It's hard to believe three decades have passed since that first Imperial Star Destroyer rumbled across movie theatre screens, but it's true -- Star Wars turns thirty this year. The first film was an instant smash in 1977, and it's not wonder; George Lucas' story of an unpromising farm boy saving a princess and taking on an evil Empire touched on some pretty timeless themes. Friendship, familial bonds, loyalty, hope in the face of overwhelming odds . . . during the decade of an popular and protracted war, endless political scandal, and a depressing national energy crisis, Star Wars transmitted a message of hope to a generation that didn't know that that's exactly what it needed.
Thirty years later those same social issues linger behind a new mask, and it's no coincidence that the Star Wars franchise is stronger than it's ever been. But with the Prequel film trilogy behind us, some worry that Star Wars his heading toward its twilight, that without a spate of new films to support it, the Star Wars machine will eventually wind down and gather dust.
Those worriers couldn't be more wrong. Just as we did with our Dark Empire series fifteen years ago, Dark Horse is once again leading the charge into a new era of Star Wars publishing. In 2006 we took a chance, canceling our long-running Empire and Republic comics series and replacing them with four new titles - Knights of the Old Republic, Rebellion, Dark Times, and Legacy - effectively remaking our entire Star Wars publishing line. It was a gamble that paid off, dramatically increasing our circulation and bringing in droves of new readers.
Not ones to rest on our accomplishments, we're determined to keep the momentum rolling and make 2007 the best year yet to be a Star Wars fan. To commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of A New Hope, this year sees the introduction of a new line of limited-edition hardcover books, collecting some of our most popular and hardest-to-find stories. Beginning with The Freedon Nadd Uprising in March, every month after that will see a new and unique addition to the line. Classy books that are sure spruce up any shelf.
In the coming months you'll also be treated to a new Star Wars: Panel to Panel book, two new volumes of our popular Clone Wars Adventures digests, and the first trade paperback compilations of Rebellion and Legacy. And if that weren't enough, we're cooking up a few more surprises, including a couple of brand new, original graphic novels, the content of which will make a lasting impression on the Star Wars status quo. And because we like to tease, that's all we're going to say for now.
So next time you hear the pessimists lamenting the end of Star Wars, fly your fan flag high and feel good knowing that you're in on pop-culture's worst-kept secret: Star Wars is going strong and is here to stay!