Star Wars: Revelation - Legacy of the Force Book 8 by Karn Traviss

It wasn't too long ago that I was on here singing the praises of Karen Traviss for her latest effort in her 'Republic Commando' series of Star Wars novels.

Well, I'm about to do it again.

This time, the book is from the 'Legacy of the Force', a nine part epic involving the expanded universe of characters set 40 years after the 'Star Wars: A New Hope' aka 'Episode IV' of which this is the penultimate chapter - part 8.

A lot has been going on in this series of novel spearheaded by Travis, Troy Denning and Arron Allston. From the opening of the series with a dramatic turn of popular character to the dark side to the dramatic deaths of several large expanded universe characters, the series is unrelenting in it's ideas.

In a way it has a strange parallel to the Fall of Anakin Skywalker and his transformation into Darth Vader. But I feel it's best not to say too much about that here and let anyone who reads the books to make their own judgments.

The bulk of the story deals with Darth Caedus consolidating his power base and becoming the sole tyrant in charge of the Galactic Alliance. Ben Skywalker conducts an investigation to find evidence linking Caedus to death of a loved one. And Jania Solo, sensing she will be the one drawn into a final conflict with Caedus, but knowing she can't defeat him because he knows how she fights and is superior, seeks new training that Caedus won't know, and who better to ask for ways to defeat a Sith lords than a man who hunted Jedi for 20 years - Boba Fett!

Yes, it's THAT awesome!

For me, the three novels in the series penned by Ms. Traviss have been my personal favorites. And you only get one guess as to why. Boba Fett.

If you are a fan of the Fett then you really have to read these books. I've said it before and I'll say it again, what she has done for Fett, Mandalorians and the exploration of their unique culture has been simply amazing. When I was a child I never had the urge to run away from home, but if Mandalore was real a real place I think I would do it now. I really can't emphasize this enough and I'd love to share some of it with you, but you really should just read for yourself, half the fun is the discovery.

Also fun are they way she ties events and characters from the Republic Commando series into this set of books set almost 60 years later. It really helps to give a real sense of history and perspective to the characters and the events in both eras.

What is truly surprising is that nobody had tried to do this earlier. Boba Fett has popularity that rivals Vader and no one could really get a grasp on the man under the helmet. But in a way I can only be thankful that no one ever did because Ms. Travis has done it better and in a more surprising way than anyone would have suspected.

My only real hope is that once this series wraps, Karen Traviss will be given more opportunities to write the adventures of the galaxy's most dangerous man.

Kandosii!

Wanted

So in case you haven't heard on June 27th there is a movie coming out starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. Feel free to check out the trailer here.

Ok, so it looks like an over the top action flick right? Bunch of assassins with crazy guns and all that stuff right right?

Well, it's a far cry from it's source material.

Yes, surprise surprise 'Wanted' is based off a comic book series by Mark Millar, J.G.Jones and Paul Mounts that debuted about 8 years ago.

And guess what? It has fuckall to do with a society of super assassins.

'Wanted' the comic series is one part pure comic fantasy and one part social commentary directed squarely at the comic book fans.

Wesley Gibson is you. Deadend job with a bitch for a boss, a girlfriend who cheats on him and life full of the mundane, the little things that make you want to snap and take a baseball bat to the back of some assholes head and swing for the fences.

Then one day he's told that his father, who walked out on him when he was two, has been killed. It's shocking news made all the more shocking with the reveal that his dad also happens to be the worlds most dangerous super-villain - The Killer. Wesley stands to inherit everything, and that alot seeing as super villains secretly control the world, all he has to do it take his Father place in the Fraternity.

To do that he needs to learn how to say "Fuck You."

The fist half of the book is Wesley learning how to take his Fathers place and becoming a super-villain, the second half is Wesley dealing with a coup inside the Fraternity that seeks to upset the balance of power on the planet.

Mark Millar turns out one his finest stories and I could only imagine this story coming from his twisted mind. With characters named - Mr. Rictus, Fuck-wit and Shit-head, this has got his odd Scottish humor all over it.

J.G.Jones turns out some simply amazing art. He is insanely underrated due to the fact that he doesn't turn out too many projects a year but if you've seen his '52' covers you know how good he is.

The comic is an excellent way to spend you time. But as for the movie.. well, it's not out yet so it's hard to say. Honestly I don't think I like the changes I've noticed yet, but I would love to be surprised by the film.

For that, we'll have to wait till June. For now you can pick-up the softcover trade or the brand new Hardcover 'Directors Cut' of the series.

Darth Snake-Eyes

The Stephen Sommers helmed 'G.I. Joe film has released some publicity shots of Ray Park geeked up in his new Snake-Eyes costume, complete with shiny ninja sword.

There is a small article with quotes from Sommers and another pick posted at IGN.

Caps keep Climbing!

After a sweet 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, the Caps have climbed to 9th place in the Eastern Conference standings. We now stand 2 points behind Philadelphia for the 8th spot, but we also move 3 points away from Carolina for the Division lead, which would be very sweet!

Ovechkin turned out another 3pt night including an empty net goal, his 58th of the season, on a bank shot of the boards at mid-ice, pretty sweet stuff.
Christobal Huet continues to be simply sensational in for the Caps. The guy makes the crucial saves at the right moment. We need to reign this man. He will backstop us to many a victory.

Tonight we faceoff in Chicago against a dangerous Blackhawks club. Meanwhile we'll be keeping an eye on TB vs. Buffalo and Carolina vs. Atlanta

C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!

Not Dead yet....

OV scores #55 and then with 1 minute and 56 second left in the third period blasts #56 from the point on a crucial power play to win the game!

7 pts behind Carolina for the division but only 5 pts behind Philadelphia for the final playoff spot, I'll take either one gladly.

Congrats to Olaf Kolzig who collected career win #300. Well done sir, you picked a good night to do it!

INCREDIBLE!

This already looks ten times better than that turd that come out s few summers ago!

Check it out and tell me what you think!

Because you know Sci-Fi Channel will fuck it up...

Just read this on Newsarama and it's some very good news indeed.

Considering how much damage the sci-fi channel has inflicted on the Flash Gordon franchise this is very welcome considering they have their sights set on anally raping Buck sometime in 2008.

Dynamite Entertainment is one of the few publishers out there who seem to really have a love for the characters they are licensing.

Lone Ranger, Zorro, Battlestar Galactica and now Buck will live again.

Plus this company gets very talented folks involved - Alex Ross, John Cassaday and Matt Wagner to name just a few.

Now if Dynamite could get publishing right to Flash maybe they could right that sinking ship before oblivion consumes it.

Dastardly Dynamic Dexter

I'm not sure what I can say about this book that you probably have not heard already.

This is just plain fun to read, which might sounds like an odd comment to make considering the books content. But I can't help it, Dexter's first person narrative is funny as hell. I think I might actually get more laughs out of Jeff Linday's anti-hero than I do a Terry Pratchett novel. Which is no small feat.

The premise, for those of you who have been under a rock since Dexter went big and landed a series on Showtime, is simple. Dexter spends his days masquerading as a regular human being but at night, when the moon is full, he becomes Dexter the Dark Avenger. A serial killer with a twist. He has ethics. Honed by his step-Father into a weapon of justice Dexter only kills the true villains of the world in order to slake his thirst for killing and appease the Dark Passenger, the voice inside his head.

'Dearly Devoted Dexter' is the second book in the series, the third book was released a few months back. It picks up shortly after the end of the first novel and few repercussions of that story are having a profound effect on our favorite anti-hero. He's being watched, stalked some might say, by a cop who thinks he knows what Dexter is up to. So Dexter has to delve more deeply into his disguise as a human being and that means spending more and more time with Rita, his girlfriend who serves as a nice cover to his homicidal tendencies. But when a gruesome crime scene is discovered it will force Dexter into the last role he ever suspected to be put in - the Hero.

My favorite parts of this book, like the previous one, are the scenes with Dexter interacting with Rita and her children Astor and Cody. Something about these scenes I just find captivating. Since Dexter, who believes himself to not be human because of the things he does, has a terrible time trying to understand Rita who he admits he is only using to convey the image of a regular human being. These scenes where Dexter tries to understand emotion. something he doesn't feel, are remarkable because they force the reader to examine their own feeling and emotions in similar situations. Very well written by Mr. Lindsay.

The plot of the story is very good and engaging as well. I don't want to talk to much about it for fear of potentially ruining some good shock moments.

If I were to have one complaint it would be a minor one. Dexter's Step-Sister Deborah. She is a fucking bitch in big chunks of the book. Part me me understands her feelings towards a lot of things happening in the book but her attitude to Dexter, to me, is manipulative and slightly abusive. If my sister talked to me like Deb does to Dex, helping her solve crimes would not be high on my list of priorities.

But part me wonders if I only feel that way because I just plain like Dexter and whole-heartily approve of what he does. Dexter doesn't weep for the killing of pedophiles and rapists and neither do I.

Having read the second novel I now feel that I'm ready to watch the DVD's of season 1. I hope to talk about that here soon.

In the meantime go buy Jeff Lidsay's awesome series. We all could use a little Dexter in our lives... unless you are a bad person. You're not a bad person are you?

Capital Offense!

Monday night was the first night I've had the chance to make it into DC for some live Caps action, my boys didn't disappoint!

Words can't really describe so I'll include video - LOVE IT!

Ovechkin is simply amazing, probably the greatest player I've ever had the privilege to see live and in person. Take into account that when I saw Gretzkey and Lemiuex they were at the tail ends of their respective and impressive careers.

Enjoy the the video, being there was even more fun! Thanks David!