A few things going on since my last writing...

First, Knights of the Old Republic #18 is out today, and it includes a pretty big guest appearance from The Empire Strikes Back. One of the nice things about mysterious ancient menaces is that if they're around in the Imperial era, they're probably around in the Old Republic, too.

Without giving away what we're dealing with, I can say that we worked very hard to meet the challenge of explaining one of the most fantastic and inexplicable features of the films -- check out the issue to see what we came up with. (There's also some liner notes on the issue on my site, as well.) If you're an Empire completist, it's worth a look, even if you don't normally venture into the Old Republic.

An interesting question strikes me from that experience: What do you regard as the remaining major unexplained things from the Star Wars movies? I'm not taking requests on things to explain here, really -- Randy Stradley says "when you define, you confine," and some things are better left as mysteries. But what are the top two or three things you do wish were explained? I'd be interested in seeing your lists, just to see how they all differ.

I'll bet there's a lot of things some of us would like answers to that the rest would rather leave as mysteries... but let's find out. I have my own list, but I'd like to see yours.

A few updates:

* I'm just back from a trip to the West Coast (my photos from the highway are at my site, for those who can't get enough home movies), so I won't be at San Diego. But be sure to drop by the Dark Horse booth; editor Randy Stradley and series artist Dustin Weaver will be there -- Dustin both at the DH booth and in Artists Alley. Be sure to drop by and talk KOTOR with 'em!

* College pal and Star Wars film parodist John Hudgens ("Darth Vader's Psychic Hotline, "Sith Apprentice," etc.) is premiering his documentary about local horror movie hosts, American Scary, at 7:30 Thursday night at San Diego at the con's Film Festival. Drop by if you're there!

* Meanwhile, I do plan to be at Wizard World Chicago in a few weeks, and possibly one more show this year. I'll post what I know when I know it.

* Series colorist Michael Atiyeh has his own blog now. Michael is the unsung hero of the series, having dealt colorfully with more story crises than I want to remember. Pay him a visit!