The Rise of Skywalker Visual Dictionary

As has become tradition, the week following the release of a new Star Wars film means one thing: poring over the details contained of a brand new Visual Dictionary. I managed to pick up my copy of this essential Rise of Skywalker companion via MightyApe for just $25.00AU (NZ).

Those of you familiar with these wonderful tomes will already know what to expect: endless details, trivia, and minutiae from the film - all accompanied by author Pablo Hidalgo's acerbic wit. This entry is no different. Countless threads are drawn between TRoS and what has come before - including more references to the Legends Expanded Universe than ever before.

My only real disappointment is that this volume wasn't released side-by-side with the usual Incredible Cross-Sections accompaniment (as was the case with The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi). Instead, the Visual Dictionary has assumed the role of both books by including a limited selection of six cross-sections. This is the same approach that was taken with the guides to both Rogue One and Solo. It was understandable in those cases, however - since the non-saga nature of the films meant that accompanying media releases were minimal. This time around, the decision is a puzzling one. It certainly wasn't for lack of source material, as there are all kinds of vehicles from the final saga film just screaming for the cross-section treatment. I can't help but be slightly frustrated by the fact that my bookshop will contain an Incredible Cross-Sections volume for every episode in the saga except the final film.

Nevertheless, this gripe is entirely unrelated to the quality of the Visual Dictionary itself - which is, as always, superb. As something of a bonus (and, perhaps, a consolation) this Visual dictionary follows in the footsteps of the Rogue One and Solo visual guides by also providing a behind-the-scenes section - something that was entirely absent in previous saga volumes.

Star Wars Official 2019 Calendar

It wouldn't be a festive season without a new Star Wars calendar to help see in the New Year - and this Christmas, my parents surprised me with this very cool Original Trilogy-themed calendar for 2019!

Each month features a classic character or vehicle painted in a unique watercolour style. As always, there's a very nice 'centrefold' image in the middle, allowing the calendar to double as a poster once the year is up.

Solo: A Star Wars Story - The Official Guide

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that Star Wars reference books and visual guides are one of my obsessions. It should come as no surprise, then, that I had a copy of Solo: A Star Wars Story - The Official Guide ordered to arrive on its release date. The deal was further sweetened by the fact that Amazon.com had the book listed for a pre-order price of $12.59US ($18.20NZ) - a considerable discount on the New Zealand RRP of $40.99.

Like the Rogue One visual guide, this book is essentially an amalgam of the separate Visual Dictionary and Incredible Cross-Section volumes that accompany each episodic film in the saga. For those of you who have delved into these visual guides before, you'll know what to expect: A cornucopia of trivia and glorious images of characters, locations, vehicles, and props. Pablo Hidalgo returns as author once again, bringing with him his urbane wit and formidable knowledge of the Star Wars mythos. He manages to tease out some fascinating minutiae, as well as draw links (some very surprising) to all manner of elements of the Expanded Universe - both canon and Legends. As an added bonus, there are a few pages at the rear of the book that give us a glimpse behind-the-scenes of Solo, including a look at the design process for some of the more iconic characters and vehicles.

Unfortunately, whereas the Rogue One visual guide included a number of cross-sections, this guide only includes one: the Millennium Falcon. I've been an enormous fan of Richard Chasemore's Star Wars cross-sections ever since the late '90s, so I found this a little disappointing. And it's not like there was any shortage of material to work with - the AT-Hauler, TIE Brute, Conveyex, and First Light all would have benefited from the cross-section treatment, as would smaller vehicles like the AT-DT, Han's Landspeeder, and the Cloudriders' swoop bikes.

Nevertheless, Solo: A Star Wars Story - The Official Guide is an admirable addition to this ongoing series of reference books, and a must-have for all fans of the saga.

The Last Jedi Incredible Cross-Sections and Visual Dictionary

Back in 1999, my grandmother surprised me with the Incredible Cross-Sections and Visual Dictionary books for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Over the following days and weeks I eagerly lapped every last detail contained in those books - my 12-year-old mind was blown at the depth of the universe that existed behind that movie. Since then I've made a habit of picking up the latest editions of these volumes whenever a Star Wars film is released. The Last Jedi was no different.

This edition of Incredible Cross-Sections is once again brimming with gorgeous hand-drawn cut-aways of every imaginable vehicle and starship from The Last Jedi. Accompanied by a raft of technical details and specifications, the book should - as usual - prove fascinating to both fans of the saga and of spacecraft engineering more generally. The Visual Dictionary encompasses a slightly wider scope, featuring high-quality photos of every imaginable character, costume, and prop from the film - making it a must-have resource for any cosplayer. Each image is also accompanied by fascinating call outs and trivia, enriched along the way by author Pablo Hidalgo's famously dry wit.

I managed to secure both Incredible Cross-Sections and Visual Dictionary for the incredibly low preorder prices of $13.78US ($18.99NZ) and $11.36US ($15.65) respectively - but you can still find them both on Amazon.com for not a lot more than that.

Star Wars Official 2018 Calendar - Collectors Edition

The new year is almost upon us, and in 2018 I'll be keeping track of the days with this fantastic 40th anniversary calendar I received from my parents for Christmas.

Each month features an image of a main character from A New Hope, framed by gorgeous screen shots from the film. Best of all, the calendar continues the tradition of including a two-page centrefold that allows the calendar to still be displayed long after 2018 is up. This time around, it's a unique 40th anniversary version of the original Star Wars theatrical poster.

Star Wars Super Graphic

For my birthday this year, my wonderful fiancée performed an incredibly impressive feat - surprising me with a Star Wars book that I had never even heard of. Written by Entertainment Weekly's Tim Leong, Star Wars Super Graphic is a veritable feast of factoids, statistics, and minutiae about that galaxy far, far away. With a dry wit and a formidable knowledge of the saga, Leong presents trivia from throughout the canonical Star Wars universe up until the release of Rogue One (and yes, that includes the animated series, novels, and comics too). Always wanted to know the precise placings of the pods in the Boonta Eve classic? This book has you covered. Need details on the relative speeds of starships from the Rebel, Imperial, Resistance, and First Order fleets? Leong has the answers. And, as the title suggests, every spread of information is presented in gorgeous and creative graphic visualisations.

I'm an enormous fan of encyclopedic works that chronicle the Star Wars universe (the visual dictionaries and incredible cross-sections volumes that accompany each film are, for me, always necessary purchases). Given this, I'm shocked that I almost missed this phenomenal publication. Many Star Wars trivia publications can be stuffed with information that is commonplace and - well - rather trivial. Not so here, however. Super Graphic had me realising just how much I still have to learn about the Star Wars universe. While Leong includes some great moments of levity (the visual breakdown of the divisive 'Yub Nub' celebration song is a particularly wonderful high point), a large portion of the content in this volume - like a complete chronological viewing order for the Clone Wars animated series - will be a vital resource for every fan of the saga. If you haven't yet, go out and pick up a copy of this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Summer 2017 Vanity Fair Magazine

Starting with The Phantom Menace in 1999, it's become something of a tradition for Vanity Fair (and the photographic genius of Annie Leibovitz) to provide us with our first behind-the-scenes glimpse of each new Star Wars film. Following on from their fantastic coverage of The Force Awakens in 2015, the summer 2017 issue of Vanity Fair has now lifted the lid on The Last Jedi.

Featuring interviews with a number of the cast and crew, the magazine gives a unique insight into the process and direction that the production is taking, along with a few tantalising hints of just how dark this film might be. In truth however, this feature isn't so much about The Last Jedi. Instead, it's an epitaph for one of the saga's greatest legends - the late Carrie Fisher. The magazine includes often heartbreaking insights from those who knew her best, as well some gorgeous photography of Carrie - particularly alongside her daughter Billie Lourde and long-time friend and on-screen brother Mark Hamill.

The summer 2016 issue of Vanity Fair is available in most booksellers and magazine stores, and comes in four alternate cover designs.

Rogue One - The Ultimate Visual Guide

Back in 1999, my grandmother gave me the Visual Dictionary and Incredible Cross-Sections books for the recently-released Phantom Menace. She didn't realise it at the time, but she started a long-term obsession with those Star Wars reference books, and I've picked up every subsequent edition since then. For Rogue One, publisher Dorling Kindersley did things a little differently - combining the usually separate Visual Dictionary and Cross-Sections volumes into a single tome entitled Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide. I recently picked up my own copy from Barnes and Noble for $24.00US ($33.38NZ), and have already spent a good few hours poring over the contents.

Written by Lucasfilm Story Group member (and walking, talking Star Wars encyclopedia) Pablo Hidalgo and featuring wonderful double-page cross-sections by Kemp Remillard, this volume contains insights into every facet of the film. From the names of each of Jyn's childhood toys, to the histories of every background Jedha alien, the Ultimate Guide has it all. Gloriously detailed photographs of every weapon, gadget, and costume also makes it an invaluable reference guide for prop-builders and cosplayers alike. Unlike previous Visual Dictionary volumes, this edition also features a new behind-the-scenes section providing insights into how the film was actually made. If there's something you want to know about Rogue One, then chances are you'll find it in this book!

Star Wars Origami by Chris Alexander

There's nothing like doing some arts-and-crafts projects over the holiday season, and if those projects happen to be Star Wars-related - all the better! This year, I'm having an enormous amount of fun working my way through another birthday present from my girlfriend - Chris Alexander's Star Wars Origami.

The book features instructions for 36 different models in four ranging levels of difficulty: 'Youngling, 'Padawan', 'Jedi Knight', and 'Jedi Master'. This graded scale is a welcome feature, especially for those with little-to-no previous experience of origami folding (like myself). My girlfriend and I are currently working on the Padawan-level models, and already finding that it's a steep learning curve. While the models can be made using any old piece of paper, the rear of the book contains a stack of custom-printed pages to add some extra wow-factor to your creations. Best of all, most models come with duplicate sheets so that you and your friend (or equally Star Wars-obsessed significant other) can work on the same model simultaneously.

September 2016 Empire Magazine

The September 2016 issue of Empire magazine is now in stores, and this month it's all about building anticipation for the impending release of Rogue One. The magazine's coverage features some stunning new on-set photographs, as well as an illuminating interview with Gareth Edwards. If there were any lingering doubts about whether Edwards knows what he's doing, this feature will undoubtedly put them to rest.

Of course, the real coup with this issue of Empire is the inclusion of four giant Rogue One posters (spread over two double-sided sheets). The first poster features the enigmatic new 'Death Troopers', the second shows Baze Malbus huddled next to a downed X-Wing, the third is a spread of the core cast of the film, while the fourth features the gorgeous official poster for the film. Not bad for $10.95!

The Force Awakens Official Movie Special Magazine

Countdown supermarkets are currently stocking a magazine dedicated to the latest installment in the Star Wars saga. Entitled The Force Awakens Official Movie Special, this issue sells for $6.70 and contains some great exclusive material.

The magazine includes timelines, character breakdowns, concept art, interviews with the cast and crew, and some stunning on-set images. Several of the pages also double as removable mini-posters. This is a great souvenir for any fan of the film, and fantastic value for the price!

[EDIT (18/02/2016): This magazine has now been spotted at a number of different magazine retailers - not just Countdown supermarkets.] 

The Force Awakens Incredible Cross-Sections and Visual Dictionary

I received my very first Star Wars Incredible Cross-Sections and Visual Dictionary books from my grandma all the way back in 1999. They were for The Phantom Menace - and I remember spending hours poring over every detail contained within. At that point, I hadn't had a lot of exposure to the 'Expanded Universe', so those books were my first hint of the much larger universe that existed behind the films. Everything had a story, an explanation - a reason for being there. Fast-forward seventeen years, and I once again find myself savouring every piece of information in the new The Force Awakens editions of each of these books.

As with every other entry in these series, the detail is phenomenal. The beautifully hand-drawn cutaways in Incredible Cross-Sections reveal the painstakingly thought-out engineering behind every vehicle in the new film, as well as a few interesting plot points that add even more depth to the story. The Visual Dictionary builds on this - using Pablo Hidalgo's encyclopedic Star Wars knowledge to flesh-out countless weapons, devices, locations, and character (some of which only appear on-screen for the briefest of moments). There are a couple of characters that are notably omitted - but this is understandable, given the secrets that are being kept for Episodes VIII and IX.

Both volumes are currently available from Whitcoulls or MightyApe for $37.00 each.

January 2016 Empire Magazine

I was surprised that Empire's December issue contained very little coverage of The Force Awakens, but it seems they were just saving all of that for their January release. This month's magazine is packed with Star Wars-goodness, including a heap of interviews with the cast and crew, a lightsaber infographic, and (most interesting for collectors like myself) a timeline of Star Wars action figures over the last five decades.

The magazine itself comes in five alternate cover (Rey, Finn, Han Solo, Kylo Ren, and Poe Dameron. and contains the first quarter of a reversible Force Awakens / A New Hope 'mega' poster.

The January issue of Empire magazine is available at all usual stockists, and retails for $10.20NZ.

The Force Awakens Official 2016 Calendar

It wouldn't be a new year without a Star Wars calendar to mark the days - and this year, I'll be doing so with the official The Force Awakens calendar courtesy of my partner's mum.

As usual with these calendars, the artwork is striking. Each month features a new portrait of a character from The Force Awakens. Kylo Ren is paid substantial attention (appearing in four of the twelve months) but Rey, Finn, Captain Phasma, and the droids and troopers all get a look-in as well. 

December 2015 Time Magazine

This week it's Time magazine's turn to get in on the hype surrounding the release of The Force Awakens. Their feature contains all-new interviews with the cast and crew, as well as a stunning set of portraits by Marco Grob.

The article has a strong focus on Abrams's film-making process - emphasising the ways in which he wanted to remain true to the thematic and technical spirit of the original films. It makes for a great read, and should help bolster confidence that we're in for a treat this Thursday!

This edition of Time magazine is currently retailing for $6.40 at most magazine stockists.

November 2015 Entertainment Weekly Magazine

This week, Entertainment Weekly's next Star Wars-themed issue began turning up here in New Zealand. It's a special collector's 'double-issue', and comes in four different cover variants including Han Solo, R2-D2 and C-3PO, Rey, and Finn (pictured here).

The issue features a massive 32 pages of Star Wars coverage, including some brand new interviews with the cast and crew of The Force Awakens, a guide to the new canon, and a very handy timeline of upcoming Star Wars releases. It's retailing here for $16.90, and should be available in most magazine stores.

The Official Star Wars Fact File Issue 3

Last week, issue 3 of The Official Star Wars Fact File hit stores here in New Zealand. Like the previous two issues, this one also came with a freebie - a set of dividers for the ring binder in issue 2

Issue 3 retails for $6.99 and features articles on Han Solo, General Grievous, and the Boonta Eve Podrace. This is the last issue that comes with a freebie (unless, of course, you decide to subscribe), so is the final one that I'll be picking up. I need to conserve my Star Wars budget for all of those awesome 3 3/4" figures on the horizon!

The Official Star Wars Fact File Issue 2

This week sees the release in New Zealand of issue 2 of The Official Star Wars Fact File. While I hadn't planned on picking up any further issues, the inclusion of a very cool Stormtrooper three-ring binder swayed me into purchasing this one.

The issue retails for $6.99 and features articles on Yoda, Commander Cody, and the T-65 X-Wing. The binder is the best part however - featuring a galaxy map and Star Wars timeline on the inside covers. I'd been hunting for a Star Wars-binder to keep some loose collectibles in for a while, so this'll fit the bill nicely!

October 2015 Empire Magazine

This week, the October 2015 issue of Empire magazine hit shelves, along with a fantastic feature-article on The Force Awakens. The magazine comes in two fold-out cover variants - "Villain" and "Hero". Given my love for all things military in the Star Wars universe, I had to pick the former!

The article itself features exclusive interviews with director and co-writer J.J. Abrams, producer Kathleen Kennedy, and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan - though the trio are careful not to share any details that haven't already been revealed in the earlier Vanity Fair and Entertainment Weekly features. Likewise, all of the images accompanying the article have been previously released - but the amazing covers alone should make this issue highly desirable for collectors.

The Official Star Wars Fact File Issue 1

The Official Star Wars Fact File has returned to magazine stores, and while I was out of town last week my partner picked up the first issue for me. This issue features articles on The Battle of Yavin, R2-D2, Darth Maul, and the Millennium Falcon - but the best part by far is the inclusion of a beautiful (and massive) Star Wars galaxy map.

Future issues will cost $6.99 each - but even if you don't plan on collecting the series, I definitely suggest paying the debut issue price of $1.99 for the galaxy map alone. If you are interested in future issues (and seeing some of the cool gifts that come with subscription) you can read more details here.