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The Tales of the Jedi you haven’t heard about

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The Tales of the Jedi you haven't heard about

As a lifelong Star Wars fan who’s seen more than a few galaxies far, far away, I can confidently say that the original Tales of the Jedi comic series is a hidden gem worth revisiting. I remember stumbling upon it during my teenage years when I thought I knew everything there was to know about this expansive universe. Boy, was I wrong!

In 2022, Star Wars enthusiasts were pleasantly surprised by the release of the hit animated show “Tales of the Jedi,” which follows the style of its predecessor, “The Clone Wars.” Although some fans may recognize the title of the more recent series, others might not be aware that a “Tales” series has previously been introduced in a distant galaxy.

Let’s take a look at the original Tales of the Jedi.

Star Wars is a multifaceted franchise with tales spanning over four decades in every imaginable format. In a little over three years, this narrative saga will mark 50 years of storytelling. With such a vast universe of content to explore, it’s effortless to overlook the treasured classics from yesteryears.

One of these tales comes in the form of a comic series from the 90s called Tales of the Jedi by the late great Tom Veitch and Kevin J. Anderson. The series takes place 4000 years before the time of Luke Skywalker. It is a sweeping epic of family dynasties, Mandalorian warlords, and ancient Sith sorcery– a blend of sci-fi and fantasy previously not seen to this extent in the Star Wars universe.

Before the series, the ancient history of the galaxy far, far away was largely unexplored. Now, it’s become a vast source of mythology and intrigue. The richness of this fictional universe’s history is further enriched when we discover that the history of the Jedi dates back an additional 20,000 years before the ‘modern’ Republic and Empire that most fans are accustomed to.

George Lucas referred to Star Wars as a “soap opera,” and that’s exactly what the series Tales of the Jedi embodies. It’s filled with betrayal, love, and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. The narrative is intense, vibrant, and deeply emotional.

The art style of the series is a huge boon to the series and makes it stand out from the huge number of comics set in the Star Wars franchise. Fantastic cover art by Dave Dorman, Hugh Flemming, and others are iconic pieces of Star Wars art to this day. Perhaps the most memorable visuals from the comics come in the distinguished design of the ships, vastly different from those of the films, and the variety of costumes of Jedi Knights, a blend of cloth and armor, not previously seen in the franchise. The Order was not yet dominated by the famous plain brown robes of later eras.

One reason Tales of the Jedi was particularly exceptional is because the creators were given a remarkable level of creative autonomy. As co-writer Kevin J. Anderson explained in a 2008 interview, Lucasfilm had a very flexible approach towards these comics, allowing us to explore our ideas freely as long as we stayed true to the essence of Star Wars.

The impact on the franchise was nothing short of spectacular. A prime illustration of this is the series of legendary RPGs from the early 2000s, heavily influenced by the saga of “Tales of the Jedi”. I’m referring to the cherished “Knights of the Old Republic” games, set approximately 40 years after the final comic. The intricate narrative of these games skillfully incorporates events from the comics, crafting a breathtaking meta-narrative spanning this immense epoch in galactic history.

For those interested in exploring the galaxy’s historical depth, the classic “Tales of the Jedi” won’t fail to captivate both long-time enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

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2024-09-15 00:51

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