| An Expanding Universe - but who is interested? **The EU Thread** | |
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Alex Dkana - Staff  |
Post your views on anything relating to the Star Wars EU here. Books, games, tv, graphic novels/comics, etc. C'mon there's gotta be a few of us here who are interested in this kinda thing! 
Quote: No idea if a thread similar to this has been done before, but thought i would create it anyway.
I was writing a question in Aiddats Star Wars Quiz thread, and it made me wonder just who here at TJA, were interested in the constantly expanding universe of star wars (the EU), and to what extent? I am sure some here are not interested at all, and others just enjoy the films, however i am equally sure we have other members who enjoy reading the odd star wars book, or are big fans of games like KotOR (even JK is based on EU material). Personally i think the EU constitutes the future of the franchise now that the PT is over, and i hope LA & LF realise or have realised this, and work to make it (or elements of it) more mainstream, in order to garner more support from people who have perhaps in the past avoided it. So who agrees with me that the EU is a good thing, and possibly represents the future of star wars, and who thinks its a load of rubbish? And if you have no opinion either way please say so, and i could stick up some good links so you could get an idea of what i am waffling about.  ~AlexDKana~ _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana This post was edited by Alex Dkana on Dec 03 2006 02:14am. |
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Are you interested in the EU?
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Falor Windrider - Student 
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Shadows of the Empire - one of the EU's great masterpieces. _______________ Jedi Knight of the Jedi Order [JO] www.thejedi-order.com |
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R2D2 - Staff 
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I've read a good bit of Star Wars books this summer heh.
First, I finished NJO. Traitor was one of my favorites. The ending with all of the old school EU/movie characters was quite fitting. Second, I read Zahn's Survivor's Quest and Outbound Flight. I always wondered about Outbound Flight and finally we get the story to it, along with a better understanding of the Chiss. Third, I read through The Han Solo Trilogy that takes place right before ANH. Provides some nice development of Han Solo's character that we see in ANH. He even gets involved with the rebellion for a little bit. The books go into detail concerning Hutts, which I found kind of interesting. The trilogy sheds some light on Han's disgust towards slavery, Chewie's life debt to Han, Solo's various smuggler friends including Lando, and finally the sabaac game where Han won the Falcon from Lando. Near the end of the trilogy is Han's Kessel Run, explaining the Run and why Han refers to his record in parsecs heh. The trilogy touches on the spice run that leads to Han's bounty by Jabba. The ending of the book is Han's introduction in the original trilogy. Fourth, I've started reading some of the anthologies. Today, I finished the Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina. Almost all of the tales center on one of the characters present in the Mos Eisley Cantina scene in ANH. Most of the characters witness Obi-Wan's lightsaber action or Greedo's failed attempt to collect the bounty on Han. I found it interesting how these two scenes that we know of from the movies are viewed from various perspectives. The Tales contain several references to the Rebellion and the oppression of the Empire. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the tales. Currently, I'm reading Tales from Jabba's Palace. I'm thinking about purchasing the Dark Nest Trilogy and reading it sometime soon. _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist This comment was edited by R2D2 on Jun 07 2007 04:40am. |
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Ê-§¤£¤ - Student 
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Timothy Zahn is great. I started reading EU way back when Thrawn trilogy came out. I've been addicted ever since.
I try to read everything in chronological order. Most of the NJO series was pretty good. Star by Star is by far the greates of that series (the one where someone important dies) I won't give it away. I also liked the Dark nest, and sofar, I'm loving the LotF series. ( I'm half-way through Exile) I really enjoy all things Star Wars, when it comes to novels. Oh, and DrunkenJedi, Kyle is not a very prominent character in most of the novels, but it is neat when they refer to him, from time to time. _______________ This comment was edited by Ê-§¤£¤ on Mar 22 2007 12:30am. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff 
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No problem DJ. 
Yeah i really enjoyed the NJO series too, its not for everyone's taste and if you look into it in depth continuity errors appear. However overall its a fantastic team effort with an interesting and well executed concept. Indeed there is a lot of choice in what you read and when with Star Wars. While i do recommend you read the Dark Nest and LotF, be aware that the LotF series does not end until next year anyway, so you would do just as well to continue catching up if you are serious about garnering a wide knowledge. Recently i read LotF: Exile. Its probably the best book of the series so far in my opinion. Allston does a great job of characterising everyone as they should be, and in some cases retconning some iffy characterisations from the previous two books. The content could be considered filler for the next book (Sacrifice) which is set to be very important as it shows Jacen's acceptance of a Sith name, and potential sacrifice of a well known character. Some people even think it will be Luke Skywalker. However i was actually very satisfied with the events of this book, particularly Ben Skywalkers adventure, i felt this worked really well and made me much more interested in who he is. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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DrunkenJedi - Student 
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Thank you, NewbieD'Kana! You seem to have extensive knowledge on this subject. I have to start looking for these comics.
So here's where I am now.... I've been mired in the NJO series, and I must say I'm absolutely enjoying my time there. I sort of wish, however, that I maintained continuity with the previous novels I've read, as the NJO series references events portrayed in several earlier books. But this is a minor quibble. I jumped ahead because I wanted to read about Kyle Katarn, but so far he's been mentioned only once, and only towards the end of the series, which I have read in order, book by book, to where I am now, only 2 1/2 books shy of the end. I won't spoil anyone's enjoyment of the NJO series by reviewing or describing or summarizing the events. I can only recommend, if you haven't read this series, that you read them, from beginning to end. This is an epic tale of galactic war, death, destruction, hope, love, and honor that is told with skill and aplomb by many authors, with astute editorial direction and attention to continuity over the entire span of the story arc. When I'm finished, I'm going back, to Prequel era, and read chronologically, including the comics and Dark Forces books, up to the NJO, which I may read again, and then the Dark Nest Trilogy and the Legacy of the Force. Or, I may continue directly to these newest books.   _______________ American dollars are worth less than Imperial credits. |
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DrunkenJedi - Student 
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Now I have to find some of these comics. But first I'm going back to read the X-Wing books. _______________ American dollars are worth less than Imperial credits. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff 
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Quote: I'm getting a handle on books and their story chronology, but I'd also like to read some of the comics that appear to be canon. They seem to be canon because the books often refer to the comic stories. Can anyone post a list of recommended comics or graphic novels?
Thanks! Ok well you had to pick the area i know the least about
Nah i can answer your question to an extent, i just don't have many of the graphic novels myself. Got a few but thats all. Okay well first of all i shall supply the link to the Force.net's recommendation thread, in case you need a second opinion: Linky goodness. Well, the original best known graphic novels are Dark Empire and Tales of the Jedi, these are available in TPB (Trade paperback, or an all in one book thingy) from most online bookstores, e.g. amazon. However while they both have big fanbases, others are critical of them due to: -Their dated art, modern art tends to show these up. -There occasional lack of continuity. Sometimes (mainly in DE) things happen that don't seem to fit with the rest of the EU, this is mainly due to the novels age. -The characterisation (again mainly DE), some people claim that the characterisation of certain main characters is not the same as in other EU stuff. -TotJ presentation. This has mainly been brought up recently since KotOR the game came out, as both are set in a similar era, fans of KotOR claim TotJ looks dated, and un-starwarsy even, however that is really up for you too decide. I own the first DE book, and its a good read, if a bit wild compared to some of the star wars stories out there. I believe there are 3 or 4 other DE TPB's as well. I have not read TotJ but i know what its about, it describes the Sith War, involving Exar Kun, and Ulic-Quel Droma, whom are both mentioned in KotOR. Its highly respected, and probably worth your time. There is also a novel called Jedi Vs Sith i believe, which is set aprox 1,000 years before ANH, and involves a big war between the Jedi and the Sith (duh), its got Darth Bane in it, and there is now a book out based around the same events (Darth Bane: Path of Destruction). If its the Prequal era that you are interested in, i know there is a popular comic and graphic novel series called Republic that introduces characters like Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura, these led into the Clone Wars comic series (based in the war of the same name) and can be found either online, or often in a well known bookshop. These focus on Obi-Wan, Anakin, and their war against Dooku and the serperatists, but also introduces many new interesting characters such as K'Kruhk, Sora Bulq etc. Quin and Aayla as well. Yeesh this is becoming a monster post. After that the next popular series, is Empire, a series of comics set from just before ANH to sometime after. These focus on various characters, including Imperials, little seen Rebels (e.g. Biggs), Smugglers, and the main 3, Luke Han and Leia. There is also a series called X Wing: Rogue Squadron based around the fighter squadron of the same name. These are all set after Endor, and follow the squadron as its commanded by Wedge Antilles. If you have read any of the X-Wing books, these are a prequal to those of sorts. Next up is Crimson Empire, a series of novels based around the Imperial Royal Guard, especially Carnor Jax, and Kir Kanos. These are quite popular, and are set years after Endor. There are 4 new series running at this time, currently the most popular seems to be the series Knights of the Old Republic, based around the events of the game with the same name, although set several years before. It follows the adventures of fugitive padawan Zayne Carrick as he and his new found allies flee some zelous Jedi Masters who turned on their own Padawans through fear of a prophecy, and then the Mandalorians get involved and everything gets much more complicated... The first TPB for this is out now, and i'm hoping to buy it myself
Then you have Rebellion a seris which ties in directly to the events seen in Empire, but with a new team writing it, and new stories etc. only five issues out so far, and its on hiatus until next march at least. Also a tie in to a previous series is Dark Times a series set between Episodes III and IV, it follows some of the surviving Jedi as they try to live in a galaxy ruled by the Empire. It also features the likes of Vader and Palpy as they consolidate their power etc. Issue 1 has just come out, looks good, and ties in to previous series Republic. Lastly there is Legacy, an exciting series set 100 years after LotF, and 140 after ANH. Luke is dead (we don't know how) but his legacy lives on in Cade Skywalker, a Jedi gone rogue after he witnessed a reborn Sith Empire butcher the Jedi on Ossus, his father Kol Skywalker included. Cade has joined with a band of pirates and mercenaries, and has given up on the force. However not all the Jedi are dead, and his old Master and others are looking for him, hoping he will help them defeat the Sith. The Sith themselves are new and interesting, no longer a rule of 2, they use the rule of 1, the 1 being a whole army of Sith. Darth Krayt is the leader of this army, a dangerous figure encased in Yuuzhan Vong armour of some sort. This series has had very positive feedback, much like KotOR. There are 5 or 6 issues out so far. Lastly here is a Link tp a list of all the Dark Horse comics and Graphic Novels. Marvel also made them way back, but trust me, you don't want to get them
Hope this (lengthy post) helps you out. .:Alex:. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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DrunkenJedi - Student
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I'm getting a handle on books and their story chronology, but I'd also like to read some of the comics that appear to be canon. They seem to be canon because the books often refer to the comic stories. Can anyone post a list of recommended comics or graphic novels?
Thanks! _______________ American dollars are worth less than Imperial credits. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: The EU is awesome. The stuff I like best are the books written by Timothy Zahn...and the X-Wing Squadron series.
"Wraith Squadron" is the best one. Hmm yeah i love Allston, and Stackpole's books, my personal favourite would probably be 'The Bacta War' but i thought the Wraith Squadron books were good as well. Zahn has a new book out in 2007 i believe, its called Allegiance, and is set between episodes IV and V. I have just read the latest in the LotF series, 'Tempest' by Troy Denning is the best in the series so far, the events in LotF are getting more, and more interesting, and you can't help but expect major fireworks in later books titled 'Exile', 'Sacrifice' (Where Jacen is believed most likely to kill someone fairly important, maybe even Luke), 'Inferno', and 'Fury. Lets face it with names like them, something has gotta happen! Anyway i really enjoyed this book, if you are caught up with the story, or even just interested in jumping into a new era of star wars, i can recommend LotF right now, dramatic stuff... _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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Nomadic Phoenix - Student 
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The EU is awesome. The stuff I like best are the books written by Timothy Zahn...and the X-Wing Squadron series.
"Wraith Squadron" is the best one. _______________ Check out my personal webcomic, Subconscious, here. "Life isn't a video game. There aren't any respawn points." Proud Owner Of: Rin An Tian's 100th and 400th Comment. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Tempest is out at the end of Novemeber i believe, should be good! _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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NotSoLittleCaesar - Student 
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aye, it is impressive writing, a little confusing but well writen, its rather addictive aswell _______________ Quote: I mostly agree oh Lord of the squeezy mop
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: I have read most post ROTJ books now up to the Dark Nest books. They aren't the best written novels but are enjoyable for SW fans and Geeks like me I agree, its only rarely that a really well written one comes along, usually they are just enjoyable for the star warsy-ness! Light reads true, but fun ones. Saying that i actually greatly enjoyed the writing style of Karen Traviss in the latest book (Bloodlines) some genuinly great writing in there in my opinion. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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Roan Belouve - Retired 
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I have read most post ROTJ books now up to the Dark Nest books. They aren't the best written novels but are enjoyable for SW fans and Geeks like me _______________ *Bro to Vaxxla,Padawan of FiZZandOdan-Wei Part of the mighty Belouve Dynasty-Knight of Nippledom.Twin of Selphestal!**Proud Master to Kaelis and Acura Friend to anyone who would call me the same . Pic by the amazing Majno (merry)
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NotSoLittleCaesar - Student 
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im currently reading the legacy of the force series, only just started, got it the other day with the second book . Good so far, still slightly confused how on earth boba is around 60 - 70 and still bounyt hunting is beyond me =p uber fett =) _______________ Quote: I mostly agree oh Lord of the squeezy mop
This comment was edited by NotSoLittleCaesar on Sep 19 2006 10:36pm. |
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LoneWolf_ Mintaka - Student 
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Although I read most of the books out of their order. I really enjoyed the NJO series. I've just not gone back to read the ones I've missed. I just recently picked up the 2 new NJO books *Star Wars Legacy of the Force* www.delreybooks.com ** More to add is the non-Jedi focus some of the books turn to. Etc the Clone Troopers. Then stories that go along with the mainstream flow like the book *Outbound Flight* << which I believe is right before the Clone Wars if I remember right, plus it Introduces you to Thrawn. Awsome book. But I really wished that even though the Saga has been completed. That someone would get the rights etc.. and make Some more movies. _______________ Honor, still counts for something. Loyalty, is hard to come by. Integrity, is something to strive for. This comment was edited by LoneWolf_ Mintaka on Sep 14 2006 03:26am. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: too bad there are no star wars books translated to my native language... Damn thats harsh  Oh and DrunkenJedi:Brilliant post, said pretty much everything right. I applaud you sir. Edit: Oh if you want to know about the Katarns turning up, well Kyle began to be mentioned towards the end of TNJO, and has made cameo appearences in The Dark Nest Trilogy by Troy Denning, and Bloodlines by Karen Travis (in the Legacy of the Force series), he's on the Jedi Council! _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana This comment was edited by Alex Dkana on Sep 14 2006 12:19am. |
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SaZ - Student 
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too bad there are no star wars books translated to my native language... _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana |
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DrunkenJedi - Student
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The EU can come to my house and build roads or fund development any time. I'll even fly that funny blue with yellow stars flag, although it will take gunfire from the neighbors. I avoided any EU or even Star Wars books whenever I passed them in the aisle of a bookstore. I did notice that the Star Wars section just kept growing, but I avoided it like the plague. Avoided it, that is, until I bought Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. I liked it better than the epic, Universal Hero / Father-Son epic that is the tale told in the Star Wars Movies. Once I'd played through the story of Kyle Katarn and his re-connection with the Force, I was hooked. Now I've read I think 15 or so EU books. Some were excellent novels and stand on their own as fine SF or Space Opera books (Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy and Hand of Thrawn Duology), some were dreadful (the Jedi Academy Trilogy) but almost every one was an enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the illustrated Jedi Knight books, of course, as they tell the story of the Katarns. I still haven't run across Kyle in my readings yet. That said, there is, I think, a great resource of material that can be used as backstory or main plot for games, film, and episodic television. I'd love to see a series with the production quality of Battlestar Gallactica or better, but telling the tale of Luke's Jedi Praxeum and his students, with a side arc or a separate series telling the tale of Kyle Katarn. The Extended Universe also incorporates the time between the Prequels and the original Trilogy and this will more than likely be the focus of future games and TV or even possibly film. We may see visions of Luke's childhood interweaved with the tales of the Jedi Purge. With the thousands of years of "history" framed out by the films, games, books, comics, and Wikipedia, even; as long as there are fans thirsting for these stories there will be more Star Wars to come. The snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting has a bright future. _______________ American dollars are worth less than Imperial credits. |
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Jarhok Belouve - Student 
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I have read 4 or 5 NJO books now perhaps more and have thouroghly enjoyed them. I dig the expanded universe stuff. The whole Star Wars world is fantastic and I love catching a glimpse of more of it _______________ -JARHOK BELOUVE- Unofficial Paddy to the great Squibit Belouve and Solitudes snog machine! |||||||||||||||||||||||PRONOUNCED JARHOK TEH S3X3H by Alexander D'kana||||||||||||||||||||||||| Loves Liso'sia! Uber new Belouve boy! My special people: Squibit Belouve,Roan Belouve,Bail Hope Belouve and of course the lovely Liso'sia! |
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Sared - Retired 
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I love the EU, even though I currently despise the NJO series. Eventually I'll soften up and read it. Call me a traditionalist. I'll always love the 'classic' Era the most.  _______________ I'm crazy, not stupid. |
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Kamidake Kenji - Student 
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Dude, the EU rules because you get to see thing through the eyes of the less Jedi-focused people in the SW Universe. I personally enjoyed reading Republic Commando: Triple Zero more'n I did watching any of the movies. Then again I never was the BIGGEST fan of Jedi and their being the center of attention all the time. XD Still, new perspectives are always fresh and enjoyable! _______________ "...wait, what?" |
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Mindrith Pride - Student 
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hehehe, my book store just got loads of star wars novels in ^_^ i will probs buy atleast one _______________ [proud owner of talions 200th, 700th,1111th coment AND 1400th , DJK's 3001th coment! , saz's 400th coment! liso's 800th coment! Kitmitsu Aratan's 1200th comment! Cau's 100th comeent, Alexander's (aka CC) 210th, 888th and 2200th comments! Moriarti's 800th comment , Piccolo's 2000th comment! lirael's 505th comment , Quom Farlance's 120th comment, Alexander's 1800th comment , Eica's 1400th comment , Wicek's 3200th comment lady C's 999th comment, Echuu's 1100th comment, Takaru's 325th and 400th comment, Redeye's 200th comment picc's 3600th comment, Ostith's 50th comment, Elmo's 555th comment] |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: yus yus indeed. EU is important for this entire SW franchise. i mean i love the comics/graphic novels and the books. my favorite SW novels will be Heirs of the Force, Shadow Academy and The Lost Ones. Awesome. Off the top of my head my favourite novels would be: Traitor, Shatterpoint & possibly Betrayal. Havnt read many of the graphic novels, however i am trying to get hold of the Legacy & KotOR series. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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N@TI - Student 
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yus yus indeed. EU is important for this entire SW franchise. i mean i love the comics/graphic novels and the books. my favorite SW novels will be Heirs of the Force, Shadow Academy and The Lost Ones. _______________ Blue! blue stance for ever!!! oh ye : owner of dash's "GOM!!11!! it's purple'" *1800* comment!!! owner of Wicek 3333rd "cool guys use Yellow sabers" post. Kyle Katarn is the new jedi order BattleMaster... meaning he is better then Luke in saber fighting! HA TAKE THAT SKYWALKER FAN's! |
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