The status of the expanded universe books, games and comics within the star wars canon has long been something of a. The ultimate guide to reading the star wars books reedsy. The knights of the old republic game introduced a sith lord who has become one of the most revered in the star wars legends canon, darth revan. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be. The sheer scale and complexity of star wars expanded universe made it. Just because its no longer canon doesnt mean it isnt awesome. Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated eu. 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. In the first four books, they are tasked with a deadly military mission. If you are at a used bookstore, its not quite as simple because if the book was printed before the disneystar wars purchase, there isnt a legends banner. With the star wars expanded universe settling into its new status as an alternate timeline called legends, fans bid goodbye to many of the jedi they knew and loved.
The star wars expanded universe is my canon facebook. What is the expanded universe and why is continuity such a major issue. In april 2014, lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe material as star wars legends and declared it non canon to the franchise. Everything star wars has reintroduced from the old. Star wars legends books represent the original star wars expanded. This is a timeline for novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the expanded universe legends continuity. The rogue squadron infiltrates coruscant, the heart of the empire where the imperial high command sits.
The best books from the old star wars expanded universe. Lucasfilm later rebranded the expanded universe as star wars legends. Star wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. 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. How the abandoned star wars expanded universe inspired. These books are considered history and the material that occurs in these stories is officially part of the star wars timeline. Do not read further if you dont want to be spoiled. The star wars expanded universe is dead, long live the star wars expanded universe i will make it legal.
Dec 25, 2015 here are the only star wars books that are considered canon december 25, 2015 by michael kozlowski 4 comments in april 2014 lucasfilm and disney publishing stated that the existing expanded. Padmes predecessor on the throne of naboo, king veruna, has made the jump from legends to disney canon thanks to the star wars. Revan by drew karpyshyn expands on the circumstances surrounding revans departure from the jedi order and his eventual induction into the sith. New canon the newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the clone wars and rebels tv shows, and new books since 2014. While its cultural impact wouldnt have ever gone away entirely, the world that became known as the expanded universe. The issue of which aspects are canon was one of the most hotly debated. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels. Star wars is the property of the walt disney company and is used here under fair use laws. Up until disney acquired lucasfilm in 2012, the expanded universe i. Alliance recently shared his thoughts on the issues with the old star wars expanded universe now branded as star wars. What canon and legends mean and why you should care.
In april 2014, disneywhich had purchased the series. There is a whole galaxy of books about star wars, hundreds of them, if were counting the eu expanded universe. They go up against ysanne isard, a formidable imperial tyrant, and one of the best villains in the star wars expanded universe. Those in charge of upcoming star wars tv series and novels explain that the expanded universe is still important whether its canon or not. These stories are the immovable objects of star wars history, the characters and events to which all other tales must align. Jan 29, 2018 more star wars expanded universe characters may soon become canon. The rise of skywalker, we still cant help but love some of these great legends expanded universe. However in april 2014, with the knowledge that the new sequel trilogy was not beholden to events created in the expanded universe, lucasfilm announced that, going forward, everything in the star wars expanded universe would be rebranded star wars legends and a new canonical universe would be created. The star wars canon is growing, but theres still a whole universe of great non canon stories out there for devoted fans. Some cancelled the clone wars episodes were adapted into canon books and comics in the clone wars. When disneytraded the older expanded universe books now known as the legends continuity for a new canon in 2014, it opened up a host of new possibilities.
Dec 23, 2015 fans of the star wars expanded universe the spinoff novels and comic books that were pushed out of canon last year might have found star wars. 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. Simple list of star wars books in order of when they take place, with sidebyside timelines for legends and the new canon. Lucasfilm has made it clear that every novel, comic book, video game, tv series and movie that debuts after the disney deal is part of the star wars canon now. This body of work was collectively known as the star wars expanded universe for decades. The list includes films, television episodes, novels, comic books, short stories, video games, and other promotional material. Star wars expanded universe, which was rebranded as star wars legends and declared noncanon to the. 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. Apr 25, 2014 for those unfamiliar with the term, the expanded universe is the official designation for all star wars material that has not been produced directly by lucasfilm, whether it be comic books, novels. The exact chronology of the events described in this article is currently unknown. Updated regularly, with new releases and upcoming titles highlightesd. Alan dean foster wrote the first expanded universe novel as a standby sequel if star wars was a boxoffice flop.
Ive also heard some of the expanded universe is canon, is this the comic book of what is canon in the legends comics. More star wars expanded universe characters may soon become canon. Even novelizations are interpretations of the film. 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. May 04, 2016 watch thirteen billion years of star wars history. Feb 11, 2015 in this quick video i talk a little bit about the star wars expanded universe eu. When disney traded the older expanded universe books now known as the legends continuity for a new canon in 2014, it opened up a host of new. Solo demonstrates that the star wars expanded universe. Darth sidious, born sheev palpatine and commonly known simply as the emperor, was a forcesensitive human male who became a dark lord of the sith and galactic emperor of the galactic empire, ruling the galaxy throughout most of the imperial era.
Understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now since all of it is technically canon. The 20 best star wars books of all time canon and legends. Some of that, we created with the expanded universe now legends. Creators of new star wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the expanded universe. Before lucas continued his epic saga with a trilogy of prequels, and before the latest trilogy was announced, the star wars legends existed as a means to expand on the star wars universe with novels, video games, and comic books. Heres your guide to the star wars expanded universe, including tv, comics, books, and video games. Here are the best star wars books from the old cannon. Jun 26, 2017 with a new trilogy, we have ourselves a new canon. The legendary star wars expanded universe turns a new page. This is a list of novels considered canon in the new continuity of star wars. George lucas never considered anything outside of the films, and initially the novelizations and radio show versions of his movies, to be canon. When he created star wars, george lucas built a universe that sparked the imagination, and inspired others to create.
Star wars expanded universe eulegends contradictions. This timeline is intended to list narrativebased canon media by an in universe chronology. The best star wars novels from the new canon and legends. Rising to power in the galactic senate as the senator of naboo, he cultivated two identities in order to accumulate political authority during the. It immediately began to reincorporate some of the more popular eu characters and stories into the new canon timeline. We dont have as much material as far as books in the new canon yet, but most of. In other words, in what disney now calls legends, here are the best non canon stories we wish were still part of the continuity. Christopher cerasi stated, when it comes to absolute canon, the real story of star wars, you must turn to the films themselvesand only the films. The chiss grand admiral thrawn is one of the most famous expanded universe. Are the marvel star wars legends comic books canon. This policy has been further refined and fleshed out over the years. Good legends books that mostly fit into the new canon. New movies and other stories arent based on these books, and will sometimes contradict them. Disney realized its mistake in relegating the entire expanded universe to legends early on, thankfully.
Heres my ranking of 31 individual books and multi book series in the star wars universe. Do you prefer the old star wars canon legends or the new star wars canon postdisney buyout. After george lucas concluded his original trilogy with return of the jedi, star wars fans didnt know when they would ever get new stories from the star wars universe. Real reason lucasfilm abandoned the star wars expanded universe. All the star wars books released after 2014, when disney started. 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. This is a place to discuss any and all things about the books. Although the old books are no longer a part of the star wars universe, its fun to see what the timeline was. While the star wars franchise celebrates 40 years today, many credit its lasting success to the work of the novelists, comic book creators and tabletop and video game makers who kept it alive when there were no movies or cartoons to be seen. All the star wars books released after 2014, when disney started releasing books that fell into the official star wars universe. Nov 18, 2015 by definition these legends are all unauthenticated, and thats a good thing. Buy hasbro star wars expanded universe comic pack action figure set.
Lords of the sith is a bit like a buddy road movie, except that the buddies are evil emperor palpatine and his equally nasty sidekick, darth vader. Lucasfilm unveils new plans for star wars expanded universe. A guide to all the new star wars books in the expanded universe. Star wars expanded universe no longer canon the mary sue. George lucas has famously never read any of the novels published under the umbrella of his own franchise, although details from earlier expanded universe novels did occasionally make their way into.
We evaluate the new star wars expanded universe, and compare the new canon eu to star wars. Many people say any star wars comics that come under legends are not canon, but people also say that any new star wars comic is canon. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books, comic books, video. The old expanded universe eu now known as legends encompassed all of the officially licensed stories from the star wars universe. Kevin hearnes heir to the jedi, is actually in the new canon. As of april 25, 2014, the only previously published materials that are considered canon are the six star wars films and the star wars. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon. If there is no banner at all, then its a canon book.
Mar 02, 2020 star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe. The star wars website also details the role of canon, expanded universe or eu sources, and how they fit into overall star wars continuity. This list of the top 15 non canon star wars stories includes books that examine sith mythology, jedi training, ancient worlds and the murderous rampage of darth vader. It is not for comics or short stories in legends continuity. By definition these legends are all unauthenticated, and thats a good thing. Star wars author timothy zahn, best known for the famous thrawn trilogy, outbound flight and the canon novels thrawn and thrawn.
As a result, the company made a swift and decisive move that guts what star wars meant for many fans. But since then, a lot of these legends have been reintroduced. Star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe the. Welcome to the star wars expanded universe subreddit. The clone wars television series and film, while the expanded universe is no longer considered canon. 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. Timothy zahn on star wars legends aka the expanded universe. Star wars expanded universe stories to feature in episode.
In april 2014, lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe material as star wars legends and declared it noncanon to the franchise. Jan 16, 2018 a major sticking point for longtime star wars fans when disney purchased lucasfilm has been the decision for the company to abandon the expanded universe in 2014. Your guide to the entire star wars expanded universe. Dec 15, 2015 why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. Best new star wars books best new star wars canon books.
With the vastness of the star wars universe, as well as content over so many different mediums, there is always bound to be poor stories and disliked elements. If youre new to books, and want to learn more about where to start, feel free to ask the community. Popular star wars expanded universe books goodreads. The terminology of expanded universe was a careful one. But fans might be interested in a different future entirely the future of the now non canon expanded universe, which lives on in a new form in solo. The force awakens and for several of the old expanded universe now legends star wars books follow. If theres golden legends banner on the cover, its a legends book. Now known as legends, the original expanded universe is full of amazing stories. On the 8th of april marvel released the star wars legends epic collection volume 1. These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and follow an internally consistent timeline. In april 2014 lucasfilm and disney publishing stated that the existing. This body of work was collectively known as the star wars expanded universe for. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be forgotten. Its actual language is quite a bit softer, temporizing that the eu is not being discarded, just changed.
Disneys secret war against star wars expanded universe. Everything from legends lucasfilm made canon again when disney purchased lucasfilm, they rendered the old expanded universe noncanon. 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. This is a timeline for novels, young adult books, and ebooks in the expanded. The truth about the expanded universe and the expanded. We evaluate the new star wars expanded universe, and compare the new canon eu to star wars legends. The new star wars expanded novel universe that includes all star wars novels and media created after the legends rebranding of the old eu. Apr 28, 2014 star wars expanded universe stories to feature in episode vii. Why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. Dec 02, 2019 three books, four major villains of the star wars universe if your tastes run to the dark side. Real reason lucasfilm abandoned the star wars expanded. Star wars fans only had novels, comic books, and video games to keep them involved in the franchise. It removed the entirety of the expanded universe from canon. A complete list of all fulllength star wars novels in chronological order.
This is the realtime chronological novel publishing timeline. On april 25th, 2014, it was announced that the expanded universe of star wars is no longer considered canon. The expanded universe was rebranded as star wars legends, but it was far from forgotten by its fans or the authors of the new canon novels. Here are the only star wars books that are considered canon. Also, the fact that they are aware of these fan sites and clickbate articles attacking the expanded universe and perpetuating these myths and rumors which, if you were paying attention, i. The new legends clone wars timeline was never established by lucasfilm. Since the force awakens, that question has gotten a little more difficult to answer, because the books are split into two continuities. Star wars rebels another television series from lucasfilm animation, 2014 the definition of eu legends applies to any star wars properties and tales that fall outside of those items. All novels here are published in collaboration with the lucasfilm story group, and are canon with the films and animated tv series. Lucasfilm later rebranded the expanded universe as star wars legends and declared it noncanonical to the franchise. Disney has been engaged in a secret war against the star wars expanded universe in order to sell more books, comics and toys. The 10 best stories in the star wars expanded universe. 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.
The clone wars an animated television series, 2008not to be confused with the similarly titled star wars. Jul 30, 2014 star wars creatives explain why canon vs expanded universe shouldnt matter. Hasbro star wars expanded universe comic pack action figure. So it is possible that disney will bring more legends material into canon indeed, disney has introduced grand admrial thrawn into canon. The companys focus would be shifted towards a restructured star wars canon based on new material. This includes the six star wars episodes, and the many hours of content he developed and produced in star wars.
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