WARNING: This review contains spoilers for Chapter 9
After an agonizing ten month wait, The Mandalorian is back. With the premiere of the first season containing a major surprise with the first appearance of the Child (aka Baby Yoda), Jon Favreau and company had a tough task delivering another premiere with a similar level of shocks and thrills. But Star Wars fans are unlikely to leave disappointed as The Mandalorian returned with a thoroughly entertaining, slightly more refined, contained episode.
The season premiere kicks off quickly, showcasing a scene largely depicted in the second season’s trailer involving Din Djarin fighting off goons at a gamorrean fight. Within the first few minutes, the audience is succinctly delivered the premise of the season: to return the Child to his kind, a task that will require other Mandalorians to help guide him on his quest. The episode begins with a set up that will almost certainly become the plot for the season. This sequence involves Gor Koresh, an Abyssin voiced by John Leguizamo (John Wick, The Happening, Super Mario Bros), highlighting one of The Mandalorian’s greatest strengths in delivering brilliant, deep-cut canon references. And before the title card appears, we’re given an incredible, haunting shot of Koresh hanging upside down as mysterious creatures approach him in the night.
The episode really kicks into gear when The Mandalorian heads to Mos Pelgo on Tatooine to seek out another Mandalorian. This character is Cobb Vanth, who has appeared in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath novels and was recently spotlighted in a Star Wars Holocron article this week. Vanth, played by Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Deadwood, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), is not a Mandalorian, but merely wearing Boba Fett’s iconic armor, and agrees to give Djarin the armor if he helps destroy the Krayt dragon that’s been terrorizing the town of which Vanth is the Sheriff (hence the episode’s title, The Marshal). With the help of Tusken Raiders, Djarin and Vanth are able to defeat the Krayt dragon and save Mos Pelgo from future harm. Because of this, Djarin receives Boba Fett’s armor and heads back to the Razor Crest. However, akin to the pilot’s jaw-dropping concluding twist, The Marshal doesn’t leave audiences empty handed. In the closing moments of the episode, as Djarin speeds past the famous Twin Suns, a mysterious figure watches. This figure is revealed to be none other than Boba Fett, played by Temuera Morrison. Clearly, his experience in the Sarlaac Pit has taken its toll on Fett, and it seems that he’s been living in the Tatooine desert ever since. Boba’s appearance sets up so many interesting possibilities for the rest of season 2 that we can’t wait to see.
The Marshal highlights a real strength of The Mandalorian so far in delivering truly cinematic, contained Star Wars content. Many watching the show’s first season were surprised that Chapters 4, 5, and 6 were largely one-off episodes, with few major consequences to the overarching narrative. While some people found issues with this approach, we loved the adventure-of-the-week style that The Mandalorian occasionally adopted as it offered a refreshing, entertaining alternative to more story driven installments. Chapter 9 continued this tradition in initially setting up the season’s overarching plot, but, for the most part, centering in on a more contained story of defeating a Krayt dragon.
As hinted at before, Chapter 9 excelled in its cinematic quality, a testament to director Jon Favreau’s craft. The Marshal was written and directed by Jon Favreau, marking the Iron Man director’s directorial debut on the series as he was unable to go behind the camera on the first season due to prior commitments with The Lion King. Favreau directs this episode superbly and makes The Mandalorian feel more like a polished, theatrically released blockbuster than ever. The final battle sequence is a particular standpoint in showcasing the immense scope The Mandalorian can achieve. To see two characters in Mandalorian armor defeating a monstrous creature on Tatooine, surrounded by Tusken Raiders, was epic to see and feels like a Star Wars fan’s dreams come to life. All of this created an incredibly immersive experience for the audience that greatly enhances the overall quality of the episode.
A standout of the episode is Timothy Olyphant, who is no stranger to a Western type role given his involvement in Justified and Deadwood. Olyphant’s character is immediately interesting given that he’s wearing Boba Fett’s armor, and continues to be a scene stealer throughout the episode. In the days after the premiere, some Star Wars fans are even calling for a Cobb Vanth spin-off series and we would definitely not complain about that. It’ll be interesting to see if Vanth reappears at some point this season, especially as a battle between the Mandalorian and Boba Fett is likely to occur. If this happens, Djarin may recruit the services of Olyphant’s Vanth to fight off Fett.
As far as issues with the episode go, the episode is the longest installment of The Mandalorian yet and the length can be felt a little. At 54 minutes, Chapter 9 may have benefitted from slight trimming, especially in the latter half of the episode. In addition, The Marshal has one or two scenes with slightly chopping editing, in particular when the episode flashes back to how Vanth acquired Boba’s armor. Speaking of this flashback, it seems to contradict the tale of how Vanth acquired the armor in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath interlude. This isn’t necessarily a criticism of The Mandalorian, as we have seen aspects of canon in novels and comic books be retconned or slightly retooled in other projects, but this was still something important to note and may upset those who dislike canon discontinuities. However, as you can see, we’re really grasping at straws to lodge complaints about The Marshal as it was a brilliant hour of Star Wars content.
All in all, this episode has a tendency to feel like a one off that doesn’t advance the story much at all, and mirrors Chapters 4, 5, and 6 in that regard. However, there’s something refreshing about debuting the premiere episode of a highly anticipated subsequent season as a largely contained, inconsequential episode. Moreover, a notable difference between The Marshal and the one-off episodes in the first season is what The Marshal sets up. Boba Fett is bound to have a large presence over the course of the season, and it would be surprising if Vanth didn’t return (if not this season, then over the course of the show in general). Moreover, audiences have a better idea of what this season will entail, as the general plot of this episode, Djarin hunting for other Mandalorians, is likely to remain for the entirety of the season 2 run. Despite the isolated plot of this episode, fans still saw plenty of surprises and hints as to what the rest of the season will entail.
With Halloween just around the corner and the spooky season fully into gear, it’s the right time to look at some of the best chills and thrills in the Star Wars universe. Although Star Wars is suitable for all ages, the series has plenty of dark moments that would satisfy any horror fan. In fact, fear is a theme commonly spoken of in the Star Wars films, especially in relation to how it leads to the dark side of the Force. Here are 10 of the scariest moments in Star Wars:
10. Everything with Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker
It would be easy to mistake Palpatine’s entrance in The Rise of Skywalker and all of his subsequent scenes as moments taken from a frightening horror film. The dimly lit throne room, the sudden bursts of lightning, and the chanting Sith cultists all add to a truly creepy vibe everytime Palpatine is seen in The Rise of Skywalker. And, despite previously seeing the infamous Sith lord in the prequel trilogy, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Return of the Jedi, Darth Sidious has perhaps never been as scary as he is in The Rise of Skywalker. His dead eyes, decrepit skin, and haunting voice all affirm Palpatine’s scenes in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga as some of the scariest in Star Wars.
9. Rey’s Vision in The Force Awakens
At this point in her journey, Rey is only just beginning to discover the power within her – and where she comes from. This sequence begins with Rey grabbing the Skywalker lightsaber and a loud noise alerting the audience what is about to happen. The sound design is excellent throughout this vision as the audience can hear the voices of Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Luke. Rey quickly finds herself surrounded by the Knights of Ren as bodies lay lifeless on the ground, a frightening site for the audience and the new hero. When Rey runs through the forest (foreshadowing the events on Starkiller Base), Kylo Ren quickly pops out behind a tree. This part of the vision in particular is directed like a horror film, as an unsuspecting Rey, along with the audience, is ambushed by a threatening villain. This scene is meant to scare and challenge Rey and the audience, and it certainly does that.
8. Tusken Raiders’ Attack on Luke in A New Hope
The sand people are some of the most frightening components of A New Hope, especially when they siege and incapacitate Luke. Luke speaks of these creatures as he looks around, not realizing that they were quickly approaching him. When the Raiders reveal themselves, it’s shocking. The deafening scream immediately alerts the audience to their presence, and provides a jump scare type moment. George Lucas’ directing allows the audience to see the moment from Luke’s perspective, who is laying on the ground helpless, which makes it even more frightening.
7. Darth Vader’s Onslaught in Rogue One
Rogue One has many incredible moments, but none seem to match the infamous Darth Vader sequence at the end of the film. The fear of the awaiting Rebels is palpable. The sound design is breathtaking, with the hectic preparation of the Rebels abruptly cutting out as they await the incoming antagonist. The soft sound of Vader’s breath humming in the total darkness as the Rebels wait still sends chills down our spines, even years after the film’s release. It’s difficult not to hold your breath during this sequence, especially when Vader ignites his lightsaber and Michael Giacchino’s haunting score kicks in. Once Vader’s tirade against the Rebels begins, the scene becomes even more frightening as we witness the Rebels scramble for survival. All in all, Vader’s onslaught is one of the most frightening sequences in the Star Wars saga.
6. Lair of Grievous
The Clone Wars was billed as a children’s show, but the tenth episode of the series’ first season definitely feels far from child-friendly at times. While some criticized Grievous as being a silly character in Revenge of the Sith, the Separtist general comes to life as a horrifying villain in Lair of Grievous. The episode sees Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his former apprentice Nahdar Vebb navigate Grievous’ castle, a location that is both unsettling and intimidating. Grievous’ appearances and his systematic slaughter of clone troopers are akin to a classic slasher film. The audience quickly learns to feel connected to Fisto and Vebb, which makes the threats to their lives at the hands of Grievous even more frightening.
5. “This is no cave…”
When Han, Leia, and co. landed in what they think is a peaceful cave, they had no idea what they were in for. Similarly, neither did the audience. Irvin Kershner’s directing and the set design make it shocking when the cave is revealed to be nothing of the sort. Instead, the characters were inside an Exogorth. They quickly escape, fearing that staying there any longer would result in them being eaten alive – a truly scary prospect. The crew cut it close as they fly out of the cave in a fist clenching moment full of intensity and fright.
4. The Dark Side Cave in The Empire Strikes Back
The second vision sequence to make this list still scares us to this day, despite the film’s 40th anniversary this year. Brilliantly crafted by director Irvin Kershner, the iconic scene begins with Luke’s entrance into the creepy cave on Dagobah and the chills continue to ramp up until the sequence’s dramatic conclusion. The scene is scary for a number of reasons. Kershner’s usage of slow-motion adds an off-putting, unsettling sense to the whole sequence. The dark, foggy vibe of the cave makes the entire scene feel like a horror film. And the cerebral horror of Luke seeing his face in Vader’s helmet elevates this scene to an even more frightening level.
3. The Rancor Pit in Return of the Jedi
The Rancor is perhaps one of the most frightening, disgusting creatures in the Star Wars saga, something that is emphasized in all of the Rancor Pit scenes in Return of the Jedi. The green twi’lek Oola’s death in Return of the Jedi is like a scene out of any of the scariest monster films. The horrors of the pit infuse audience members with a sense of dread about what it would be like to be stuck in an enclosed space with an imposing, violent monster. And the mere strength of the Rancor, highlighted by it easily snapping a bone, creates an exciting, yet disturbing feeling the best horror films achieve.
2. The Wampa Attack in The Empire Strikes Back
Another iconic scene with a horrific creature makes the list of the scariest Star Wars moments. Everything about Luke’s encounter with the Wampa feels like straight out of a nightmare. The Wampa’s entrance is shocking and perhaps the best jump scare in Star Wars history. Luke’s experience in the Wampa’s captivity is horrifying. Luke is beaten, bruised, and completely isolated, helplessly hanging from a cave’s ceiling waiting to be eaten. The brief shots of the Wampa eating add to the terror of the scene, showing the audience what will happen to Luke unless he can devise a miraculous escape. Three scenes from The Empire Strikes Back make our top 5, emphasizing how frequently and brilliantly Episode V breaches into horror territory.
1. Anakin’s Downfall in Revenge of the Sith
There’s few scenes scarier on multiple levels that Anakin’s transformation into the half-man/half-machine we see in A New Hope. For starters, the ominous aesthetic of Mustafar provides an apt, hell-like setting for Anakin’s horrific transformation. Anakin’s physical injuries and his burning in the lava is truly horrifying and evokes even the most gruesome of body horror films. Beyond visuals, however, this scene is psychologically frightening. The light in the former Jedi Knight had truly vanished at this point, and Skywalker is a shell of who he once was. John Williams’ excellent score tops it all off, making it the most haunting scene in Star Wars.
November is looking to be a great month for Star Wars fans, with new episodes of The Mandalorian, the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, and a whole host of interesting books and comics debuting this month. Below includes a list of upcoming Star Wars projects releasing in the month of October. These release dates are tentative and subject to change.
November 3 – Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 Poster Book
To celebrate the new season of The Mandalorian, a new poster book will release, featuring 16 full-color pull-out posters of Din Djarin and The Child.
November 4 – Star Wars 8
Charles Soule’s reign in Star Wars continues with the eighth issue of Marvel Comics’ Star Wars series. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “TO ESCAPE THE EMPIRE’S TRAP, THE REBELS SPRING ONE OF THEIR OWN! What’s behind COMMANDER ZAHRA’s quest for revenge against LEIA ORGANA? The powerful, dark answer revealed this issue! And the REBEL’S Fourth and Seventh Divisions will pay the price for Zahra’s revenge. See LUKE SKYWALKER, WEDGE ANTILLES and SHARA BEY battle against an onslaught of TIE fighters in the greatest dog fight of the series.”
November 4 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
Originally set to debut last month, Cavan Scott’s exploration into in the shadows of Vader’s Castle is one of the more interesting projects to debut this month. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The Empire has fallen, and the Mustafarians celebrate. But they know they will never be safe as long as they live in the shadow of Vader’s Castle. Two young boys decide they’re going to destroy the castle themselves. But a wizened old Mustafarian tries to put them off by telling them tales to teach them the lessons they might otherwise have to learn the hard way.”
November 4 – Star Wars Insider 198
Also set to debut last month, November sees the release of Star Wars Insider 198, featuring interviews with Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley) and Elizabeth Grullon (Second Sister).
November 5 – Star Wars: Complete Vehicles
You can’t go wrong with DK Star Wars reference books. Pablo Hidalgo and Jason Fry’s upcoming book looks to bring the brilliant vehicles of Star Wars to life in incredible detail.
November 6 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 10
Chapter 10 is the first of several episodes of The Mandalorian set to debut on Disney+ in November. This episode, as is most of the second season, is written by Jon Favreau.
November 10 – From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
Our most anticipated book releasing in November is the highly anticipated compilation of 40 stories set during The Empire Strikes Back. Over the last several weeks, we’ve learned more and more about what some of these stories will entail and who they will focus on, making us anticipate this collection even more.
November 10 – Star Wars Vol. 1: The Destiny Path
The first six issues of Marvel Comics’ 2020 Star Wars, written by Charles Soule, are brought together in this paperback compilation. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “‘No…I am your father.’ In the wake of the events following The Empire Strikes Back, it is a dark time for the heroes of the Rebellion. The Rebel fleet…scattered following a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Hoth. Han Solo…lost to the bounty hunter Boba Fett after being frozen in carbonite. And after being lured into a trap on Cloud City and bested in a vicious lightsaber duel against the evil Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker…learned the horrible truth about his past. Vader did not kill Luke’s father, Anakin – Vader is Luke’s father! Now, after narrowly escaping the dark lord’s clutches, and wounded and reeling from the revelation, Luke, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, the Wookiee Chewbacca and the droids C-3PO and R2-D2 must fight their way back to the Rebel Alliance – for the fate of the entire galaxy is at stake! After so many losses, is victory still possible? But, what Leia, Luke and their ragtag band of freedom fighters do not realize is that they have only traded one Imperial trap for another! Enter the cunning and vengeful Imperial Commander Ellian Zahra, at the helm of the Tarkin’s Will! Writer Charles Soule (DARTH VADER) and artist Jesús Saiz (DOCTOR STRANGE) are taking us all to the galaxy far, far away!”
November 10 – Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order – Dark Temple
One year after the release of Star Wars: Jedi – Fallen Order, a paperback collection of Matthew Rosenberg’s Dark Temple companion series will release. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “DARK TEMPLE follows the Jedi Master Eno Cordova and his impulsive Padawan, Cere Junda, on their most dangerous mission yet! The Jedi Council has sent them to the remote planet Ontotho to oversee the peaceful excavation of a recently discovered temple. But Cordova and Junda will soon learn that what surrounds the temple may be even more dangerous than the mysteries within it! Clandestine local resistance forces and ruthless corporate security troops wage a war for the fate of Ontotho – and the Jedi are caught in the middle! Who are the deadly Temple Guardians, and what are they protecting? What secrets lie deep within the hidden temple? The race is on to find out!”
November 10 – Star Wars: From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Stories from The Journals of Ben Kenobi included in Marvel Comics’ Star Wars series five years ago are compiled into this paperback collection releasing this month. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Lost tales of the Jedi, revealed! Obi-Wan has slowly adjusted to his life of exile on Tatooine, secretly protecting young Luke Skywalker. But now injustice reigns as villainous scum run rampant, extorting moisture farmers and wreaking havoc. Will “Old Ben” risk revealing himself to do what’s right? And when Jabba the Hutt hires a bounty hunter to find out who’s been thwarting his men, Obi-Wan must take on the galaxy’s deadliest Wookiee, Black Krrsantan! Plus, years earlier, when Obi-Wan was still a Padawan, Master Yoda found himself trapped on a savage world with a hidden power. Yoda must learn the secret of the stones – and his struggle in the past will affect Luke in the present! And can Obi-Wan save a young Tusken Raider?”
November 10 – Star Wars: The Jedi Mind
“Let go of everything you fear to lose.” Aligned with this line, one of many phrases of wisdom from Master Yoda throughout the Star Wars saga, Amy Ratcliffe delivers an interesting blend of Star Wars mixed with therapeutic techniques of mindfulness in her newest work “Star Wars: The Jedi Mind.” The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Star Wars®: The Jedi Mind takes quotations and lessons from Star Wars and pairs them with practices such a breathing, posture, and meditation.The Jedi Code is focused on peace, knowledge, serenity, and balance—principles that readers can engage in their own lives. The philosophical tenets are applicable not just in the galaxy far, far away, but also in our own galaxy, here and now. Quoted wisdom offers day-to-day life lessons. An accessible pop culture spin on the Star Wars universe. Features 20 color illustrations to illuminate the book’s thoughtful advice. Star Wars: The Jedi Mind is the perfect gift for Star Wars fans looking for balance, and seekers of inner calm open to learning from the Jedi Masters. Perfect gift for Star Wars fans who love self-care, reflection, and mindfulness. An enjoyable and useful primer for Star Wars lovers who are seeking inner calm. Add it to the shelf with books like Star Wars: Be More Yoda: Mindful Thinking from a Galaxy Far Far Away by Christian Blauvelt and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back So You Want to Be a Jedi? by Adam Gidwitz.”
November 11 – Darth Vader 7
Greg Pak’s terrific Darth Vader series continues with this seventh issue, illustrated by Raffaele Ienco with incredible cover art by Daniel Acuña. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “PAIN LEADS TO ANGER AND ANGER LEADS TO AN ELEMENT FROM EPISODE IV! As DARTH VADER battered and broken by the EMPEROR as punishment for his rebellion, drags himself across the blasted surface of MUSTAFAR with vengeance on his mind! But can he survive the onslaught of a certain mysterious SITH ASSASSIN And how will his world change when he learns his enemy’s GREATEST SECRET?!!”
November 13 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 11
Chapter 11, the third episode of The Mandalorian’s second season, will also be written by Jon Favreau and release on Friday the 13th.
November 17 – The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
One of the most anticipated upcoming projects, November sees the release of The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special on Disney+. Set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the new holiday special sees Rey seek out a deeper knowledge of the Force, while her friends prepare for Life Day celebrations. Rey hits a bump in the road, however, when she is thrown into an adventure that takes her across time. The special’s November 17th release date is the 42nd anniversary of the original Holiday Special.
November 18 – Bounty Hunters 7
Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters comic series continues with this seventh issue. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “NO ONE CAN ESCAPE THE FINDSMEN! A badly wounded VALANCE reunites with a long lost love on a secret Rebel base… but trouble is right on his heels. ZUCKUSS AND 4-LOM, the deadliest bounty hunting duo in the galaxy are closing in, ready to take out their quarry dead or alive! And they brought an army of Clone War-era Battle Droids with them! Valance is trapped and if he wants to escape alive he’ll have to make the toughest decision of his entire life.”
November 18 – Star Wars Adventures 2
The delayed, second issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic series from Michael Moreci is set to debut this month. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Poe and Finn have taken Rey to a remote planet to continue her Jedi training. But they’re surprised to find that the First Order’s reach extends far and wide.”
November 19 – Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is an upcoming VR experience from ILMxLAB and Oculus Quest. Set in between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, the game will connect to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Batuu and the Black Spire Outpost. Interestingly, Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge utilizes storyLIVING, in which players make decisions with actual consequences in the game, rather than going along with a linear, predetermined narrative.
November 20 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 12
The 12th chapter of The Mandalorian debuts on November 20th and is also written by Jon Favreau.
November 24 – Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Dark Heart of the Sith
Issues 1-6 of Greg Pak’s brilliant Darth Vader series are brought together in this paperback compilation. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “In the shattering climax of The Empire Strikes Back, DARTH VADER infamously reveals his true relationship to LUKE SKYWALKER and invites his son to rule the galaxy with him. But Luke refuses – plunging into the abyss beneath Cloud City rather than turn to the Dark Side. We all remember Luke’s utter horror in this life-altering moment. But what about Vader? In this new epic chapter in the Darth Vader saga, the dark lord grapples with Luke’s unthinkable refusal and embarks on a bloody mission of rage-filled revenge”
November 24 – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Graphic Novel Adaptation
Star Wars has an amazing tradition of delivering well written, beautifully illustrated graphic novel adaptations of their films and Alessandro Ferrari’s The Rise of Skywalker adaptation looks to continue this tradition. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The Rise of Skywalker is the newest Star Wars film to receive a graphic novel adaptation!Faithfully bringing events from the film to the comics page, read along in The Rise of Skywalker as Poe faces the challenges of leadership, Finn and Rose make impossible decisions for the greater good, and Rey finally confronts her destiny. The true threat to the galaxy is revealed as the third Star Wars trilogy reaches its epic conclusion! Will Rey join Kylo Ren to lead the First Order? Can Poe, Rose, and Finn inspire a new generation of rebels to combat this grave threat? With Snoke destroyed, can anything keep Kylo’s rage in check? Capturing the galaxy-spanning action of The Rise of Skywalker, experience Episode IX as a beautiful graphic novel combining the epic wonder of Star Wars with streamlined, young-reader friendly designs. This all-ages graphic novel is a must-read for longtime fans and a great introduction for young newcomers!”
November 24 – Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 1: Galaxy’s Deadliest
For those who haven’t had the chance to check out Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters series yet, this paperback compilation of issues 1-5 may be a good starting place. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Never betray a bounty hunter – especially if it’s Boba Fett! Years ago, Valance and Bossk joined Fett on a mission that went sideways in a bad way, thanks to a violent betrayal by Valance’s mentor Nakano Lash! The trio barely escaped with their lives. Now, Lash has finally resurfaced under mysterious circumstances – and every bounty hunter in the galaxy wants a piece. Valance is hell-bent on getting to the prize first; after all, he has score to settle…but so does Boba Fett! With a slew of assassins on her tail, what could have possibly made Lash break her word and betray her protégé? The truth could shake the foundations of the galaxy’s criminal underworld! The biggest, baddest bounty hunters of all clash in a rip-roaring tale of scum and villainy, Star Wars-style!”
November 25 – Doctor Aphra 6
Doctor Aphra is easily one of the best characters introduced in Star Wars comics over the last several years and continues to reign supreme in Alyssa Wong’s Doctor Aphra series. The publisher’s summary for the upcoming sixth issue is as follows: “APHRA HAS A NEW WORST ENEMY – THE VILLAINOUS DOMINA TAGGE RETURNS! Someone sinister has put a price on DOCTOR APHRA’s head… and it’s none other than DOMINA TAGGE! Now Aphra’s running for her life, trying to shake every bounty hunter on her tail. But one of those is SANA STARROS… and for Sana, it’s personal! Aphra can’t out-think Domina or outrun Sana…what choice does she have left?!”
November 25 – Star Wars Adventures 3
The third issue of Michael Moreci’s Star Wars Adventures series is also set to debut in November, although this date may be shifted. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Join the Wookiees of Kashyyyk for part one of a special Life Day celebration! Then, follow Kylo Ren as he learns what it means to be the Supreme Leader of the First Order.”
November 27 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 13
The day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. sees the debut of Chapter 13 of The Mandalorian on Disney+. Unlike the other installments this season, this episode is set to be written by Dave Filoni.
For reference, a condensed list of upcoming projects in September without descriptions is included below:
November 3 – Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 Poster Book
November 4 – Star Wars 8
November 4 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
November 4 – Star Wars Insider 198
November 5 – Star Wars: Complete Vehicles
November 6 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 10
November 10 – From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
November 10 – Star Wars Vol. 1: The Destiny Path
November 10 – Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order – Dark Temple TPB
November 10 – Star Wars: From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi
November 10 – Star Wars: The Jedi Mind
November 11 – Darth Vader 7
November 11 – Star Wars Adventures Annual 2020
November 13 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 11
November 17 – The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
November 18 – Bounty Hunters 7
November 18 – Star Wars Adventures 2
November 19 – Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
November 20 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 12
November 24 – Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Dark Heart of the Sith
November 24 – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Graphic Novel Adaptation
November 24 – Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 1: Galaxy’s Deadliest
November 25 – Doctor Aphra 6
November 25 – Star Wars Adventures 3
November 27 – The Mandalorian Season 2 – Chapter 13
With the newest season of The Mandalorian less than one week away, we thought this would be a good time to explore one of the more interesting, less discussed rumors about season 2. Amidst a whole host of rumored, exciting new additions to The Mandalorian, the potential inclusion of Sheriff Cobb Vanth may be one of the more unexpected, intriguing character additions this season. As initially reported by Slash Film, Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Deadwood) is set to appear in the upcoming season of the Disney+ series, potentially donning the iconic Boba Fett armor. This rumor sparked much discussion regarding Olyphant’s role in the show, with many positing that the actor will play a character named Cobb Vanth. So, who is Vanth and what sort of role could he play when we see the continued adventures of Din Djarin and The Child next week?
Who is Cobb Vanth?
Cobb Vanth first appeared in an interlude chapter in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath and subsequently appeared in Aftermath: Life Debt and Aftermath: Empire’s End. Once a slave, as denoted by a distinctive scar on his back, Cobb Vanth was the sheriff of Mos Pelgo (later named Freetown), a town on the planet Tatooine. Vanth’s history as a slave inspired him to seek freedom and justice for others, protecting his town from scum and villany following the Battle of Endor.
When we first see Vanth, the sheriff is shown navigating the tumultuous underworld scene on Tatooine following the death of Jabba the Hutt. Jabba’s death led to a series of crime syndicates trying to assert their claim on the planet. One of these crime syndicates was the Red Key Raiders, who sent a representative named Adwin Charu to scout the aftermath of Jabba’s leadership. While bartering with Jawas, Charu encountered Sheriff Vanth, who helped the Red Key raider negotiate for scrap droids, weapons, and mining equipment. In searching the Jawas’ sandcrawler, however, Charu and Vanth came across wreckage of Jabba’s sail barge, including a set of Mandalorian battle armor. Vanth came out on top in a dispute to claim the Mandalorian armor, with Vanth letting Charu go if Charu told his superiors to stay out of the sector. Although the Mandalorian armor Vanth claims in Star Wars: Aftermath is not explicitly identified as Boba Fett’s armor, it is heavily implied.
In the near future, Vanth is seen donning his Mandalorian armor as the mayor of Freetown. Freetown recently withstood an attack from the Red Key Raiders, once again trying to assert themselves in the region. During this attack, the Raiders tried to smuggle a young Hutt into a Freetown palace, but failed in their attempt, leaving the infant with Vanth. Following these events, Vanth saves the life of Malakili, the Rancor keeper in Jabba’s Palace seen in Return of the Jedi, from several Red Key Raiders. Upon saving Malakili’s life, Vanth offered the former beastmaster residence in Freetown as a caretaker for the young Hutt and several creatures in town. Vanth’s empathic actions toward Malakili highlight an admirable feature of the sheriff’s personality in his belief that everybody has importance.
Vanth’s journey in canon continued when Vanth and Malakili struck a deal with local Tusken Raiders to protect Freetown in exchange for water. Soon after, the leader of the Red Key Raiders named Lorgan Movellan organized an attack and, subsequently, a successful takeover of Freetown. While imprisoned, one of Movellan’s thugs knocked out Malakili, which led the young Borgo to cry out for his caretaker. Borgo’s cries alerted the Tusken Raiders, who arrived on the scene and helped Vanth take back his town from the Red Key Raiders. Vanth was unphased by the empty threats of a defeated Movellan and proceeded to carve something onto the crime lord’s face as a warning to other gangsters to stay away from Tatooine.
Why Do We Think Cobb Vanth Could Appear in The Mandalorian?
Vanth’s inclusion in the upcoming season of The Mandalorian makes sense for several reasons. For starters, the initial report about Timothy Olyphant’s casting detailed that the actor will wear the Boba Fett armor in the series. As we know with some certainty that Temeura Morrison will play Boba in The Mandalorian, there is only one character established in canon so far who we know also wears the Boba Fett armor – Cobb Vanth.
Olyphant’s casting itself is another indicator that Vanth may appear in the new Disney+ season. Olyphant is perhaps best known for this role as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, another lawman with quite a few similarities to Vanth. But Olyphant’s portrayal of lawmen doesn’t end with his performance in Justified. Olyphant previously played Sheriff Seth Bullock in HBO’s Deadwood series and television movie and later played Sheriff David Dutten in 2010’s zombie horror film The Crazies. Most recently, Olyphant played James Stacy, an actor portraying a sheriff in the Western television series Lancer, in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Needless to say, Olyphant has carved quite the reputation in Hollywood as a lawman, making his casting as Sheriff Cobb Vanth in The Mandalorian fairly logical.
What Role May Vanth Play in The Mandalorian?
Perhaps the most interesting question to ponder is, if Olyphant is in The Mandalorian and he is indeed playing Cobb Vanth, how would the sheriff of Freetown fit into The Mandalorian Season 2? Well, as the footage for the upcoming season reveals, Din Djarin will be returning to Tatooine this season after making a trip to the planet in Chapter 5: The Gunslinger. There are also significant rumors suggesting that Boba Fett will play a role in the new season and, as we know from the events of Return of the Jedi, Boba met his ‘demise’ on Tatooine. If Boba is indeed in the new season of The Mandalorian, it makes sense that the series would showcase how the infamous bounty hunter retrieves his armor from its current owner Cobb Vanth.
Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec Shand is also set to appear again in The Mandalorian, after last being seen approached by a mysterious figure in Chapter 5. After the brilliant conclusion of Dave Filoni’s episode, many fans speculated as to who this shadowy figure was. Listening closely to the scene clearly highlights that the dinging of the armor resembles the noises Boba Fett’s armor made in the original trilogy, leading many to suggest Fennec Shand was being approached by Fett himself. However, rumors of Olyphant’s inclusion in the series have changed the way fans look at this scene, with the shadowy figure being Vanth, rather than Boba, seeming more likely. Vanth’s approach of Shand would make sense given the sheriff’s leaning as a righteous lawman prioritizing the safety and security of Tatooine. If Shand is a deadly assassin and mercenary, it’s clear she would be someone Vanth is interested in capturing.
Vanth’s potential inclusion in The Mandalorian has several intriguing implications. For instance, if Vanth is in the show, we could see a return of Malakili and even the young Borgo the Hutt. While these appearances may be seemingly inconsequential for casual fans, hardcore Star Wars fans will love to see the return of the iconic Rancor keeper if this indeed happens.
Looking Forward…
While Vanth’s inclusion in The Mandalorian is a mere rumor at this point, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest the sheriff, first introduced in the Aftermath series by Chuck Wendig, will make his live-action debut in the upcoming season. Vanth, a well-intentioned sheriff in the vein of the classic Western films’ trope, certainly plays into the space Western vibe that The Mandalorian is trying to achieve. And Olyphant, given his extensive, acclaimed past of portraying lawmen, seems like a great choice to bring the character to life, if this is indeed the case. Looking forward, it’ll be interesting to see if this rumor becomes reality and, more broadly speaking, what the highly anticipated series of The Mandalorian has in store for all of us. Stay tuned to more The Mandalorian Season 2 content moving forward!
Images courtesy of Lucasfilm, Disney+, Sony, and FX.
by @holocronJosh and @holocronGeorge for @sw_holocron
Star Wars Holocron spoke exclusively with The Armorer herself Emily Swallow to discuss her role in The Mandalorian, the upcoming season, and more.
Swallow’s character became an instant favorite immediately after she was introduced in the pilot of the acclaimed Disney+ series. Fans were delighted to hear the voice of The Armorer once again in the trailer for the show’s second season, premiering later this month on October 30. Swallow discussed her hope that fans will respond to season two in a similarly positive way as season one:
“I hope that they’re gonna fall in love with it just as they did the first season. The difficulty of a second season of anything is that they have more specific expectations because they’ve already seen something. So I’m really hoping that fans go into it with an open mind like they did for the first season and are ready to go for the ride.”
A key component of the second season will be Din Djarin’s quest to deliver the Child to his people. Swallow’s voice is heard in last month’s trailer as she references the Jedi, a word that is also heard in the first season. However, Swallow revealed that The Armorer didn’t originally use the word Jedi in the finale of Season One:
“I was recording all of my dialogue as I was in the suit. It wasn’t added later. But you always have to go back and do a little bit of looping and ADR in case some things don’t come out clearly. I didn’t use the word ‘Jedi’ when we first filmed that scene in the last episode. And then Dave [Filoni] and Jon [Favreau] felt that it wasn’t specific enough. When I was in my ADR session and they told me they were going to change it to Jedi, I got so excited because that word carries so much.”
One of The Armorer’s most remembered moments from the first season features Swallow’s character crafting Din’s armor. Swallow recalls creator and executive producer Jon Favreau’s intent to have those scenes be reminiscent of Tony Stark building his Iron Man suit in the first MCU film:
“I remember when we were shooting [the armor crafting scenes], Jon said he wanted them to have the same feel as the sequences in Iron Man. As soon as he said that, I knew I was in good hands because that was just so exciting in those movies when he’s making his armor. It’s shot so beautifully.”
Given the nature of Mandalorians and the prevalence of helmets in their culture, the voices of these characters takes on added importance. Swallow talked about how she crafted the voice for the role, along with the challenges of playing a masked character:
“It was such a fun challenge to approach a masked character, which I had gotten to do for theater before but never for the camera. It started with the audition, because my understanding is that they were originally seeing British women in their 50’s and 60’s, and the casting associate suggested that I do a few takes with a British accent. Then Jon [Favreau] really liked that because it sets her apart from everyone else. So that’s how [her voice] came to be.”
Swallow went on to describe the way in which The Armorer’s movement played into the voice of the character:
“The rest of her voice was really informed so much by the movement. She was described to me as a Zen leader of this group of people. So to me that meant that her movements could be very simple. She could be very grounded and she’s someone who carries her authority with ease, so I felt like that ease would come across in her voice. And that seemed to work. On a practical level, technically it was really hard to see in that helmet because I have tinted lenses and the set that I was working in, the Armorer’s set, was very dimly lit, so it wound up being great that I didn’t have to move around quickly or make any sudden moves, of course until the stormtroopers tick her off. It meant that I had to have a lot of breath and I had to take my time. She strikes me as someone who’s very patient, in a world where everyone else is getting really reactive and the Mandalorian’s are all freaked out because they had to be in hiding for so long. So all those things seemed to serve her as a leader. It just made sense to me on an intellectual level, but also felt right the more I lived in that. We were all finding the language of movement of these Mandalorians together during the first couple of episode that we shot. We learned a lot about how extraneous movements can be really distracting on camera because you often can’t see a person’s entire body in a shot, so you have to be more mindful of every different part of your body is moving. So it was a fun challenge because I’ve never gotten to anything like that in TV. It was definitely informed by training I’d had in theater with mask work and just trying to get my voice really connected to my body.”
In particular, Jon Favreau suggested samurai movies from directors like Akira Kurosawa to land on the movement of the character:
“I had a conversation with Jon a few days before we started filming and he was referencing Kurosawa and samurai warriors and that economy of movement and that simplicity. Plus, the importance of honor in that world. So I went to rewatch some Kurosawa and having those images in my mind was really helpful. In a situation like that where I haven’t gotten a lot of specifics, I like to have a lot of images in my brain and have some different things to draw from so that when I get to set and have those conversations, I can get more specific.”
As Swallow mentions, many of the cast members were given limited background for their character due to the secretive nature of the show. Swallow details how she was unaware of her character’s look until she was being fitted for the outfit:
“I’ve never been part of a project that was so tightly guarded. I knew very little leading up to it. One of my first glimpses of the character I was playing was when I went in for a costume fitting and they were taking all these measurements and these body casts so they can create this armor. I hadn’t seen any sketches or images or anything yet. And I started to ask them about it and at some point somebody said, ‘Wait a minute, you haven’t seen any of it?’ and I said no. They were like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ So they showed me the sketches of this incredible armor and that was definitely a huge piece that gave me a lot of information. And I knew too that the look of the costume would tell so much of the story.”
Despite not knowing a great deal about the role beforehand, Swallow still had many conversations with Favreau and Filoni, which she recalls fondly:
“That to me is the best part of performing is when you get to join your ideas with the directors and other actors and you get to see the set and it just starts melding together.”
Star Wars has a long standing tradition of characters appearing across a variety of different mediums, recently demonstrated by Forest Whitaker reprising his role as Saw Gerrera in Rebels and Jedi: Fallen Order following his appearance in Rogue One. When asked if this would be of interest, Swallow was enthusiastic at the prospect of playing the character again:
“Being able to play any character in the Star Wars universe is a dream come true. But playing the Armorer has just been such a gift for me. Getting to embody a character like that who is so wise and has so much patience and is so trusting that things will work out. That’s something I need in my daily life! (Laughs) Also, just seeing how much she inspires the fans. In particular, I get so excited when I hear about little girls who want to be The Armorer for Halloween and all these different cosplayers who are making Armorer costumes. It’s such a thrill and a gift so I would absolutely do it in any medium. I’ve done a little bit of motion capture work for video games. I’d be down for a video game, I’d be down for a voice over, I’d be down for The Mandalorian on ice! (Laughs)”
The Armorer continues Star Wars’ history of complex, predominant female characters, dating back to Leia Organa in 1977’s A New Hope. Swallow talked about what Leia and, in general, Star Wars means to her:
“I grew up with Leia. I grew up wanting to be her. I had all these Ewok adventures in my back yard. I tried to do the Leia hair and failed miserably. Star Wars has just always been a part of my life. It doesn’t make sense to have a world without it.”
Swallow recounted some of the challenges of acting while wearing a helmet and expressed her hope that a blooper reel showcasing some of these challenges will be released one day:
“I hope that they release a blooper reel of Mandalorians in between takes because there was plenty of bumping heads. I was amazed at how those welding sequences and the forging sequences came together, because there were plenty of moments when I was dropping things or I was trying to pick something up but I couldn’t. It was anything but graceful (Laughs).”
From insights regarding the behind the scenes mechanics of The Mandalorian to specifics about how The Armorer’s performance was crafted, Emily Swallow underscored the incredible level of detail and effort that goes into creating the show. Stay tuned to Star Wars Holocron for more coverage of The Mandalorian Season 2 leading up to its debut on October 30!
by @holocronJosh and @holocronGeorge for @sw_holocron
Since 1977, it’s been the dream of many Star Wars fans to hop into the cockpit of an X-Wing or TIE Fighter and feel what it’s like to take part in a dogfight as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader did in A New Hope and so many others have since. Star Wars: Squadrons, the newest Star Wars game from EA and developed by Motive Studios, follows in the footsteps of games like Rogue Squadron and Starfighter in delivering immersive, entertaining ship gameplay in the Star Wars universe. Released on Xbox One, PS4, and PC, Squadrons is unique in that it can be played in VR, adding a whole different dimension to the flying experience. This is our review of Squadrons’ single player experience.
Story
Squadrons’ single player campaign is a 6-8 hour adventure set after the events of Return of the Jedi, in which the New Republic is emerging from the ashes of the Empire. Players assume the role of fighters in two squadrons: the New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron and the Empire’s Titan Squadron, with missions flipping back and forth between the two sides. Avoiding spoilers, the campaign is largely centered around the New Republic’s development of a weapon and the Empire’s efforts to stop it. The plot features Javes, an Imperial defector, who, along with Vanguard Squadron, protect a new capital ship from Kerrill and Titan Squadron.
Squadrons’ story is serviceable, but doesn’t deliver anything novel to Star Wars, especially when compared to EA’s most recent effort with Jedi: Fallen Order. Unlike Cal Kestis and the other Fallen Order characters, Squadrons’ characters are more superficially developed through inconsequential backstories and conversations delivered to our protagonist. These conversations have little, if any, impact on the story itself and vary greatly in terms of their engagement and entertainment value. Several characters in the game, such as Shen, have much potential, but the game does little to make them fully fleshed out people. That being said, Squadrons is full of great references to broader canon that Star Wars fans will love, including appearances from Rae Sloane and Hera Syndulla. Tying back to the game’s story, it was a missed opportunity to not have the 2 squadrons cross paths more directly in the game, although it’s cool to see one mission with one squadron pick up where the last mission with the other squadron left off.
Squadrons still delivers an entertaining, somewhat mediocre story that is made better by flipping back and forth between control of the New Republic and immersive, nuanced gameplay.
Gameplay
Indeed, relative to its narrative, Squadrons excels when it comes to its ship combat. Considerably more nuanced than Battlefront 2’s ship gameplay, but purposefully not as detailed as something like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Squadrons strikes a healthy balance between an arcade style game and a flight sim game. In large part, Squadron’s single player mode really feels like a training exercise in preparation for the game’s multiplayer mode, orienting players to the complex mechanics of flight combat. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily as the basics are relatively straightforward to master, but undertaking some of the more subtle maneuvers of ship combat require more practice and skill.
Players on each side are given the choice of four ships, each of which have unique abilities, but, intelligently, were designed to have similar cockpit controls, which makes trying different ships to be a smoother process. A really neat feature of the game is the ability to disable the HUD entirely, forcing players to rely solely on the cockpit buttons and switches before them. This sort of option, while making the game considerably more difficult, makes an already immersive game even more immersive. Speaking of immersive, Squadrons is exclusively played in first-person, which may be an issue for some fans of Battlefront 2 used to playing ship combat in third-person. However, this option really cements the developers’ efforts to situate players in the cockpit of these iconic Star Wars ships and make players feel like they’re actually in the dogfight, an experience that is furthered by playing the game in VR. That may be an understatement – Squadrons goes to a whole other level of entertainment and immersion when playing with VR technology. The visuals are stunning and the scope of view is jaw dropping, making you really feel like you’re in a Star Wars movie. The game also supports joystick controllers, but we were not able to try this option yet.
Squadrons’ missions are largely repetitive, but there’s enough variability to keep things engaging throughout the duration of the campaign. Also, the ship combat is just that much fun (and difficult) that it makes the campaign enjoyable and challenging throughout.
Overall Impressions
Due to the nature of the game’s story, Squadrons’ gameplay could make or break the game. Luckily for Star Wars fans, the gameplay is immersive, fun, and exhilarating from start to finish. The gameplay may take some getting used to, especially for those more used to arcade style games, but Squadrons’ ability to replicate the experience of being in the cockpit of a fighter is like none other. Stay tuned to our review of Squadrons’ multiplayer mode in the next week!
The New Republic and the Galactic Empire going head to head in ship combat. Rey, Finn, and Poe’s activities prior to The Rise of Skywalker. A journey into Vader’s castle. And, of course, the continued adventures of Din Djarin and The Child. October is host to an array of exciting Star Wars projects and is easily one of the most anticipated months for Star Wars this year given the release of a new video game and the start of The Mandalorian’s second season. Here’s an overview of what’s new in Star Wars this month. It’s important to note that, due to the disruptions to publishing caused by COVID-19, the following projects are tentatively set to release this month.
October 2 – Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars has returned to the world of gaming with Star Wars: Squadrons, made by Motive Studios for EA. The game’s plot takes place after the Battle of Endor and centers on two fighter squadrons: the New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron, and the Galactic Empire’s Titan Squadron. In the game, “two pilots will shape the balance of power in the galaxy.” Part of the plot deals with the New Republic’s Project Starhawk, which the Empire has gotten wind of, sending spies to deal with it.” As well as multiplayer, there will also be a campaign on release. Many established characters, such as Hera from Rebels, are set to appear. The entire game will be playable in VR.
October 6 – Star Wars Origami 2: 34 More Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
There have been a variety of fun Star Wars books published under Disney. Chris Alexander’s Star Wars Origami 2 is set to be no different, and looks to be an exciting interactive book.
October 7 – Star Wars 7
The next edition of the Star Wars main line will release on October 7. Written by Charles Soule, a frequent author of Star Wars publishing, Princess Leia, Moff Tarkin, and more will appear again as tensions rise in a galaxy far, far away. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “SHE WILL HAVE REVENGE! COMMANDER ELLIAN ZAHRA has been tasked by the terrifying DARTH VADER with the job of tracking down the remnants of the REBEL FLEET, scattered since the BATTLE OF HOTH. From the bridge of her flagship the TARKIN’S WILL, she hunts the galaxy, eradicating all resistance, her secret goal to destroy LEIA ORGANA. But why such hate for the PRINCESS OF ALDERAAN? The truth…will be REVEALED!”
October 7 – Star Wars Adventures 1
Delayed from last month, Star Wars Adventures 1 is the first issue of a new, monthly series featuring stories about two fan favorite Star Wars characters. In this first issue, set in between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Rey, Finn, and Poe travel to a remote planet to continue Rey’s Jedi training, but soon meet trouble when they encounter First Order forces. The other story in this issue will center around Darth Vader.
October 13 – Star Wars: Fascinating Facts
Also delayed from last month, Pablo Hidalgo delivers another reference book with Star Wars: Fascinating Facts, detailing tons of fun facts about the nine films in the Skywalker saga. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Star Wars: Fascinating Facts is a compendium of hundreds of little-known facts about all nine episodes in the Skywalker Saga—from behind-the-scenes on-set tidbits to stories about how the tale of Star Wars was created. Profiles of important characters and early drafts of scripts show what might have been, details of how famous scenes were filmed, and other firsthand accounts from cast and crew members.”
October 13 – Star Wars Adventures Vol. 10: Driving Force
Volume 10 of Star Wars Adventures collects issues 24-36 from the series of comics directed toward middle-school aged children. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “With hotshot Resistance pilot Poe Dameron captured by pirates, it’s up to BB-8–and Rapier Squadron–to save the day! Then, in this story set before A New Hope, Princess Leia Organa faces the most challenging task of her young life: teaching Amilyn Holdo how to drive a speeder! But both learn an important lesson after finding themselves in the dangerous lower levels of Coruscant. And finally, witness one of the many lessons Rey learned from Luke Skywalker during her time on Ahch-To.”
October 14 – Darth Vader 6
Greg Pak’s Darth Vader series continues with the first of the new ‘Into the Fire’ arc. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “THE PUNISHMENT! DARTH VADER failed to turn his son, Luke Skywalker, to the dark side of the Force. No…Luke was too weak to join his father in overthrowing EMPEROR PALPATINE. Vader sought revenge against those who hid Luke from him for all of these years…and in doing so nearly betrayed his master. It did not go unnoticed by Palpatine… time for Vader’s next lesson.”
October 20 – Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Vol. 1
The manga of Claudia Gray’s Leia, Princess of Alderaan finally releases in English this month after its debut in Japan late last year. The manga is beautifully illustrated by Haruichi, enriching Claudia Gray’s already great tale. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire. A young Princess Leia spends her days learning the ways of politics, aiding those in need and preparing for the traditional ceremony in which she declares her intention to one day rule Alderaan. But as Leia prepares herself to be named the heir of the throne, she becomes aware of the growing distance between her and her parents, who behind closed doors are leaders of the newly formed rebellion. Upon learning her parents’ secrets, Leia must now make a choice between her responsibility to the people of Alderaan and her responsibility to save a galaxy crushed by the rule of the Empire.”
October 20 – Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection
With teases regularly being dropped over the last few weeks, Daniel Wallace’s upcoming lightsaber guidebook has been on the radar for a lot of Star Wars fans recently. Illustrated by Lukasz Liszko and Ryan Valle, this guidebook will showcase brand new looks at some of the Star Wars saga’s most iconic lightsabers and their wielders. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection is a comprehensive visual guide exploring the iconic and legendary lightsabers found within the Star Wars galaxy, featuring fan-favorite hilts from the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, comics, novels, and video games. Own the definitive lightsaber guide. This book features the hilts of characters such as Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Kylo Ren, Rey, Ahsoka Tano, and more. Learn about the creation and history of lightsabers from all of Star Wars, including Darth Maul’s double-bladed saber and the Darksaber.Discover never before seen art and illustrations. Featuring photo-realistic renders of lightsabers from Star Wars animation and comics, including Ezra Bridger’s blaster-saber hybrid, the Grand Inquisitor’s spinning blades, and a new lightsaber from The High Republic, this book is a must-have for Star Wars fans.”
October 20 – The Star Wars Book: Expand your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away
Pablo Hidalgo and company return with another reference book, this time offering a comprehensive examination of the franchise with new stills and essays from the saga. The book is divided into several main domains: galaxy, science and technology, the Force, the Skywalkers, galactic governments and their dissidents, and galactic denizens.
October 20 – Star Wars A Jedi, You Will Be
The 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back is celebrated with a new children’s picture book narrated by Yoda himself, written by Preeti Chhibber.
October 21 – Bounty Hunters 6
Ethan Sacks’ wildly entertaining Bounty Hunters series continues with more adventures of Valance and company. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “With precious cargo and a price on his head, VALANCE must go to the only person in the galaxy he can trust. But the UNBROKEN CLAN has sent a deadly and unique pair of bounty hunters after him. No one in the galaxy can escape the combined cunning of 4-LOM and ZUCKUSS!!!”
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures 2
Despite the delays to this series, the second issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic series is also set to drop this month, further chronicling the events between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
One of October’s more interesting projects is this one-shot comic written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by Derek Charm, Nicoletta Baldari, Nick Brokenshire, and Francesco Francavilla. Set in the aftermath of the fall of the Empire, this comic follows two boys who seek out to destroy Vader’s castle.
October 27 – This is the Way
Little Golden Books’ collaboration with Star Wars continues with “This is the Way,” a new story focusing on Din Djarin, The Child (Baby Yoda), and more!
October 28 – Doctor Aphra 5
Alyssa Wong’s Doctor Aphra series continues with the fifth issue of the current run illustrated by Marika Cresta. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “POWER TO RULE THE GALAXY? RONEN TAGGE has the legendary RINGS OF VAALE. Will he destroy the priceless artifacts or fall to their temptation? If they truly give him the power to rival the EMPEROR, what hope do APHRA and crew have to stop him?”
October 30 – The Mandalorian Season Two
And last, but certainly not least, the new season of The Mandalorian debuts (cue Ludwig Göransson’s score). Despite a whole host of casting rumors, very little is officially known about the next adventure of Din Djarin and The Child, although the trailer suggests the show will continue where the first season left off. Stay tuned to Star Wars Holocron for reviews, news, trivia, behind the scenes images, shots, quotes, parallels, and more from the new season!
For reference, a condensed list of upcoming projects in October without descriptions is included below:
October 2 – Star Wars: Squadrons
October 6 – Star Wars Origami 2: 34 More Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
October 7 – Star Wars 7
October 7 – Star Wars Adventures 1
October 13 – Star Wars: Fascinating Facts
October 13 – Star Wars Adventures Vol. 10: Driving Force
October 14 – Darth Vader 6
October 20 – Star Wars Leia, Princess of Alderaan, Vol. 1
October 20 – Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection
October 20 – The Star Wars Book: Expand your knowledge of a galaxy far, far away
October 20 – Star Wars A Jedi, You Will Be
October 21 – Bounty Hunters 6
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures 2
October 21 – Star Wars Adventures: Shadow of Vader’s Castle
