Sunday, May 7, 2023

Sunday's Short Stack(Star Wars Week 2023): Mara Jade - By the Emperor's Hand by Michael A Stackpole



Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand Complete Graphic Novel (Out of Print)

Summary:
Mara Jade is beautiful, intelligent -- and deadly. She is the Emperor's Hand, the personal assassin of the Empire's dark overlord. Mara has destroyed many enemies of the Empire in her time, and has always carried out her missions with forethought and skill. But after the Emperor's death at the hands of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, an unforeseen variable is about to enter the scene of her final mission for her employer: the assassination of the leader of the Black Nebula crime organization. Though her master is dead, Jade must complete her final mission...even if it costs her life.



I originally read this graphic novel wayback when but this past week was the first time I re-visited it in way too long.  Mara Jade has always been my favorite character introduced in the now non-canon SWEU.  Ever since Timothy Zahn created her back in Heir to the Empire, I couldn't imagine reading a comic book, graphic novel, or full length novel without her making an appearance.  So when we got to see a glimpse into her past that began to bridge the gap between Return of the Jedi and Heir to the Empire I jumped at the chance even though if I'm completely honest at that time had rarely read comic book or graphic novel format.  I was completely enthralled then and I still am today, despite being non-canon Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand is a fun and intriguing bit of SW storytelling.  No matter how you view the differing timelines or multiverse as some might label them, I highly recommend any Star Wars fan giving this a read.  You won't be disappointed.

RATING:



Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #1
Summary:
After she fails to eliminate the young Jedi Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade is dispatched to take down a crimelord who seeks to reestablish the criminal organization Black Sun. Little does she know that the Emperor's imminent date with death will change her life forever! 






Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #2
Summary:
Under cover of an Imperial raid, Mara Jade infiltrates the headquarters of would-be Black Nebula overlord Dequc, and assassinates the criminal leader. But back on Imperial Center, she finds evidence that the person she shot was a stand-in, and that the real Dequc is still out there, and gunning for her!






Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #3
Summary:
In the wake of the Emperor's death at the hands of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, Mara Jade has been captured! Since her captor is one of only a handful who knows she is the Emperor's Hand, Mara knows she must escape quickly- or die!






Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #4
Summary:
After the death of Emperor Palpatine, Mara Jade escapes from Imperial Center and throws herself headlong into the underground of the Empire's underworld. Though her master is dead, Jade must complete her final mission, even if it costs her life!






Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #5
Summary:
Fed up with being hunted by her enemies, Mara Jade decides it's time to become the hunter. First on her payback list? The evil Dequc, Black Nebula crime lord, the man who survived her final assignment for the Emperor! Now, Mara must infiltrate his hidden base, take him down, and escape! Could she finally be in over her head?






Mara Jade - By The Emperor's Hand (1998-1999) #6
Summary:
Mara Jade has destroyed many enemies of the Empire in her time, and has always carried out her missions with forethought and skill. But an unforeseen variable is about to enter the scene of her final mission for her dead employer, and Mara knows that her own survival is second to getting the job done!











Michael A Stackpole
Michael A. Stackpole is the multiple New York Times bestselling author of over forty fantasy and science fiction novels, his best known books written in the Star Wars® universe, including I, JEDI and ROGUE SQUADRON, as well as the X-Wing graphic novel series. He has also written in the Conan, Pathfinder, BattleTech and World of Warcraft universes, among others.

Currently the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University Distinguished Writer-in-Residence, Stackpole’s other honors include: Induction into the Academy Gaming Arts and Design Hall of Fame, a Parsec Award for “Best Podcast Short Story,” and a Topps’s selection as Best Star Wars® Comic Book Writer. Stackpole is the first author to sell work in Apple’s App Store, and he’s been an advocate for authors taking advantage of the digital revolution.



Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn is the author of more than fifty novels, more than a hundred short stories and novelettes, and five short-fiction collections. In 1984, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novella. Zahn is best known for his Star Wars novels (Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances, Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future, Survivor’s Quest, Outbound Flight, Allegiance, Choices of One, and Scoundrels), with more than eight million copies of his books in print. His other books include StarCraft: Evolution, the Cobra series, the Quadrail series, and the young adult Dragonback series. Zahn has a B.S. in physics from Michigan State University and an M.S. from the University of Illinois. He lives with his family on the Oregon coast.



Michael A Stackpole(Writer)
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE
RANDOM HOUSE  /  KOBO  /  iTUNES
GOOGLE PLAY  /  AUDIBLE  /  B&N
PATREON  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Timothy Zahn(Story)
FACEBOOK  /  ISFDB  /  iTUNES
AUDIBLE  /  GOOGLE PLAY  /  MARVEL
WIKI  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Carlos Ezquerra (Illustrator)

Kilian Plunkett (Cover Art)


Mara Jade #1

Mara Jade #2

Mara Jade #3

Mara Jade #4

Mara Jade #5

Mara Jade #6

Series


No comments:

Post a Comment