Word gets around quick. It's true; artist and frequent collaborator Joe Corroney let the nexu out of the bag in his blog entry The Sith Sense that he's working on the sketches for my next Star Wars project, The Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe.

Here's the quote:

I've already moved on to my next project for Insider, an article featuring the Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe written by my pals Abel Pena and Enrique Guerrero. I'm knee deep in sketches for the project at the moment and I'm looking forward to coming up with some hopefully cool pieces for everyone. I'm drawing Asaj Ventress right now, one of my favorite recent EU villians.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Star Wars "Expanded Universe" consists of all the spin-off stories and lore that has literally expanded George Lucas' epic space saga beyond the famous film sextet. Written for those fans just jumping aboard for the Star Wars adventure with Revenge of the Sith, as well as those fans who have been here since the beginning (and I do mean the beginning), "The Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe" is co-written with ultra-knowledgeable Star Wars aficionado Enrique Guerrero (check the "Acknowledgements" pages of some of the New Jedi Order books). Highlighting some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the Star Wars literary canon, this controversial piece will be published in issue 83 of Star Wars Insider, due out this August.

What are the most memorable moments of the entire Star Wars story? Well, that would be giving it away. What I can tell you is that Joe's preliminary sketches are looking fantastic, and for those familiar with his work, you know you're in for a treat. I can also tell you that there'll be an added surprise to the feature that won't fail to raise a few eyebrows.

August is still a ways off, though. In the meantime, write in and tell me some of your very favorite moments from the Expanded Universe. The books, the comics, television programs, and video games (even the toys and collectible cards!). I'll update this blog with some of the comments I receive. Share your passion for the Expanded Universe at abelgpena@star-wars.net. We'll compare notes in a pair of months.

Updates:

1) Joe leaked some more info about the Memorable Moments project on his official artist thread at theforce.net:

Speaking of SW Insider I'm putting the finishing touches on my 'Best Moments of the Expanded Universe; artwork for issue #83 right now. The article is written by my pals Abel Pena and Enrique Guerrero. Some of the characters I've illustrated for the feature include some of my very favorites - Darth Vader, General Greivous, Aayla Secura and Asajj Ventress to name a few. I really had fun with this project and hope you guys check it out when #83 ships next month.

2) Also, here's the official word on the 20 Most Memorable Moments article.

3) Finally, here's "20 More EU Moments," a complimentary article in the online supplement to Insider #83 by long-time pal Pablo Hidalgo.

4) The long-awaited article in Insider #83 is now arriving in subscriber's mailboxes, and should be hitting store shelves soon.


AFTERWORD:

Insider #83 is arriving in subscriber's mailboxes, and should be hitting store shelves soon. Below are several thoughts from fans about their favorites moments from the Expanded Universe, several of which made it into the Insider #83 piece and Hyperspace supplement article. There is also a list of several blogs and message boards threads discussing the subject.

How to choose what's best? How to choose what's worst? Given that no such ranking of the vast body of Star Wars literature had ever been attempted in its nearly three decades of history, the decisions were obviously hard to make, more so knowing whatever the outcome of our final choices, it would be inherently flawed. For clearly, you can't please everyone completely.

Nonetheless, everyone should find something they like in the 45 total moments spotlighted between the two articles--even if it's only Joe's terrific art. These articles are, of course, only a jumping off point for discussion--for fans to remember, defend, and even try to forget some of the greatest and zaniest moments a hundred or more Star Wars storytellers have offered over the years, brave men and women who have dared to go where few fans have gone before. And of course, these articles are a jumping off points for fans to interact with one another in the mutual appreciation of the greatest space opera of all time.

With Dark Horse Comics launching a number of new Star Wars titles, Del Rey launching several new series, and a new Clone Wars 3-D animated series on the horizon, the future will undoubtedly create a slew of new memorable Expanded Universe moments for us to dissect, discuss, despise and adore, and someone else, perhaps some of you reading this blog, will write a brand-spanking new Star Wars EU Top 20. I can hardly wait.

Till then, enjoy the ride folks. ~ Abel G. Peņa

SgtThokk writes:

"My favorite moment in Star Wars has to be that bit of Foreshadowing in the Clone Wars mini-series when Anakin uses Asajj's very own lightsaber to dispatch her."

John Ashline writes:

"I have two, the most poignant being,

Han plunging Anakin's lightsaber into Chewbacca's tree on Kashyyyk, in rememberance of their lives (was it The Unifying Force...?) [It was. ~ Abel]

Leia learning about her grandmother, Shmi (Tatooine Ghost)"

Silly Dan writes:

"Some memorable 'old school' EU moments:
-- The final episode of the Ewoks cartoon series, where Wicket ends up
on an Imperial Star Destroyer for some reason.
-- Luke and Vader fight it out in a temple deep in the Mimban swamps
(Splinter of the Mind's Eye)
-- Han Solo discovers the lost treasure of Xim the Despot -- but it's
worthless (Han Solo and the Lost Legacy)"

Kenlin writes:

"My greatest EU moment is probably when Jango slumps to his knees in Open Seasons. You can really see the pain and guilt, knowing that he is the last of the Mandalorians (or so he thinks)."

Master Starkeiller writes:

"Palpy's Resurrection [in Dark Empire]... The highlight of the E.U..."

Mike Cooper writes:

"Revan's identity from KOTOR [Knights of the Old Republic video game], obviously.

Thrawn's 'superlaser' trick with the cloaked ships in Dark Force
Rising (or was it Last Command?). [The Last Command ~ Abel]. There are lots of great Thrawn moments, obviously, but that one's the best.

Bria leaves Han at the end of The Paradise Snare. Huge nostalgic value for me; it was my first Star Wars book, and to this day the only one that made my eyes at all watery. "


Blogs

The Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe

Mike's 20 Most Memorable Moments

'Knights of the Old Republic' was robbed!

So Artistically Done

My Top Ten EU Moments

A Take on the "20 Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe"

Gun of Command - Jessa has a MOMENT

EU Top 10!!!!


Message Board Threads

Charlemagne19's Bottom 20 EU moments....

Mike's 20 Most Memorable EU Moments

Insider's Greatest Moments: Your Picks (READ PAGE ONE)

Your Top 20 EU Moments

Insider #83: Top 20 EU Moments & "Medstar: Intermezzo" short story by Perry & Reaves

YOUR Top 20 EU moments. Let's get this right!


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