SWBC: My most anticipated Star Wars books through the end of 2022
SWBC: My most anticipated Star Wars books through the end of 2022
Plus: Star Wars book playlists, and join the subscriber chat to share your questions and tips for reading The High Republic.
Most anticipated Star Wars books through the rest of the year
It’s been quite a year for Star Wars publishing, and there are still more books and comics to come in the next month and a half. I will have posts recapping the year in Star Wars books, highlighting my favorites as well as looking ahead to what’s coming in 2023.
But first, here are the books and comics arriving soon that I’m most excited about.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence: Set in Phase 2, Jedi Knight Gella Nattai and the chancellor’s son Axel Greylark become unlikely allies in an investigation into an assassination attempt amid peace talks between warring planets Eiram and E’ronoh.
Publication date: Nov. 22
Yoda #1: Living in exile on Dagobah near the end of his life, Yoda is confronted by a familiar voice that prompts him to revisit key moments throughout his life — from his teaching during The High Republic through the chaos and heartbreak of the Clone Wars. The first issue kicks off the first of three story arcs for the new Marvel Star Wars series.
Expected publication: Nov. 23
Revelations #1: The one-shot is chiefly set on the lava planet Mustafar as Darth Vader is shown glimpses of the future from around the galaxy via The Eye of Webbish Bog — from the leaders of the Rebellion and the Empire to the galaxy’s infamous bounty hunters and Doctor Aphra. The comic teases what’s to come in all of Star Wars’ ongoing series.
Expected publication: Nov. 23
The High Republic Adventures #1: A young Jedi Padawan becomes inadvertently trapped aboard the ship of space pirate Maz Kanata and begins to question her place in the galaxy — with the Jedi or with Maz and her pirate crew? Set during Phase 2 of The High Republic.
Expected publication: Nov. 30
Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Starlight Stories: Collected short stories originally published in issues of Star Wars Insider and set during the first phase of The High Republic.
Expected publication: Dec. 13
The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #1: Jedi sent to the planet Dalna are attacked and have to retreat to a set of ancient ruins, only to find they are in far more danger than they previously thought. Set during Phase 2 of The High Republic.
Expected publication: Dec. 28
The High Republic: The Blade #1: Porter Engle made his epic debut in Light of the Jedi, but The Blade comic series is set to trace his origins as the most talented lightsaber swordsman of The High Republic.
Expected publication: Dec. 28
Listen while you read: Star Wars book playlists
We’re just one week away from the release of The High Republic: Convergence by Zoraida Córdova. And to celebrate, Del Rey senior editor Tom Hoeler shared an editing playlist themed after stories and characters from the book.
No spoilers yet, but it’s not hard to connect the dots between Green Day’s Basket Case to Axel Greylark’s introduction in the book. I was also vibing with Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle With You and Edwin Starr’s War connecting with the “forever war” between Eiram and E’ronoh.
This playlist is perfect to listen to after you pick up your copy and start reading next week. Or, if you’re a writer like me, a solid collection of songs to give the right vibes for writing and editing.
On Spotify, Tom also has public playlists for all three books of the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy, which concluded one year ago today with the release of Lesser Evil. Taylor Swift’s Exile just hits harder when you listen to it while finishing the Timothy Zahn-authored tome.
Coming in next week’s newsletter: My full review of Convergence
Reading guide: The High Republic Phase 2: Quest of the Jedi
New Essential Legends Collection book covers
On Wednesday morning, Del Rey officially confirmed the next wave of Essential Legends books coming soon to a bookshelf near you.
Included in this wave of Essential Legends are Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart, and Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss.
These revamped titles are expected to arrive on May 23, 2023.
As many readers know, the Essential Legends Collection has been re-releasing beloved Expanded Universe books for over a year. Each book gets fresh art and a new trade paperback format that is perfectly floppy and reader-friendly.
The most recent wave of Essential Legends included Old Republic books Revan and Deceived, as well as the fourth book in the X-Wing/Rogue Squadron series — The Bacta War.
While it’s not been announced just how many of the EU books will get the Essential Legends treatment, I wouldn’t be surprised if Del Rey revamped all of the adult novels. And, of course, I will buy them all.
Star Wars books and comics out this week
Nov. 16
Doctor Aphra #26
Han Solo & Chewbacca #7
Hidden Empire #1
Subscriber chat: Share your Qs and As about The High Republic!
Want to know a good reading order for The High Republic Phase 1? Confused about when The High Republic Phase 2 exists on the Star Wars timeline? Want know if you have to read ALL of the books and comics to “get” the story of The High Republic?
Well, head on over to the SWBC subscriber chat to ask your questions about The High Republic. And, feel free to answer other readers and give tips and reviews.
I will try to answer as many questions as I can to the best of my ability. Plus, this is a great opportunity for you — the book club readers and subscribers — to share ideas of what you’d like to see in future posts and newsletters.
About the Chat
To join the chat and threads, download the Substack app and click on the little message bubble icon on the bottom menu.
Our chat is exclusively for Space Wizards Book Club subscribers — a group chat, live hangout space, and the perfect place to ask me questions and connect with other readers. I’ll post prompts, photos, reading updates, and any Star Wars books-related thoughts that come my way.