‘Star Wars’ Month: The Comicon.com Staff’s Favorite Classic Novel Covers
by Tony Thornley
For about seven years, the Star Wars fan’s lifeline was the Expanded Universe. While we’ve talked extensively about Star Wars comics, the other thread of the Expanded Universe has always been the line of novels, which continues today.
So as we’re passing the halfway point of the month, we wanted to show off our fifteen favorite Star Wars novel covers from across the years.
Scott’s Picks
The Paradise Snare (The Han Solo Trilogy Book One)
You’re going to see Drew Struzan’s work pop up here a bunch. We’re going to start with this striking image from the Han Solo Trilogy, a story that wasn’t quite an origin, but did give us some insight into Han’s past.
The New Jedi Order: Star By Star
One of the major turning points of the New Jedi Order storyline, Cliff Nielsen’s cover centers the villainous Yuuzhan Vong, illustrating just how terrifying the alien invaders were, even without their technology, armor and weapons.
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
All three of us chose Tom Jung’s cover to the original launch to the Expanded Universe, Scott just said it first. This cover is an icon for a reason, showing us our heroes, as well as new antagonists Joruus C’Baoth and Grand Admiral Thrawn, the latter of whom is still a major part of the saga today.
The Crystal Star
Though regarded as one of the weaker entries of the Expanded Universe, there’s no denying Struzan’s striking cover is amazing. It feels like a movie poster, centering Luke, and giving us a mysterious figure in shadow.
Young Jedi Knights: Heirs to the Force
Though Dave Dorman is only popping up on this list here, he is just as influential in Star Wars art as Struzan. This image establishes the adventures of Jacen and Jaina Solo are just as important as their parents’ and excites us for what’s to come.
Austin’s Picks
Han Solo and The Lost Legacy
The other Han Solo trilogy was actually the second set of official Star Wars novels, and the first “series.” Brian Daley’s Han Solo Adventures were released between April 1979 and August 1980, but they also shaped what the Expanded Universe could be, even if their canon status was shaky at best. Of the three, William Schmidt’s cover to The Lost Legacy is the most striking by far.
Star Wars: Bloodline
Claudia Gray’s Leia-focused novel is technically the first set in the official Disney expanded universe, so it’s capitol-I important. But also Scott Biel’s cover is remarkably striking, with a pensive Leia, red Vader shadow, and the silhouetted X-wings.
Queen’s Shadow
E.K. Johnston’s novel digs deep into a remarkably underappreciated bit of Star Wars canon, fleshing out more with Padme Amidala, as well as the idea of her doubles/handmaidens, particularly Sabe. Tara Phillips’ cover doesn’t hint too much at Sabe’s side of the story, but it’s an extremely striking portrait of the prequels’ most compelling but underserved protagonist.
Thrawn Ascendacy: Chaos Rising
The world needs more Thrawn, and in this post-Disney novel, Thrawn creator Timothy Zahn explores the origins of his greatest creation. The striking, yet simple cover by Sarofsky Design lets us know this is one to pick up.
Rogue Squadron: Essential Legends Collection Edition
Michael Stackpole’s Rogue Squadron series is rightfully considered one of the greatest additions to the Expanded Universe. While the entire run had great covers featuring the squadron’s X-wings, Doaly’s cover for the “Essential Legends Collection” redress is just something special — a striking blend of ship and pilot.
Tony’s Picks
Splinter of the Mind’s Eye
Alan Dean Foster’s novel was the first ever in the Star Wars line (excluding the original film adaptation, of course). While it contains more than one element written out of continuity the moment Empire Strikes Back hit, it’s still a hugely important piece of lore, and features an amazing Ralph McQuarrie cover to boot.
The Courtship of Princess Leia
Of course the engagement and wedding of Han Solo and Leia Organa was going to be a big deal. Dave Wolverton’s novel made it a full adventure. While Struzan’s hardback cover was striking, his paperback cover, with Leia, Han and Luke in action, framed by a rancor, is simply one of the coolest covers the Expanded Universe ever saw.
Shadows of the Empire
I talked last week about how impactful Shadows of the Empire was to the overall Star Wars canon, even if it’s been de-canonized now. But even better than that you can’t look at Struzan’s cover for the novel and not think “I need to know what’s happening here.” Plus, Luke’s look with the vest just rules.
Lords of the Sith
I haven’t read Lords of the Sith. It’s on my list of “need to get to it.” But Aaron McBride’s cover is absolutely one of the coolest images of Vader and Palpatine ever put to paper, and that’s sometimes all a book cover needs to be.
Death Troopers
Look, the zombie craze between 2000-2010 hit pretty much every form of media, so a Star Wars zombie story was inevitable. However, Joe Schreiber’s novel didn’t have to be so good, and pairing that with Indika’s stunning-yet-horrifying cover makes it even better.
