellion when the Empire threatens to destroy their way of life.

Taking place on the planet Gorse, and it's thorilide rich moon, Cynda, eight years after the birth of the Empire, Count Denetrius Vidian acting in his own interests, attempts to blow up Cynda in order to maximize his short-term thorilide yields to maintain the favor of Emperor Palpatine. Why thorilide, you ask? It just so happens to be a vital resource in the construction of Imperial Star Destroyer turbolaser batteries.

Straight out the gate, A New Dawn is a great starting point for the new era of Star Wars novels. However, if you're looking for epic lightsaber duels and exhilarating starship battles you won't find it here. Although Kanan is a Jedi, it's important to remember that his place in the galaxy at this point in history is nothing more than a drifter - forced to conceal his identity and force sensitivity as one of the lone survivors of Order 66. That may sound like a buzzkill, but don't let that deter you. The story still has plenty to offer, as we are introduced to a great cast of new and interesting supporting characters (some of whom may just appear in the Star Wars : Rebels TV series) and plenty of action to keep things exciting and on pace.

Additionally, the beauty of A New Dawn being canon is that everything fits together. From the Rebels TV series to the newly launched Kanan : The Last Padawan comic series, bits and pieces fall into place and connect through every medium helping to expand and amplify the story.

3/5 Toast Rating

I can't wait to get started on the next adventure, as I dive head first into the history and rise to power of one of the Empire's most notorious agents, Wilhuff Tarkin.

And for those of you who may have  missed it, behold the beauty of what's to come this Christmas in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE     

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The Weekly Pull : Star Wars - Kanan : The Last Padawan

The Weekly Pull : Star Wars - Kanan : The Last Padawan

Kanan : The Last Padawan is the fourth Star Wars title released by Marvel Comics in conjunction with Disney/Lucasfilm, chronicling the history of Kanan Jarrus from Star Wars: Rebels and the story of his survival as a young padawan in the Clone Wars during the fall of the Republic, when Chancellor Palpatine gave Order 66 - wiping out the Jedi Order.

Taking place snugly in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and the first novel in the New Star Wars Canon(link), A New Dawn, Kanan’s story begins on the battleground during the last days of the war in the battle of Kaller, where he and his master, Depa Billaba find themselves and their clone army pitted against Separatist forces.

Successful in their endeavor, the young apprentice and his master move to rest in the fields under the stars with the remainder of their Clone battalion, where Kanan is given a holocron by his mentor in which to “study the role of questions” and “peaceful dissent” of the Jedi Order just as a fateful command is issued to the Clone army …

Currently in the midst of A New Dawn myself (Chapter 20, to be exact), there are already bits and pieces, character reveals and revelations occurring just within this single issue that tie into both the novel and TV series in such an intricate way that was never achieved under the Legends Expanded Universe.

With that being said, for those unfamiliar or not up-to-date on previously aired or released content, there are some major spoilers present in the book.

Although not the strongest Star Wars comic title on the shelves (that honor goes to Jason Aaron and John Cassaday’s flagship book) Kanan : The Last Padawan is no pushover and is a great addition to the line-up.

If you are anyway interested or invested in these characters, I truly believe there has never been a better time or jumping on point for a Star Wars fan.

4/5 Toast Rating

As of 4/3/15, Kanan : The Last Padawan has sold out of its first print run at Diamond Comic Distributors and has gone to a second printing. If you can secure yourself a first edition, don't hesitate to pick it up!

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!  

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE

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The NEW Star Wars Canon

The NEW Star Wars Canon

The Star Wars Expanded Universe is dead. At least in terms of canon. After the Disney / Lucasfilm buyout (which has thus far given us more good than ill) had taken place, fans were left to speculate how current Star Wars lore would fit into the cinematic franchise upon the announcement that Episode VII was in the works. However, to the dismay of many, executive producer Kathleen Kennedy explained that in order to give the upcoming films the freedom they needed, they would not be following the future mapped out in the novels - therefore single handedly rendering the Expanded Universe non-canonical.

However, a slight concession was made to maintain the existence of this material as writer Simon Kinberg (providing story direction for the franchise as a whole) promised that those Expanded Universe stories would remain in publication under the 'Legends' banner and could still potentially be used as "inspiration" for canon projects. Additionally, Del Ray publishing editor Shelly Shapiro also chimed in :

"Well first of all, we don't want to just disappear stuff that everybody read and loved - including myself. Legends are things that are often told over generations so they're not ... they change constantly with the telling, so you can't actually attribute an author to any particular one. Often it wasn't someone who was actually there. You can go back to any of the legends ... they're pretty sure there was a 'King Arthur,' but most of the stories probably didn't happen. But that doesn't mean that there aren't kernels of truth in it." 

"Everything now - starting from "A New Dawn" on - is canon. So if you care about that - which you really probably shouldn't, but if you do - it's all part of this whole new collaborative process ... All of this stuff happened." 

So how exactly does the Star Wars canon look now with the slate wiped clean?

For a fan who never had the opportunity to explore the far reaches of the Expanded Universe, I'm actually thrilled. Chewbacca is alive, Emperor Palpatine doesn't have a clone, Mara Jade is a myth and the Yuuzhan Vong are an alien race that may not even exist.

If you're looking for a jumping on point with the Star Wars universe, now's the time.

The first three canon novels, A New Dawn, Tarkin and Heir to the Jedi are available now at your favorite retailer with Disciple, Lords of the Sith and Aftermath scheduled to release July 7, April 28 and September 4 respectively. Additionally, Marvel Star Wars comics beginning in January 2015 with Star Wars #1 by Jason Aaron and John Cassady are also considered canon.

A New Dawn and Tarkin have been ordered from my Amazon Wish List and are scheduled to arrive early this week. Keep an eye out for additional NGP thoughts and reviews as I embark (and attempt to keep up) on the journey.

Questions or Comments? Sound off below, or find me on Twitter as @ArchangelEZE and for more exciting news and reviews, follow NGP on Facebook!

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE

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