When all of the old eu novels were declared legends and no longer canon, many fans lamented the loss of characters like thrawn. Short star wars canon eu stories orientation john jackson miller the imperial cruiser defiance is on route to ryloth to deal with an continue reading star wars short stories. Simple list of star wars books in order of when they take place, with sidebyside timelines for legends and the new canon. New movies and other stories arent based on these books, and will sometimes contradict them. Disneys secret war against star wars expanded universe. After disney purchased lucasfilm in 2012, a rather significant decision was made that split the fanbase. There are so many star wars books for fans to read and consume, but. Originally appearing in our fourth quarterly almanac, where to start with the star wars expanded universe is the latest in our ongoing series of essays detailing where one can start with any number of sffpopgeekery topics. What is the expanded universe and why is continuity such a major issue.
Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated. Each format has its own trends, with some exceptions. From the adventures of luke skywalker in december 1976 to the latest novel, this timeline tracks the month and year of every star wars novel excluding childrens and graphic novels published. In april 2014, lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe material as star wars legends and declared it noncanon to the franchise. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon. The expanded universe, or eu, is the moniker for the entire body of work that comprises the stories set in the star wars universe ranging from novels, comics, cartoons, short stories, young adult books, television shows. The chiss grand admiral thrawn is one of the most famous expanded universe characters, the main antagonist in timothy zahns thrawn trilogy. Indeed, using read as shorthand is not entirely correct, since you cant read a tv show, video game or radio drama. These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and follow an internally consistent timeline. The ultimate guide to reading the star wars books reedsy.
So disney has decided that theyre going to nuke most of the previously established star wars canon. What happens to star wars expanded universe, once the new. When disney bought lucasfilm, the company threw almost every piece of star wars lore away. The expanded universe as we knew it will soon be no more. Its time for disney and marvel to bring back a character or two from its expanded universe. I think this is as good a reason as any to finally bury the. Here are the best star wars books from the old cannon. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be forgotten. Must read star wars legends books, and where to start.
New to star wars books and dont know where to start. Mar 02, 2020 one of the biggest topics of speculation in the runup to the new star wars movie is how it will fit in with the preexisting expanded universe. In what order should i read star wars expanded universe. This is the realtime chronological novel publishing timeline. The tiein novels are still being published, but theyre not part of the official canon. If you read the original trilogy novelizations, they make some departures from on. In a flash, literally decades of stories from its expanded universe were nixed from canon.
A subreddit where all discussion about the star wars eu expanded universe, and things related to the star wars eu are welcome. If youre overwhelmed and looking for a good place to start with star. While i dont believe it is wise to start with these books, they are truly phenomenal. Continuity canon, tiein media like books and comics. Your guide to the entire star wars expanded universe. Does anyone know what other works are considered canon with the. Timothy zahn is a masterful star wars author, and i cannot stress enough the canonical importance, or literary quality of these books. Jun 26, 2017 with a new trilogy, we have ourselves a new canon.
The old expanded universe eu now known as legends encompassed all of the officially licensed stories from the star wars universe. Actually, every star wars films novelization remain canon where they align with what is seen on screen, as stated by del rey books source. Where to start with the star wars expanded universe the book. May 04, 2017 the new star wars canon is infinitely better than the old expanded universe continuity is everything. With the star wars expanded universe having grown so large and encompassing, its also a great way to explain many of the discrepancies and continuityerrors that occur from time to time within the body of lore comprised by the books, comics, films, cartoons, video games and more. But they are not completely disregarding the expanded universe.
Heir to the empire, dark force rising, and the last command kicked off the expanded universe, written as the third trilogy decades before the force awakens arrived. This is a timeline for novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the expanded universe legends continuity. Sep 28, 2016 what can the old star wars expanded universe give to the new canon. The phantom menace, in the era of the glorious high republic, the noble and wise jedi knights must face a frightening threat to themselves, the galaxy. It is not for comics or short stories in legends continuity. Today, we take a close look at the star wars legends expanded universe, examining which books a new reader should check out, and how to start reading star wars expanded universe content including. Nov 18, 2015 the star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be forgotten. Star wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. Wars legends and these stories were not considered to be official star wars canon.
Jan 29, 2018 more star wars expanded universe characters may soon become canon. The expanded universe has been a part of star wars for almost as long as the movies have, starting with alan dean foster s novel splinter of the minds eye, which was published in. May 07, 2014 star wars expanded universe no longer canon. So before i reinstall the force unleashed is it considered canon. Star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe the. In 2012, disney bought lucasfilm, adding another wrench to the works. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created. On april 25, 2014, lucasfilm officially revised and solidified the canon, stating that all previously released expanded universe works would be rebranded under the new star wars legends banner and considered non canon, in order to ensure a flowing timeline with the. Updated regularly, with new releases and upcoming titles highlightesd. If you want to read the expanded universelegends books in chronological. Grand admiral thrawn is one of the greatest star wars characters of all time. Star wars canon novels a reading order justin beeson medium.
Heres your guide to the star wars expanded universe, including tv, comics, books, and video games. He opened up that universe to be a creative space for other people to tell their own tales. For years before disney purchased lucasfilm the star wars story was primarily told through the expanded universe, or eu, a collection of books, comics, audio dramas and games that continued and expanded on the stories from the movies. We evaluate the new star wars expanded universe, and compare the new canon eu to star wars. For a little while, that meant it was less intimidating to jump into the wider star wars universe but the number of works has grown once again. Star wars fans only had novels, comic books, and video games to keep them involved in the franchise. One of the biggest topics of speculation in the runup to the new star wars movie is how it will fit in with the preexisting expanded universe. Ask any star wars reader what book to start with, and nine times out of 10, youll get the same answer. From the adventures of luke skywalker in december 1976 to the latest novel, this timeline tracks the month and year of every star wars. Which novelizations of the star wars movies are considered. Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated eu, encompasses every one of the licensed, fictional background stories of the star wars universe, outside of the original six star wars films produced by george lucas and certain other material such as star wars. Best new canon star wars books reddit april 18, 2020 star wars eu book reports the young folks star wars reading where to start the 23 worst parts of star wars jar binks wookieepedia fandom star wars reading where to start.
The star wars universe is more than just a handful of blockbuster films and. For over 35 years, the expanded universe has enriched the star wars experience for fans seeking to continue the adventure beyond what is seen on the screen. The best books from the old star wars expanded universe. Oct 03, 2000 because the star wars universe this guide covers is as vast and populated as george lucas galaxy far, far away, its impossible for even the most prolific researcherwriter to keep up with all the new additions as books, games, collectibles and even animated episodes appear almost on a monthly basis. What can the old star wars expanded universe give to the new. Where to start with the star wars expanded universe by thea james. This timeline is organized by chronology, and separated by era, as defined by lucas licensing. Those in charge of upcoming star wars tv series and novels explain that the expanded universe is still important whether its canon or not.
Because disney is not satisfied with just making action figures, childrens shows, and video games, it wanted a whole new set of films, and it wanted those films to go into the direction of the star wars universe that george lucas himself, until now, had left well enough alone. Some cancelled the clone wars episodes were adapted into canon books and comics in. In a flash, literally decades of stories from its expanded universe. The only issue is i dont know whats the best place for me to start as someone whos only watched the films. The force awakens and for several of the old expanded universe now legends star wars books follow. A complete list of all fulllength star wars novels in chronological order. The expanded visual dictionary reveals indepth details on every aspect of the movie from the young anakin skywalker and the podracing on tatooine, to the droidekas and battle droids that attack naboo. Where to start with the star wars expanded universe. This body of work represents the original star wars expanded universe, which was rebranded as star wars legends and declared noncanon to the franchise in april 2014.
When disney took over lucasfilm and star wars from george lucas in 2012, a lot of exciting times came for the star wars fandom with new films, as well as new books, comics, video games, and tv shows, all on the way. Star wars expanded universe no longer canon the mary sue. The other side of that, though, was the removal of the expanded universe from canon. The star wars expanded universe is my canon facebook. The world of star wars can be a little overwhelming. Want to read more about the clone wars era or before. Welcome to the star wars expanded universe subreddit. Disney has been engaged in a secret war against the star wars expanded universe in order to sell more books, comics and toys.
Force awakens, ive become extremely enthuastic about learning about expanded universe. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books. Jul 10, 2017 where to start with the star wars expanded universe by thea james. Star wars is the property of the walt disney company and is used here under fair use laws. On april 25th, 2014, it was announced that the expanded universe of star wars is no longer considered canon. The new star wars canon is infinitely better than the old. May 26, 2014 an explanation of the origin of canon and how i feel about the legends banner. In my opinion, however, many of the older novels are better and still owe reading.
Theres so much media stretching back to the release of the original trilogy a little before it, actually that the idea of jumping into the star wars print universe with old canon and new canon and everexpanding storylinescan be a daunting prospect for any fan. This body of work represents the original star wars expanded universe. Most works produced after april 25, 2014 are part of the official canon as defined by lucasfilm. New canon the newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the clone wars and rebels tv shows, and new books since. With the exception of the cgianimated the clone wars tv series, nonfilm material produced prior to april 2014 was collectively known as the star wars expanded universe eu.
Best new canon star wars books reddit image collections book. It would be weird to watch a movie or read a novel where the climax occurs. Feb 27, 2016 the lucasfilm story group may have banished the expanded universe to the galaxy next door and rebranded it as legends. Ask any star wars reader what book to start with, and nine times out of 10. Disney takes a chainsaw to the star wars expanded universe and good riddance, because almost all of it is crap.
The story of star wars, for the kind of fan that wants to know. Jan 16, 2012 with thirtytwo brand new pages and many more fully updated pages featuring stunning images with a new fresh look, star wars. The legendary star wars expanded universe turns a new page. A complete guide to the new star wars canon before the. Padmes predecessor on the throne of naboo, king veruna, has made the jump from legends to disney canon thanks to the star wars. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be. I want to start reading those star wars books but i have no idea where to start.
The star wars expanded universe contains stories in a variety of different formats. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books, comic books. Learn more about the distinction in the star wars canon books section below. Jul 30, 2014 star wars creatives explain why canon vs expanded universe shouldnt matter. The issue of which aspects are canon was one of the most hotly debated topics among fans. The newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the. Kevin hearnes heir to the jedi, is actually in the new canon. This page compiles some canon star wars expanded universe short stories that are available to read online.
Forget thrawn the new star wars canon has brought over a lot more of the expanded universe than you realise. Understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now. These books were published between 1978 and 2012 and represent a massive collection of star wars stories. A complete guide to the new star wars canon before the force. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. With the new revision due to the purchase by disney, another option is to read the new canon books that begin with a new dawn. What is considered canon in the star wars universe anymore.
The 10 best stories in the star wars expanded universe. On april 25, 2014, lucasfilm officially revised and solidified the canon, stating that all previously released expanded universe works would be rebranded under the new star wars legends banner and considered non canon, in order to ensure a flowing timeline with the release of the star wars sequel trilogy. We evaluate the new star wars expanded universe, and compare the new canon eu to star wars legends. Well, the expanded universe which disney just invalidated consists of the basic.
Ive been reading recently about how george lucas supposedly discontinued the star wars expanded universe, which has now been dubbed star wars legends, and that now only certain materials are considered canon or factually what happens in the star wars universe. In april 2014 lucasfilm and disney publishing stated that the existing. Novel publishing timeline this is the realtime chronological novel publishing timeline. If youre new, and want to learn more about the expanded universe, you.
When he created star wars, george lucas built a universe that sparked the imagination, and inspired others to create. More star wars expanded universe characters may soon become canon. If you could choose which star wars universe was canon, what would it be. Lucasfilm later rebranded the expanded universe as star wars legends and declared it noncanonical to the franchise. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by fictional era with symbols designating such. Dec 02, 2019 for a little while, that meant it was less intimidating to jump into the wider star wars universe but the number of works has grown once again. This time, thea tackles a subject close to her heart. Also, luke skywalker, the last of the jedi, begins training apprentices.