A guide to Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens books and comics
On the 10th March 2015 Disney / Lucasfilm officially
announced their
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens publishing programme: a series of more
than 20 titles designed to lead in to the theatrical release of The
Force Awakens on 18th December. With thirty unexplored years on
the tineline between the end of Return of the Jedi and The Force
Awakens, these titles will "star characters old and new; retell
classic Star Wars tales from new perspectives [and] feature new narrative
stories". These titles will not just retell events from the
Prequel and Original Trilogies but will also hint about events in
The Force Awakens as well as containing original post-Return
of the Jedi content. As such each original story will be
approved by Lucasfilm Story Group and "be canonical within the Star
Wars universe, and in-continuity with the Star Wars films, animated
series, new books, and Marvel comics". Titles and stories will be made for
a wide audience including middle grade (children's) and young adult
(YA) readers. As well as traditional narrative stories, there will
also be comics, illustrated reference, Look and Find, and sticker book
formats and so publishers include Disney-Lucasfilm Press, Del Rey, DK
Publishing, Studio Fun International and Marvel Comics. .
This guide will grow and expand as new titles are
announced/discovered until all Journey to Star Wars: The Force
Awakens titles are listed. Please note that not all titles may be
available in all territories, cover images may vary by territory and
release dates subject to change.
AFTERMATH Chuck Wendig Novel After Return
of the Jedi: As the Empire reels from its critical defeats at
the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance — now a fledgling New
Republic — presses its advantage by hunting down the enemy’s
scattered forces before they can regroup and retaliate. But
above the remote planet Akiva, an ominous show of the enemy’s
strength is unfolding. Out on a lone reconnaissance mission,
pilot Wedge Antilles watches Imperial Star Destroyers gather
like birds of prey circling for a kill, but is taken captive
before he can report back to the New Republic leaders.
Meanwhile, on the planet’s surface, former Rebel fighter Norra
Wexley has returned to her native world — war weary, ready to
reunite with her estranged son, and eager to build a new life
in some distant place. But when Norra intercepts Wedge
Antilles’s urgent distress call, she realizes her time as a
freedom fighter is not yet over. What she doesn’t know is just
how close the enemy is—or how decisive and dangerous her new
mission will be. Determined to preserve the Empire’s power,
the surviving Imperial elite are converging on Akiva for a
top-secret emergency summit — to consolidate their forces and
rally for a counterstrike. But they haven’t reckoned on the
Norra and her newfound allies — her technical genius son, a
Zabrak bounty hunter, and a reprobate Imperial defector — who
are prepared to do whatever they must to end the Empire’s
oppressive reign once and for all.
The first book in a trilogy.
Publishers: Del Rey (US); Century (UK) Release
dates: 4th September (US); 10th September (UK)
SHATTERED EMPIRE Greg Rucka, Marco Checchetto et al. Comic Book series After Return of the
Jedi:
Emperor Palpatine's twenty-year reign of terror came to an
abrupt and fiery end in the skies above the forest moon of
Endor. A decisive victory for the Rebel Alliance, to be sure,
but even with the loss of its leadership, the Empire's Moffs
and regional governors retained their hold on important
systems from the Core to the Outer Rim, thanks to the might of
the Imperial Starfleet. Now, with a power vacuum atop the
Empire, those Moffs will jockey for position and control, and
the heroes of the Rebel Alliance will soon discover that a
wounded and fractious Empire may be more dangerous than any
threat they faced before!
C-3PO James Robinson, Tony Harris et al. Comic Book After Return of the
Jedi:
In The Force Awakens, C-3PO has a new red arm and in a special
one-shot from Marvel learn just how and why he got it.
Reuniting acclaimed and award-winning writer and artist team
of James Robinson and Tony Harris for the first time in nearly
two decades, the tale follows “golden rod” on a solo adventure
leading up to his appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens —
and reveals how he received his red arm. “That’s a really
exciting part of doing this story,” says Robinson. “I saw a
photo of C-3PO with his red arm the other day and I thought
‘Wow, I’m the writer who gets to explain that.’”
Shortly after A New
Hope:
Luke Skywalker finds himself drawn to a mysterious
planet, where he must use the Force to save a young girl — and
survive in a dangerous duel against a strange new villain.
Immediately after A New Hope:
The story follows everyone’s favorite pair of
smugglers as they fly the Millennium Falcon
on a top-secret mission for the Rebellion.
Prior to
Return of the Jedi: The story follows the warrior
princess as she leads a ragtag group of rebels on a
dangerous mission against the evil Galactic Empire.
Publishers:
Disney Lucasfilm Press (US); Egmont (UK) Release
dates: 4th September (US & UK)
Begins approximately 11 years before A New Hope:
The reign of the Galactic Empire has reached the Outer
Rim planet of Jelucan, where aristocratic Thane Kyrell and
rural villager Ciena Ree bond over their love of flying.
Enrolling at the Imperial Academy together to become fighter
pilots for the glorious Empire is nothing less than a dream
come true for the both of them. But Thane sours on the dream
when he sees firsthand the horrific tactics the Empire uses to
maintain its ironclad rule. Bitter and disillusioned, Thane
joins the fledgling Rebellion — putting Ciena in an unbearable
position to choose between her loyalty to the Empire and her
love for the man she’s known since childhood. Now on
opposite sides of the war, will these friends turned foes find
a way to be together, or will duty tear them — and the galaxy
— apart?
Publishers:
Disney Lucasfilm Press (US); Egmont (UK) Release
dates: 4th September (US & UK)
Prior to
The Force Awakens:
A quick-witted mercenary who takes big risks for
bigger rewards—and now faces the challenge that will take her
to the edge. There are plenty of mercenaries, spies, and
guns for hire in the galaxy. But probably none as dangerous
and determined as Bazine Netal. A master of disguise—and
lethal with a blade, a blaster, or bare handed—she learned
from the best. Now it’s her turn to be the teacher—even if
schooling an eager but inexperienced recruit in the tricks of
her trade is the last thing she wants to do. But it’s the only
way to score the ship she needs to pull off her latest job.
An anonymous client has hired Bazine to track down an
ex-stormtrooper and recover the mysterious package he’s
safeguarding. Payment for the mission promises to be
astronomical, but the obstacles facing Bazine will prove to be
formidable. And though her eager new sidekick has cyber skills
crucial to the mission, only Bazine’s razor-sharp talents will
mean the difference between success or failure—and life or
death.
Publishers:
Del Rey (US); Cornerstone (UK) Release
dates: 24th November (US & UK)
Prior to
The Force Awakens:
Every pirate in the sector is after the lost treasure
of Count Dooku! Will Captain Ithano and his crew beat his
rivals to the prize?
Publisher:
Disney Lucasfilm Press (US) Release
date: 30th November (US)
Explore the world of Star Wars through lively lists,
interesting facts, and questions and answers via a highly
engaging infographic design. Whether it's a chart of who is
the oldest Jedi, a list of all the owners of the
Millennium Falcon, or a diagram showing all the Jedi Yoda
has trained, this guide will excite readers of all ages and
provide facts they never knew about the Star Wars Galaxy.
Publishers:
DK Publishing (US); Dorling Kindersley (UK) Release
dates: 4th September (US & UK [import])
Discover details of all the most well-loved ships from
the Star Wars saga in this book that gives details, diagrams
and facts for fifteen ships. Features an unfolding giant
battle scene including a new ship from The Force Awakens!
Publisher:
Studio Fun International (Readers Digest) Release
dates: 4th September (US & UK [import])
Some roll on wheels, others walk on legs — some can
even fly! They’re droids, and in the Star Wars galaxy they can
do almost anything. With Star Wars: Droid Factory,
you’ll learn all sorts of fun facts about many different Star
Wars droids and even build a few. Includes a paperback filled
with cool images and droid data, instructions and press-outs
to construct models of C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8, and two wind-up
bases to make R2-D2 and BB-8 move! Also includes poster and
collectible Star Wars stickers!
Publisher:
Studio Fun International (Readers Digest) Release
dates: 3rd November (US & UK [import])
STAR WARS: LOOK AND FIND
Activity Book
In each of the eight
full-spread scenes based on the first six Star wars films,
look for six to eight find'ems. The last spread of the book
contains bonus find'ems for each scenes.
Publisher: Phoenix International (US) Release dates: 4th
September (US)
ULTIMATE STICKER COLLECTION: ULTIMATE STICKERSCAPES Jullie Ferris Activity Book
Let your creativity run
wild with Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Ultimate
Stickerscapes. Containing more than 1,000 reusable
stickers of new heroes, villains, and vehicles, Star Wars:
The Force Awakens: Ultimate Stickerscapes includes 14
amazing backgrounds for you to create your own Star
Wars:The Force Awakens scenes!
Publisher: DK Publishing (US) Release dates: 4th September
(US)
THE FORCE AWAKENS: COLORING & ACTIVITY BOOK
Activity Book
Publisher: Bendon Publishing International (US) Release
dates: 4th September (US)
THE FORCE AWAKENS: COLOR & TRACE BOOK
Activity Book
Publisher: Bendon Publishing International (US) Release
dates: 4th September (US)