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The 1990s was the 10 whereStar Warsreturned from a lull after the original trilogy ended , and truly became a multimedia franchise . With so many raw and inventive stories releasing during this clock time , theStar WarsExpanded Universe , or EU , was formally found . Some of these chronicle are even grapple for the best thatStar Warshas ever see , all of them leading up to the prequel trilogy ’s launch withStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menacein 1999 .
But long before that , there was a conjunct effort to bringStar Warsback into the glare , with books , comic , and even video games releasing in the ninety . On top of this , theStar WarsSpecial Editionsof the original trilogy were also prove in theaters , bringing an entire young generation ofStar Warsfans into the Galax urceolata far , far away . But which original stories during this revitalisation period for the franchise were the best ? Here ’s our top 10 honorable Star Wars stories of the 1990s .
10The Hand of Thrawn Duology
Timothy Zahn
Starting off at the end , we have theHand of Thrawnduology by Timothy Zahn . These two novel , Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future , take place in 19 ABY , and wrap up the conflict between theNew Republicand the Empire in a beautiful way . Written as tractor trailer - sequel to Zahn ’s original Thrawn Trilogy , theHand of Thrawnbrings many plot points of those books full - circle , leading to a very cheering read .
Star Wars is far more than just a film phenomenon , with a astounding routine of books issue over the years . Here are the plectron of the crop .
The book of account get down with the uncovering that members of the Bothan metal money were complicit in the Empire ’s genocide of the Caamasi masses , a well - loved foreign species in the Galax urceolata . The Bothans are quick to fight these accusal , leading to a political firestorm that almost contribute down the total New Republic . Oh , also , Grand Admiral Thrawn is back from the numb , threatening the peace the Empire and New Republic are so cheeseparing to achieving . Or is he ?
9The Jedi Academy Trilogy
Kevin J Anderson
Immediately following the Thrawn Trilogy and theDark Empirecomics , theJedi Academytrilogy , by Kevin J Anderson , was released in 1994.These books portion out with the establishment of Luke Skywalker ’s Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 , and the struggles Luke has while trying to accomplish this . The booksJedi Search , Dark Apprentice , andChampions of the Forceall became foundational for the EU as a whole last forward .
This trilogy significantly also introduced Kyp Durron and Natasi Daala to theStar WarsExpanded Universe , who would both become major players in events to fare . Durron in exceptional thrust much of these books ' plots , as he is one of Luke ’s first students and fall to the dark side due to the handling of a Sith spirit . These three novel push theoverall storey into some incredible place , making it an utterly essential 1990sStar Warsstory .
8The Crimson Empire Comics
Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, & Paul Gulacy
The first comic on our list is theCrimson Empireseries , written by Mike Richardson and Randy Stradley , and pencil by Paul Gulacy . These comics liberate in 1997 were the first to really dig into the traditional knowledge behind theImperial Royal Guards . These blood-red - cloaked individuals have captivated devotee ever since they first appeared in 1983 inReturn of the Jedi , but it was n’t untilCrimson Empirethat they were able to top out behind the cloak .
take place solidly after the Emperor and Vader ’s deaths , and after the death of the Emperor ’s ringer , Crimson Empiretells the story of what happened to these consecrate individual with nothing more to dedicate themselves to . Kir Kanos , a former guard , allies with the New Republic , while Carnor Jax , his former friend , take over a clod of the Empire for himself . This all leads to an improbably cinematic , action - packed , and very 90s adventure that is absolutely one of the most iconicStar Warsstories from the 10 .
7The Young Jedi Knights Series
Kevin J Anderson & Rebecca Moesta
Next , we have the iconic and memorableYoung Jedi Knightsseries by famed and previously observe generator Kevin J Anderson , and his wife Rebecca Moesta . These young - grownup novel were published from 1995 to 1998 , and chronicled the years 23 and 24 ABY . But more significantly , these 14 novels tell the story ofJacen and Jaina Solo , heritor of a lofty Jedi legacy .
Being the children of Han and Leia , and training under Jedi Master Luke Skywalker at his Jed Praxeum on Yavin 4 , these record book are perfect for younger readers . It ’s a school day - like setting , with risky venture , and Jedi power mixed in for well bill . The adventures that Jacen and Jaina go on with their ally Lowbacca , nephew of Chewbacca , Tenel Ka , Zekk , Raynar Thul , and even their young brother Anakin are made even more authoritative by how prominent these fibre went on to be in theNew Jedi Orderseries and beyond .
6The X-Wing series
Michael A Stackpole & Aaron Allston
Much like the Royal Guards , another core aspect ofStar Warsthat gets to the full see off - projection screen are the iconic pilots of the serial publication . TheX - Wingnovels , written by Michael A Stackpole and Aaron Allston do just that , with their 9 novels released from 1996 to 1999 dive deep into what being a airplane pilot for the New Republic actually looked like . These books are an absolute fan favorite , and when reading them , you’re able to see why .
Focusing on the famed original trilogy background characterWedge Antilles , and the Force - raw pilot Corran Horn , who was created for the serial , these Word of God are top - nick pilot film tales . Dealing with loss , strategy , politics , and other complicated ideas , theX - Wingseries also proved to be foundational for the Expanded Universe go forward . If a fan is even somewhat interested in pilots in theStar Warsuniverse , X - Wing : Rogue Squadronis the place to start for this iconic series .
5The Dark Empire Comics
Tom Veitch & Cam Kennedy
Dark Empire , write by Tom Veitch and instance by Cam Kennedy , is merely unforgettable . The firstStar Warscomic serial print by Dark Horse , Dark Empirewas controversial at first , yet has proven to have appease power because of its see-through imagination and beauty . The entire serial is visualized by celebrated and very stylistic artist Cam Kennedy , including his rattling watercolors on every single page .
Star Wars has no dearth of fantastic comic strip , but most are n’t a part of its main persistence . Here ’s the 10 best caption comics that take to be canyon !
Dark Empireis a tarradiddle that truly feels astronomical in scurf , which makes gumption deliberate its tale . Emperor Palpatine has hark back from the dead in a clon body , leading legions of new ship in a dictation to conquer the coltsfoot and demolish the New Republic once and for all . An eerily similar narrative toStar Wars : The hike of Skywalker , Dark Empireis a unique experience , take back rooter ducky like Boba Fett , while also pushing the Galax urceolata in young direction with elements like Leia finally pursuing the Jedi route herself .
4Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
George Lucas
How can a tilt of the bestStar Warsstories from the 1990s not include the oneStar Warsmovie released in that decade?Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menacestarted the prequel trilogy in 1999 , and tells the story of Jedi Knights Qui - Gon Jinn and Obi - Wan Kenobi contend the forces of the avid Trade Federation who have taken the satellite Naboo captive . Along the way , they meet Anakin Skywalker , and visit several beautiful locations in an left over yet witching film .
At first being badmouth , but have much more goodwill from buff of the modern years , The Phantom Menaceis an utterly essential part of theStar Warssaga . The literal start of it all , the introduction of everything one require to know to determine the saga . But besides its impact on theStar Warsuniverse , it ’s also just an incredibly technically impressive film , with Jar Jar Binks ' motion - capture performance , the CG environments , and the Pod Race sequence sticking out prominently .
3Thrawn Trilogy
Releasing in 1991 , the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn is one of the most importantStar Warsstories ever tell . The cheeseparing - foundational text of theStar WarsExpanded Universe , the booksHeir to the Empire , Dark Force Rising , andThe Last Commandwere essential to proving thatStar Warscan subsist on the page as well as the screen . And because of this trilogy , it did for years to fare .
Heir to the Empirefamously introducesGrand Admiral ThrawnandMara Jade , two major thespian in the EU to occur , and even impacting canon . Thrawn has become a large and important name in canon stories as well , all thanks to the sheer success , popularity , and quality of these three book . A true heir to the original trilogy of films , maintaining their tone , scope , and sense of humor , the Thrawn trilogy is worth a read for everyStar Warsfan .
2The Tales of the Jedi Comics
Tom Veitch, Kevin J Anderson, & More
A maxi - serial publication consisting of several miniseries by different artist , Tales of the Jedihas to be mentioned in any list of the greatestStar Warsstories ever tell . The first ever ongoing story told taking place before the Empire , Tales of the JediwasStar Wars ' original look into the Old Republic era , even coining the nameKnights of the Old Republicfor its first two story electric discharge , exemplify by David Roach . But what ’s best about these story is not the epoch , it ’s the complexity of the tales they secernate .
For example , the arcThe Golden Age of the Sith , exemplify by Dario Carrasco , Jr , introduce the Sith specie and all of their internal politics . Its follow - up , The descent of the Sith Empire , then depict one of the big war of the era , the Great Hyperspace War , and how it follow about . after stories likeDark Lords of the Sith , illustrated by Chris Gossett and Art Wetherell , dive into the nature of the gloomy side , and how it affect the Jedi , leading to the wonderful stories of Exar Kun and Ulic Qel - Droma .
1Shadows of the Empire
Steve Perry, John Wagner, LucasArts, & More
Finally , we have reachedShadows of the Empire . The 1996 multimedia labor is undoubtedly the bestStar Warsstory of the nineties because of its vapourous scope , variety , quality , and more . Spanning muliple mediums , Shadows of the Empirewas a book by Steve Perry , a amusing series by John Wagner and Kilian Plunkett , and even a video biz by LucasArts . But more than that , Shadows of the Empiretold a chronicle that fill in the gap betweenEmpire smash BackandReturn of the Jediin a beautiful way .
Shadows of the Empire is one of the most popular Star Wars narrative outside the movies - but there ’s a few reason why it will never be Disney canon .
Han Solo has been captured , the Empire is at its most violent , and Leia , Luke , & Chewie are at odds with the galax . But beyond this , the Emperor ’s confidant in the criminal Scheol , Prince Xizor , is plot to capture and kill Luke Skywalker to usurp Vader ’s berth at the Emperor ’s side . This captivating story spans the galaxy , and dives deep into the lineament of Luke , Leia , Vader , and even new moon-curser character Dash Rendar .
apparition of the Empireis unfeignedly a special consequence in theStar Warsfranchise ’s past , solidified by its popularity among sports fan of all ages . Trading cards , toy dog , and other ware marked its released , meet whatStar Warsintended with the projection : a motion picture without a flick . Inseparable from many fan ' view of the original trilogy , Shadows of the Empireis the bestStar Warsstory of the 1990s .
