Marvel hasnt reprinted dark empire since regaining the star wars rights in 2015 though dark empire and its two sequels should form the bulk of the content in the next volume of marvels star. I love star wars and was excited to finally get my hands on a copy of this. However, the downward trajectory was already evident in dark empire ii imho. Dark empire was a series of comic books written by tom veitch and. As well as the special edition rerelease of the original trilogy and the start of the prequel trilogy, there was the thrawn trilogy which took place after all that, the dark empire trilogy which took place after that and the crimson empire trilogy which took place after that. It consists of a sixissue limited series written by tom veitch and drawn by cam kennedy, followed by a second sixissue limited series by veitch and kennedy and a twoissue limited series written by veitch and drawn by jim baikie. The only reason i didnt give it five stars is the artwork for empire end, the final book. Dark empire is a continuation of the star wars saga, taking place six years after the battle of endor, where darth vader and emperor palpatine met their deaths. As much as i love star wars, and even enjoyed tom veitchs first dark empire, this graphic novel was horrible. Enslaving a weapons factory to design a device more deadly than the death star, the empire sets its plans in motion to destroy the new republic once and for all. The book goes into the star wars criminal underworld and fills the space empire strikes back and return of the jedi. Ive read dark empire several times now and ive got to say its fantastic. However, i do think dark empire has some value, especially as one of the truly dark entries into the star wars universe. I think a lot of fans imagine that dark empire series never happened.
Collecting the complete dark empire sagadark empire, dark empire ii, and empires end this star wars hardcover is a handsome. Collecting the complete dark empire saga dark empire, dark empire ii, and empire s endthis star. Six years after the fall of the empire in return of the jedi, the battle for the. From the planetscapes, to how the stormtroopers look, this story line is truly a dark.
They were originally released by dark horse comics between december 1991 and october 1992 as a 6issue bimonthly series, which were later compiled and sold as trade paperback. A war for the planet calamari erupts over that planets surface, already threatened by the massive world. As ever, always start with the first book in each series. If youre a nut for the facts and figures behind star wars stories like i am and if you reckon dark empire is the bestever star wars story outside of the films like i do. The following is a section from my new book about my experiences creating expanded universe star wars comics in the 1990s. Youre acutely aware that time has not stopped in this universe while you were away. Fearing that a few titles may no longer see print, i took advantage of the sale and bought the entire dark empire series which was among the first star wars stories that dark horse published.
In the halfdecade after the events of return of the jedi, the galactic empire is torn by strife among various factions that surfaced following the death of emperor palpatine and darth vader. Their current target is the planet calimari, which will be destroyed unless lando calrissian and the rebel forces can reach it in time. Insana and featured parts of composer john williamss classic score along with. Collecting the complete dark empire saga dark empire, dark empire ii, and empire s end this star wars hardcover is a handsome musthave. Dark empire trilogy star wars dark horse 01 by veitch, tom, kennedy, cam, klein, todd isbn. Star wars dark empire like all the star wars movies, this one starts in medias resright in the middle of the action. The story is set in the star wars galaxy shortly before, and during the battle of yavin in star wars episode iv. Im not sure if its canon or not i suspect it is, but any star wars fan should skip this one.
Empire series of comic books written by paul chadwick. Six years after the fall of the empire in return of the jedi, the battle. Here are the best book series in star wars history. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The heir trilogy heir to the empire, dark force rising, the last command by. Darklighter is a fourpart story arc in the star wars. Enjoy the magical world of disney, including marvel, star wars, pixar.
Han solo and princess leia, now married, struggle to protect t. Dark empire ii, by tom veitch, may possibly be the worst star wars comic i have ever read. It was released april 21, 1992 by dark horse comics and reprinted on august 18, 1992. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The battle for calamari was the third issue of the sixpart dark empire series of comics.
Many derivative star wars works have been produced in conjunction with, between, and after. Corey and eckhartsladder talk dark empire, the return of palpatine, and luke skywalker on the dark side. Dark empire trilogy is a hardcover collection of the dark horse comics comic book series dark empire, dark empire ii, and empire s end. The series depicts the adventures of various characters a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Dark empire was a series of comic books written by tom veitch and illustrated by cam kennedy. Ten years after the battle of endor, the fight for freedom rages on.
Its more of a gothic telling in the star wars universe. Dark empire series 3 primary works 4 total works six years after the fall of the empire in return of the jedi, the battle for the galaxys freedom rages on. A great full cast audio book of the comic that started it all again. But, in this case, the book in question was a 19911992 comic book miniseries called dark empire, published by dark horse comics back when new star wars. It truly is the end of an era as dark horse has defined star wars comic books for a generation. In dark empire, its almost like luke just slips out of character. Dark empire is a star wars comic book metaseries produced by dark horse comics. But, in this case, the book in question was a 19911992 comic book miniseries called dark empire, published by dark horse comics back when. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series created by george lucas that includes star wars 1977, the empire strikes back 1980, and return of the jedi 1983. The empire has been mysteriously reborn under an unknown leader, wielding a new weapon of great power. Dark empire trilogy hc star wars dark horse hardcover october 5, 2010. The dark shadow of palpatine seems to creep across the galaxy once again, and the empire awaits his return. However, archaeologically speaking in terms of its legacy in the star wars expanded universe, the first dark empire is very important. On one of these raids to the coruscant system, the star destroyer liberator formerly the hims adjudicator, an imperialclass star destroyer captured at the battle of endor and, over a fiveyear.
The first issue was published on 21 may 2003 by dark horse comics. At this point in time, i even feel ambivalent about the first series. A sample can be heard here six years after the battle of endor thats one year after grand admiral thrawns return, retaking of much of the. It consists of a sixissue limited series written by tom veitch and drawn by. The dark empire audio drama was a full cast audio adaption of dark horse comics dark empire comic book series. This collection was published on september 15, 2010. It was written by michael allen horne and first published in june 1993. It was adapted by john whitman from the source material by tom veitch. There are things you dont knowthings that have happened. The dark empire sourcebook is a supplement published by west end games for their version of star wars. The book summarizes and details the events of the dark empire comic books and gives stats for the.