Vintage artist extraordinaire Steve Thomas now has some new Star Wars posters over at Ltd. Art Gallery‏. Endor Rally Under the Canopy and Alderaan by Moonlight. Based on the sheer amount of interest we’ve seen in his work (our Steve Thomas articles are among the highest viewed), I’m sure these posters will sell fast! Hurry and get yours! Click on images for purchase info.

• Limited Edition Giclee on Paper

• 125 piece hand-numbered edition

• Signed by artist Steve Thomas

• Comes with Certificate of Authenticity

• Measurements: 13 inches by 19 inches

• Available framed or flat

SEE ALSO:
Knights Archive Exclusive: Steve Thomas
Steve Thomas Star Wars Posters at Acme Archives Direct
Lord of the Sith by Steve Thomas
Steve Thomas Star Wars Posters

All Steve Thomas images on our site are used with permission by Steve.

Allow me to introduce you to one of the most stunning books that I have ever come across. In basic terms, Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle is a timeline of the history of Star Wars. But this book is so much more than that.

In addition to providing a visual chronicle of events that have shaped the Star Wars universe since the beginning, Year By Year also keeps up with global events throughout the years. Economic, political and technological advances and setbacks augment the developments of Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic and other Lucas companies without overshadowing them. The career paths of much of the cast and crew of the Star Wars saga is also documented.

In other words, if it’s an important event related to Star Wars, it’s here. From the early years of George Lucas, to the formation of key technologies that made the film possible, to the creation and expansion of the Expanded Universe and merchandising, Year By Year has it covered (but only until 2010; publication release date was in August of that year).

Regarding the structure of the publication itself, it is simply a masterpiece. High quality images and illustrations abound in this massive 9.25 x 6.25in, 320 page book. (Check out the four pages taken from Year By Year below; click on for larger sizes.) A nice touch is the slip cover that accompanies the book. The illustrations on the book cover show concepts while the slip cover showcases the final versions of the corresponding images. Also included are two collectible prints. Your coffee table will never look better once you place this book on it.

Simply put, this book is a must buy. The amount of work that went into Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle is evident and will be appreciated by any Star Wars fan. This truly is a book that wont collect dust. Just fingerprints. Lots of them.

DK.com Listing
Amazon Listing

Synopsis:

From the first release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 to the 2009 second season of The Clone Wars, Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle is an unparalleled chronological journey through the making of the most epic science fiction series ever! Featuring incredible illustrations and stills, the book chronologically details the history and development of the Star Wars movies; the events, press, and logistics surrounding the making of each movie; and exclusive interviews with people who worked behind the scenes. The year-by-year format includes images from the movies, TV series, comic books, video games, and novels as well as movie posters, memorabilia, book covers, and more.

Slip cover text:

From the moment Star Wars hit movie theaters in 1977, it marked the beginning of a worldwide phenomenon. Now, for the first time, more than three decades of Star Wars is presented in one chronological guide.

Produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm and written by renowned Star Wars experts Ryder Windham, Daniel Wallace and Pablo Hidalgo, Star Wars Year By Year provides a unique real-world timeline of everything Star Wars – from George Lucas’s early inspiration to the development of Star Wars spin-offs and merchandise in the 21st century, as well as the impact of the Saga on popular culture and world events. It’s the Star Wars real-life Saga like you’ve never seen it before – painstakingly produced and exhaustively illustrated!

INCLUDES TWO COLLECTIBLE PRINTS

Spike.com set the internet on fire today when they revealed that a new Star Wars game franchise will be unveiled at the upcoming 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Link

Star Wars fan sites and forums have been buzzing with speculation. We’ll have to wait a few more days to find out though, as the reveal is scheduled for May 31st. We’ll keep you posted!

…Spike TV’s plans to exclusively unveil the newest game franchise in the “Star Wars” universe, which will debut at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo. A first look at this top secret project will be revealed on Thursday, May 31, as a part of the pre-E3 episode of Spike’s hit video game show “GTTV,” followed by the live world gameplay premiere of this new “Star Wars” franchise during the network’s “E3 All Access Live” primetime special on June 4 at 10:00 pm ET/7:00 pm PT.

“I am blown away by both the caliber of the team on this project and their bold vision for this new ‘Star Wars’ title,” said Geoff Keighley, Host and Executive Producer, Spike TV’s “E3 All Access Live” special. “I can’t wait to introduce our viewers to this game and show off the footage that left my jaw on the floor when I first saw it.”

SEE ALSO:
1313′s Future Is Always In Motion
Introducing: Star Wars 1313

Swtor.com has released the cover art for the upcoming The Old Republic: Annihilation, written by Drew Karpyshyn and due out November 13, 2012. Link Click on the link to read a brief interview with the author. (Back cover art is posted below)

SEE ALSO:
Novel Review: The Old Republic: Annihilation by Bry Dean
Megan’s Review: The Old Republic: Annihilation
Read 27 Pages of The Old Republic: Annihilation Now!
The Old Republic: Annihilation Cover Blurb Now Online
Drew Karpyshyn Talks ANNIHILATION
Star Wars: The Old Republic: ANNIHILATION
Drew Karpyshyn To Write The Old Republic #4

Del Rey has again posted a few images from the upcoming The Essential Reader’s Companion, currently due out October 02, 2012! Link

Scene from the Del Rey novel The Courtship of Princess Leia written by Dave Wolverton.
Luke Skywalker battles Teneniel Djo in the Chu’unthor crash site on Dathomir.
Sketch by Darren Tan.
“Darren Tan rocked all of our worlds with his fantastic contributions to The Essential Guide to Warfare so I’m thrilled to be working with him again on The Essential Reader’s Companion.” (ES)

Scene from the novella Side Trip (collected in written by Dave Wolverton.
Captain Niriz offers Admiral Thrawn, in Jodo Kast’s armor, a mineral water.
Sketch by Chris Trevas.

Scene from the Del Rey novel The Old Republic: Deceived written by Paul S. Kemp.
Jedi Knight Aryn Leneer and smuggler Zeerid “Z-Man” Korr free fall through Coruscant airspace as Z-Man’s ship, the Fatman explodes behind them.
Sketch by Chris Trevas.

SEE ALSO:
Review: The Essential Reader’s Companion by Bry Dean
Megan’s Review: The Essential Reader’s Companion
Preview 28 Pages of The Essential Reader’s Companion!
Sneak Peek: The Essential Reader’s Companion Images
The Essential Reader’s Companion Blurb
The Essential Reader’s Companion Cover Art
The Essential Reader’s Companion Preliminary Cover

Now up on the Edelweiss online catalog is Star Wars Origami: 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away…. . Looks fun! Currently due out August 7, 2012. Link

Kids love origami—and what could be cooler than transforming a piece of paper into Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Yoda, or R2-D2? And not just any paper, but custom-designed paper illustrated with art from the movies. Star Wars® Origami marries the fun of paper folding with the obsession of Star Wars. Like The Joy of Origami and Origami on the Go, this book puts an original spin on an ancient art. And like Star Wars® Scanimation® and Star Wars® Fandex®, it’s a fresh take on Star Wars mania.

Chris Alexander is a master folder and founder of the popular website StarWarsOrigami.com, and here are 36 models, clearly explained, that range in difficulty from Youngling (easy) to Padawan (medium), Jedi Knight (difficult), and Jedi Master (tricky!). A front section introduces origami definitions and basic folds. Bound in the back is the book’s unique folding paper, two sheets for each figure. Illustrated with original art, it makes each creation—the essential lightsabers, the Death Star, and much more—true to the movies.

Star Wars Origami includes a foreword by Tom Angleberger, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back, and is scheduled to be published at the same time as Angleberger’s upcoming book, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee.

The updated Complete Visual Dictionary Amazon listing now has a cover and blurb. Current release date is September 3, 2012. Link

In a universe far, far away, the definitive guide to “Star Wars” was created. This stunning reissue of the classic “Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary” has been brought up to warp speed into 2012, the 35th anniversary of the release of “Star Wars: A New Hope”, and to celebrate the release of all six films in a 3D format that would impress Yoda. Once again, we’ve storm-trooped our way around Lucasfilm to get the inside and the dark side of all six “Star Wars” films, including incredible behind-the-scenes stories. Meet and greet every character, droid, creature and alien from Obi-Wan, to Han Solo, from the Arena Beasts to Jabba-The-Hutt (and his entourage). Explore every star ship and get up close to a multitude of weapons in this stellar guide. Travel to every planet, from Coruscant to Mustafar, and take a look at Clone troopers equipment and battle tanks. With over 1,000 incredible shots plus exclusive material, “Star Wars Complete Visual Dictionary” transports you right inside the movies. See the original R2D2, study the fearsome Droidekas (watch out for their lasers!) and venture inside the Great Pit of Carkoon, if you dare. The only guide to every part of the Star Wars universe. If you love “Star Wars”, you’ll love “Star Wars Complete Visual Dictionary”. May the force be with you.

Ashley Eckstein is sharing some awesome sneak peek images of new shirts and designs, all set to be released at Disney Star Wars Weekends in Orlando. There are three cute tee designs by artist Katie Cook, a Sith tank top for older fan girls, a few cotton jersey tees and a two brand new charms! 

After you’re done looking at the images, be sure to check out Her Universe here!

Read more

Author Drew Karpyshyn has given us some insight into his upcoming novel The Old Republic: Annihilation, due out November 13, 2012. Link

Republic agent Theron Shan and his Twi’lek compadre, Teff’ith must contend with a Sith Empire counter-attack against the Republic, spearheaded by the lethal apprentice of Darth Malgus. Satele Shan and Jace Malcom co-star in what will be a fast-paced and tension-fraught tale based on the award-winning video game from BioWare and LucasArts.

It’s a bit vague, but that’s the problem when you try to stay spoiler free. But I think I can add a bit more without ruining anything. It’s a stand alone story – it has no connection to Revan, and it doesn’t tie in directly with any of the storylines from the SWTOR video game, though it is set in that era. It actually takes place just after the events of the game, and the novel will reflect the Empire and the Republic as they stand at the end of the game’s storylines. (I won’t say anymore to avoid spoiling people who play the game but aren’t finished.)

The game features Theron Shan, a character who first appeared in the Lost Suns Dark Horse graphic novels, written by Alex Freed – my former co-worker at BioWare and the lead writer for SWTOR.

Annihilation is a little different than my other Star Wars books. The Bane trilogy focused on Darth Bane, one of the most powerful Sith Lords who ever lived. Revan obviously focused on Revan, another incredibly powerful Force user. Annihilation is different, because the main character is not a Jedi or Sith. Theron Shan, despite being a descendant of Revan and Bastila, isn’t Force sensitive. That makes for a very different type of novel, and a very different type of main character.

That doesn’t make Theron any less interesting, of course. My personal favorite character in the original trilogy is Han Solo, and I think he’s a good example of how you can be a hero and change the galaxy even if you can’t call on the Force at will.

That’s not to say Theron is an “ordinary” guy: he’s a highly trained field agent working for Republic Strategic Information Services. He has a number of cybernetic implants, along with a host of customized weapons and gadgets, and he’s supplemented his SIS training with his own ecclectic and esoteric studies. Sort of like Batman. Or Jason Bourne. Or James Bond. But in Star Wars.

So let’s call Annihiliaton an action-spy-thriller-sci-fi-epic set in the Star Wars universe. If that doesn’t make you want to buy it, nothing will.

SEE ALSO:
Novel Review: The Old Republic: Annihilation by Bry Dean
Megan’s Review: The Old Republic: Annihilation
Read 27 Pages of The Old Republic: Annihilation Now!
The Old Republic: Annihilation Cover Blurb Now Online
The Old Republic: ANNIHILATION Cover
Star Wars: The Old Republic: ANNIHILATION
Drew Karpyshyn To Write The Old Republic #4

After much planning, I am officially going to attend my first Star Wars Celebration! I haven’t been able to attend the past Celebrations for various reasons, but I have read about them all and look forward to experiencing one firsthand.

What can you expect from me? I’ll be taking tons of pictures and updating the site frequently, so you’ll want to check us out constantly for breaking news, fun announcements and pictures of the event. Oh, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Also, Knights Archive currently looking for sponsors! This is a great opportunity for your company to be seen at the biggest Star Wars fan gathering of the year. Look for my page describing various sponsor levels soon. I’ll provide a link to it in this post once completed.

May the Force be with all of you!

SEE ALSO:
Star Wars Celebration VI Stage Hosts
Star Wars Celebration VI News

Dave Filoni revealed a new character from the upcoming The Clone Wars season 5 today: Clone Commander Thorn, plus an interesting story behind the character. Link

On behalf of the Clone Wars crew, we would like to congratulate Marvel Studios and Joss Whedon on the incredible release of The Avengers. We’re also very proud of the team at ILM who made the effects and action scenes beyond spectacular. There are many fans of Marvel comics on the Clone Wars crew, and the biggest fan of all has to be episodic director Steward Lee. Knowing what a fan he is, I sketched up a special Clone Commander for an upcoming episode of Season 5. Clone Commander Thorn is obviously our homage to “Thor, the god of thunder.” Commander Thorn even carries a Z-6 blaster canon named “the Hammer.” Enjoy this sneak peak at a new clone from Season 5.

SEE ALSO:
The Clone Wars Season 5 Premiere Screening
The Clone Wars Season 5 Celebration VI Trailer
The Clone Wars Season 5 Teasers
The Clone Wars Season 5 Trailer
The Clone Wars Season 5 Teaser

Disney and Lucasfilm have unveiled a few promotional pieces for the upcoming Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, FL. Link Check them out below!

SEE ALSO:
Catherine Taber To Attend Star Wars Weekends 2012
Star Wars Weekends 2012 Celebrity Hosts
Star Wars Weekends 2012 Dates Announced