Weekend Book Haul

Went to a bookstore called Book Warehouse this weekend where they were doing a sale of overstock books from a sister store that just closed. The deal was you fill a box with as many as you can and only pay $10. Between my brother, mother, and I we managed 34 books; here are my 13...

Won't lie I was super excited to score the John Scalzi and Timothy Zahn books, now though, my only problem is which book to start reading?

-GJ

A Short Review: Star Wars - Scoundrels

Once again Timothy Zahn has struck gold with his latest Star Wars novel, Scoundrels; a tale of corruption, thievery, and revenge.

Scoundrels features such classic characters like Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and one surprise appearance. We also come to know of Bink, her twin sister Tavia, Dozer, Zerba, Kell, Rachele, and Dayja. Also featured in the story is an Expanded Universe favorite, Winter.

What was enjoyable about this novel was that not only did it feature characters we know, but it showed what they were up to between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Also answered was the all elusive question of what the heck happened to all of Han's reward money?!?

The placement in the timeline was also a negative for me at the beginning of this novel. With both Han and Lando seeing each other now, it felt like it would take away from what we've come to know as that gut wrenching, what's going to happen moment when the two come face-to-face on Bespin. But ultimately by novel's end Zahn had made sure to restore that moment.

A little bit longer Star Wars novel for a change, Scoundrels comes in somewhere at around 390 pages, but fear not, it's a simple read and will have you so engrossed that you won't want to put it down.

Star Wars - Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn earns a 5/5.

-GJ

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Expected Character Appearances

The following are characters that we, and many others, hope to see before Star Wars: The Clone Wars comes to an end.

Han Solo

One of the biggest characters of the franchise must have an appearance, and it doesn't have to be big or even be very significant to the episode. In fact with the addition of the following character there is a simple scene that would make many Star Wars fans happy.

Lando Calrissian

Pair Han and Lando together, place them in a cantina, add a sabaac game and the bet of the Millennium Falcon, and you have the perfect scene to appear in a Clone Wars episode. See that's all it takes to make us happy.

Natasi Daala

Fans of the Expanded Universe have read a lot about Natasi Daala, and one thing we've come to learn from all that reading is that she was the former lover of one Grand Moff Tarkin. Since Tarkin already appears in The Clone Wars, it only makes since that Daala should make an appearance too.

Gilad Pellaeon

Pellaeon is another Expanded Universe favorite; well if you have a love for the Empire he is anyways. A nice little arc involving Pellaeon, Daala, and Tarkin could be done. Not only would this give fans of later novels in the Expanded Universe timeline a chance to see younger versions of these characters and their first interactions, but opens them up to a younger generation who may not yet know of them.

Zuckuss

The Clone Wars does already feature a good number of Bounty Hunters, many of whom were created just for the show, but Zuckuss is one from the movies that would be cool to see messing with Fett's and Bossk's plans.

Mitth'raw'nuruodo (Thrawn)

If you've ever read any Star Wars book by Timothy Zahn that involved Thrawn, then this no doubt makes sense. Thrawn is not only the best Imperial officer of all-time, but he is around during the Clone Wars era; as seen in Zahn's novel Outbound Flight.

These are just some of the Star Wars characters we'd love to see make an appearance in The Clone Wars animated series. Who would you like to see?

-GJ

A Great Haul

I promise you that I did not set out to spend so much money yesterday, but it just seemed to happen.

Everytime I go out to a store I always have to hit the toy aisle in hopes of finding some of these rare gems; I finally struck gold.

Trip number one produced the above toy; the rare comic pack featuring Deadpool and the Taskmaster.

On run number two I finally found the infamous Captain America Crossbones figure (pictured below).

The toys were completely unintended purchases, the following Star Wars books on the other hand, well...yeah I set out to pick those up on purpose.

I could have spent way more on comic books and art supplies too, but decided I do need to eat at some point this week.

Have you guys ever had a day like this?

-GJ

Happy New Year!!!

With the end of 2010, we now look forward to what new and exciting things 2011 plans on bringing us.

Here are just a quick few of those things that we look forward to here the most at The Galaxy Junkyard.

Age of X

A comic series the explores multiple possibilities when it comes to mutants, like what if the X-Men never existed. Age of X will run through the X-Men Legacy and New Mutants series along with its own standalone issues.

Sucker Punch


Thor


Transformers: Dark of The Moon


Green Lantern


Cowboys and Aliens


Captain America - The First Avenger


Various Star Wars Novels

Expect to see a wide variety of Star Wars novels in the next year, including one by the great Timothy Zahn.

Again this was just a short list of things we are looking forward to in 2011, there is probably plenty that we missed, but hey we're only human.

Looking forward to anything special in 2011? Let us know by leaving a comment, we'd love to hear about it. - GJ

Wanted: Science Fiction Movies

Here I am posting a list of science fiction movies that I would love to see hit theaters some time in the near future. Some of these are actually in production, and some are just going to be wishful thinking, but none the less, it makes for an interesting list.

Transformers 2 - A sequel to the biggest movie of the summer is a must. I don't care what any of the critics said, this was an awesome movie and deserves to have a sequel. Transformers 2 is tentatively set for release on June 26, 2009.

Serenity 2 - All brown coats know exactly what I'm talking about here. Serenity, based on the short lived but epic Firefly series, is one that should fly back on to the big screen in an all new feature film. Media sources state that this is one that is not likely going to happen anytime soon, but we can all hope for the best.

X-Men 4 - This one should happen, though it more than likely will happen after the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie, which is scheduled for a May 1, 2009 release. I want to see an X-Men 4 though if too much time passes, they will probably end up replacing most, if not all of the cast from the previous three films, and that will lead to the downfall of this film. If I don't see Gambit in four though, it won't matter how good the plot or cast is, I'm still going to be disappointed anyways.

Spider-man 4 - These movies have been getting better as the series moves forward. There are several concepts that are still available for exploration in this series, and we all look forward to seeing which avenue this next chapter will take. This is another candidate for a 2009 release.

Teen Titans - Okay so I fell in love with the cartoon series running on the Cartoon Network. This has been one of the better concepts for superheros of late and though it was designed as a children's cartoon it could be adapted quite well for adults. There is a more adult themed comic series based on the cartoon, but I hope they keep the characters and concepts from the cartoon, but give it that adult upgrade, for I wasn't all that fond of the few comics focusing on this series. We will all be spending a lot of time at the theaters in 2009, Teen Titans is another set for this particular year.

Batman Beyond - I hate the prequel Batman movies; Begins and Dark Knight (even if it's not out yet). This is another cartoon that hit the concept right and this was even discussed as being an option before they started with Begins. The only reason Begins was done instead of Beyond is because Beyond is set into the future where Gotham has had a classic Sci-Fi city upgrade, which means a lot more money would have had to been spent on graphics and apparently it was not worth the risk if the film was a flop. In my opinion Begins was differently not worth the money.

Gundam - A live action Gundam movie would be an enjoyable one for me. I have seen many of the Gundam series (Mobile Suit Gundam, 08th MS Team, Gundam Wing, Gundam Seed, G-Fighter, and two other series I can't remember the names too) and I can see anyone of these having a new story created for the big screen. Each series has seen different worlds and unique characters and this concept means a film could be entirely independent from the different anime series, so people would be familiar with the concept of Gundams but not expect a film to be true to any particular series. Since this would be based on an anime series the Japanese could do this film and I would still pay theater prices to see it here in the states.

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy - Title alone says it all. I've read the Timothy Zahn books (which I love), and think every Star Wars fan would love to see these on the big screen. Plus more movies would bring more toys, and I'm a big dork who loves his toys. Oh yea, did I mention STAR WARS!!!!!!

God willing, we at least get half of these movies, though it would be fantastic to get all eight of these films. Here's hoping.

The Icarus Hunt - Timothy Zahn

A riveting science fiction novel wrote by one of the best in the business. The Icarus Hunt is a story about a star freighter pilot named Jordan McKell who is hired to transport a ship with an extraordinary cargo in it's hold; a cargo that seems to bring out murderous intentions in everyone.

This novel contains many interesting characters, constant action, and will keep you guessing until the very end.

This is another superb novel by Timothy Zahn. If you've ever read any of Zahn's Star Wars novels, you know that he creates unforgettable characters, unbelievable environments, and plot twists that expand the story and leaves you wanting more.

If you read one book this year, I highly recommend The Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn. You won't be disappointed.