main
side
curve
  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Lit Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi (New series by Ostrander and Duursema)

Discussion in 'Literature' started by max-attac, Oct 13, 2011.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Darksama

    Darksama Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2007
    This just sounds really interesting. Exploring the beginnings of the Jedi is something I had hoped would happen at some point. Fortunately that point is now and with the team of Jon and Jan at the helm I believe we will get an amazing story.
     
  2. Jeff_Ferguson

    Jeff_Ferguson Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    May 15, 2006
    This just looks plain fantastic. I am pumped beyond belief, and I have 100% faith in John & Jan. Awesome.

    No, PointGiven is right. It's just you. [face_peace]
     
  3. johnthejedi24

    johnthejedi24 Jedi Master star 3

    Registered:
    Oct 12, 2004
    Here's to hoping they get the tech right for the era this is set in. Stuff like magnetic accelerators, sonic weapons, slug throwers and actual "laser" lasers should be widely in use instead of blasters, which should be rare(if non-existent). I'm wondering what kind of starship tech we'll see since the GFFA is fairly stagnant tech wise.

    Here is to also hoping we see Coruscant(although I do not think it was called that at this time). It is considered the center of galactic culture and society even before the Republic is founded.
     
  4. Sinrebirth

    Sinrebirth Mod-Emperor of the EUC, Lit, RPF and SWC star 10 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Nov 15, 2004
    Jello, the interview states that someone [Celestials?] collected species and placed them in the Tython system ten millennia before the setting - including Twi'leks, Sith, humans etc. So we're looking at a story that predates any of our preconceived notions of Core and Rim, because someone has bypassed them... and, seemingly, put together a solar system that has numerous inhabitable planets/moons within it...

    ... all in all, EPIC.

    To repost from elsewhere...

     
  5. GrandAdmiralJello

    GrandAdmiralJello Comms Admin ❉ Moderator Communitatis Litterarumque star 10 Staff Member Administrator

    Registered:
    Nov 28, 2000
    Eh, I never cared for the Celestials, Rakata, or any of that other stuff. We had some nice explorational/pioneering stuff in TOTJ, the idea of a Republic expanding into the unknown--but not really, all these species met at intergalactic summer camp a loooong time before that. No thanks. I want to see the Battalions of Zhell crushing the proto-Mando Taung on Notron, I want to see the Alderaani colony vessels, I want to see a truly ancient galaxy--not one that's familiar through contrivances and the like. It can still be Star Wars without being the movies again--TOR and and (it looks like) this series are going to be very "familiar," and I don't like that.

    Now, we know next to nothing about it and I know there's a good creative team behind it--but from what little we know, my interest isn't piqued. A lot of people want to see the Bendu and the creation of the Jedi and all that stuff that people have been wondering about since 1977. That's fine--it doesn't have to be my cup of tea--but we've already seen a lot of "discovered species" tossed aside recently, and it pains me every time we have to do that.

    So I'll say that I hope the payout is worth it.
     
    Gamiel likes this.
  6. Tzizvvt78

    Tzizvvt78 Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Jun 12, 2009
    Tho Yor pyramid ships? Hmm, wonder if they're tied into this? The Father was all about balancing the Force and the powers of his two children...
     
  7. CT-867-5309

    CT-867-5309 Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Jan 5, 2011
    Sounds like the basis for a lot of retcons, and if Lucas isn't heavily involved a lot more retcons in the future.

    Still very exciting, and I think this is the time to drop any pretense of Star Wars continuity.
     
  8. Lord_Riven

    Lord_Riven Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 13, 2001
    I think the biggest challenge will be to fit everything nicely into existing continuity. So far there don't seem to be any glaring errors yet. But it will be exciting reading about the Force Wars of Tython and Ashla and Bogan.

    I just hope this doesn't end as disappointingly as Legacy did. Putting PT-era Jedi as the head of the NJO...[face_sick], despite how kewl the character may be
     
  9. DarthPhilosopher

    DarthPhilosopher Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Well I have my own individual thoughts about the origin of the Sith, Jedi and other concepts; so it goes without saying that this project could very well not amalgamate with my own continuity. However never-the-less, given the apparent quality of this series, I'm willing to read it and see if it can be amalgamated with my continuity. Given that it seems the series is specifically about the Tython system and the events prior to the Jedi joining the Republic I think it could be consistent with my own continuity - even if some interpretation may be required.

    The Rakata as an enemy is cool, while I liked the representation of the Je'daii as the 'Titans' of Greek mythology, if only for the fact the origins of Greek mythology inspired by interpretation of the origins of the the Jedi, etc. I wonder what Tython will look like - perhaps Tibet?

    Not to derail the thread, and I realize we have debated this often, however I thought a meld between Eastern and Western philosophy had already been established. In basic terms the Force is Yin-Yang, where a balance of the dualistic Force is Good and an imbalance is Evil. This is essentially the dualistic concept of nature and existence in conjunction with the Manichean concept of Good and Evil. Providing this is the concept established in the philosophy of the comic it should be fine in my opinion. However then again I think this comic series has the potential to revert back to the stark Dark Side is Evil and Light Side is Good - something Lucas has clearly contradicted with his amalgamation of Eastern and Western tradition.

    Another thing I hope this comic doesn't establish is the notion that the Prophecy was created by the Jee'dai and that, because their philosophy was imperfect, that the prophecy was in fact false - this would fully validate the post-ROTJ EU, but also be contradictory to the purpose of the Saga as it is now intended.

    This, "There will be those who stray too far to the dark side, but they are considered by the Je'daii to be out of balance. Those who fall out of balance are put into exile on one of Tython's moons until they can find a way back into balance. Those who go to far to the light side of the Force are also considered to be out of balance and are exiled to the other moon of Titan until they can find a way back into balance", is essentially the philosophy established by high-canon, yet it seems to be viewed as incorrect by this series: "The Je'daii don't see a division of the light and dark side; instead, they believe a balance is necessary between the two. The Je'daii are like the Titans in Greek mythology who came before the gods. They are beings of great power and ability, but not all-knowing. They struggle with the idea of balance in the Force and know that being out of balance affects their power and the planet Tython itself". Although Tython could be representative of the Force it seems - a metaphor of what imbalance does to the Force as a universal entity. Providing this aligns with high-canon I think this will be a great series - if not I'll unfortunately disregard it.

    Everything about this series is promising - however if the philosophy does not align with high-canon then this series could fall at the first hurdle in my opinion.
     
  10. Likewater

    Likewater Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 31, 2009
    Pyramids universal, egyptian, Mayan, they are linked with power, and ancient mystery. All in all it was probably and artistic decision to use them. They look more like floating thingies than ships.
     
  11. Quiet_Mandalorian

    Quiet_Mandalorian Jedi Master star 5

    Registered:
    Apr 19, 2005
    I very much doubt both of those assertions.
    o_O

    Still, nothing wrong with being the only sane man...[face_mischief]
     
  12. CaptainPeabody

    CaptainPeabody Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Jul 15, 2008
    I'll be honest; I would much, much rather have a cosmology that makes sense than one that is "creative" or "developed." GL's collection of half-baked, oft-contradictory "borrowings" from radically opposed traditions wears increasingly thin to me as time goes on, and makes it increasingly harder for me to invest in the setting.

    Basically, there's a reason Manicheans didn't believe in "balance," and there's a reason why the Eastern tradition doesn't talk about its opposing forces as Good and Evil. That reason is because it simply doesn't make sense to do so.

    A Taoist universe I can live with. A broadly Judeo-Christian universe, I can live with. A Manichean one, I would have problems with; but I could live with it.

    But a Manichean universe with the philosophy of Taoism and the ethics and mysticism of Christianity glued onto the surface does not make me happy.

    But obviously, if that's the way things are heading, I'll just have to live with it. Focusing on the pretty lightsabers helps, certainly. [face_smile]
     
  13. Pfluegermeister

    Pfluegermeister Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2003
    If that's so, I'd love to hear the tale of the "getting-off-the-ground" process as it went from then to now. This sort of idea, telling the backstory of the Jedi Order itself, is so huge, and probably so impactful to the entire saga without even trying to be, that I have to wonder if LFL wasn't at first resistant. It's rather like Palpatine's or Yoda's backstories; some stories are not told either because LFL feels it's better to leave them untold and let the audience fill the blanks in with their own imaginations, or because LFL feels if you're GONNA tell them, it had better be done right. So, if you're game, I'm certain the tale of how this project got greenlit would itself be a great story to tell. But is that something you can share?
     
  14. Ulicus

    Ulicus Lapsed Moderator star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jul 24, 2005
    Yeah, I can't say that was particularly reassuring. As early as the Star Wars novel, Obi-Wan makes it clear that he's in communion with the Force as a whole -- thus balanced -- whereas Vader can "sense only a part of the Force", can't see the forest for the trees, and is thus out of whack.

    That said, it may be that the Je'daii's understanding of how to say "in balance" is what's flawed, rather than the principle itself.


    As for the rest: **** YEAH! [face_dancing]

    In answer to Coop's question: While Dawn of the Jedi's concept is much more up my alley than Legacy ever was, I'd still prefer this to have come a few years down the line and for Legacy to have been finished properly. Abruptly cancelling the series then forcing John and Jan to squeeze a conclusion into six issues wasn't remotely cool, despite any new treats on the horizon.

    EDIT: Spelling.
     
  15. TKeira_Lea

    TKeira_Lea Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Oct 10, 2002
    I'm excited for this, for one, because Jan and John are fantastic Star Wars storytellers and two, they use diverse casts. Sometimes I have a hard time with the way back stories because the technology is too much like movie-era technology, but it already sounds like that has been addressed in the planning process.

    Can't wait for February.
     
  16. MercenaryAce

    MercenaryAce Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 10, 2005
    Speaking of continuity, is there any communication between this team and the SWTOR guys, because they are also covering the Force Wars and Tython a bit.

    Granted I don't think they will go into too much detail and frankly I think I wouldn't mind if there was a retcon or two but I feel compelled to ask.

    Also, I hope we can see a Sky Judge or two.
     
  17. whiskers

    whiskers Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 19, 2005
    Looking forward to this, though I do have a complaint. With it taking place so early in the timeline and since I arrange my comics chronologically... I have to move 2 3/4 long boxes to organize properly! [face_laugh]
     
  18. Ghost

    Ghost Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Oct 13, 2003
    I fell asleep last night, woke up, and this thread still exists! :D

    It's not a dream, it's actually real?!

    This, and the Darth Plagueis novel, are really giving me something to look forward to again!
     
  19. max-attac

    max-attac Jedi Knight star 1

    Registered:
    May 23, 2009
    I hadn't noticed the fact before, but the correlation between the mention of the Temple of Kaleth in Ostrander and Duursema interview with the presence of the Ruins of Kaleth on Tython in TOR, gives me hope for the cannonicity of the Star Wars franchise.

    It's the mark of a coordination between the Star Wars sectors of video games and literature. I hope they will consider the comic events before making the next Timelines, even if they has not yet changed the subtitles on the site. Timeline 19: Force "Discovered" on Tython : "As philosophers and scientists from several star systems gathered on Tython to share mystical knowledge, the Force was discovered." So, wait and see !

     
  20. CeiranHarmony

    CeiranHarmony Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    May 10, 2004

    That's my biggest concern too. If they ruin Dathomir by giving it witches too early, matriarchy too early or even hybrids/Zabrak too early I will never forgive them. Allya and Zabrak colony only happened after the New Sith Wars and during the NSW Dathomir was a Sith Academy for Sith Alchemy, 3000BBY it was a prison planet of the Paecian Empire. Before that we got a blank card...

    But I do not want to see a Dathomiri species that is NOT Kwa. Humans, okay I can buy that due to Rakata bringing human slaves to Dathomir that might have stayed behind there. *sigh* While a lot sounds promising for this series and I love the Tython system setup with inhabited worlds, multiple temples with different specialisations etc. I fear for the little details that will ruin it for me... like the Dathomiri issue, like a repetition in the Cade-Dilemma and other failures the Jan/John team had with their past works. I loved Legacy for its secondary cast of characters and other things, but Cade was a pure failure and so was the second half of Legacy. So I approach Dawn with mixed feelings, lots of hope and prayers that it will deliver.

    Hey Mr. Ostrander, if you are reading this, can you spoil us about the Dathomiri issue? Is that human or Zabrak or hybrid or Kwa? It would make my day to get an answer to that.
     
  21. CeiranHarmony

    CeiranHarmony Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    May 10, 2004

    though it makes me curious how Dathomir ties to Xim then... or how the hell Dathomiri ended up in between Xim and Hutts.
     
  22. Lightsnake

    Lightsnake Jedi Youngling star 3

    Registered:
    Feb 10, 2005
    Bloody awesome news. I can't wait to see this.

    One little hope...will we possibly get the first great schism with Xendor and the Legions of Lettow or will this be too early?
     
  23. Magnuskn

    Magnuskn Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jul 14, 2002
    Actually, yes. SW: Legacy was the best work of Star Wars fiction of the last ten years and I love the characters. All of them ( still bummed that Wolf and Bantha died... ).

    But I am still looking forward to this new series.
     
  24. Dawud786

    Dawud786 Chosen One star 5

    Registered:
    Dec 28, 2006
    By developed, I really don't mean "let's just slap a little bit of this over here, and a little bit of that over there."

    In my studies I've found enough correlations between traditions that it shouldn't be all that troublesome for John to make the whole cosmology make more sense from the get-go. GL's problem has always been that he's got these grand ideas, but he doesn't like to do the mental heavy lifting to really gel it all together into a cohesive whole. And that problem surfaces more and more when you delve into the notion of the Force in the first place, but you can see it at work with his whole attitude towards his own ideas and the EU and how his initial usage of the EU confirmed it as "official" and his current attitude has been to toss things out, rework, retool and just plain override willy nilly, and for no good reason at all other than "well, this is what I want." Both are victims of the very same problem. George's inattention to detail.

    DarthPhilosopher, I think we can certain impose our own mental wranglings about the Force onto the whole schema and force it to make sense... but GL hasn't done that, and no source in Star Wars has laid it out as such. Heck, books dealing strictly with the Jedi and the subject matter of the Force have fallen woefully short of really diving in and playing with it. The Jedi Path has very little on the Force, for instance. The universe really would benefit from someone laying it all out in a cohesive and thoroughly thought out way. Especially one that is researched deeply in modern religious studies, especially the works of the Traditionalist/Perennialist school. While I disagree with them on some points, they have done a pretty exhaustive job of devling into the esoterica of the worlds religions and teasing out the universal archetypes that unite them.
     
  25. aeods

    aeods Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Dec 3, 2004
    Just as long as we don't get a bloke called Skywalker running around...
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.