Doomworld (Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was 6 when Star Wars was first unleashed on the public, and I was lucky enough to have a Mom that supported her young son's comic-book reading habit; The biggest problem of any comic reader in those long-forgotten days was spotty newsstand distribution- It was almost impossible to collect EVERY issue of your favorite comic.....for almost 25 years I've been wondering how Luke and company managed to get off of that Water Planet in Star Wars #14....
THANK GOD FOR DARK HORSE! My wondering days are over! Doomworld collects issues 1-20 of Marvel's original Star Wars series in glorious full-color, on beautiful paper with great production values. The book opens with an incredibly faithful adaptation of the movie, then goes off into some surprising territory: Han and Chewie star in an outer-space "Magnificent Seven", where they team with a giant green Rabbit and an old man named "Don-Wan Kihotay" to face off against "Serji-X Arrogantus", a thinly disguised version of Mad Magazine cartoonist Sergio Aragones; Luke and the Droids crash on a Waterworld years before Kevin Costner made that awful movie; Han squares off against a "Gaily" attired pirate and his man-hating female crony; and everyone ends up in the deep-space Las Vegas for the big cliffhanger. The stories are a bit removed from what the films delivered, but I took a bit of umbrage at the back-cover copy which calls the Marvel stories "Kitschy"; Dark Horse has published a few duds themselves ("Union", anyone...?); At least these stories are entertaining!
As a kid, I hated the artists that worked on these stories. As an adult, I can appreciate the draftsmanship and storytelling ability that they brought to the series. Howard Chaykin, Carmine Infantino, Tom Palmer, Terry Austin, Herb Trimpe, Al Milgrom...They're all legends, and with good reason. (The only gaffe, artwise, is the pairing of Chaykin and Frank Springer in chapter seven. Springer's inks are atrocious!) The art looks better than ever, thanks to the vibrant colors and slick paper. And aside from Roy Thomas' propensity for making Han say (OVER and OVER again!) "WELL then there now!", the characters STAY in character. Lucasfilm may have decided that the stories are no longer canonical, but that doesn't mean they're not fun! And the price just can't be beat! Give Doomworld a try if you're looking for something a little bit different. WELL then there now!

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Dark Horse Comics is proud to present Classic Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... featuring classic Star Wars stories not seen in over twenty years! Originally printed by Marvel Comics, these stories have been recolored and are sure to please Star Wars fans both new and old. Volume 1 contains stories from the original Marvel run like the riveting classics"Eight for Aduba-3," "Star Search," and the smash hit of June 1978 "Doomworld!"

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The Brain Spiders (Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear, Book 7) Review

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(More customer reviews)Zack, Tash, and Hoole Go to see Jabba the hutt for help. While there Tash and Zack meet monks that can make brain transfers from one being to another or into a brain spider. But its getting out of hand.
I just finished reading this for the therd time last night. This is just one of those books that you can't put down. Its got a great plot but i'm not going to tell you the end. But for the people who want to know what that spider thing is craling past the door of jabba's palice in return of the jedi is, read this book.

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Star Wars - Jedi Academy: Leviathan Review

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(More customer reviews)It seemed more like Alien to me. It a good 'monster'-type story, despite Anderson's horrendously forced dialogue. But it has almost no elements of Star Wars, some bordering on the line of obscenely un-Star Wars-ish. My biggest complain may be regarding Dorsk 82. The idea behind him was by no means bad, but Anderson's writing turns him into an annoying, craven fool. Sometimes I wished that Leviathan would just step on him and put the reader out of his or her misery.
The art's good, although once again, not Star Wars-ish. It worked far better in the 'Tales of the Jedi' series than in the modern SW universe.
You wants real 'Star Wars' comics, see something like the X-wing Rogue Squadron comics, especially 'In the Empire's Service' and 'Mandatory Retirement'. You want a story transplanted to the SW universe, read this. I'm grading this as a Star Wars comic, and as a Star Wars comic its just plain bad.

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In the eight years since the fall of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has trained a new group of Jedi Knights, among them the warrior woman Kirana Ti, the sky-hermit Streen, the scholar and lore-master Tionne, and Luke`s greatest student, the brash Kyp Durron. Once trained, a Jedi must go where he is needed, to defend the New Republic and use the Force to help those in need. And on the harsh world of Corbos, help is desperately needed after mining excavations awaken something ancient, powerful...and hideously evil!

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Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise Haynes Manual Review

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(More customer reviews)Though billed as "An inside look at the most famous starship", this book's cutaways and set plans are paltry, even for the more well known ship interiors like the Movie Enterprise, or the Enterprise D. Plans for the lesser known vessels have even less detailed coverage. If you were expecting the kind of detailed technical floor plans and cutaways of former titles like the original Star Trek Technical Manual, or Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise, you will find this book quite the disappointment. It in no way compares.
The concept for the book was terrific, the actual product does not deliver on the promise of that original concept. A shame.

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The U.S.S. Enterprise is without doubt the most famous starship in history. The vessels that have carried the name have saved the galaxy countless times and her captains, including Archer, Kirk, and Picard, have been legendary. This Haynes Manual provides in-depth information about these extraordinary ships, from the Enterprise NX-01, to Captain Kirk's Enterprise NCC-1701 and Captain Picard's Enterprise NCC-1701-D including histories of each vessel, technical information about their systems, and discussions of key technologies such as transporters and warp-speed travel. Find out exactly what powered these ships, how they were armed and what it took to operate them. The book features newly created artwork throughout, including full-ship cutaways of each Enterprise, key systems, and interior locations together with detailed new exterior views by one of STAR TREK's original visual effects artists. This Haynes Manual is fully authorized by CBS and technical consultant Michael Okuda, who spent thirteen years working on STAR TREK TV series and movies.

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Star Wars Battlefront II (Prima Official Game Guide) Review

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(More customer reviews)Star wars battle front 2 is a good game and the game guide is just as good.do not listen to these people.Lets say you are a jedi and lets say your mace windo.it will tell you the quickest way to kill CIS droids.This game guide gives specific details and great maps.

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Fight the Star Wars® battles any way you want to.• Tips for earning all Medals and obtaining the rank of General• Strategies for every multiplayer game type, including Conquest, 1-Flag CTF, 2-Flag CTF, Hunt, and Assault• Comprehensive walkthrough for solo missions• Maps for all battlefronts, showing locations of command posts, vehicle spawn points, and support droids• Tactics for obtaining Hero status and keeping it longer• Vehicle, weapon, and troop stats• Exclusive tips from the LucasArts Testers

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The Moment of Truth (Star Wars Jedi Quest #7) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was an excellent book for those following the Obi/Anikan rift that just seems to deepen. to me the highlight of this book is when we get to see what happend to Obi-Wan when he fell into that nest of Gundarks that he refers to in Episode II.
The in this book was that Zan Arbor shows up, still up to her medicical misdeeds as she creats what is called "Zone of Self-Containment" in which Anakin finds himself trapped in.
I must admit this book is not as "clift hanging" as most of Jude Watsons books are...but it is very very enjoyable..and does build to the JQ #8
A definate "must" for lovers of "Jedi Quest"

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Masters and apprentices must trust one another.But that is not the case with Anakin Skywalker and his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.A rift is building between them.When they are separated during a rescue mission on a dangerous planet, their conflict reaches a new high -- and shows signs of things to come.

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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Prima's Official Strategy Guide) Review

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(More customer reviews)From reading all of the criticism of this guide, I almost didn't buy it. I did, though, and am glad I did.
I'm not sure what other people expect from strategy guides but this one satisfied my criteria of (1) enhancing the overall game experience and (2) helping me through a few rough spots. You are given fair warning of spoilers and solid advice on developing your character.
Maybe my expectations are modest but I got my money's worth and so will you - especially now that the price has dropped.
BOTTOM LINE - I enjoyed the game more for owning this guide.

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Engage in a Golden Age Saga ·Strategies for fighting and equipment usage ·Exclusive maps for every level, from Endar Spire to the climactic final battle ·Strategies for each character class, including details on every NPC and party member ·Complete strategies for the card game Pazaak ·Comprehensive item, power-up, and weapon lists, including in-depth lightsaber crystal locations and revelations ·Complete walkthrough from Padawan to Jedi Master ·Tips for resisting (or receiving) the dark side! ·All puzzle solutions, minigames, and side quests revealed

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Vader's Fortress (Star Wars: Junior Jedi Knights, Book 5) Review

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(More customer reviews)I liked this because of the interaction between Tiione and Tahiri. They seem a lot like mother and daughter, which surprised me because Tiione is an instructor--not her mother. It brings out a loving side to these two characters--especially Tahiri. Instead of gushing all over Anakin all the time, she talks to other people, too. This makes her seem more social. At first, I thought she had a crush on Anakin (that's why she talked so much to him), but now I think that talking to people that way is her nature. This book brings out Tahiri's social side. And later, her serious side too . . .

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Anakin Solo and his friends--including Tionne and the Jedi Master Ikrit--venture into Darth Vader's abandoned fortress on the planet Vjun to recover Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber, supposedly hidden within the deadly walls of the stronghold. Original."--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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The Fight for Truth (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 9) Review

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(More customer reviews)While it is not as exciting as some of the past Jedi Apprentice books, this book is a nice addition to the series. A simple Jedi mission turns out to be more complicated than first expected. One can almost imagine Jude Watson giving the main characters a sort of break after their last run in with Xanatos.
This story is good for kids as provides strong messages about working together and thinking for one's own self. The only drawback is the lack of time Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are together. This story does nothing to bring their relationship closer. However, there is an interisting hint into the future of the Jedi that ties this book into the Star Wars Universe. I would recommend that people read this if they want to stay in touch with the Jedi Apprentice Series.

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The Deadly Hunter (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 11) Review

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(More customer reviews)Jude Watson dose it again. Jedi Apprentice #11 was just too good, but I had a really big problem, becouse when I turned the last page there was no more to read. Jude Watson's elegant way of wording things is like reading poetry. It is wonderful to see that Qui-Gon and Obi-wans relationship is growing from master and apprentice into a father son relationship, or egleast friends. For the evil villan in Jedi Apprentice #11 I belive she might just be the worst one so far. She is a bountyhunter who will stop at nothing to finsh her evil deed, this book is a must read.
The excitment, and action is better than ever. Obi-Wan is amazing, and so is Qui-Gon with both their action moves, and their words.I belive that this Jedi Apprentice is the best one so far. Please do not pass this book up, or any of the books in this series. These books might say that they are for a yunger audence, but these books have poetry, action, suspence, and drama in them, what more could one want in a book. Again PLEASE! do not pass these books up, THEY ARE JUST TOO GOOD!

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Star Wars Episodes I, II & III Instrumental Solos Book & CD (Violin & Piano Acc.) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this for my daughter who loves John Williams music. I highly recommend it! Also recommend Harry Potter, Instrumental Solos (Movies 1-5): Flute (Book & CD) (Harry Potter Instrumental Solos (Movies 1-5): Level 2-3)

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Star Wars - Jabba the Hutt: Art of the Deal Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first heard of this comic, I was less than thrilled to read it. In fact, I didn't even pick it up until a good five years after it came out. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised.
Writing a series of adventures from Jabba's point of view is no mean feat, but the authors do a superb job. Jabba is presented as true to his movie vision (more so in A New Hope Special Edition than Return of the Jedi, but these are supposed to be his early days), and the adventure and action are very Jabba-ish. More importantly, there are some real sci-fi elements, which are sometimes lacking in other SW adventures.
Basically, this comic series was an excellent recapture of the SW comics that came out back in the days when SW was young, both in theme and artwork. This is a good, short, fun read, and a nice addition to the Star Wras universe.

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Jabba the Hutt lives to negotiate, and the art of the deal is his only discipline. But the goods he trades are the lives of others, and in that line of business you can`t lose your head. These stories hold a valuable lesson: In a deal with the devil, you can always refuse. In a deal with Jabba, it`s not advised. Follow his adventures into the seediest corners of the galaxy as he encounters vile gangsters, hungry princesses, and back-stabbing opportunists. You`ve seen how Jabba handles negotiations -- but how will he handle betrayal?

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The Stars at War II (Bk. 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)Like THE STARS AT WAR, this is not really a new book. It is a collection of two previously published works although there are reputedly about 20,000 new words included. If you already own either of the books, there is little reason to buy this volume. Otherwise, it is a good buy.
The two included books are THE SHIVA OPTION and INSURECTION. Reviews of each appear below.
THE SHIVA OPTION
THE SHIVA OPTION conludes the story begun in IN DEATH GROUND. The story and the options are just as horrific and the consequences are just as bad.
Humanity and its allies face a war to the end with a race that will either eat every race it comes across or die trying. They cannot be negotiated with. They can either be killed or allowed to win. Killing them is not easy because they don't care about their own casualties. They have only a hunger and nothing can assuage it.
The space battles are well though out as is the strategy presented. They should appeal to fans of space battle. Like the predecessor, however, the real story concerns the hard choices of the leaders.
This is not a fun book to read but it is interesting and worthwhile. It also leaves open the possibility that more bugs will appear in later volumes.
INSURECTION
Insurrection takes place in the same universe as IN DEATH GROUND and THE SHIVA OPTION about a generation after the events of the latter. Humanity has been at peace but that doesn't stop nasty politicians from trying to do nasty things to people. Finally, a time comes when the people will take it no more and the result is civil war.
This book makes clear that there are honorable people on both sides of the conflict but the horrors of war are such that innocents are bound to suffer. Like the other books of this series, the action sequences are well though out and well written but the main lessons come from choices faced by the protagonists. Weber and White are good at writing about space battle. They are even better at writing about political issues and human choices.


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The war wasn't going well. The alien Arachnids were an enemy whose like no civilized race had ever confronted. Like some carnivorous cancer, the "Bugs" had overrun planet after planet . . . and they regarded any competing sentient species as only one more protein source. Defeat was not an option. . . . The Grand Alliance of Humans, Orions, Ophiuchi, and Gorm, united in desperate self-defense, have been driven to the wall. Billions of their civilians have been slaughtered. Their most powerful offensive operation has ended in shattering defeat and the deaths of their most experienced military commanders. Whatever they do, the Bugs just keep coming. But the warriors of the Grand Alliance know what stands behind them and they will surrender no more civilians to the oncoming juggernaut. They will die first-and they will also reactivate General Directive 18, however horrible it may be. Because when the only possible outcomes are victory or racial extermination, only one option is acceptable. The Shiva Option.And peace isn't always wonderful Once the enemy is defeated, the central governments of the Inner Worlds were anything but willing to relinguish their wartime powers. To insure that their grip on the reins of power remained firm, the bureaucrats are allowing the non-human beings of the Khanate in, while keeping the Fringe Worlds out, smugly confident that this will keep the colonial upstarts in their place. The Fringers have only one answer to that: Insurrection.

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Rite of Passage (Star Wars) Review

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(More customer reviews)Buckle your belts, hold on to your hide, Rite of Passage is a blast. The team that gave you Twilight and Darkness are back, just as good, and showing why Dark Horse comics have never been better.
The quality of art is what you've come to expect from the Duursema-Kryssing team: fanciful illustrations, vibrant colours, you won't be disappointed. With Aayla looking like a bundle of cuteness in the opening scenes, and Villie back to grinning again, even if his page time was less than prior comics, it's back to old times.
Dialogue varies between the cast, though the Morgukai syntax limits creativity with their short sentences. Even the Jedi get some good lines, and for once aren't the usual wimps they seem to be. The Morgukai want Vos and Secura dead, they'll have to work for it. Which, of course, just gives room for some good snappy one-liners.
What is it with comics, that full names must be mentioned almost each time? Readers know who Quinlin Vos and Aayla Secura are; what need is there for characters to address each other with both names? Crimson Empire, the TOTJ and Ongoing series, they all did this.
There's nothing extravagant about the plot. The comic introduces Nat Secura, the young Twi'lek fans will remember Bib Fortuna making a fuss over in Tales from Jabba's Palace. His abduction has Vos and Secura in hot pursuit, and a father-son duo of Morgukai hunters not far behind. A race against time to avert interclan war, with the life of their master hanging in the balance as well. One will ascend to Jedi Master, the other to Knight, and the fun begins.
The only issue of contention was how the Morgukai son survived to appear later, as readers last saw him stranded in the middle of a lava flow. How he could possibly get out of that could easily have been clarified with a line or two, and not spoil anything. Meant to surprise the reader, it taxed credulity, compounded again in the last pages.
Overall, Rite of Passage is another great comic by the talented team you know can deliver the goods and more. And with character development continuing to evolve in new directions, avid fans are sure to follow them as the new stories come.

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Mythmaking: Behind the Scenes of Star Wars: Episode 2: Attack of the Clones Review

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(More customer reviews)Regardless of what the title is, this is a great book. A detailed record of the creation of Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones, this book is filled with facts, photos and more. As with the Making of Phantom Menace book, this volume is once again compiled and written by Jody Duncan. There have been vast improvements in the last 3 years, and it shows. This book is much more thought out than the Making of Phantom Menace, and features many more photos, anecdotes and is all around more personable and enjoyable. Highly reccomended!

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Collecting Star Wars Toys 1977-Present: An Unauthorized Practical Guide (A Schiffer Book for Collectors) Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall, I'd give this book very good rating (three-and-a-half stars... but I rounded up to 4). It was fun to flip through, and includes a nice sample of full color pictures (including several that may be difficult to find elsewhere). It also shows you a sample of items from a wide variety of categories. It is very heavy on figures (a plus), and also covers a wide variety of other items including plush toys, glasses/mugs, games, cereal boxes, cards, comics, and even stained glass sun catchers. However, the book is not exhaustive/comprehensive in any one area. For example, it doesn't show you every vintage figure ever made... or the various card variation. Nor does it show you every vehicle or playset ever made... or their boxes. The same is true for comics, cards, etc.. Further, there is NOT a lot of information/text/description. Finally, there is a picture of a 1977 Luke figure with a BLUE light saber very early on in the book (this really bugged me, and unfortunately made me question the accuracy of some of the other pictures). Overall, this book provides a nice overview of Star Wars collectables (i.e., if you want to know a little about everything, this may be the book for you). It would also be a good backup book if you already have a good primary source on a given area. However, this book is not for the person who wants in-depth information/photos from any one area (i.e., if you want to know a lot about JUST cards, comics, or figures, there are probably other books you might consider buying first).

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Presented here in lively text and over 650 color photographs are the toys that have been played with and collected by ardent fans of George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy for twenty years. The action figures, accessories, playsets, and spacecraft of the Rebellion and the Empire are displayed in a colorful and easily referenced format. The gaming equipment, model kits, playthings, promotional items, puzzles, and weapons produced from 1977 through 1997 are examined as well. Not stopping there, this sweeping survey includes an overview of the most popular items from the rest of the ever-expanding Star Wars collectibles universe. Newly revised prices are included in the captions; listings for toys both loose and mint-in-the-package are provided whenever appropriate. Rounding out this practical guide are a short history of science fiction films, an examination of action figures, and a bibliography.

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Star Wars, Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy (Soldier for the Empire; Rebel Agent; Jedi Knight) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's a well-done audio play. It has all the sound effects of the original radio dramas, used to wonderful effect. Like most Star Wars works, it re-uses the music from the movies but that isn't a bad thing. Each piece is used exactly where you'd expect to hear it. The story is of a young imperial officer discovering that the Empire isn't on the side of the angels and that he shares with Luke Sykwalker a claim to the legacy of the Jedi.
The ONLY complaint that I'd have about this is that it strays from the books it's adapted from and the games the books are based on. In other words, some of the most dramatic aspects of the story are left out. Example: Instead of the old Jedi Knight Rahn holding his own against all the Dark Jedi in his final battle, Jerec (chief baddie) just kills him without a fight. There are a few other examples of incredibly anti-climatic re-tellings of certain aspects of the story... but overall it really isn't that bad. I bought it, and if you've played the games (and you should since Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II features live actors in movie cut scenes that all together could be considered Episode VII) then it's a fun way to revisit a great story. "A Self-taught Jedi" indeed. Kudos.


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