SDCC Disney/Lucasfilm Publishing Panel: New Claudia Gray Novel About Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Announced and More
On the second day of San Diego Comic Con, our own Lacey Gilleran (@laceygilleran) got to attend the Disney/Lucasfilm Publishing Panel with some of the most prominent authors currently working in a galaxy far, far away, including Timothy Zahn, E.K. Johnston, Charles Soule, Jody Houser, Adam Rex, Rae Carson, Katie Candraw, Daniel Jose Older, Jodie Houser, Cavan Scott, Katie Cook and others.
While we got a preview of some of the current comic runs, including Charles Soule’s Poe Dameron and Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, as well as the upcoming Timothy Zahn novel, Thrawn: Alliances, the panel didn’t go without some unexpected but welcome surprises.
The most exciting one is probably that Claudia Gray (Lost Stars, Bloodline) is writing a Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi book titled Master and Apprentice. Another prequel-themed addition is E.K. Johnston’s (Ahsoka) story about Padmé Amidala’s transition from queen to senator under the title Queen’s Shadow.
Marvel will release a new comic called Star Wars: Age of Republic covering heroes and villains and will expand to other eras with Age of Rebellion and Age of Resistance. It will be written by Jodie Houser (Thrawn adaptation). Marvel is also planning a Solo comic adaptation which will feature new material as well as a Beckett standalone imagined as a western in galaxy far, far away.
Timothy Zahn talked about his latest novel Thrawn: Alliances which will be officially released on July 24. The book is set in two separate timelines, one during the Clone Wars and the other between seasons three and four of Star Wars: Rebels. In the novel, Palpatine tests both Thrawn’s loyalty and Vader’s remaining connection to his past. Marc Thompson also did a live reading from the novel.
Also StarWars.com just revealed more details regarding the new IDW series titled ‘Tales from Vader’s Castle’:
Lucasfilm announced Star Wars: Tales from Vader’s Castle, a five-issue comic book miniseries coming from IDW Publishing, with new issues released every Wednesday throughout October. Written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by Derek Charm, the series will feature fan-favorite characters spanning the Star Wars saga, including Star Wars Rebels‘ Hera, Kanan, and Chopper; Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku; Han Solo and Chewbacca; and, amazingly, even Ewoks. Eisner Award-winning artist Francesco Francavilla is providing atmospheric variant covers for each installment, and an all-star lineup of creators (Kelley Jones, Chris Fenoglio, Corin Howell, Robert Hack, and Charles Paul Wilson III) will bring their distinct styles to additional terrifying tales each week. It looks like scary fun for all ages, and the perfect way to add the power of the Force to Halloween.
We also g0t a look at the final cover of the Solo: A Star Wars Story novelization, which will have new content expanding on what we’ve seen on the big screen:
Also revealed today the full official cover for the #Solo novelization by @mightymur available Sept 4th. This edition is expanded with new content including Qi’ra’s backstory, Han’s time in the Imperial Navy, and the beginnings of the Rebellion. pic.twitter.com/AyW2RFkOAR
— Star Wars Books (@DelReyStarWars) July 20, 2018
You can read the rest of Lacey’s coverage below. I have no doubt that she will share more with us once she returns from San Diego. Until then, there is plenty to be excited for in the literary sphere of Star Wars.
The Disney and Lucasfilm Publishing Panel has a packed room! #SDCC #StarWars pic.twitter.com/R8GypsMJ7K
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Clip of @CaptainEhud reading THRAWN ALLIANCES #starwars #SDCC pic.twitter.com/EzKENCbLEP
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“Star Wars is the story of every man.” – MOST WANTED Author @raecarson #starwars #SDCC pic.twitter.com/Ub4hmkkEJ3
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“It’s been a blast and I’m sad to see him and it go.” – @CharlesSoule on Poe Dameron comic series #SDCC #starwars
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
The next story arc picks up after TLJ and focuses on Black Squadron says @CharlesSoule #SDCC #starwars
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“I don’t want to say it’s not a happy ending, but it’s a tough little galaxy out there.” – @CharlesSoule on ending of Poe Dameron comic series #SDCC #starwars
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Trash talk was @djolder’s favorite part of writing LAST SHOT. #SDCC #starwars pic.twitter.com/SYWusYK4Be
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“What scares Darth Vader?” “Well I’m not supposed to answer that.” – ARE YOU SCARED, DARTH VADER? Author Adam Rex
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“If you have any obstinate children who refuse to like what you like…” Adam Rex jokes about how his book made his son love #StarWars #SDCC
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“The question is – Vader has a past and has be completely disassociated himself from Anakin and the Jedi.” THRAWN ALLIANCES Author Timothy Zahn discusses the challenges and alliances with Anakin/Vader and Thrawn. #starwars #SDCC
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Timothy says he couldn’t write an Anakin story without Padme. (Crowd cheers.) #SDCC #starwars
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“I’ve been given the responsibility of engaging the youngest audience in #StarWars.” @katiecandraw #SDCC
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
“Make a Rancor cute. Challenge accepted.” – Author @katiecandraw She also says her favorite character to draw is Chewbacca. #starwars #SDCC
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
.@ek_johnston gushes about her success with the Ahsoka novel and how amazing the experience has been. #starwars #SDCC
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
AWESOME NEWS! @amy_geek says that the WOMEN OF THE GALAXY book will feature a foreword by Kathleen Kennedy!
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
COMING SOON @DelReyStarWars books! A Thread pic.twitter.com/mAsusDSH7Y
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Jedi Academy: The Principal Strikes Back pic.twitter.com/NyH5U93d5Z
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Search Your Feelings by @katiecandraw pic.twitter.com/MZocGmFMmT
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Here are some of the feelings: pic.twitter.com/5FNKVPgief
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Lando’s Luck pic.twitter.com/0GhMgrHeGK
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
It will be part of FLIGHT OF THE FALCON series pic.twitter.com/63HcPNwH4E
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
.@ek_johnston is writing a Padme book! pic.twitter.com/dZeIv0FuYJ
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Women of the Galaxy – Ahsoka art pic.twitter.com/qobO8nGT3s
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Women of the Galaxy – Rae Sloane Art pic.twitter.com/krrrAdUXTN
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Women of the Galaxy – Rey Art pic.twitter.com/Y5xHCIOxAw
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Women of the Galaxy – Queen Amidala Art by @Khallion pic.twitter.com/uFLNcNx7fy
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Speaking of Padme – new book coming from @ek_johnston that will focus on Padme’s transition from queen to Senator pic.twitter.com/GGGDTq2iMS
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Next Tales from Vader’s Castle (IDW) pic.twitter.com/2cn8nL3Ehf
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Star Wars: Darth Vader #23 by @CharlesSoule pic.twitter.com/VQijVM7X3L
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story novelization pic.twitter.com/U7ePpgEMF1
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Solo: A Star Wars Story comic series (Marvel) pic.twitter.com/6GvDzEbdkb
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Beckett (Marvel) pic.twitter.com/7lCa0SHled
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Star Wars Age of Republic – new comic series coming featuring a villain and hero each edition pic.twitter.com/1C6IJHWraU
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Series will expand into other eras pic.twitter.com/1C0PuuYtNV
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
NEW book by @claudiagray STARS WARS: MASTER & APPRENTICE will focus on Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi pic.twitter.com/GOfPgrK4ef
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
HELLO THERE! Who is ready for the @DelReyStarWars @claudiagray Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi novel?! #starwars #SDCC pic.twitter.com/hhAPMHu9DR
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
That’s it for the Disney Lucasfilm Publishing Panel! Thanks for following along. Stay tuned for more updates from here and @laceygilleran! pic.twitter.com/MT60cU0vJz
— SWNN (@StarWarsNewsNet) July 20, 2018
Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.