By Julie Catherine and George Bate
On the eve of the highly anticipated Bad Batch series, Star Wars fans are spoiled with new (and old) looks at iconic characters and eras. Along with new adventures of Doctor Aphra, Darth Vader, and the Jedi of the High Republic, a slew of classic Star Wars content is dropping on Disney+ this month, not to mention the excellent second installment of the Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy. It is important to note all of these release dates are subject to change. Below includes a list and description of upcoming Star Wars projects in the month of April:
April 2 – Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure
A massive segment of Star Wars fans will, for the first time, be exposed to Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure, a wacky made-for-TV movie from 1984. Directed by John Korty from a script by Bob Carrau and story by George Lucas, the film follows a family of humans who become shipwrecked on the forest moon of Endor. After the parents are kidnapped by the Gorax, their kids team up with the local Ewoks on a journey to save them.
April 2 – Ewoks: The Battle for Endor
The sequel to Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure also drops on Disney+ this month.
April 2 – Ewoks
Ewok overload! Yes, we’re getting even more Ewok content this month with Ewoks, an animated television series that ran in the mid-1980s. Ewoks was broadcast on ABC and ran for two seasons, following the adventures of the Ewoks of Bright Tree Village prior to the Battle of Endor.
April 2 – Star Wars: Clone Wars
Perhaps the most anticipated of the upcoming Disney+ content in the month of April is Genndy Tartakovsky’s woefully underrated Star Wars: Clone Wars series. The series aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2005 and featured 25 brief, largely action-oriented and heavily stylized episodes showcasing different aspects of the war between the Republic and Separatists.
April 2 – The Story of the Faithful Wookiee
And, finally, the original Star Wars Holiday Special gets some much needed attention with the Disney+ release of The Story of the Faithful Wookiee, an animated short story that aired during the infamous special. The short is notable in being the first appearance of Boba Fett and also features Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, and James Earl Jones all reprise their roles from the saga films.
April 6 – Doctor Aphra
Also dropping this month is the script adaptation of Sarah Kuhn’s terrific Doctor Aphra audiobook. We recently had a chance to review the script and found it to be a terrific examination into the mind of Doctor Aphra in a unique format that will appeal to fans of Dooku: Jedi Lost.
April 6 – Star Wars Vol 2: Operation Starlight
Issues 7-11 of Charles Soule’s Star Wars comic series are published in this paperback compilation. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Commander Ellian Zahra has been tasked by the terrifying Darth Vader with the job of tracking down the remnants of the Rebel Fleet, scattered across the galaxy since the Battle of Hoth. From the bridge of her fl agship [sic], the Tarkin’s Will, her goal is to eradicate all resistance. But her secret goal is to destroy Leia Organa!”
April 6 – Skywalker: A Family at War
One of our most anticipated releases in April is Kristin Baver’s Skywalker: A Family at War. Published by DK, the book is an in-universe biography of the Skywalker family. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “No group of characters has had more impact on the Star Wars saga than the Skywalker family. In fact, it could be said that without the Skywalker clan and its mystical connection to the Force–both for good and ill–there would be no Star Wars at all. The Skywalkers: A Family at War explores every twist and turn of the turbulent story of the Skywalker dynasty, from Shmi Skywalker’s immaculate conception and the slow seduction to the dark side of her son, Anakin, to the heroics of his son, Luke, and the twisted motives of Han Solo and Princess Leia’s offspring, Kylo Ren. The Skywalker story has everything: passion, intrigue, heroism, and dark deeds. Leaving no stone unturned in tracing the dynasty’s trials and tribulations, this definitive biography of Star Wars’ first family is a must-buy for all Star Wars fans.”
April 7 – The High Republic 4
Cavan Scott’s impressive run in Star Wars continues with the fourth issue of his High Republic series for Marvel Comics. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “THE JEDI TURNED AGAINST EACH OTHER?! AVAR KRISS and her band of brave JEDI helpless in the clutches of a traitor in their midst. STARLIGHT BEACON under attack from an insidious foe. Danger from an age-old enemy. Who is really pulling the strings on the distant planet of SEDRI? Plus: The secret history of the terrifying DRENGIR revealed.”
April 7 – The High Republic Adventures 3
More High Republic content drops this month with the third issue of Daniel Jose Older and IDW Publishing’s The High Republic Adventures. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “In the glory days of the Republic, the Jedi stand as guardians of galactic peace—until a powerful new adversary called the Nihil arrives. Zeen accompanies the Jedi to the Starlight Beacon, a glowing symbol of the Jedi and Republic. where she learns what it means to be a Padawan. Meanwhile, Krix and the Nihil fight their way through a Republic blockade to safety, and Krix begins to wonder who this strange man who helped him really is.”
April 13 – The Star Wars Book of Monsters, Ooze and Slime
A fun new children’s reference book featuring illustrations from Katie Cook is due to release this month from DK. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “The strangest and yuckiest secrets of the galaxy. What does the Zillo Beast feast on for breakfast? Does slimy Jabba the Hutt ever have a bath? What are the three yuckiest things he eats? Take a trip on the wild side and discover the weirdest facts in the Star Wars galaxy! From gross creatures and strange bugs to dangerous deserts and sinister Sith, this icky picture book is the perfect gift for young readers.”
April 13 – LEGO Star Wars Yoda’s Galaxy Atlas
The publisher’s summary of this LEGO reference book is as follows: “With Jedi Master Yoda as your guide, visit the incredible planets of a brick-built galaxy far, far away. Take a tour of 25 fascinating worlds, from desert planet Tatooine to remote ice world Hoth. Head off the familiar tourist track to Crait, or explore Yoda’s own swamp hideout on Dagobah. Discover the must sees. Check out reviews and what to pack. Find out who you might bump into along the way! The exclusive Yoda minifigure comes with four accessories – a staff, a backpack, a camera, and a map of the galaxy – everything Yoda needs for his adventures.”
April 14 – Bounty Hunters 11
Ethan Sacks’ Bounty Hunters series continues with terrific cover art by Mattia de lulus. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “THE GREAT HUNT OF MALASTARE! BOSSK awakens to find himself as the hunted instead of the hunter on the forest planet of MALASTARE. But who is the mysterious figure behind the hunting party stalking the infamous TRANDOSHAN? A special solo adventure starring the most savage bounty hunter of all!”
April 21 – Doctor Aphra 9
More Doctor Aphra in the month of April! Yes, Alyssa Wong’s fantastic Marvel Comics series continues with this ninth issue. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “LOST TECH! CRIME SYNDICATES! ASSASSINS! DOCTOR APHRA and SANA STARROS’ search for the NIHIL HYPERDRIVE gets deadlier as GENERAL VUKORAH and THE UNBROKEN CLAN enter the race for possession! What powerful secrets of the HIGH REPUBLIC era could the lost technology hide? Meanwhile, JUST LUCKY and an old flame are forced to work together — and walk straight into an ambush!”
April 21 – Star Wars Adventures 5
The fifth issue of the Star Wars Adventures comic series from IDW Publishing and authors Kati Cook and Casey Gilly drops this month. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Padme and Anakin have grand plans to have a romantic night celebrating a recent victory. But before they get a chance to get together, Anakin is Jedi-napped by a group of outlaws with their sights on a holocron in the Jedi temple! Now it’s up to Padme [sic] to use all of her cunning to infiltrate the outlaw base and rescue him.”
April 27 – The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Author Amy Ratcliffe guides readers through a collection of concept art from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in this upcoming book.
April 27 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia – Join the Battle!
Jason Fry is delivering a new canon reference book highlighting all of the great characters from The Clone Wars series. The publisher’s summary from the DK project is as follows: “Meet more than 350 incredible clones and droids from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. What is Clone Force 99? Who inducted Ahsoka Tano into the Jedi Order? Where does General Grievous keep a secret lair? Why does Captain Rex mutiny against his Jedi General on Umbara? Have to know the answers to these questions? Look no further than Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia – Join the Battle! Written by Star Wars expert Jason Fry, this illustrated encyclopedia features more than 350 incredible characters and teams, including Anakin Skywalker, Maul, Bo-Katan Kryze, and Clone Force 99. Perfect for fans of all ages, Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia – Join the Battle! will enthrall readers for hours on end.”
April 27 – Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good
Our most anticipated project of the month, Timothy Zahn returns with his sequel to Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising. The second installment in The Ascendancy Trilogy will be published by Del Rey. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “Thrawn and his allies race to save the Chiss Ascendancy from an unseen enemy in the second book in the epic Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. Thrawn’s latest triumph still rests newly on his shoulders. Despite leading the Chiss to victory and bringing glory to the House of Mitth, the true threat to the Ascendancy has not yet been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats or ultimatums, or mass ships on the edge of the Chaos. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity—gifts offered freely, services granted unconditionally. Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the enemy plot, they discover a chilling truth. Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, this mysterious enemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy by widening the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most: the security of their family, or the survival of the Ascendancy itself.”
April 27 – Star Wars: The Tiny Book of Jedi and The Tiny Book of Sith
Insight Editions are coming out with two, small-sized reference books highlighting the light and dark sides of the Force.
April 28 – Darth Vader 11
And last, but not least, the adventures of Darth Vader continue with the 11th issue of Greg Pak’s Marvel Comics series. The publisher’s summary is as follows: “EXEGOL UNLEASHED! As punishment for his rebellion, DARTH VADER was broken by THE EMPEROR, his limbs shattered, forbidden to use THE FORCE. But after surviving OCHI OF BESTOON, THE EYE OF WEBBISH BOGG and the horrors of THE RED NEBULA, Vader stands on the verge of uncovering the Emperor’s greatest secrets. But will the revelations on EXEGOL empower Vader — or his master? And what new doom awaits LUKE SKYWALKER as a result?”
For reference, a condensed list of upcoming projects in April without descriptions is included below:
April 2 – Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure
April 2 – Ewoks
April 2 – Ewoks: The Battle for Endor
April 2 – Star Wars: Clone Wars
April 2 – The Story of the Faithful Wookiee
April 6 – Doctor Aphra
April 6 – Star Wars Vol 2: Operation Starlight
April 6 – Skywalker: A Family at War
April 7 – The High Republic 4
April 7 – The High Republic Adventures 3
April 13 – The Star Wars Book of Monsters, Ooze and Slime
April 13 – LEGO Star Wars Yoda’s Galaxy Atlas
April 14 – Bounty Hunters 11
April 21 – Doctor Aphra 9
April 21 – Star Wars Adventures 5
April 27 – The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
April 27 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia – Join the Battle!
April 27 – Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good
April 27 – Star Wars: The Tiny Book of Jedi
April 27 – Star Wars: The Tiny Book of Sith
April 28 – Darth Vader 11
Images courtesy of Disney+, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Del Rey Publishing, LEGO, DK