Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology | ||||||
W. Haden Blackman, Illustrations by Ian Fullwood | ||||||
Del Rey, 198 pages | ||||||
A review by David Maddox
Updated to include information from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and the New Jedi Order
novel series, this technical manual is more than just a list of specs and jargon. It features full-color computer generated
artwork and some never-before-seen renditions of technology.
Author W. Haden Blackman's credits include The Field Guide to North American Monsters as well as Dark Horse
Comics' Jango Fett: Open Season, so he's well familiar with the Star Wars Universe and does a very nice job of
explaining even the simplest thing, like a SoroSuub Hush-98 Comlink.
The book is incredibly detailed and jam-packed with tons of information. The graphics are presented in beautiful color,
rendered on computer. They almost look real, but there's still a hint on CGI to everything. English Illustrator Ian Fullwood
has fifteen years in commercial art and his work gives impressive depth to items from Clone Trooper armor to light sabers.
Many of the weapons and devices seen in the first two prequels are brought to life in these pages. The book also gives
details on all technological advancements during the New Jedi Order. Many of these weapons and ships only exist in the
imagination of the readers, so it's nice of LucasFilm to bring them to image.
One main drawback is that, while this edition of the book covers much more than any previous version, it will be quickly
become outdated in May when Episode III hits the screens. Of course that's good marketing, but somewhat depressing
looking at how much time and energy went into this edition.
Overall, The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology is a must-have for any hardcore Star Wars fan. If
you're interested in becoming such a fan, it's a good starting point. It's a nice coffee-table addition to any collection.
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