Welcome back,
Rebelscum fans! This week we’re closing off our coverage of the
Star Wars prequel trilogy with a week dedicated to 2005’s
Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith. Make sure to check out the “
Expand Your Mind” article first to learn about the film’s development, history, and its impact on the saga, but stay tuned throughout the week for more coverage of
Episode III. Our “Character Profile” will spotlight one of our favorite characters and our “Force Facts” will offer some fun trivia. Make sure to check out
Bobby’s videos adding additional commentary, and exploring the coolest
Revenge of the Sith merchandise for collectors.
Among
Star Wars Expanded Universe authors, James Luceno is one of the most beloved. Luceno first joined the
Star Wars universe with an Insider article on author Brian Daley, and began writing novels with
The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos trilogy. After the success of Luceno’s
Darth Maul: Saboteur and
Cloak of Deception, he earned the greenlight to pen the official adaptation of
Revenge of the Sith.
However,
Episode III has one of the most distinct novelizations of any of the films. It was the middle chapter in a trilogy by Luceno that included the Clone Wars era prequel
Labyrinth of Evil and the immediate follow up
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. The novel itself also revealed many hidden insights and character moments not in the film itself. Released separately in 2005 and collected together in 2008, they formed
The Dark Lord Trilogy.
Labyrinth of EvilThe final novel chronologically in the Clone Wars multimedia project, Labyrinth of Evil sets up the immediate events that precede the rise of the Empire. The “funny business” on Cato Neimoidia referenced in the film is depicted here, and like the Clone Wars animated series the book concludes with the epic space battle above Coruscant. As Obi-Wan and Anakin wage war in the Outer Rim, the Jedi Council attempt to solve one of their most pressing questions: who is the mysterious Darth Sidious?
Episode III- Revenge of the Sith (Novelization)Unlike some of the other official novelizations, Luceno’s adaptation of Episode III significantly expands on the events of the film itself. Many of the deleted story elements from the film, including the formation of the Rebel Alliance and the extended Battle of Coruscant, are featured. The novel states more explicitly the implication that Palpatine influenced the midi-chlorians to create Anakin (meaning he’s essentially his father), and features a cameo from The Empire Strikes Back’s Captain Needa.
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth VaderIn the immediate aftermath of Order 66, The Rise of Darth Vader follows the Jedi Masters Roan Shryne and Bol Chatak and the padawan Olee Starstone as they survive the betrayal of their clone squads. Vader tracks the Jedi down meticulously as he searches for survivors, and the novel’s epilogue features Obi-Wan’s revelation that his former apprentice survived the lightsaber duel on Mustafar.
What do you think,
Rebelscum fans? Have you read
The Dark Lord Trilogy? How does it influence your thoughts on
Revenge of the Sith? Let us know in the
forums, and as always, may the Force be with you!
