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7 Rogue One Spinoffs Every Andor Fan Needs to Dive Into Right Now!

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After a remarkable run of two seasons, the journey with Andor has concluded. However, for fans eager to delve deeper into the Star Wars universe, there are numerous tie-ins and spinoffs from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to explore. Acclaimed by both critics and viewers for its exceptional acting, top-notch production, and meticulously written script, Andor is being hailed as one of the finest Star Wars tales ever crafted. It brilliantly explores characters first introduced in Rogue One while smoothly setting the stage for the film’s opening sequence.

Although Rogue One was previously accompanied by numerous tie-in books and comics, many of these tales delve into characters less prominent in Andor, exploring crucial events preceding and following the series. Some of these narratives effectively mirror the atmosphere of Andor, making them a suitable alternative if you’re eager to continue the storyline. Here are the top Rogue One spinoff tales for your reading pleasure.

7. The Mask Of Fear

Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera in the early days of the Empire

The latest novel, titled “Star Wars: Reign of the Empire – The Mask of Fear” by Alexander Freed, serves as an excellent continuation for the series, particularly in relation to “Andor”. This book is set straight after the events of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, and it delves into the tense political climate during the Empire’s early days. Simultaneously, a former Separatist becomes involved in a crucial mission with Saw Gerrera, which could significantly impact the upcoming war.

Just as Andor skillfully handles numerous characters, delving into their distinct reasons and tactics against oppression, so does The Mask of Fear. Each individual plotline harmoniously connects, offering an engaging backstory that lays the groundwork for the Rebel Alliance’s early days. Moreover, it intensifies the Empire by exposing the chilling extent of Palpatine’s far-reaching ambitions for the galaxy.

6. Catalyst

The origin of the Death Star project

The book titled “Star Wars: Catalyst – A Rogue One Novel” by James Luceno serves as an official precursor to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. I had the chance to read it before watching the movie in 2016, and it proved beneficial as it delves deeper into the background we didn’t get from a film opening crawl. In “Catalyst”, we uncover the inception of the Death Star project during the Clone Wars, learn about Galen Erso’s recruitment, and discover why he eventually chose to hide with his family.

As a seasoned author in the Star Wars universe, Klay Luceno is exceptionally skilled at weaving together multiple stories and plotlines seamlessly, making him an ideal candidate for writing this book. It’s no surprise then that he was selected for the task. Characters are the heart of “Catalyst”, as they unravel the truth behind their projects and grapple with their decisions. Fans of “Rogue One” will undoubtedly be thrilled with this engaging prequel.

5. Rebel Rising

Jyn Erso’s life after her father was taken by the Empire

Once you’ve wrapped up with “Catalyst”, your next reading adventure is the young adult novel, “Star Wars: Rebel Rising” penned by Beth Revis. This book bridges the narrative gap between Saw Gerrera saving Jyn Erso at the start of “Rogue One” and her eventual rescue from an Imperial prison by the rebels. Overlooking substantial background details was a common complaint about “Rogue One”, making “Rebel Rising” an ideal choice for fans eager to delve deeper into that backstory.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate how the narrative masterfully portrays my protagonist Jyn Erso’s tumultuous journey growing up amidst the chaos of a rebel cell, all while her father Saw was grappling with his role as both a fighter and a parent in the midst of war. What truly sets ‘Rebel Rising’ apart is its exploration into why Saw eventually chose to abandon Jyn, a decision hinted at in ‘Rogue One’, but now unfolds in rich detail. The film serves as an engaging bridge between stories, offering a profound character study on the complex and compelling figure of Jyn Erso.

4. Guardians Of The Whills

A Chirrut and Baze adventure set before Rogue One

In the blockbuster movie “Rogue One,” the standout personalities were Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus, whose tale was further unfolded in Greg Rucka’s “Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills.” This captivating novel takes place six months prior to “Rogue One” and primarily focuses on Chirrut and Baze safeguarding Jedha City’s inhabitants after the Empire seizes control of the Kyber Temple. They are subsequently approached by Saw Gerrera, but are hesitant about whether aligning with him is the most effective strategy for resistance.

It’s wonderful to delve deeper into Chirrut and Baze’s backstory prior to their appearances in Rogue One, understanding what set them apart from one another. The inclusion of Saw Gerrera was an effective way to provide additional context as to how they were captured by the Partisans during that film. The comic series Guardians of the Whills, later adapted into a manga by Jon Tsuei and Subaru, offers fans a unique visual experience of this storyline.

3. Rogue One Novelization

A great adaptation and expansion of the movie

Among the exceptional Star Wars novelizations you might want to explore is Alexander Freed’s adaptation of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” While the movie “Rogue One” is fantastic, it faced challenges fitting all its diverse characters, history, and expositional elements into a two-hour runtime. The “Rogue One” novelization offers the unique advantage of delving deeper into the characters’ minds, expanding their roles, and exploring flashbacks that were not included in the film.

If you’re keen to delve deeper into the characters without jumping straight into other tales, the novelization of Rogue One could be a great starting point for you. This adaptation not only adds depth to the original narrative but also offers fresh perspectives that entice fans to revisit it again. Freed does an exceptional job at this more than many others. It’s particularly suitable for those who admire how Andor meticulously developed its characters and storylines.

2. Inferno Squad

A sequel to Rogue One and a prequel to Battlefront II (2017)

Following the destruction of the Death Star in “A New Hope,” the game “Star Wars: Battlefront II – Inferno Squad” serves as a precursor to its story campaign. Initially introduced as a sequel to “Rogue One,” it delivers by chronicling Inferno Squad’s mission to infiltrate the remnants of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans. The tale is intriguing, offering insights into their complex relationships with rebels they are set to deceive, a dynamic that fans of “Andor” will find captivating due to its exploration of subterfuge.

The Inferno Squad storyline serves as an excellent precursor to Battlefront II (2017), as it delves into the characters’ backgrounds and growth. Witnessing the second Death Star’s destruction in the game is more impactful when considering they had previously observed the first one being destroyed, and their alliance with rebels hints at their later choice to side with the New Republic. It’s truly remarkable how a book can seamlessly tie into numerous narratives while maintaining its own distinct value.

1. The Ashes Of Jedha

A Star Wars comic follow-up to Rogue One

Moving from books to comic books, the seventh installment of Star Wars (2015) presents a storyline that follows on from Rogue One. This compilation gathers issues 38-43, titled “‘The Ashes of Jedha’“, in which Luke Skywalker and the rebels revisit the remains of Jedha City, where a handful of survivors continue their battle against the Empire. It delves into the ongoing strife between various rebel groups, even as the Galactic Civil War has commenced.

The most significant moment in this storyline is when Luke and his companions pay tribute to the characters who perished at the end of Rogue One. Seeing Luke honor their sacrifices adds depth to his victory over the Death Star, as it reminds us of those who gave their lives for that opportunity. This poignant recognition provides a fitting conclusion to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and appeals to fans who enjoyed Andor within the broader Star Wars universe.

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2025-05-19 01:01

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