This year marks not only the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, but also a few other Star Wars milestones. Twenty years ago, Disney and Lucasfilm came together to us the ride-till-you-barf movie/ride simulator thriller Star Tours. I was actually loved this ride so much, that one time I actually stood in line with an audio tape recorder so I could later transcribe the entire dialogue between Threepio and Artoo into a transcript. Also, fifteen years ago, the landmark comic series Dark Empire launched, ushering in a new era and quality of Star Wars comic books. I still remember that feeling of absolute vertigo as I read the second issue and witnessed the inconceivable return of the Emperor. Of course, 2007 also marks the five-year anniversary of a little film called Attack of the Clones.

But despite all these cool events, 1997 was something, well, special. Ten years ago, we got the Star Wars Special Editions, and fans all over the globe began to understand that Star Wars really was back and the prequels weren't just a pipe dream. The enthusiam generated during this period was second only to the Phantom Menace fever of 1999, and really, where that fever began. Fans needed an outlet for their excitement.

Enter the Internet.

I remember very distinctly my first experience on the Internet and surfing for Star Wars, which was essentially as mind-blowing as the Emperor coming back from the dead. Tons of sites appeared for me to click on and enjoy. And in 1997, Star Wars websites started springing up all over the web like weeds. Some were good, some were better.

This year, both The Belgian Star Wars Fanclub TeeKay-421 and the Star Wars Fanboy Association celebrate their ten-year anniversaries. Both organizations were created by fans with a love for Star Wars so great, it had to be loosed upon the world. Their respective websites and publications are unique works of quality in both content and appearance, stuffed with original coolness including art, news, stories, essays, and interviews (including some with yours truly).

Cruise over, folks, to check out their special anniversary updates, and enjoy the fruits of the Star Wars phenomenon! ~ Abel G. Peņa

P.S. I'm off to visit Japan! But no worries, I'll be back in time for Celebration IV.

BLOG INDEX

MYSPACE PROFILE