The Star Wars Legacy Ends

It was the kind of day that makes me happy.  I went out to breakfast, came back home, put on my sweat pants, and watched the Star Wars trilogy on my LCD television.  Like any purest, I only watch the original versions and not the special editions that have tainted “The Trilogy.”  Having watched all three films about a billion times I can’t help but mimic each line while I cruise the web for Star Wars products, downloads, and etc.  What I came across was news that the only Star Wars comic book I deem worthy of spending money on is targeted for Order 66. 

Star Wars: Legacy was released in 2006, and is set 125 years after Return of the Jedi.  After The Yuuzhan Vong War, the New Republic that Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia helped build has become an Empire.  Civil war was upon the galaxy once again and the Jedi Order had to choose a side.  Unfortunately the Sith re-appeared siding with the Empire first.  The rule of two was longer in play so the Sith has become a small army.  Together with the Empire they all but destroyed the Jedi.  Kol Skywalker, Luke’s descendent, sacrificed his life to save his son, Cade.  As Cade escaped his ship was hit and was thought dead. 

Years later the galaxy finds out Cade was picked up by bounty hunters, raised to be one of them, and tried to forget he was ever a Jedi.  Now everyone is after the heir to the Skywalker legacy.  The Jedi hope he can save them, the Sith wish to bring him to the dark side, and the Empire wants to use him against the Sith.  But all Cade want to do is be left alone.  Ever since this series started Cade has been trying to escape his destiny.  Now, in the final issue, #50, Cade is tired of running and hopes to be the one man that can destroy the Sith for good.

 I was shocked to hear this series was ending.  Star Wars: Legacy is Dark Horse Comics best selling title behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Why is it being cancelled?  I hit the web to see if I could figure out why the best Star Wars series ever was joining with the Force, but I couldn’t find anything conclusive.  Series creator, John Ostrander, said that the comic looks like it’s ending, “from a certain point of view.”  Could this mean the series will continue under a new name?  Dark Horse editor Randy Stradley used the company’s website messaging board to assure Legacy fans that their loyalty will be rewarded.  Will there be further adventures with Cade Skywalker, or further adventures into a future past ROTJ? 

In February another Star Wars comic book, Knight of the Old Republic was cancelled.  I don’t know what is going to happen to Star Wars comics now since the only remaining titles (Dark Times, Invasion, and The Clone Wars) are in my professional opinion, crap.  Not one of them has the complexity of characters and storytelling Legacy has. It’s hard to find a good Star Wars book, let alone comic series. 

When the series does end in July I hope it goes out with an ending worthy of Ewok guest appearances.  In four years Cade has hallucinated his ancestors while being hooked on death sticks, tried to fool the Sith by pretending to succumb to the dark side, and gotten his childhood sweetheart turned into the next General Grievous.  As I look back at the series it reads very much like an epic Star Wars trilogy, but can it finish strong with the Force?

In the first part, issues #1-19, the galaxy finds out that Cade is alive and working as a bounty hunter.  He owns a ship called the Mynock and his friends, Jariah and Deliah, have no idea he was ever a Jedi.  But when everyone comes looking for him Cade finds himself in the Sith’s clutches as Darth Krayt needs Cade’s powers to heal himself.  Along the way we meet Cade’s mom, who is a double-faced assassin, and see Cade try to take down the Sith from the inside; but not before getting some nookie from a red-skinned dark lord.  Eat your heart out Han Solo.

The saga continues in issues #20-35 as Cade has escaped the Sith and is looking to rally the remaining Jedi to take down their enemies.  Jariah finds himself face-to-face with the Jedi that killed his father, and Deliah finds herself jealous after Cade hooks up with his old friend, Azlyn.  When the ending battle goes wrong Azlyn is on the brink of death and wishes to join the Force, but Cade won’t let her.  This decision turns her into a half woman-half droid walking disaster. 

The trilogy ends with issues #37-50.  Cade has retreated to Tatooine for solitude, but ends up finding his mother and half sister looking to set him straight.  Cade must clean up a mess his father left before going to kick some Sith ass!  I’m anxious to see how these episodes turn out.  

Needless to say I’ve enjoyed watching this Skywalker make a mess of his life, as opposed to Anakin and Luke’s whining.  Two Star Wars comics are now cancelled with only a few to face off against the imperial walkers of time.  Whatever the future holds for Star Wars comics Legacy will be a treasure for fans as long as Star Wars last.