We have been insanely fortunate to have the brilliant Jo Chen as our cover artist on this series. It always makes me very happy when these appear in my inbox and as soon as the cover to Rescues #6 appeared, I was desperate to share it.
Issue #6 ran into a few problems with solicitation but it will now be in stores on December 15.
This is the cover. It is stunning.
Once again, two of my Star Wars books are out on the same day and both are the penultimate chapters of their stories.
Star Wars: Blood Ties seems to be a bit of a critical success and issue #1 sold almost as many copies the month after it came out as it did in the first month, which is a very good sign. The story continues here. More is revealed about Connor Freeman, and Boba Fett gets to show off his wonderful toys.
Meanwhile, so much of Star Wars: Invasion has been leading up to this single issue. There have been some wild theories from fans about the secrets of this series. Some of those ‘ridiculous’ theories may be proven true in this issue (sorry, some of those ridiculous theories will remain ridiculous). This is the issue that should have more people talking than ever before…
STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #3 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Boba Fett has discovered that his father left a legacy to someone Boba has never heard of. He manages to track down the man, but if he is to learn the reasons behind Jango’s posthumous generosity, Boba Fett must first save the man from an army of bounty hunters who want the guy’s head!
Jango Fett and Boba Fett together!
STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #5 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Kaye Galfridian has taken command of a New Republic army, but her first mission has forced her to fight against some of the very refugees she has come to rescue! Mutated by Yuuzhan Vong bioengineering, the refugees have become monstrous killing machines who can only be “saved” by death.
Meanwhile, on their homeworld of Artorias, Kaye’s brother Finn must deal with death on another level, unaware that he has become the enemy’s objective in a new front in the Yuuzhan Vong invasion!
• Set within the time frame of the New Jedi Order novels from Del Rey!
The price of Victory . . .
Sorry. Been busy and tired (Stupid World Cup. I should have just believed Paul the Octopus and stayed in bed).
Here are your Authority #24 and Star Wars: Invasion — Rescues #2 reviews. Authority #24 also made the ‘Read Pile’ over at CBR.
Invasion
“What I liked: Tom Taylor knows how to write a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and Colin Wilson has made this era of Star Wars his own. What we only got to read about in the novels is brought to life on the pages. His characters are easily recognizable and his Yuuzhan Vong are beautifully freakish in looks. Tom has done in excellent job in handling characters like the Solo twins and keeping them true to how they were in the novels. Jaina really is a good pilot and Jacen, well Jacen is Jacen
What I didn’t like: Having to wait until the next issue to find out what happens.” – ACOMICBOOKBLOG.COM
“Star Wars: Invasion/Rescues stays strong with this second issue. At times approaching a meaningful theme, other times providing more visceral pleasures, it never fails to entertain.
Even the relatively slow parts are kept alive by Colin Wilson’s brilliant penciling. The images of the New Republic soldiers in spacesuits being showered with toxic rain are simultaneously classic and modern, drawing, it seems, from the best aspects of sci-fi aesthetics. The design of the Yuuzhan Vong Tsalok is also awesome, approaching the ferociousness of sci-fi creatures like the Predator. Even the purely functional panels offer something to gaze at at least momentarily. The art alone is almost enough to recommend buying the comic. The comic ends with “Freaking Continued!” which may be presumptuous but is a sign that writer Tom Taylor is excited about his story. It shows all the way through.” – The Sci-Fi Block
The Authority – Mondregon Part 2
“The end of the issue was pretty awesome and really unexpected. It closes an arc for one of the characters who we’ve followed for a while now. This run is more than halfway done and with certain storylines wrapped up and others opened, I’m anxious to see what else we’ve got coming before year’s end. 8 out of 10 (On its way to greatness)” - Wildstorm Addiction
“The Authority #24 has a very abrupt ending as John Cumberland has one very inspirational performance.”- CBR
Randy Stradley has teased a little tidbit over at Dark Horse about something I’m currently working towards (because apparently my brain doesn’t feel busy enough already). This should make a lot of Chris Scalf fans (of which I’m one) very happy.
“Writer Tom Taylor (Invasion) has submitted a proposal to turn the concept of Blood Ties(previewed here two weeks ago) into a semi-regular series, with the idea of having artist Chris Scalf provide the painted art for each issue! Note: it will not be what you expect it to be!”
I’m very happy to see this made public and I’m looking forward to throwing myself into it after I finish the last Jango and Boba Fett script.
Next up, an interview I did for Star Wars Books in the UK.
“My day generally begins when I am kneed in the chest by the full force of a four-year-old jumping on me while screaming ‘time to hop up, dad!’. I wrestle with him for a while and then I wander down my hallway and press the power button on my computer. I keep walking to the coffee maker. Sometimes my wife will already have it on, because she’s wonderful. I take my coffee back to my computer where I check my emails, Facebook, new comic pages and other art, internet forum chatter about my work, Skype messages from editors and I generally update my website if there’s something worth mentioning. Then, once all of that is done, and if I’m heading out of the house to work or heading to Colin Wilson’s house for coffee, I will put on pants.”
The rest can be read right here.
And of course… Star Wars: Invasion — Rescues #2 is out today!
Thanks to Corax from NJOE.com for letting me know that the preview for Star Wars: Invasion – Rescues #1 is up at the Dark Horse site. Click the pic for a four-page preview featuring Kaye Galfridian and Arbeloa.
Issue #1 hits stands on May 26.
Issue #3 of Invasion has been solicited, which means…
New Jo Chen cover!
STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #3 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale July 28
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Two armies have joined forces for a dangerous rescue mission. Both have experience fighting the Yuuzhan Vong, but this time the encounter takes an unexpected turn, and more is revealed about their enemy’s strange capabilities…
Meanwhile, Finn Galfridian and the Solo children race to warn Finn’s father that a trusted friend is a deadly enemy!
Covers by Jo Chen!
Also announced for Star Wars comics in July is the ending of Legacy with issue #50. A big thank you and congratulations to John and Jan for their work on this this great series. Look for more Star Wars comics announcements soon…
Two books.
Twice the eye-candy.
Jo’s Chen’s latest Invasion cover has been on high rotation as my desktop wallpaper for the last month. I love it. And, hey, the other one is Vader looking like a bad ass.
STAR WARS ADVENTURES: THE WILL OF DARTH VADER
Tom Taylor (W), Brain Koschak (P), Dan Parsons (I), Michael Wiggam (C), and Sean McNally (Cover)
On sale Aug 11
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
TPB, 5 1/4″ x 7 1/2″
Darth Vader is on a mission for the Emperor!
When the Rebellion’s hit-and-run attacks on Imperial cargo ships become too audacious to be ignored, Darth Vader is sent in to find the Rebel base and destroy it. But the base, hidden in the center of a constantly shifting asteroid field, cannot be attacked directly.
To reach his target, Vader will have to team up with a recently captured smuggler named Zika—and dealing with an unwilling, wisecracking partner may be more of a trial for the Dark Lord than the actual mission!
STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #2 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale June 30
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
New and vital knowledge sends Finn Galfridian with Jacen and Jaina Solo on a mission to the planet of Artorias. Though Finn does not know if his father, Caled, lives, if there is any chance, he must be warned of new dangers. It’s a hot and dangerous ride to Artorias, and the occupying Yuuzhan Vong are ready with a toothsome, ravaging welcome . . .
Meanwhile, Kaye and Nina, board their newly acquired Vong ship, embark on their own mission. It’s one they can’t refuse: rescuing captives held on a dead planet. There is no telling what peril will meet the rescue party . . .
Just announced at Star Wars.com - Star Wars: Invasion returns in May!
Star Wars: Invasion — Rescues #1 (of 6) Written by Tom Taylor; Art by Colin Wilson; Colors by Wes Dzioba; Cover by Jo Chen On Sale May 26. 40 pages.
The Yuuzhan Vong invasion spreads death and destruction across the galaxy, leaving behind ravaged worlds with little hope of survival . . . Artorias, the homeworld of the Galfridian family lay in the path of the Yuuzhan Vong armada — and now, though separated, Finn, Kaye, Nina, and Caled work to fight the invaders with the hope that one day they will again be together on their peaceful planet.
Finn studies at the Jedi temple with Luke Skywalker and the grown Jedi children of Han Solo and Princess Leia! Kaye and Nina use a Yuuzhan Vong slave ship to attack their former captors! Caled raises forces on Artorias — not knowing the danger from one of his trusted allies!
Oooooooh…
STAR WARS: INVASION VOLUME 1—REFUGEES
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale May 12
FC, 144 pages
$18.99
TPB, 7″ x 10″
Twenty-five years after the Battle of Yavin, Luke Skywalker and the galaxy are facing their first real threat since the Sith were defeated: an invasion of hostile warriors from another galaxy—the Yuuzhan Vong!
The peaceful planet of Artorias is in the path of the alien armada. Finn Galfridian, his spunky sister Kaye, and their parents find themselves separated and fighting for their lives when the surprise invasion occurs. But their ordeal is just beginning . . .
• Collects Star Wars: Invasion #1–#5 and #0.
• This new series ties in to—and fits between—the nineteen novels of Del Rey’s New Jedi Order series.
• Features some of the first visual representations of this turbulent era of the Star Wars saga, including Han and Leia’s Jedi children!
Yep, Star Wars: Invasion #4 is out today… unless you live in France apparently. That’s right, I’ve just learned that French people get to read my comic two or three days before I do.
Anyway, rush to your local comic shop and buy Star Wars: Invasion #4 before it runs out! News has come in of many places selling out of the last issues very quickly – which is nice.
Once you’ve finished #4, don’t despair, because more Invasion is right around the corner. Star Wars: Invasion #0 will hit the shelves next week!
My first purple cover… click for a preview.
