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Post by Starbeard on Aug 5, 2018 21:14:37 GMT -6
I was going to post this to the Guides and Encyclopedias (non-RPG) thread, but the content got away from me and now I figure it deserves its own spot. Here is a list I've compiled of Star Wars sources up to the release of The Empire Strikes Back. Most of this is taken from the Star Wars Arcana list at TheForce.net (very, very useful content, but provides no context) and the List of Star Wars Media page on Wookieepedia (no useful content, but it does provide context and more specific dating). This only covers material published up to the release of Empire. The focus is on published material that has at least one or two bits of content that can be used for 'world building' a Star Wars setting pre-Empire. Basically, if it has something that would be of interest to a gamer, artist or fan fiction writer, then it should go on the list. Eventually it would be nice to include more 'era' lists, like an Empire list, a Jedi list, a pre-Thrawn list, etc. Let me know if there's anything that you think should be on here that isn't! List of Star Wars Sources, 'Star Wars Mania' Era (pre-Empire)(I've added links to each item where possible; please let me know if you have other links to suggest) The Movie (1973–7)1973 Story Synopsis, "The Star Wars" 1974 First Draft & Revision, "The Star Wars" 1975 Second Draft, "The Star Wars" 1975 Third Draft, "The Star Wars" 1976 Fourth Draft & Public Draft & Shooting Draft, "Star Wars" 1977 Star Wars movie 1977 Star Wars Theatrical ProgramUseful Resources: Draft scripts — www.starwarz.com/starkiller/Academic analysis of the scripts — hem.bredband.net/wookiee/development/Children's Books (1978–80)1978Luke Skywalker's Activity BookThe Star Wars StorybookThe Story of Star Wars (book and record, Superscope) 1979The Maverick MoonThe Mystery of the Rebellious RobotArtoo-Detoo's Activity BookChewbacca's Activity BookDarth Vader's Activity BookThe Wookiee Storybook
The Star Wars Question and Answer Book about SpaceStar Wars (book and record, Buena Vista) 1980Star Wars: The Making of the Movie (a Step-Up book) Novels (1976-1980)1976Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker1978Splinter of the Mind's Eye1979Han Solo at Star's EndHan Solo's Revenge1980Han Solo and the Lost Legacy (technically published after TESB, but I'll include it here for completeness, and because it had to have been written prior to the release, nor does it include any TESB references) Books and Special Issues (1977-80)1977Famous Monsters Presents Star Wars Spectacular The Star Wars SketchbookThe Star Wars AlbumStar Wars BlueprintsThe Star Wars Portfolio1979The Art of Star WarsTV and Film Media (1977-78)1977The Making of Star Wars (TV special) 1978Old School Star Wars Filmstrip (filmstrip)
Star Wars Holiday Special (TV special) Magazines (1978-80)1978Official Star Wars Fan Club Newsletter #1-4 Star Wars Poster Monthly #1-15 1979Bantha Tracks Newsletter (OSWFC renamed) #5-6 Star Wars Poster Monthly #16-18 1980Bantha Tracks Newsletter #7-8 Comics (1978-80)LA Times Daily Comics, "Star Wars" ( link: "Daily Star Wars") - Gambler's World (March-Sept '79)
- The Constancia Affair (March-July '79)
- The Kashyyyk Depths (July-Sept '79)
- Tatooine Sojourn (Sept-Nov '79)
- Princess Leia Imperial Servant (Nov-Dec '79)
- The Second Kessel Run (Jan-Feb '80)
- Bring Me My Children (Feb-Apr '80)
- As Long as We Live (Apr-June '80)
- The Frozen World of Ota (Jun-Aut '80)
Marvel Star Wars (1978–80)- Star Wars #1–6 (movie adaptation)
- Pizzazz Magazine #1–9 (The Keeper's World)
- Pizzazz Magazine #10–16 & Star Wars Weekly (Marvel UK) #60 (The Kingdom of Ice)
- Star Wars #7–34 (various side adventure arcs)
- Star Wars Annual 1 (The Long Hunt)
- Star Wars #35–37 (Domina Tagge arc)
- Star Wars Weekly (Marvel UK) #94–96 (Way of the Wookiee)
- Star Wars Weekly (Marvel UK) #97–99 (Day after the Death Star)
- Star Wars Weekly (Marvel UK) #104–06 (The Weapons Master!)
- Star Wars Weekly (Marvel UK) #107–15 (World of Fire arc)
- Star Wars #38 (Riders in the Void)
Others/Miscellaneous1978Star Wars (Contemporary Motivators Comic) 1979Kenner Toys Imperial Troop Transport story booklet1980Star Wars, Chinese comic book adaptation |
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Post by Falconer on Aug 6, 2018 7:02:20 GMT -6
Great list. Thanks! Though I think you forgot SPLINTER…!
Here’s how I order the Marvel comics:
Star Wars #1-6 (adaptation of the movie)
Pizzazz #1-9 (The Keeper’s World)
Pizzazz #10-16 + Star Wars Weekly #60 (The Kingdom of Ice)
Star Wars #7-34 (Aduba, Waterworld, Valance, Wheel, Baron Tagge, etc.)
Star Wars Annual 1 (The Long Hunt)
Star Wars #35-37 (Domina Tagge arc)
Star Wars Weekly #94-96 (Way of the Wookiee)
Star Wars Weekly #97-99 (The Day after the Death Star)
Star Wars Weekly #104-106 (The Weapons Master)
Star Wars Weekly #107-115 (World of Fire)
Star Wars #38 (Riders in the Void)
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Post by Starbeard on Aug 6, 2018 13:14:01 GMT -6
Great list. Thanks! Though I think you forgot SPLINTER…! Here’s how I order the Marvel comics: Star Wars #1-6 (adaptation of the movie) Pizzazz #1-9 (The Keeper’s World) Pizzazz #10-16 + Star Wars Weekly #60 (The Kingdom of Ice) Star Wars #7-34 (Aduba, Waterworld, Valance, Wheel, Baron Tagge, etc.) Star Wars Annual 1 (The Long Hunt) Star Wars #35-37 (Domina Tagge arc) Star Wars Weekly #94-96 (Way of the Wookiee) Star Wars Weekly #97-99 (The Day after the Death Star) Star Wars Weekly #104-106 (The Weapons Master) Star Wars Weekly #107-115 (World of Fire) Star Wars #38 (Riders in the Void) D'oh, you're right! Fixed. That's a good order for the Marvel comics. I've still got them all jumbled up in my notes and I didn't feel like taking the time just yet to separate them all out. And I forgot about Star Wars Weekly #60 too. I'll add these notes to the list. Have you read the LA Times Dailies before? They have a very different feel at times from the Marvel run, being newspaper strips instead of comic books, but there's some really great work in there by a powerhouse team of writers and artists, including Al Williamson himself (whom Lucas apparently asked for by name as his first choice to do the strip). |
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Post by Falconer on Aug 6, 2018 14:12:41 GMT -6
Have you read the LA Times Dailies before? They have a very different feel at times from the Marvel run, being newspaper strips instead of comic books, but there's some really great work in there by a powerhouse team of writers and artists, including Al Williamson himself (whom Lucas apparently asked for by name as his first choice to do the strip). Yeah, I have! There’s some okay stuff, there, but, nothing I really loved. So here’s my more complete breakdown of the Marvel run: Adaptation of the movie
Star Wars 1 - April 12, 1977
Star Wars 2: Six Against the Galaxy - May 10, 1977
Star Wars 3: Death Star! - June 7, 1977
Star Wars 4: In Battle with Darth Vader - July 12, 1977
Star Wars 5: Lo, The Moons of Yavin! - August 10, 1977
Star Wars 6: Is This the Final Chapter? - September 13, 1977
Pizzazz
The Keeper’s World - October 1977
The Kingdom of Ice - July 1978
The Aduba Saga
Star Wars 7: New Planets, New Perils! - October 11, 1977
Star Wars 8: Eight for Aduba-3 - November 8, 1977
Star Wars 9: Showdown on a Wasteland World! - December 13, 1977
Star Wars 10: Behemoth from the World Below - January 10, 1978
The Waterworld Saga
Star Wars 11: Star Search! - February 7, 1978
Star Wars 12: Doomworld! - March 14, 1978
Star Wars 13: Day of the Dragon Lords - April 11, 1978
Star Wars 14: The Sound of Armageddon! - May 9, 1978
Star Wars 15: Star Duel - June 27, 1978
Aduba-3/Valance
Star Wars 16: The Hunter - July 25, 1978
Tatooine (Luke flashback)
Star Wars 17: Crucible - August 22, 1978
The Wheel
Star Wars 18: The Empire Strikes - September 26, 1978
Star Wars 19: The Ultimate Gamble - October 24, 1978
Star Wars 20: Deathgame - November 21, 1978
Star Wars 21: Shadow of a Dark Lord - December 19, 1978
Star Wars 22: To the Last Gladiator - January 23, 1979
Star Wars 23: Flight Into Fury - February 20, 1979
(Ben Kenobi flashback)
Star Wars 24: Silent Drifting - March 27, 1979
Yavin-4/Tagge
Star Wars 25: Siege at Yavin - April 24, 1979
Star Wars 26: Doom Mission - May 22, 1979
Valance
Star Wars 27: Return of the Hunter - June 26, 1979
Han/Jabba the Hut
Star Wars 28: What Ever Happened to Jabba the Hut? - July 24, 1979
Valance
Star Wars 29: Dark Encounter - August 28, 1979
Leia/Tagge
Star Wars 30: A Princess Alone - September 25, 1979
Luke/Han/Tagge
Star Wars 31: Return to Tatooine - October 23, 1979
Star Wars 32: The Jawa Express - November 27, 1979
Star Wars 33: Saber Clash - December 25, 1979
Star Wars 34: Thunder in the Stars - January 22, 1980
Skye
Star Wars Annual 1: The Long Hunt - November 13, 1979
Domina Tagge
Star Wars 35: Dark Lord’s Gambit - February 26, 1980
Star Wars 36: Red Queen Rising - March 25, 1980
Star Wars 37: In Mortal Combat - April 22, 1980
Way of the Wookiee (Han Solo flashback)
Star Wars Weekly 94: Way of the Wookiee - December 12, 1979
Star Wars Weekly 95: Chewbacca Fights Alone - December 18, 1979
Star Wars Weekly 96: Switch - Dec 26, 1979
The Day after the Death Star
Star Wars Weekly 97: The Day after the Death Star! - January 2, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 98: Space Duel! - Jan 9, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 99: Empire Kills - January 16, 1980
The Weapons Master (Princess Leia flashback)
Star Wars Weekly 104: The Weapons Master! - February 20, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 105: Day of the Assassins - February 27, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 106: My Enemies Surround Me - March 6, 1980
World of Fire
Star Wars Weekly 107: World of Fire - March 12, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 108: Star Terror - March 19, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 109: Molten Doom - March 26, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 110: The Word for World is Death - April 2, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 111: Unholy Alliance - April 9, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 112: A Creature in the Stars - April 16, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 113: The Guardian of Forever - April 23, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 114: Betrayal - Apr 30, 1980
Star Wars Weekly 115: The Monster’s Secret - May 7, 1980
Standalone
Star Wars 38: Riders in the Void - May 27, 1980I actually have that same kind of “meh” feeling about the earliest stories of this run—The Keeper’s World and The Aduba Saga. Once Archie Goodwin took over (The Kingdom of Ice and The Waterworld Saga) is when it really starts hitting all the right notes, to me. |
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Post by Starbeard on Aug 6, 2018 16:05:44 GMT -6
I suppose I should qualify here what I mean by "really great" material. I'll agree that as reading material, the dailies are at best "meh," and often worse.
Rather, my interest in the dailies is the same as my interest in similar strips, like Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Little Orphan Annie, and Dick Tracy. I wouldn't call any of them "good" in terms of narrative or originality. What really interests me is the artwork: how visually interesting the line work is, how well it captures the attention, how well it conveys the narrative within the limits of the medium.
Then in terms of the narrative itself, again I'm not interested in whether it's actually good as a story, but how well the story is expressed through the tropes of the medium. Like comic books, the story is told through static art panels that somehow imply the action of the narrative, but with a strip you have only 1, 4, or 7 panels at a time with which to tell your story. That's assuming a standard 3-panel strip, with 1–3 strips displayed per day. Because there's no guarantee that the reader was able to see yesterday's strip or will see tomorrow's strip, the first and last panels have to sum up the results of those strips as well, sort of a "Last time on…/Next time on…" you get in TV shows.
In that sense, I think Russ Manning's and Al Williamson's work on the Star Wars strip are superb. They capture all the tropes of newspaper adventure strips perfectly. I also like how explicit they make the link between Star Wars and Flash Gordon and similar serial strips—they present a Star Wars that looks and feels like Flash Gordon. Even the Marvel comics weren't as explicit, because their artwork and storytelling followed the updated conventions of their own comics.
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Post by finarvyn on Aug 7, 2018 7:46:36 GMT -6
It would be fun to have a similar thread with all of the separate topics in the OP blended together in a chronological-order thing. In other words, when did the children's books come out compared to the comics compared the novels compared to Splinter and the movies. That kind of thing. That way, one could say "I'm running an October 1978 campaign" and know what was out by then. Or, maybe that's overkill.  |
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Post by Falconer on Aug 7, 2018 9:07:46 GMT -6
A couple years back I tracked down (and now own) hardcover copies of all of these except Splinter. All trade editions except Lost Legacy which only came out in a book club edition (and paperback). I wish all my stuff weren’t in storage so I could take a picture. It’s a beautiful set. |
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Post by Starbeard on Aug 7, 2018 14:11:49 GMT -6
It would be fun to have a similar thread with all of the separate topics in the OP blended together in a chronological-order thing. In other words, when did the children's books come out compared to the comics compared the novels compared to Splinter and the movies. That kind of thing. That way, one could say "I'm running an October 1978 campaign" and know what was out by then. Or, maybe that's overkill. Ultimately, that's the idea. I haven't tried parsing them out yet, year by year, to see how effective it would be after the first few years. But I can see a set of sourcebooks for 1973-76, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 (not including TESB), and 1980 (including TESB); plus perhaps 1983 (pre-Jedi) and 1987 (pre-RPG). The question would be whether the major differences would include more fundamental developments than simply adding new planets and equipment to the list. |
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Post by buzzcorry on Sept 4, 2018 18:39:36 GMT -6
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Post by Falconer on Sept 5, 2018 10:42:52 GMT -6
I need that! Unless anyone knows of any better ISD blueprints out there.
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Post by Starbeard on Sept 5, 2018 11:16:20 GMT -6
Wow, great find! Apparently I once knew about these blueprints because I have a really old note about them, but I don't remember any of that. Looking it up online, it seems the ISD is the only set of blueprints he did, unfortunately.
I like that he based his dimensions on the Art of Star Wars book, which makes Leia's blockade runner only slightly larger than the Falcon, and the star destroyer only 400-something meters long. That was the only scale anyone had to go by, I think, until we saw the Falcon attached to the tower of an ISD in Empire, greatly increasing the scale.
In fact, given that the ISD model in both movies are different, you could extrapolate that the ISD used in Star Wars is the small 'Imperator' class, and the ISDs used in Empire are huge ships of another class entirely (I'm not sure when the designation 'Imperial' class came about—was that a WEGism?)
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Post by Falconer on Sept 5, 2018 14:11:58 GMT -6
WEG codified an Imperial I-class based on the SW model, and a larger Imperial II-class based on the ESB model.
I think Han Solo at Stars’ End introduces the Victory-class Destroyer, and stated it was older/smaller than the Imperial models. The SW script of course calls these Imperial Cruisers, never Star Destroyers.
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Post by buzzcorry on Sept 5, 2018 17:59:22 GMT -6
I like that he based his dimensions on the Art of Star Wars book, which makes Leia's blockade runner only slightly larger than the Falcon, and the star destroyer only 400-something meters long. That was the only scale anyone had to go by, I think, until we saw the Falcon attached to the tower of an ISD in Empire, greatly increasing the scale. The blueprints have problems but I do like the fact that the ISD has a nice variety of weapons, heavy and light turbo lasers, laser cannons, space to ground missiles, and mines. A nice selection and much improved from the WEG stats. They also call Vader's TIE a "TIE Assault Craft" as well as including a double pod "TIE Boarding Craft" that resembles the TIE Bomber. There are no Ion Cannons, however, as those didn't exist prior to Empire AFAICT. |
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Post by grodog on Jul 6, 2021 17:14:52 GMT -6
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