I just got finished reading the latest SWI, which included the exciting "Top 20 EU Moments" list.

Right off the bat, I want to congratulate Abel and Enrique for tackling a project that will undoubtedly spawn many "but you forgot to include..." letters. And of course, Joe's artwork complements the article nicely. But I was pleasently surprised that the list was unnumbered, and thus unranked. In the end, that is an excellent diplomatic choice and ensures Abel's and Enrique's Star Wars careers as critics with a long and bright future

There was one moment in the article that I was deeply happy to see made it on the list: the Death of Ton Phanan. I am an unabashed fan of the X-wing books and comics (and generally any book that turns the spotlight from Star Wars' Heroes of Yavin). Although I fully understand (and appreciate) that the Star Wars saga is about the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker, and the impact of this on his sone and daught and his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the universe that is Star Wars is so grand and dynamic.

The Galactic Civil War is a mirror of many acts of betrayal and honour, and certainly not all by the Skywalkers or the other main characters of the saga. Some of the greatest stories of heroism and self-sacrifice come from the men, women, and sentients on the front lines. And although their names may not be Han Solo or Admiral Piett, their stories are no less tragic or inspiring.

Enter the X-wing books and video games, and in this case, Wraith Squadron. The Wraith books were an even bigger gamble than the Rogue Squadron books in that at least most readers were familiar with the Rogues, through any number of ways--the comics, the video games, or simply the movies.

But Wraith Squadron was a completely unheard of group of pilots and leaders (save Wedge), and for the books to have any success, their authour would have quite an uphill battle. Not only would he have to establish the purpose of the Wraiths, but he would have to get the reader to care about twelve brand new characters with a motley of personal, psychological, disciplinary, and even physical issues. The future of novels based on non-saga characters was firmly in the hands of one Aaron Allston. And although the books were perhaps not relative best-sellers, I am confident that Allston proved that there was interest (in the novel world) beyond the familiar characters of Episodes I-VI. (The Republic Commando books would second this motion.)

Undoubtedly, three of the top reasons why these books were successful was the battle action, the humour, and the distinct cameraderie of twelve people stuck with each other till death did them part. The latter of these reasons is monumentalized is the Death of Ton Phanan. "Face" Loran is one of my favorite Star Wars characters (on the top-five list with Han, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Thrawn). His best friend (and thus an honourary favorite character on my list) was Ton, a tragic character in the mythical sense in that he had injuries that could have been easily healed, if not for his rare allergy to bacta. That left Ton on the same level as you and me. If Ton Phanan got sick or seriouslly injured (as he did), his body had to fight disease and infection just like you and me--no magic bacta treatments. That made Ton more human than most other characters. And what made Ton such a great frekkin' character was how he managed to shrug off his "bad luck" and actually make fun of it. I have some experience in this department (as anyone who really knows me can attest) and I think the ability to make fun yourself or your situations (no matter how bad) is an incredible beacon of character.

Since the end of the Classic Trilogy, Star Wars has attempted to imitate the great comedic chemistry of Threepio and Artoo: Han and Droma, Obi-Wan and Anakin, Wedge and Janson, Jar Jar and...Jar Jar, but (arguably I suppose, at least in the case of Anakin and Obi-Wan) none of them have totally succeeded in achieving it, save Face and Ton. And the reason they achieved it was because, like Artoo and Threepio, there was a deep sense of true friendship that just couldn't be driven apart by any force/Force or obstacle; If one was in trouble, the other would be there--no questions asked, no past misunderstanding or arguments withstanding.

I remember reading Ton's death...and then re-reading the section a few times immediately after. One, because I didn't believe Ton was dead (no one important in the EU ever died at this point). Two, to confirm that a Star Wars book had actually choked me up. And three, for the sheer beauty of the writing. Ton's death is probably one of the most dramatic and poignant death scenes I have ever witnessed in fiction--books or movies. It ranks right up there with the death scenes of Boromir (The Fellowship of the Ring), Maximus (Gladiator), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), and Gabriel Martin (The Patriot).

But what makes Ton's death stand out from that group is that it matured Face, matured the Squadron, and matured the Star Wars reader. It was brutally unfair because it was totally unexpected. And it was so beautifully done.