Image Credit: LucasArts
After 35 years, Star Wars casts an ever-growing pop-culture shadow. Though the anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars falls on May 25, devotees of that galaxy far, far away have designated May 4, as in “May the 4th Be With You,” as the official day to party like a drunken Ewok. If you’re a diehard Star Wars fanatic, today would be the day to consider what an impact George Lucas’ space opera has had not only on J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, the guys at Pixar, and even Lady Gaga, but also on science, philosophy, and politics.
A lot of you also probably look at Star Wars as an unfulfilled childhood promise, a franchise that didn’t grow up with you and that’s now creatively dried up. You’ll complain about the prequels, shout down the addition of “Nooooo!” to Darth Vader’s climactic dialogue in Return of the Jedi, and bitch about Slave Leia dancing to “Genie in a Bottle” in Star Wars Kinect. Don’t give in to the Dark Side, guys! Star Wars is alive and well. If you’re willing to look beyond the big screen, and dive deep into Lucasfilm Ltd.’s sprawling treasure trove of Expanded Universe novels, comics, videogames, and one particularly satisfying TV show, this is a franchise that’s thriving. It’s time to stop complaining and start checking out these 10 recent additions to the Star Wars canon that prove it’s still a creative Force. You know your inner Boba Fett-lunchbox-carrying 12-year-old wants to. READ FULL STORY »
