I suppose you're wondering why I called you here today. It's to discuss Star Wars, and the events in that galaxy far, far away as told in the pages of the ongoing comics series from Dark Horse.
Now, some of you may be thinking, "Star Wars comics are for kids," or "There's too much continuity to wade through to get started reading Star Wars comics." Well, cut it out. You're wrong, and I'm here to tell you why.
First of all, while I know there are plenty of "kids" who are smart enough and mature enough to keep up with what we're currently doing with Star Wars (never under-estimate the younger generation!), our series are written and drawn by adults, for adults.
Secondly, we go out of our way to keep the continuity simple -- or to explain everything you need to know to enjoy each issue. Unless you're one of the fourteen or fifteen people on the planet who have never seen even one of the Star Wars films, you already know enough about the basics to follow our stories. And, whether your first exposure to Star Wars was the films of the Original Trilogy, or whether you grew up with the Prequel Trilogy, you'll find a Star wars comic to suit your tastes. Beginning at the oldest point along the Star Wars timeline and working our way forward . . .
Knights of the Old Republic has that kind of rollicking, us-against-the-galaxy feel to it that was exemplified by Episode IV: A New Hope. Set in the turbulent years just prior to the popular games of the same name (approximately four thousand years before Luke Skywalker pops the Death Star),
KoTOR features a group of outcasts caught up in a Mandalorian invasion and an evil plot by a cabal of misguided Jedi.
Dark Times is set in the aftermath of Revenge of the Sith, arguably the nadir of Star Wars history. This series plays like The Empire Strikes Back -- forget about trying to save the galaxy, the heroes of this series are doing all they can just to survive in a galaxy where "freedom" is a dirty word.
Rebellion, as the name suggests, is set within the time period of the Original Trilogy. This is the series where you can catch up on the latest adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the other classic characters. But you'll also be introduced to other players in the fight to free the galaxy from the tyranny of the Empire, as well as those who seek to crush the Rebels and restore "order" at any cost.
Finally, 125 years after the events in Return of the Jedi, Legacy exists on the bleeding edge of Star Wars history, revealing a new Sith Order come to power, a benevolent Empire struggling to survive, and a Jedi-turned pirate-turned bounty hunter who may well be the last Skywalker the galaxy ever sees.
As I said, something for every taste.
Having dispensed with your ridiculous excuses for not reading, did I mention we're beginning an ambitious, year-long crossover with all four series?
On January 30th, run, don't walk, to your nearest comics retailer and purchase a copy of Knights of the Old Republic 25 (see the exclusive preview below). This is the first chapter of "Vector," a story which will affect each of the series mentioned above -- and eventually span 4,100 years of Star Wars history. Told in four easily accessible, stand-alone chapters, "Vector" just happens to be the perfect jumping-on point for any new reader, not to mention the most exciting event to happen to Star Wars comics since, well, since ever.
If I worked in Dark Horse's Marketing department, I'd leave you with some pithy catch-phrase like, "It all comes together in 2008!" But I don't, so I won't.