I think I’m getting into the groove of this weekly-ish newsletter thing. Although, as ever, I’m still hunting for the perfect use of this particular space.
(Suggestions are always welcome. Please, save me from myself.)
May the 4th Be With You
Since it is Star Wars Day (and I’m only mildly surprised to not see Hallmark cards for sale to mark the occasion) I thought I’d talk a little bit about my past with this absolute juggernaut of a franchise.
Before I do that, I find it funny that my birthday (February 26) was the date Star Wars first aired on broadcast TV. I found that out while trying to source my first memory of anything Star Wars, which was something that must have been a commercial for the Return of the Jedi. It was daytime. I had just come in from outside and recall quite clearly Yoda walking across the TV screen. I didn’t know it was Yoda; I had been born in a small town in-between years of movie releases. The memory stuck, but I paid it no real mind.
Eight years later I had seen Return of the Jedi roughly 9000 times. (It was among a collection of video tapes that—along with Batman, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Temple of Doom—helped this indoor kid pass a lot of time my first year living in Alaska.)
I had seen Empire on video at a friend’s house years before; none of it really stuck at that point. The small screen, lots of distractions, the power of it wasn’t there. Likewise, I never ran across the books or comics where I lived, so besides fragmented memories of Episodes V and VI, all I had was the Droids/Ewoks cartoon.
This changed in 1997. I was fresh out of high school, I’d moved to a new town, and the trilogy was being rereleased in theaters. I love seeing movies on the big screen; I love seeing revivals. I was sold. I took my youngest brother and sister with me to see the first film and… the music. The music hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt emotional about the franchise for the first time.
Empire Strikes Back I saw — on my 19th birthday! — with a packed house and a good crowd. Cheers for everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. The Batman & Robin trailer ran before the show and the room shook from laughter and applause. That crowd was in a great mood. The ROtJ reissue was fun, but couldn’t compare to the other experiences.
Two years later, The Phantom Menace. I went in blind. I mean, you couldn’t escape the merchandise, I knew Darth Maul looked great, I knew who was in it; but I didn’t have TV so I saw no commercials; I didn’t see the trailer in front of any movies I got to — it was neat to see a movie that way. And maybe because I liked Star Wars but didn’t have the same lifelong expectation, I didn’t hate it. Still don’t. (To be fair I felt Episode II was about two and a half weeks long and I’ve yet to finish more than half any time I try to rewatch it. but that’s neither here nor there.)
I tried to read some of the books now that the merchandise machine got them into the local bookstores. (Most of them were impenetrable to me… although I did like Michael Reaves’ Coruscant Nights. With largely original characters, it didn’t feel like I was missing something and I appreciated that.)
After Disney bought the franchise the machine really kicked into gear; there was going to be new product until the end of time now.
I was visiting the Sony lot in 2017. My host on the lot pointed to one of the buildings and said “Do you know what’s going on in there? John Williams is scoring The Last Jedi right now.” I have never wanted to get thrown out of a building so much before, such was my temptation to try and sneak in.
(I love Williams’ Star Wars score. Seeing the film along with a live orchestra providing the music was a wonderful experience.)
Predictably, out of all the movies released so far (From the Force Awakens to Rise of Skywalker) Solo turned out to be my favorite. It had all the stuff I liked most about Star Wars. I still believe if it had been released at Christmastime—The Last Jedi was still in theaters when it came out!—it would’ve had a better reception at the box office.
I’ve had plenty of fun with the recent TV series (I will never not think of Baby Yoda as “Greg” however) and Zahn’s recent Thrawn trilogy. I have pals working on novels and comics set in the galaxy far far away. And I love Star Wars Land (sorry, Black Spire Outpost) at Disney. I don’t think I fell in love with Star Wars like so many in my generation, but it still feels to me like a really good friend.
Which doesn’t explain why I have a Star Wars themed tattoo. (But that’s a story for another time.)
And after May the 4th comes May the 5th; make sure to get your t-shirt for next year. https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/2654868-may-the-5th-be-whiskey
A Comic From The Past
The year was 1985, and I, a good boy who brushed his teeth like he was supposed to, got a clean bill of health from the dentist. As a reward, I got to pick out a comic book.
I chose Avengers #262. Look at this cover:
I didn’t know anybody on this cover besides Captain America, and I had so many questions. Who was the guy with the pointy ears? When did Marvel characters that weren’t Thor start wearing capes? Why did the choice of copy amuse me so much?
The book was great about answering all my questions and both Namor and Monica Rambeau (still my favorite Marvel character to have held the Captain Marvel name) grabbed my attention. Something about these two just interested me, and still does. (I’d love to write either one, Marvel, thanks.)
This issue is where Namor joined the team and where they got an island base; but if I’m being honest, I remember the smaller, character-based bits (such as Hercules trying to make Namor feel better by picking a fight with him or the team having a clambake because, really, why wouldn’t they) and the art. Man alive, the art.
I can’t think of Avengers without that specific logo and the art of Buscema and Palmer coming to mind first and foremost. Even the MCU couldn’t dislodge their place in line.
This isn’t a fan-favorite issue, but it packed a lot of fun. What more could one ask for?
One Last Moment of Pop Culture Detritus
I’ve been watching through Stargate SG-1 for the first time.
Season 8. Episode 19. I’ve heard actors try Minnesotan accents onscreen before to mixed results. I’ve never seen a native lean into it so far onscreen before.
Richard Dean Anderson dropped an “okay sure” that hit the region so hard my brain shorted out for a second.
Just not used to hearing that come from my TV is all.
Okay, a Downside to go
Hope the week has treated you well; godspeed if you suffer from allergies. Nature’s wrath is coming for us.
Another great newsletter. Enjoyed reading your history with the franchise.