Star Wars comics and novels

chrisofthedale

I have been into star wars for a long time now, but have never touched any of the books or comics. I am extremely interested in the old republic era (loved the knights of the old republic games). Other than that my main interest is in clone troopers during the clone wars (have been enjoying the clone wars TV series). As far as jedi related stuff goes, I prefer lightside material over darkside material.

Given my interests, which comics/novels would you recommend to me?

Dhalphir

i'd recommend just going to your local bookstore and finding the Star Wars books that you can see, and maybe the local library, just read the blurbs.

I am a huge fan of the Extended Universe and I'd be hardpressed to name a Star Wars novel that I haven't at least enjoyed.

Bloods End

For Old Republic you can pick up the Tales of the Jedi Omnibuses for on the cheap. There are two of them and they set up pretty much everything in KOTOR. Hell, KOTOR takes it's name from one of the stories. Also the comic series Knights of the Old Republic is pretty good. It takes place right before the first game and some of those characters pop up in it. All the issues are available in trades. Novel wise there is the Darth Bane Trilogy, including Path of Destruction, Rule of Two, and Dynasty of Evil. Upcoming there is a new comic series called Knight Errant with a tie in novel, and a novel about Nomi Sunrider.

For clone wars comics pick up the trades called "Clone Wars". They tell stories from all around the war, from a lot of different angles. For novels from a clone perspective, Cestus Deception is good, Republic Commando Hard Target and Triple Zero are very good. There are two more Republic Commando books afterwards, but I hesitate to recommend those because they are pretty much just blow jobs for Mandolorians. The other clone wars novels have clones, but not really from their perspective, but with the exception of Jedi Trial, they are fun reads.

KyleWPeterson

There are an awful lot of horrible Star Wars comics and novels out there so please be careful. Check out reviews on sites like Amazon.com before purchasing.

As far as a comic recommendation? Check out Star Wars Legacy.

chrisofthedale

Bloods End wrote: »

For Old Republic you can pick up the Tales of the Jedi Omnibuses for on the cheap. There are two of them and they set up pretty much everything in KOTOR. Hell, KOTOR takes it's name from one of the stories. Also the comic series Knights of the Old Republic is pretty good. It takes place right before the first game and some of those characters pop up in it. All the issues are available in trades. Novel wise there is the Darth Bane Trilogy, including Path of Destruction, Rule of Two, and Dynasty of Evil. Upcoming there is a new comic series called Knight Errant with a tie in novel, and a novel about Nomi Sunrider.

For clone wars comics pick up the trades called "Clone Wars". They tell stories from all around the war, from a lot of different angles. For novels from a clone perspective, Cestus Deception is good, Republic Commando Hard Target and Triple Zero are very good. There are two more Republic Commando books afterwards, but I hesitate to recommend those because they are pretty much just blow jobs for Mandolorians. The other clone wars novels have clones, but not really from their perspective, but with the exception of Jedi Trial, they are fun reads.

Are there only the 9 volumes of KOTOR and Clone Wars? Is there a volume 5 of KOTOR? Trying to get a picture of how many volumes there are of each, as well as why there doesn't appear to be a volume 5 of KOTOR.

Really appreciate the recommendations, will be sure to check them out.

Bloods End

Volume 5 of KOTOR is in Star Wars: Vector volume one. Vector was a crossover between all the SW comics.

Yeah, they are both 9 volume series.

Synthesis

The Timothy Zahn books are pretty good. Especially the three that are best known, the "Thrawn Trilogy".

Everything else, including the films, is kind of suspect, but those books tend to be very good.

TychoCelchuuu

Synthesis wrote: »

The Timothy Zahn books are pretty good. Especially the three that are best known, the "Thrawn Trilogy".

Everything else, including the films, is kind of suspect, but those books tend to be very good.

Yeah, I know you liked KOTOR and stuff but really the Thrawn trilogy is among the best stuff there is.

ANTVGM64

I vaguely remember a series of books about how Luke and Co had to find a guy who was hunting down Darth Vader's glove, and it had to be rigged up so he can shoot lightning out of it or something?

It was a total kids book, but kind of fun in it's insanity.

Iceman.USAF

I've got a whole long box of star wars comics I'd be willing to part with for a price. Some old (Entire X-Wing series?) some new (KOTOR and all the new stuff) if you're interested PM me!

Bloods End

Matthew Stover is the name in SW books. He makes everyone looks like they're working with a box of crayons and a black and white television. No I don't understand the metaphor, just know that he is awesome.

Xaquin

I will third the Thrawn Trilogy and even the two he wrote after them.

I'd personally avoid 'Darksabre' and 'Truce at Bakura'

Page-

ANTVGM64 wrote: »

I vaguely remember a series of books about how Luke and Co had to find a guy who was hunting down Darth Vader's glove, and it had to be rigged up so he can shoot lightning out of it or something?

It was a total kids book, but kind of fun in it's insanity.

The Jedi Prince series. Part of the first wave of Star Wars books, and totally retconned out of existence now. The whole series never really went anywhere, so it's not a huge loss.

About the KOTOR comics. The original ones, that the KOTOR games eventually were named after, have nothing to do with what you'd expect if you'd just played the games. They're more about the Sith as a race and their wars with the Jedi, and a bunch of Jedi that are basically written like comic book super heroes. They're also kind of terrible.

Terrendos

Yeah, the Thrawn Trilogy is definitely worth a read. Even if they weren't Star Wars they'd still be pretty good books, which is how I tend to measure that kind of material. It probably wouldn't make altogether much sense without the movies, but that's a different point altogether.

Cade

Star Wars: Legacy (the comic ) is the best Star Wars thing going currently.

The novels vary in quality big time, most people do love the Thrawn Trilogy as you can tell, I suggest avoid anything by Karen Traviss, the woman hates Jedi and everything else involved them. She pushes her mando fanwaking big time while saying everything else sucks.

Her writing is pretty atrocious save for her first novel.

And yeah the Darth Bane novels are good stuff.

Tavataar

The Rogue Squadron Series of books is awesome!

Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole
Wedge's Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole
The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole
The Bacta War by Michael A. Stackpole
Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston
Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Solo Command by Aaron Allston
Isard's Revenge by Michael A. Stackpole
Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston
I, Jedi (not really the series, but fits in the timeline / characters) by Michael A. Stackpole

Iceman.USAF

Tavataar wrote: »

The Rogue Squadron Series of books is awesome!

Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole
Wedge's Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole
The Krytos Trap by Michael A. Stackpole
The Bacta War by Michael A. Stackpole
Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston
Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Solo Command by Aaron Allston
Isard's Revenge by Michael A. Stackpole
Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston
I, Jedi (not really the series, but fits in the timeline / characters) by Michael A. Stackpole

Seconded! And I believe if you're going chronologically then "I, Jedi" fits between "Solo Command" and "Isard's Revenge". I could be wrong though, it's been a while.

Page-

I'd hesitate to call them awesome. The Rogue Squadron books are alright, the Wraith Squadron books are better. But both series have a distinct and deliberate lack of Jedi action.

Probably best to stick to the Legacy comics if you want Jedi action. You could try the New Jedi Order books, but they require a lot of background to get the context and characters, and though overall they're pretty good, the misses miss, and you need to read them all to get to the next part.

vegeta_666

After listening to a certain PA podcast, I got turned onto this book:

It's really good, tells the story of characters who live on the Death Star, goes through various characters and their different points of view, like a cantina owner or the guy who shoots the main gun of the Death Star.

SideAffects

Don't forget the Jedi Knight novella! Kyle Katarn is my childhood hero, right there with Gordon Freeman and Garrett