Shattered Empire…and Shattered Expectations

A year ago today, Marvel Comics released the first issue of the Star Wars: Shattered Empire miniseries.  It was an exciting and central piece of Disney’s “Journey to The Force Awakens” celebration.  With the old Expanded Universe of stories “thrown out,” this was our first look at the new Disney Canon’s version of what happened immediately after the Battle of Endor.  In the year that’s followed I’ve read seventy comics, eleven novels (five were YA), watched two full seasons of Star Wars: Rebels and (obviously!) seen The Force Awakens (a ridiculous nine times in theatres).  I’ve approached the Disney Canon excitedly, eager to see their new vision of a post-Return Of The Jedi universe…and, honestly, I’ve been disappointed.  For me, it’s not as good as the old EU.  I’m sad, a little frustrated, and (perhaps weirdly) still very hopeful. 

So…what’s Luke Skywalker been up to??

There’s no new post on My Comic Relief today as I’ve been writing a post for The Imperial Talker about Luke Skywalker!  That’s right, the Luke Skywalker!  I talk about his importance as a mythic hero as well as the questions his activities between Return Of The Jedi and The Force Awakens raise.  There’s discussion of the old Expanded Universe, the new Disney Canon, and all sorts of other awesomely nerdy stuff too.  So if you’re feeling like your day needs a little more Star Wars (and whose doesn’t??) or you’d like to ponder Luke’s role as mythic hero, or even if you’d just like a little of my usual reflective rambling, please head here.  Be warned, there are spoilers for The Force Awakens (which, c’mon, I’m sure you’ve already seen) as well as minor spoilers for the new novel Star Wars: Bloodlines – although nothing major about the novel’s plot is discussed, just asides where Luke’s mentioned.  I also talk about the final issue of last fall’s four issue comic miniseries Star Wars: Shattered Empire.  Enjoy!