Note: With the release of the Vader Guide this past week at Comic-Con International, I decided to split the Memorable EU Moments and Ultimate Vader Guide blog into separate entries to allow discussion of each independently.

In other Star Wars news: while I don't know why it hasn't been publicized more widely, there will be a very cool special publication called Vader: The Ultimate Guide available this July, I believe, to which I contributed a fair amount of work. Other acknowledged contributors include fan-favorites Joe Corroney (Star Wars Empire comics), author Daniel Wallace (The New Essential Chronology), and author Karen Traviss (Republic Commando: Hard Contact), who has written a Vader short story for the publication set shortly after Revenge of the Sith. Juicy.

Update: Also, for those of you who received the Star Wars Insider e-mail hyping the Ultimate Vader Guide, you already know that artists Jan Duursema (Star Wars Republic comics), Chris Trevas (Star Wars Insider and the WEG rpg), Tommy Lee Edwards (Wizards of the Coast Star Wars rpg), and Matt Busch (Star Wars Topps cards and WEG rpg) are also contributing. The "Path of Evil" text that appears next to Chris Trevas' illustration of Owen and Beru in the e-flier is part of my contribution to the Vader Guide. The book makes its debut at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, July 13-17.

Update: Finally, you can read the official word from Lucasfilm on the guide in this feature from starwars.com.

Update: It's in my hands! I'm very happy with the way the look of the book came out. It's visual heavy, and has some exceptionally striking new art. My favorites include (impromptu titles follow) a hypnotic "X-Ray Vader" illustration by Tommy Lee Edwards, "Vader vs. the Ewoks" by Bryan Fradente, and Joe Corroney and Brian Miller's "Vader's Remorse."

The guide should be a joy for any fan of Star Wars and Vader. But fret not hardcore Star Warriors. There's something special in here for you too. For example:

- An elaboration of the events of the New Sith Wars, including the "Darth" name of the renegade Jedi who started it all...

- Whatever happened to Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber?

- A cameo by a certain indestructible Sith mitt.

- Details behind Anakin's assignation of the title Tan.

- The reconciliation of conflicting accounts concerning the construction of Anakin's podracer.

- A bridging of the events following Vader's fleeing of the Death Star as depicted in Empire: Savage Heart and Scoundrel's Luck.

- An elaboration of this line from the original Star Wars novelization, spoken to Luke by Garven "Dave" Dreis, a.k.a Red Leader, on the eve of the Battle of Yavin: "I met your father once when I was just a boy, Luke. He was a great pilot. You'll do all right out there. If you've got half your father's skill, you'll do a damn sight better than all right."

And that's just in my sections! Enjoy fanboys and girls! ~ Abel G. Peņa

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The Vader: The Ultimate Guide is now completely sold out, but you can often find it listed on ebay or Amazon.com.