The eu began in 1978 with the release of splinter of the minds eye, and has spanned thousands of in universe years since then. May 17, 2018 while some aspects of the star wars canon, like expanded universe novels and early comic books, have changed over the years when the film series kicked off again with the force. The war was long, many beloved characters died, and it changed the landscape of the star wars expanded universe forever. Under lucasfilm president kathleen kennedys direction, the company for the first time ever has formed a story group to oversee and coordinate all star wars creative development. The dissolution of the expanded universe, which had been considered as part of the saga. The world of star wars can be a little overwhelming. I grew up watching the original trilogy, which i loved very. From the adventures of luke skywalker in december 1976 to the latest novel, this timeline tracks the month and year of every star wars. The star wars expanded universe timeline home facebook. The best books from the old star wars expanded universe. Star treks expanded universe is a glorious mess is it that much better than the star wars eu, or is it all about what we read growing up lee hutchinson jan 18, 2014 5. Say you decided youd like to read all the star wars books in existence. Star treks expanded universe is a glorious mess ars.
Dec 14, 2015 instead, of course, star wars was a massive success, and del rey simply released splinter of the minds eye in 1978 as a further adventure in the franchise. My experience with star wars is probably very similar to many others of my generation. Dec 27, 2019 as such, i would argue that fans who connected with star wars through the expanded universe did so in a way thats fundamentally different from how fans who only saw the films interacted with that. The new star wars expanded novel universe that includes all star wars novels and media created after the legends rebranding of the old eu. The expanded universe of star wars literary material began back in the nineties and ran smoothly until disney rebooted the canon in 2012. Star wars expanded universe book collection youtube. It is not for comics or short stories in legends continuity. Check out more videos and star wars expanded universe articles right here on the site. The star wars universeespecially the expanded universe parts of ithas been long on creating. He opened up that universe to be a creative space for other people to tell their own tales. I want to start reading the eulegends books but idk where.
As regards the ongoing controversy over the disney universe and the expanded universe, this page which is an extension of the star wars expanded universe timeline website regards the latter as canon and the former as infinities, though it accepts workable elements from the du into the eu. Since disney acquired the rights to the franchise back in 2012, much of the star wars expanded universe, which consisted of video game storylines, films and comic books, was rebranded as star wars. Expanded universe werden im starwarskontext alle lizenzierten. These books were published between 1978 and 2012 and represent a massive collection of star wars stories. In what order should i read star wars expanded universe. 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. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by fictional era with symbols designating such. Im 100% supportive of anyone who s interested in enjoying the star wars universe beyond the movies but im just tired of seeing the same posts over and over. How disney killed the most interesting thing about star wars. The book largely kicked off the expanded universe, as it began just five years after return of the jedi.
George lucas not to be taken seriously as far as what is really going on in the star wars world. Must read star wars legends books, and where to start. The next big star wars book will follow a squadron of rebel. There is a whole galaxy of books about star wars, hundreds of them, if were counting the eu expanded universe. New to star wars books and dont know where to start. May 21, 2014 we ask 10 scifi authors to write star wars. These are the books youre looking for lately ive noticed a huge amount of posts asking about what books to read first in the expanded universe. This is a page about the star wars universe and its history.
Now known as legends, the original expanded universe is full of amazing stories. The ultimate guide to reading the star wars books reedsy. In 2014, disney struck most of the star wars expanded universe the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s novels, comic books and video games that existed outside of the six films from the canon, and. 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. Here are the best star wars books from the old cannon. Dark force rising by timothy zahn, heir to the empire by timothy zahn, the last command by timothy zahn, sh. It focuses on darth malgus, another powerful sith lord often mentioned with the likes of other old republic pillars of sith society, revan and bane.
His worldwide bestsellers have been translated into 22 languages and include stranger in a strange land, starship troopers, time enough for love, and the moon is a harsh mistress. May 02, 2018 the world of star wars can be a little overwhelming. If were being honest, the novels really covered the spectrum in terms of quality. New movies and other stories arent based on these books, and will sometimes contradict them. Jan 10, 20 where to begin with star wars books emmet asherperrin. If it was published before 2014, then its not canon. May the fourth be with you as we explore my collection of star wars expanded universe novels. Lucasfilm has a number of star wars movies in development, including a trilogy which will be written by the last jedi writer director rian johnson and be independent from the skywalker saga. Must read star wars legends books, and where to start star wars eu reading guide. Heinlein, fourtime winner of the hugo award and recipient of three retro hugos, received the first grand master nebula award for lifetime achievement. Welcome to the star wars expanded universe subreddit. What do you think of the expanded universe of books. N message boards, theyve been running a poll to vote for the top 100 stories from the star wars expanded universe.
The expanded universe includes books, comic books, video games, spinoff films like star wars. Where to start with the star wars expanded universe the book. A definitive legends clone wars timeline was never established by lucasfilm. For some lucky fans, writing a star wars novel is a dream come true ever wonder how one goes from writing fan fiction to being a fullon contributor to the official star wars universe. 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.
I cant just pull a star wars and wave my hand, saying none of this actually happened inuniverse. Nov 05, 2019 read to your voyage through the star trek. The series depicts the adventures of various characters a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The world was hungry for any new star wars story, wrote chris taylor in how star wars conquered the universe. 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. Star wars legends should follow marvels comic example. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be. For some lucky fans, writing a star wars novel is a dream. By kat staff writer september 1, 2009 with hundreds of star wars novels, comics and young adult novels in print it can be a daunting task to know where to begin. Star wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. All star wars fans are welcome here, but this is a pro expanded universe site, and as such, there is a zero tolerance policy for eubashing. Much of the early expanded universe for example, splinter of the minds eye and marvel star wars has a different feel than the later eu and is not entirely canonical.
This spinoff material is licensed and moderated by lucasfilm, though during his involvement with the franchise george lucas reserved the right to both draw from and contradict it in his own works. The expanded universe is generally considered to have begun with alan dean foster s february 1978 star wars spinoff novel, splinter of the minds eye, although technically it began in october 1977 with the story the keepers world, in marvel comics pizzazz magazine. These include the films referred to as episodes 7, 8, and 9, as well as solo. Start reading star wars books tips on the expanded universe. The expanded universe story that led to lucasfilm re. All books are presented here in inuniverse chronological order, as opposed to realworld release dates. Since disney decided to wipe the slate clean and label these stories legends, you can think of it as a sort of alternate star wars universe. Oct 02, 2015 disney may be creating its own canon book universe now since they decided the original expanded universe is no longer canon, but that doesnt mean the books currently labeled legends should be forgotten.
Jumping into the star wars book universe can be a bit daunting. When i started reading star wars books at the tender age of. The star wars expanded universe timeline august 17, 2017 policy guidelines for new and old fans alike. Dec 10, 2019 the expanded universe has been a part of star wars for almost as long as the movies have, starting with alan dean fosters novel splinter of the minds eye, which was published in 1978 and was. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by. The 10 best star wars legends books, ranked screenrant. 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 universewith old canon and new canon and everexpanding storylinescan be a daunting prospect for any fan. The expanded universe underwent a continuity reboot on april 25th, 2014. Oct 05, 2018 freed isnt a stranger to the star wars franchise. If youre overwhelmed and looking for a good place to start with star. Oct 07, 2014 the largest communities are the alliance to preserve the expanded universe, a group with almost 2,300 members that went private a few days before this story was published. So it is possible that disney will bring more legends material into canon indeed, disney has introduced grand admrial thrawn into canon.
Solo demonstrates that the star wars expanded universe. Apr 25, 2014 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. This includes all film novelizations, novels, comics, young readers, reference books, and roleplaying sourcebooks. 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. If youre new to star wars books in general, you might want to check out this piece by a fellow rioter on where to start, but this list is a good starting point into what i think are the best star wars books. All novels here are published in collaboration with the lucasfilm story group, and are canon with the films and animated tv series. Ever since disney acquired lucasfilm in 2012, the company has been trying to reinvent the vast, fluid, and beloved star wars expanded universe. The trilogy written by timothy zhan is set 5 years 9aby after return of the jedi and helped revitalize the franchise, and really made the eu a thing. The star wars expanded universe, also known as the eu amongst star wars fans, encompasses all of the officially licensed, fictional background of the star wars universe, outside of the six feature films produced by george lucas.
Where to start reading star wars books edmonton public library. When he created star wars, george lucas built a universe that sparked the imagination, and inspired others to create. The star wars expanded universe is an expanded universe set in the star wars franchise. Creators of new star wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the expanded universe. 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. The acquisition of lucasfilm by disney in 2012 eventually brought with it a huge change for star wars fans. Now, with an exciting future filled with new cinematic installments of star wars, all aspects of star wars storytelling moving forward will be connected. Novel publishing timeline this is the realtime chronological novel publishing timeline. This is a timeline for novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the expanded universelegends continuity. And so, so much of this is in relation to the expanded universe aka the eu, which is basically the official ubergeek term for star wars books and comics. But fans might be interested in a different future entirely the future of the now noncanon expanded universe, which lives on in a new form in solo.
It includes shows, novels, and comics that cover many stories in the star wars galaxy. If youre a longtime reader of star wars novels or have spent any time exploring the old expanded universe now legends, youre probably well aware that the books were hit or miss. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon. The legendary star wars expanded universe turns a new page. 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.
Many, many books have been written with characters, planets, and plots. Clone wars, television series, toys, and other media. Kemp, a prolific author of star wars legends novels, situates many of his books in the era of the old republic and deceived is no different. These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and follow an internally consistent timeline. Heir to the empire, kicking off the enormous expanded universe publishing experiment. In 2012, disney bought lucasfilm, adding another wrench to the works. These three booksheir to the empire, dark force rising and the last commandstarted the expanded universe and were originally written. The star wars expanded universe timeline posts facebook. And if youre looking at what expanded universe legends are most deserving of further exploration, the most obvious place to start is timothy zahns novel heir to the empire. There are so many books to choose from, and no right answer as to where to begin. New canon the newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the clone wars and rebels tv shows, and new books since. Now, this poll obviously wasnt a scientific study of the fandom with a statistically significant and valid sample of respondents.
May 23, 2017 the tricky aspect to reading in publication order, however, is deciding where to start. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels. The exact chronology of the events described in this article is currently unknown. Jun 25, 2014 this is the point i realized that i had created my own expanded universe. If youre new, and want to learn more about the expanded universe, you can find a few links in the sidebar that may be helpful.
Heres my ranking of 31 individual books and multibook series in the star wars universe, minus the movie novelizations 31. The 5 best star wars extended universe novels bookstr. Jan 23, 2017 without knowing the details of the length of story you wish to write, whether it fan fiction or you are hoping to secure a place in the canon universe, this is a difficult question to answer. We asked some of the most wellknown authors of star wars novels. Expanded universe legends star wars wiki guide ign. 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. There are so many star wars books for fans to read and consume, but. Although there is no definitive right answer, presents a few ideas of where and what to start reading in the star wars expanded universe. 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.
This was done to make room for new stories, as disney announced that the star wars comics would return to marvel comics. In 1991, del rey books launched a new novel from author timothy zahn. Simple list of star wars books in order of when they take place, with sidebyside. Debunking expanded universe myths disney star wars is dumb. This became the expanded universe, or eu, of comics, novels, videogames, and more. Where to start with the star wars expanded universe by thea james. An easy way to spot a canon novel is to look at the publication date. A nobullshit beginners guide to star wars books simple. Sep 17, 20 a nobullshit beginners guide to star wars books i know far too much about star wars. The books are good on their own right, and generally consider some of, if not the, best star wars books. Feb 24, 2019 those are another authors interpretation of what ive created, and not to be taken seriously, as far as what is really going on in the star wars world.
For those of us who loved the eu, it was an upsetting. If you want to read the expanded universelegends books in chronological order, this timeline. Best new star wars books best new star wars canon books. 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.
Here are the best star wars books and book series ever written for the series, both new and old. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created by george lucas that includes star wars 1977, the empire strikes back 1980, and return of the jedi 1983. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books. However, after the disney acquisition, the expanded universe books became known instead as legends, and a new, official canon that ensured the continuity of the star wars universe was established. On april 25th, 2014 walt disney announced that all star wars characters, events, and locations that fall outside of the core six movies and the star wars.
I wrote a ton more about why these books and the awesome dark horse comics, too are so important to star wars lore in an earlier article. The star wars expanded universe, called the eu for short, is the name used to denote the star wars books, comics, video games, and more that were part of the star wars canon prior to april 25, 2014. Hes written a number of other books for the expanded universe beyond. Keep reading to see what the discovery line of novels, comics, and more have to offer. The 5 essential new star wars books you have to read asap.
Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created. If youre new, and want to learn more about the expanded universe, you. Since disney decided to wipe the slate clean and label these stories legends, you can think of. As a new reader, it was nearly impossible to know where to begin. If i write something in a short piece its technically cannon. With the films themselves producing a horde of endless tiein merchandise, from toys to video games to cartoons, it only makes sense that books would be added to these ranks as well. Jan 21, 2008 top 100 expanded universe works posted by paul on january 21, 2008 over on the tf. We ask 10 scifi authors to write star wars episode vii.