tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post1603701111939751237..comments2023-11-12T01:18:13.517-08:00Comments on The Star Wars Chronology Project: 3964-3963 BBY: The Secret Journal of Doctor DemagolMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906673835138277328noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-87480929358320948652012-10-29T06:57:49.987-07:002012-10-29T06:57:49.987-07:00Thanks for the great words of encouragement Anonym...Thanks for the great words of encouragement Anonymous. Feel free to sign-up as a follower of my blog; I’d enjoy seeing you comment more often.<br />Your response on retcons is appropriate here for sure, as the addition of midicholorians into Star Wars mythology is arguably one of the largest retcons we have – moving the nature of the Force from the spiritual and re-centering it into the world of genetics.<br /> <br />I think your response highlighted well the tension between the ‘levels of canon’ that currently exist in the Star Wars universe. To clear up my position on this; I’m one of the few (I think) who believes all Star Wars is created equal, in that one artist’s contribution – good, bad, beautiful, ugly, genius – is equal to George Lucas’ contribution. I think all writers and artists operate as a great Galactic senate, forming and shaping together the mythology of the Star Wars universe. I think this because Lucas opened this ‘Pandora’s Box’ back in 1976 with his forward to “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye”, and the rest, as they say, is history. Can this sometimes be a problematic position? For sure, as is embodied in The Clone Wars animated series trampling upon excellent storytelling that existed before it, a truly sad and infuriating reality. Why didn’t they just make the Clone Wars animated series echo what was already beautifully done in the Clone Wars comic series created by John Ostrander, and Haden Blackman? Aaron Allston, in his blog post, answers the heart of this question well. A good read for sure.<br /><br />http://community.aaronallston.com/2011/10/15/withholding-the-love/<br /><br />Basically Lucas and Filoni and company don’t want to be hedged in by other artist contributions because they believe it may creatively restrict their own ability to tell a good Star Wars tales. Something you already mentioned with the Potterverse and LOTR IP’s. If Rowling endorsed other people playing in her sandbox, it would inevitably mean that she is restricted by what that author has created. Which I think is her prerogative because she hasn’t done that yet, but with Star Wars, that train left the station a long time ago (1976). And you’re right; too much retconning does sour a part of the fanbase and does diminish the mythology as a whole, but I make my peace with this (sometimes uncomfortably) telling myself that this retconning and retelling is part of the ‘Great Chain of Reading’ that is the Star Wars universe (see my post on The Phantom Menace novelization: http://thestarwarschronologyproject.blogspot.ca/2012/08/32-bby-phantom-menace-novel.html )<br /><br />To wrap-up my thoughts on this, I think Lucas and Filoni need to be respectful of what is already out there, and craft The Clone Wars around other artist’s contributions.<br /><br />As I said earlier, please feel free to comment more often. I’m still working my way through The Phantom Menace material (I’m currently on mission 3 of the 00M-9 stories in Galactic Battlegrounds) but my life is so busy I can’t write as often as I’d like. It saddens me really, because this is a project I truly love. I sometimes dream that some “power-that-is” at Lucasfilm would hire me full time to complete my blog. I don’t know why they would because I decry them just as much as I applaud them, but a man can dream, right?<br />MKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17185603415301036071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-17418263912339973542012-10-27T00:55:26.159-07:002012-10-27T00:55:26.159-07:00P.P.S. Oh you're only into episode I... okay s...P.P.S. Oh you're only into episode I... okay sometime in the future you will meet Skynx for his original appearance. <br /><br />P.P.P.S. This is a link to stuff occurring between episode's 2 and 3 and has some great art from Joe Corroney. He also does art for some important stuff that cropped up in Star Wars Insider relating to the Clone Wars and more. <br />http://www.holonetnews.com/45/archives/<br />http://holonetnews.com/ Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138626138333949773.post-52381535982523453152012-10-26T19:44:22.958-07:002012-10-26T19:44:22.958-07:00I applaud your efforts! I cannot express how cool ...I applaud your efforts! I cannot express how cool it is that someone has the dedication to go through all the material. I'll admit from the beginning that this comment won't tie-in directly with this post. The criticism of midichlorians made me think of criticisms of retcons related to the animated series, and this felt the right place to bring retcons and fandom together.<br /><br />In a previous post you asked why Rowling and the Tolkien estates don't open up their art more to the masses to be shaped by "amateurs and masters". I think at least part of it could stem from the added responsibility of having to keep track of the canon and fan sentiment when adding on (LOTR is pretty much done but some danger still exists). <br /><br />Take the Clone Wars animated show. For one, by its very nature it steps on the work of Dark Horse writers and Genndy Tartakovsky's series of shorts. Their place in the Star Wars canon is thrown into jeopardy by this new, more "official" entry. Furthermore, the show has riled fans of Karen Traviss's books for its presentation of Mandalore, and Dark Horse readers have been dealt yet another death of Adi Galia and another outcome for Asajj Ventress. I think the Expanded Universe is weakened when things that are already perceived to be canon are trampled on by the central authority. <br /><br />Imagine if Rowling had more endorsed fiction, if she let it go as far as Star Wars has she might trap herself in terms of ever moving forward with it. A third-party story about Harry's father or children would probably end up adored by the fans. But if she ever came back to add onto her original story she could very easily conflict with endorsed canon. It would sour a part of the fanbase and possibly diminish from the whole. <br /><br />Rant now completed I wish to reaffirm my respect for your decision to head out on this adventure. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself and I hope to be able to come by regularly to catch up. <br /><br />P.S. You're going to come across Skynx again pretty quick (next few months) in his original appearance :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com