This is exactly what i mean about the EU

The *best* of it is on a par with the prequels, the worst is just drivel.

That is bull.

I'm a prequels fan, and let me tell you, THE PREQUELS ARE COMPLETE CRAP TO MOST OF THE EU.

So you keep saying but you know what, you seem to be the *only* person saying it. saying something loudly over and over again to yourself doesnt make it become true

Why not? Its as much credibility as being 'star wars' than a lot of the nebulous eu stuff we've seen.

He's just trolling for a reaction. Again.

I'm not trolling for anything.

I've been into star wars since ESB came out (i was too young to appreciate ANH being two at the time it was released) and read a fair few books and comics, played most the early computer games.

I honestly think most of the EU is of shocking quality with the odd gem from the amount i've seen.

There are some great graphic novels, some good games but a lot of it is pretty poorly written and some of the 'alien' concepts like the entechment thingies and the vong were just weak.

As were the constant 'huge super weapon that will turn the tide for the empire/bad guys' that was essentially a deathstar in a new dress.

I'm not trolling, i'm having an opinion you disagree with. You'll come across that at times in life.

You might be right, i might be right, we might both be wrong but thats just my personal opinion on the EU and i cant be *wrong* about how i feel, you're not *wrong* to like suncrushers and world devastators but its not for me...

But please don't mistake a dislike for poor writing, weak story and fan-fictionesque pap for 'trolling'.

To answer the original question: Honestly, now that the K-Wing has been announced, I don't really have a ton of ships I'm waiting for. Maybe the Tie Avenger, but I'm not really an Imperial pilot (other than the Defender and Mara Jade on the Decimator), so I don't have a lot of anticipation for that. But a K-Wing/E-Wing combination flight (with hopefully an X-Wing thrown in there) makes me incredibly excited. The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy is a mess, but the ship designs and military organization ideas that came out of it are really cool, and I've always been disappointed that more didn't come from it. Having the E-Wing and K-Wing come out in miniature form makes me slightly happier that we can fly them in some format, even if we'll never see them in a video game.

I'm not trolling for anything.

I've been into star wars since ESB came out (i was too young to appreciate ANH being two at the time it was released) and read a fair few books and comics, played most the early computer games.

I honestly think most of the EU is of shocking quality with the odd gem from the amount i've seen.

There are some great graphic novels, some good games but a lot of it is pretty poorly written and some of the 'alien' concepts like the entechment thingies and the vong were just weak.

As were the constant 'huge super weapon that will turn the tide for the empire/bad guys' that was essentially a deathstar in a new dress.

I'm not trolling, i'm having an opinion you disagree with. You'll come across that at times in life.

You might be right, i might be right, we might both be wrong but thats just my personal opinion on the EU and i cant be *wrong* about how i feel, you're not *wrong* to like suncrushers and world devastators but its not for me...

But please don't mistake a dislike for poor writing, weak story and fan-fictionesque pap for 'trolling'.

In general, I agree with Y-Wing Ace about Star Wars - for me, the books of the 90s are Star Wars and its nostalgia for me. (Also, I think saying that Y-Wing Ace is the only EU fan or the only one saying that is 1) patently untrue, and 2) not an argument.) I do agree that the majority of the EU is of middling to low quality. I cannot defend (unlike Ace) Denning's work, and while Traviss started out with some really high quality ideas and a solid writing style, she kind of devolved into a political/philosophical tirade in her last few books for Star Wars. As mentioned above, though I like the ideas of the Black Fleet Crisis, it's a mess, and makes a lot of really stupid mistakes that explain exactly why it was never followed up on (mostly in killing off most of the new characters who fly the ships, and in never providing descriptions of species or ships so that it's just a bunch of gibbledy gibbet made up names).

However, I will stand by Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy, to a slightly lesser extent the two book Hand of Thrawn follow up, Aaron Allston's X-Wing novels (especially Solo Command and Starfighters of Adumar), and Michael A. Stackpole's I, Jedi as works on par with or greater in artistic achievement than the original films. (That might partially be because I have very little respect for George Lucas as a storyteller, despite my admiration for his technical skills and innovation, and many of his personal choices. I also strongly disagree that Lucas's involvement is the mark of quality at all - see also The Force Unleashed).

I think the way you consistently state your opinions in over-the-top language and never, ever alter or acknowledge that others might have equally valid reasons for disagreeing (though you do acknowledge that others have differing opinions, it consistently seems to be implied that "well, those other opinions are just wrong, but hey, it's a free internet") leads to the impression of trolling. I don't think you're attempting to troll, but it's definitely frustrating. When you say, "You might be right, I might be right," you hint at that, but then turn around and dismiss all of the EU as poorly written, weak, and pap. I see the attempts at nuance and dialogue, but repeating the same thing five times in the thread erases it from the overall effect.

Oh right so having a good command of the English language and using it to make a strong point is trolling as well is it?

Come on. Right, the point is that while I have no issue with 'Y Wing Ace' I'd argue that he has some pretty niche ideas as to what is 'definitive star wars' (an obsession with clawcraft and a belief that the novels are better than any of the films for a start).

You're also doing exactly what you accuse me of doing in your own post.

I didnt say the entire EU was poorly written pap, I've always said it has some great pieces but on a macro level its inconsistent with more muck than diamonds... it's inconsistency is something you yourself acknowledge.

As for differing opinions. I can't stand Stackpoles writing and find his dialogue wooden. You clearly like it and that's cool. We're never going to all like the same thing.

As I've said I have a strong opinion that most of the EU is average to incredibly poor. If the subject comes up as to whether new obscure EU stuff (like the clawcraft) should be produced at the expense of something far more familiar to people (like the gunboat), well i'm going to voice that opinion.

It's no less trolling that demanding a clawcraft be made in every thread linked to 'new releases'.

If you don't like my posts im sure there is an 'ignore' feature on these boards somewhere but please don't labour under any impression that i'm going to change my entire view on expanded universe starwars that i've seen since 'ROTJ' ended in the cinema over the last 25+ years because your view is different. I wouldn't expect you to change yours.

Now people think I'm a troll.....

Come on. Right, the point is that while I have no issue with 'Y Wing Ace' I'd argue that he has some pretty niche ideas as to what is 'definitive star wars' (an obsession with clawcraft and a belief that the novels are better than any of the films for a start).

I didnt say the entire EU was poorly written pap, I've always said it has some great pieces but on a macro level its inconsistent with more muck than diamonds... it's inconsistency is something you yourself acknowledge.

As for differing opinions. I can't stand Stackpoles writing and find his dialogue wooden. You clearly like it and that's cool. We're never going to all like the same thing.

It's no less trolling that demanding a clawcraft be made in every thread linked to 'new releases'.

1.) I'm not saying all books or even most books are better. That's not true. But there are a few I enjoyed more than some of the movies.

2.) I agree with you that Stackpole isn't that great a writer.

3.) As for the Clawcraft, that is a playful response to those 3 people who are running around screaming Squashed Lambda. I do really want the Clawcraft in X-wing, but I am hardly obsessed with it.

However, I will stand by Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy, to a slightly lesser extent the two book Hand of Thrawn follow up, Aaron Allston's X-Wing novels (especially Solo Command and Starfighters of Adumar), and Michael A. Stackpole's I, Jedi as works on par with or greater in artistic achievement than the original films. (That might partially be because I have very little respect for George Lucas as a storyteller, despite my admiration for his technical skills and innovation, and many of his personal choices. I also strongly disagree that Lucas's involvement is the mark of quality at all - see also The Force Unleashed).

Traviss is a mixed bag, her good work is amazing, but her bad work really is crap.

I do stand by my statement that Allston and Denning are the best SW writers. I also agree about Lucas

And i totally get what you're saying and i love we have different opinions.

For the record i DONT think you're a troll. I'd actually like to meet you and have a game of xwing one day as we agree on a lot of things (except clawcraft) , i was just pointing out that my dislike of the EU and my regular voicing of it was no more trolling than you advocating the clawcraft if you get me?

The last thing i want if for you to think i dont like you or dont like your posts... far from it. I just disagree with you on clawcraft vs lambda and i think the reason for this is clearly the 'golden years' of star wars.

When were the 'golden years of star wars'. Was it the early 80s, was it the initial 77 release up to ESB, was it the Thrawn books, was it the prequels of the 90s?

No, it was the first two years or so ANYONE discovered this amazing universe. Whatever was about at that time will always be the thing you think of when someone says 'star wars'. For me its the ESB era, i was old enough to see the film on video, the toys were exciting, there were even very primitive atari consol star wars games and best of all the amusement arcade had a sit in 'trench run' star wars game.

so its my 'golden years' , it wont be yours.

So I don't think you're a troll. I do like having sensible disagreements with people as long as it doesnt get personal. I dont have to agree with everything someone says to like them, their posting style or to respect them.

We're cool yeah?

And i totally get what you're saying and i love we have different opinions.

For the record i DONT think you're a troll. I'd actually like to meet you and have a game of xwing one day as we agree on a lot of things (except clawcraft) , i was just pointing out that my dislike of the EU and my regular voicing of it was no more trolling than you advocating the clawcraft if you get me?

The last thing i want if for you to think i dont like you or dont like your posts... far from it. I just disagree with you on clawcraft vs lambda and i think the reason for this is clearly the 'golden years' of star wars.

When were the 'golden years of star wars'. Was it the early 80s, was it the initial 77 release up to ESB, was it the Thrawn books, was it the prequels of the 90s?

No, it was the first two years or so ANYONE discovered this amazing universe. Whatever was about at that time will always be the thing you think of when someone says 'star wars'. For me its the ESB era, i was old enough to see the film on video, the toys were exciting, there were even very primitive atari consol star wars games and best of all the amusement arcade had a sit in 'trench run' star wars game.

so its my 'golden years' , it wont be yours.

So I don't think you're a troll. I do like having sensible disagreements with people as long as it doesnt get personal. I dont have to agree with everything someone says to like them, their posting style or to respect them.

We're cool yeah?

Yea you're fine, I never meant for a heated debate to start. The troll comment was in response to FTS Gecko's comment.

Cool, i just didnt want you to think i had some issue with you.

So anyway... gunboats.

Cool, i just didnt want you to think i had some issue with you.

So anyway... clawcraft.

Fixed

Oh right so having a good command of the English language and using it to make a strong point is trolling as well is it?

I didnt say the entire EU was poorly written pap, I've always said it has some great pieces but on a macro level its inconsistent with more muck than diamonds... it's inconsistency is something you yourself acknowledge.

As for differing opinions. I can't stand Stackpoles writing and find his dialogue wooden. You clearly like it and that's cool. We're never going to all like the same thing.

As I've said I have a strong opinion that most of the EU is average to incredibly poor. If the subject comes up as to whether new obscure EU stuff (like the clawcraft) should be produced at the expense of something far more familiar to people (like the gunboat), well i'm going to voice that opinion.

(snipping for relevancy to response): Again, I don't think you're trolling.

I apologize if I read your comments incorrectly. When you said, "The *best* of it is on a par with the prequels, the worst is just drivel," I took that to mean "the best EU books are on par with poorly written, philosophically incoherent, narratively suspect movies." If you were complimenting them (because you have a much higher view of the prequels than I), I was definitely wrong, and retract my statement.

I definitely acknowledge that the EU as a whole is a mess, even a majority of a mess. I just also think that the prequels, original films, and current "canon" are not really better.

While I do really like Stackpole's "I, Jedi," it has its share of consistency/plotting problems - the things I think elevate it into quality fiction are characterization, theme, mood, detail, and worldbuilding. And I'm not defending his X-Wing books (though I do enjoy reading them every now and them) or his NJO books. Though I think his comics were actually pretty high quality.

As for the gunboat/clawcraft thing? I personally think both are super awesome, and wouldn't mind them at all. But really, the only things I'm super, super excited to see have already been released - the E-Wing and the K-Wing. As well as some exciting freebies I didn't expect, like Mara Jade as a crew member, or the alt-art Tycho card.

When were the 'golden years of star wars'. Was it the early 80s, was it the initial 77 release up to ESB, was it the Thrawn books, was it the prequels of the 90s?

No, it was the first two years or so ANYONE discovered this amazing universe. Whatever was about at that time will always be the thing you think of when someone says 'star wars'. For me its the ESB era, i was old enough to see the film on video, the toys were exciting, there were even very primitive atari consol star wars games and best of all the amusement arcade had a sit in 'trench run' star wars game.

so its my 'golden years' , it wont be yours.

Well said.

Oh right so having a good command of the English language and using it to make a strong point is trolling as well is it?

I didnt say the entire EU was poorly written pap, I've always said it has some great pieces but on a macro level its inconsistent with more muck than diamonds... it's inconsistency is something you yourself acknowledge.

As for differing opinions. I can't stand Stackpoles writing and find his dialogue wooden. You clearly like it and that's cool. We're never going to all like the same thing.

As I've said I have a strong opinion that most of the EU is average to incredibly poor. If the subject comes up as to whether new obscure EU stuff (like the clawcraft) should be produced at the expense of something far more familiar to people (like the gunboat), well i'm going to voice that opinion.

(snipping for relevancy to response): Again, I don't think you're trolling.

I apologize if I read your comments incorrectly. When you said, "The *best* of it is on a par with the prequels, the worst is just drivel," I took that to mean "the best EU books are on par with poorly written, philosophically incoherent, narratively suspect movies." If you were complimenting them (because you have a much higher view of the prequels than I), I was definitely wrong, and retract my statement.

I definitely acknowledge that the EU as a whole is a mess, even a majority of a mess. I just also think that the prequels, original films, and current "canon" are not really better.

While I do really like Stackpole's "I, Jedi," it has its share of consistency/plotting problems - the things I think elevate it into quality fiction are characterization, theme, mood, detail, and worldbuilding. And I'm not defending his X-Wing books (though I do enjoy reading them every now and them) or his NJO books. Though I think his comics were actually pretty high quality.

As for the gunboat/clawcraft thing? I personally think both are super awesome, and wouldn't mind them at all. But really, the only things I'm super, super excited to see have already been released - the E-Wing and the K-Wing. As well as some exciting freebies I didn't expect, like Mara Jade as a crew member, or the alt-art Tycho card.

When were the 'golden years of star wars'. Was it the early 80s, was it the initial 77 release up to ESB, was it the Thrawn books, was it the prequels of the 90s?

No, it was the first two years or so ANYONE discovered this amazing universe. Whatever was about at that time will always be the thing you think of when someone says 'star wars'. For me its the ESB era, i was old enough to see the film on video, the toys were exciting, there were even very primitive atari consol star wars games and best of all the amusement arcade had a sit in 'trench run' star wars game.

so its my 'golden years' , it wont be yours.

Well said.

I used to hate the prequels with a passion, i'd waited for them for so long and they dissapointed me.

I re watched them recently and took them on their own merit rather than expecting them to be as exciting as 'jedi' was to me at 13 or whatever and I think i judged them too harshly.

They are not the best films in the world but elements of them are very good, slow build up and the ending in epIII was pretty cool watching it with a less jaded view.

And i can see how they *are* star wars to people who dont really like the OT. My neighbour Gavin has a young lad who is about 12 and he loves the clone wars and prequel stuff, because he grew up on it.

I think i may have had a bad experience with the eu

If i can break it down, post 'jedi' here is what i've found 'good' and 'bad' in the EU

Good:

Tie Figher, xwing and Dark Forces pc games

Dark Times, Rebellion and other graphic novels set in the GCW like 'boba fett is dead'

west end games RPG

You can clearly see here that this is all stuff i got into before being 20 when you're more ameniable to new stuff. (except the comics but those comics are set in the era i rememeber being great)

Bad:

Stackpole novels

Tales from the moss eisely cantina (i hate how everyone has some epic secret, no one is just a dude having a drink they have to be the dude who changed the galaxy like the really naff stormtroopers tale in it)

The 'legacy' graphic novels and the whole Vong race

jedi starfigher ps 2 game

I also have to admit i never really got 'thrawn' either, he looked too much like a 'rogue trooper' rip off to me.

Thats just a few from memory but i think the main thing is that after 'jedi' nothing really (apart from the early xwing/tie games) totally and truly felt like 'star wars' to me. Even though i initially disliked the prequels they were undeniably 'star wars' in scope, setting and tone.

*snipped for space*

The prequels themselves are a good story, poorly executed (like most of Lucas' work actually). Lucas is a lot like Tolkien, good at stories, but awful at character interaction and dialogue.

And i can see how they *are* star wars to people who dont really like the OT. My neighbour Gavin has a young lad who is about 12 and he loves the clone wars and prequel stuff, because he grew up on it.

I think i may have had a bad experience with the eu

If i can break it down, post 'jedi' here is what i've found 'good' and 'bad' in the EU

Good:

Tie Figher, xwing and Dark Forces pc games

Dark Times, Rebellion and other graphic novels set in the GCW like 'boba fett is dead'

west end games RPG

You can clearly see here that this is all stuff i got into before being 20 when you're more ameniable to new stuff. (except the comics but those comics are set in the era i rememeber being great)

Bad:

Stackpole novels

Tales from the moss eisely cantina (i hate how everyone has some epic secret, no one is just a dude having a drink they have to be the dude who changed the galaxy like the really naff stormtroopers tale in it)

The 'legacy' graphic novels and the whole Vong race

jedi starfigher ps 2 game

I also have to admit i never really got 'thrawn' either, he looked too much like a 'rogue trooper' rip off to me.

Thats just a few from memory but i think the main thing is that after 'jedi' nothing really (apart from the early xwing/tie games) totally and truly felt like 'star wars' to me. Even though i initially disliked the prequels they were undeniably 'star wars' in scope, setting and tone.

My brother is about the age I was when I got into Star Wars, and he adores the prequels, Clones Wars, and Rebels. So I think you have a solid point. However, I still reread many of the EU books, and the fact that I now think Stackpole, MacBride-Allen, and many others aren't very good, while Zahn, Allston, and a few others still hold up indicates that there's more than just Star Wars imprinting going on (as you note with the comics in your own experience). (Also, totally agree about the need for writers to make all the background characters Super Special Important. Ridiculous.)

I take issue with Tolkien being bad at dialogue and character interaction!

I take issue with Tolkien being bad at dialogue and character interaction!

Tolkien is an amazing storyteller, but he's bad at character development. Lets look at every female character in LotR: 3 scenes, minimal dialogue (that's a bit of an exaggeration for Galadriel, but still). Lets look at the Hobbit: Kind of the same as the Stackpole X-wing books, several "main characters" but only 3 or 4 of them actually get development. The Fellowship: We know practically nothing about Gimli or Legolas (except their fathers both had 1 line each in the Hobbit).

Tolkien is an amazing writer, but he isn't that good at developing characters.

Shadow Squadron TIE Bombers/ Torpboarding craft. The 5 TIE remote piloted fighters and cruise missile. Squadron and Wing special varations like Avenger Squadron TIE Interceptors. TIE Avengers, Shadow Droidf ighters from Dark Empire trilogy. Actully this game should get everything old and new.

I disagree - if you look at Gandalf, Frodo, Samwise, Aragorn, Faramir, Denethor, Gollum, even Eowyn (I disagree that she only gets three scenes and minimal dialogue - but she's balanced by the fact that Arwen has zero lines in the actual narrative ), they are all very developed - they have distinct arcs, changes, and complexities. The Hobbit I'll grant does have the "Band of Paper Brothers" thing going on, but it's a children's tale, and Bilbo's journey is pretty decent. Not every character has to be developed for an author to be good at character development.

Oh right so having a good command of the English language and using it to make a strong point is trolling as well is it?

I didnt say the entire EU was poorly written pap, I've always said it has some great pieces but on a macro level its inconsistent with more muck than diamonds... it's inconsistency is something you yourself acknowledge.

As for differing opinions. I can't stand Stackpoles writing and find his dialogue wooden. You clearly like it and that's cool. We're never going to all like the same thing.

As I've said I have a strong opinion that most of the EU is average to incredibly poor. If the subject comes up as to whether new obscure EU stuff (like the clawcraft) should be produced at the expense of something far more familiar to people (like the gunboat), well i'm going to voice that opinion.

(snipping for relevancy to response): Again, I don't think you're trolling.

I apologize if I read your comments incorrectly. When you said, "The *best* of it is on a par with the prequels, the worst is just drivel," I took that to mean "the best EU books are on par with poorly written, philosophically incoherent, narratively suspect movies." If you were complimenting them (because you have a much higher view of the prequels than I), I was definitely wrong, and retract my statement.

I definitely acknowledge that the EU as a whole is a mess, even a majority of a mess. I just also think that the prequels, original films, and current "canon" are not really better.

While I do really like Stackpole's "I, Jedi," it has its share of consistency/plotting problems - the things I think elevate it into quality fiction are characterization, theme, mood, detail, and worldbuilding. And I'm not defending his X-Wing books (though I do enjoy reading them every now and them) or his NJO books. Though I think his comics were actually pretty high quality.

As for the gunboat/clawcraft thing? I personally think both are super awesome, and wouldn't mind them at all. But really, the only things I'm super, super excited to see have already been released - the E-Wing and the K-Wing. As well as some exciting freebies I didn't expect, like Mara Jade as a crew member, or the alt-art Tycho card.

When were the 'golden years of star wars'. Was it the early 80s, was it the initial 77 release up to ESB, was it the Thrawn books, was it the prequels of the 90s?

No, it was the first two years or so ANYONE discovered this amazing universe. Whatever was about at that time will always be the thing you think of when someone says 'star wars'. For me its the ESB era, i was old enough to see the film on video, the toys were exciting, there were even very primitive atari consol star wars games and best of all the amusement arcade had a sit in 'trench run' star wars game.

so its my 'golden years' , it wont be yours.

Well said.

I used to hate the prequels with a passion, i'd waited for them for so long and they dissapointed me.

I re watched them recently and took them on their own merit rather than expecting them to be as exciting as 'jedi' was to me at 13 or whatever and I think i judged them too harshly.

They are not the best films in the world but elements of them are very good, slow build up and the ending in epIII was pretty cool watching it with a less jaded view.

And i can see how they *are* star wars to people who dont really like the OT. My neighbour Gavin has a young lad who is about 12 and he loves the clone wars and prequel stuff, because he grew up on it.

I think i may have had a bad experience with the eu

If i can break it down, post 'jedi' here is what i've found 'good' and 'bad' in the EU

Good:

Tie Figher, xwing and Dark Forces pc games

Dark Times, Rebellion and other graphic novels set in the GCW like 'boba fett is dead'

west end games RPG

You can clearly see here that this is all stuff i got into before being 20 when you're more ameniable to new stuff. (except the comics but those comics are set in the era i rememeber being great)

Bad:

Stackpole novels

Tales from the moss eisely cantina (i hate how everyone has some epic secret, no one is just a dude having a drink they have to be the dude who changed the galaxy like the really naff stormtroopers tale in it)

The 'legacy' graphic novels and the whole Vong race

jedi starfigher ps 2 game

I also have to admit i never really got 'thrawn' either, he looked too much like a 'rogue trooper' rip off to me.

Thats just a few from memory but i think the main thing is that after 'jedi' nothing really (apart from the early xwing/tie games) totally and truly felt like 'star wars' to me. Even though i initially disliked the prequels they were undeniably 'star wars' in scope, setting and tone.

My great list

Any of the X-Wing novels (While I thought Krytos trap was weakest it wasn't bad and while I thought Mercy Kill didn't fit the X-Wing Series it was good at what I feel it was trying to be. Probably helps that I had read most of Stackpole's Battletech novels before reading the X-Wing ones and that Rogue Squadron was the fourth or fifth Star Wars novel I read after my long hiatus from reading EU novels)

Anything by Allston or Zahn, and most of Luceno's novels.

New Jedi Order Destiny's Way (I just love most of the scenes with Ackbar in that book and feel that was the best showing Ackbar ever got in the EU.

The WEG material (While I love the FFG RPG I think WEG's books did better jobs of establishing a setting. The little sections like excerpts from command and planning meetings, including after action reports and excerpts from debriefings were great IMO . Plus they are the only source I know of that ever discusses Alliance Ground and Naval officer training though some of the X-Wing novels and the X-Wing/TIE Fighter games and official strategy guides talked about fighter pilot training Also I love the humor parts like when Han was being debriefed after his plot to capture an Imperial Star Destroyer and tried to claim it was Chewie's idea or the Minster of Supply shooting down Ackbar's objections to the Alliance Privateer program.)

The Essential Guide to Warfare (While there were some noticeable gaps in it even with the director's cut material added I loved most of what we did get, and I love many of the cut portions that were published online even though there is one section I hate utterly. More on that part later.)

X-Wing/TIE Fighter/X-Wing Alliance PC Games (The Original X-Wing game was one of the first PC games I ever purchased and I loved every minute of the series even if I was cursing at my allies at times.)

The original Star Wars Arcade game (My first exposure to Star Wars actually. I played the arcade game at lunch, watched A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back that evening and Return of the Jedi the next day. I was 3 and while A New Hope was rewinding I was trying to find the nearest Rebel Alliance recruitment post in the phone book because I was convinced I was better then any of the fighter pilots they had.)

Star Wars Rebellion (I spent much time talking at RP sessions about how much better I would be at running the Rebel Alliance then Mon Mothma and this finally gave me the chance to prove it. Plus I loved many of the new Rebel capital ships in it. Unfortunately most of them rarely if ever appeared in the EU but one is canon now.)

Star Wars Empire at War Forces of Corruption (While I feel that the strategic element is lacking compared to Rebellion the tactical element is much better and I enjoyed the stories, especially the Alliance one because I always felt Captain Antilles deserved to be more then the first guy who got choked by Vader onscreen and a bit appearance in the PT. Forces of Corruption's story was insane and its Galactic Conquest mode was inferior but I love many of the new ships added in it.)

The Han Solo Adventures and Han Solo Trilogy (Ultimate proof that you don't need Force Users involved to tell good Star Wars stories.)

Most of the Clone Wars period comics before the CGI Cartoon started and the Hero of the Confederacy comic. (I felt the comics did a much better job with showing that there were heroes on both sides then the CGI cartoon did)

The Legacy Comics (I've mentioned on many boards here that FFG created many of my favorite Star Wars ship designs that have been introduced in the 21st century. Almost as many of my favorite new ship designs were created for the Legacy comics)

My Awful List

The Lando Calrissian Adventures (I hated them so much I stopped reading EU novels for years after reading them.)

The Crystal Star (It just wasn't like anything Star Wars should be to me.)

Anything by Kevin J Anderson (Mass array of super weapons including Invincible fighters that can blow up stars? Check. Hutt superweapon love child of a Death Star and a Doomsday Machine from Star Trek put together by an army of Tim the Toolman Taylor clones? Check First female Imperial admiral in the EU, set up as the only pre-Endor female admiral who is supposed to have won her rank through incredible skill but can only beat the New Republic when the odds are so stacked in her favor that they make the opening battle over Tatooine from A New Hope look like a fair fight in comparison. thus making it appear she really did sleep her way to the top? Check. Stating facts in one of your novels which not only contradicts novels published before yours but also one of the Original Trilogy movies? Check.)

Any novel series set after New Jedi Order (They both had their bright spots but neither was enjoyable as a whole.)

Most Of Traviss' works (When she can restrain her hate of Jedi and love of Boba Fett and anything Mandalorian her Star Wars books are decent but she rarely shows that restraint.)

The PT (Many good ideas but the execution was horrible and the few bad ideas were awful.)

Much of The Clone Wars CGI series after season three got rolling (When they were focusing on the namesake conflict either battlefront or political front it was usually great. But they gave us too many things like the Mandalorian Kid detectives, Jedi kids crystal hunting, Deadliest game Star Wars edition and JarJar and Mace buddy arcs. Plus they somehow forgot how t write space combat focused arcs and episodes apparently. And the show's writers couldn't manage to give us one Separatist military leader whom I could consider a hero on the side of the CIS. Every comic book series which was set during the Clone Wars managed to give us at least one but the cartoon failed utterly there.)

The EU/Legends Battle of Tanaab (The part of the Essential Guide to Warfare which I outright hate. I spent over 20 years looking forward to the day they would tell us the full story of that battle and what did I get for my patience? An epic battle with Lando rallying a shattered, or at least very badly outgunned and demoralized defense force and leading them to victory in desperate battle? No I got something that was probably ripped out of a script for Home Alone in Space. And this was somehow enough to convince the Rebel Alliance that he was fit to lead every starfighter they had in the most vital battle of the war.)

I forgot to mention that I know it's been derided on the forums, but I really like the Scimitar Assault Bomber.

Interesting point about the Essential Guide to Warfare - the Lando part did seem overly silly (especially after the cool stuff about the capture of Kuat). My own gripe with that guide was the retconning of the Battle of Orinda - having Wedge being beaten there by Rogriss doesn't mesh well at all with Starfighters of Adumar, and since I think Starfighters of Adumar is one of the best written Star Wars novels, having someone mess with Wedge's emotional state leading into the novel (since that's the center of the novel) really bothers me.

Still waiting for Assault Gunboat, TIE Scout, Scum V-wing and r-41, Rebel T-wing and Lady Luck.

Star Wars is still the films for me, everything else is nice but not central. I do enjoy the TV series moreso than the novels or comics, simply because of the cinematic nature of the medium that is closer to the feel of the movies. While I do enjoy certain novels those works are still just those single author's digressions outside the scope of the core works, elevated from fan fiction status by a stamp of approval. When a work has many hands on it and shows the labor of craftsmen it gives you the sense of depth that defines the saga, and I just don't get that with most works associated with the old EU.

That and the unbelievable ways the characters and galactic events progressed the further into the future the novels occured really killed the EU for me to the point that I just gave up trying to like any of it.

For example, even the Thrawn Trilogy had some silliness that I couldn't comprehend, like Lando commanding a far flung mining operation when he could have had vast influence in the New Republic government, or the clone Jedi master Joruus looking like Kenobi instead of any other human or alien, or the Mary Sue nature of Mara Jade. At least when Brian Daly wrote Star Wars he kept it short and sweet and action packed and knew when to sprinkle little tie bits of ancient galactic history, and kept the stories exciting but limited them to just a few main characters. If only he lived to write things in the post OT 90s EU.