Welcome to another installment of EUCantina’s weekly opinion column, EU Action/Reaction! Each week, I tackle a specific Star Wars EU event that has garnered a significant reaction from Star Wars fans and offer my own view to further the discussion. Once you read the article, feel free to leave a comment and offer your own thoughts!
This week, I’ll discuss the role of the Expanded Universe… and try to figure out why there are fans out there who either hate the EU in its entirety or hate portions of it. What makes Star Wars so different from other licensed products, and is it possible for me to come up with a way to karate punch every irrational EU hater in the face through the computer?
I’ve spent all my life devouring every piece of Star Wars EU that I can get my hands on, and it’s really been the only “expanded universe” of a licensed product that I’ve experienced… at least, until this year. I always thought it was normal for fans to simply cherry pick which stories they considered to be “canon,” or for other fans to simply deny the stories as fan-fiction. I mean, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But in our comfort with the Star Wars EU, which has been around for decades, it’s really enabled us to become overly negative whenever we want. I think that, as fans, we’ve lost our way. Some EU fans have become increasingly arrogant whenever a new addition makes its way to the EU, and the film fans who have turned a blind eye toward the EU are blatant in their ability to be some of the most close-minded people I’ve ever had the misfortune of interacting with.
This year, I finally started branching out and experimenting with new series. Not because I’m tired of Star Wars, which I doubt I could ever be, but because I’m all caught up with Star Wars and there are plenty of series that I enjoy. I’ve spent the last handful of months delving into the expanded universe offered by Gears of War, Halo, and Dead Space. Not only have I experienced the rich storytelling that I now know is no longer exclusive to Star Wars, but I’ve also interacted with groups of fans that are totally and completely different from Star Wars fans. See, where as Star Wars is an established brand that was ultimately created by one visionary, the series I listed are relatively new and created by companies in a more collaborative effort. It was a shock when I realized I’d spent a portion of my night railing against The Force Unleashed II (having not read or played it yet) and the latest episode of The Clone Wars… and then spent the next day excited to run to the bookstore and grab the new Halo book before I came home to dive back into Halo: Reach. Just two diametrically opposite sides of fandom. You see…
We’re a Bunch of Ingrates
Yep, I said it. Many Star Wars fans have to be among the most ungrateful people ever. Do you realize that we have time to find excessive faults with a series that currently has a television show in production and gives us roughly 10 new books a year? Let’s take a look at the latter part of that question first. Every year, we end up with around 10 new Star Wars books. That’s almost one book a month. That’s insane! In comparison, Gears of War and Dead Space each had one book released this year, and Halo had no new releases. I think that, as fans, we’re spoiled. It’s always a game of finding an equilibrium between quality and quantity, and we’re really deluding ourselves if we believe that every single new release will be of the highest quality. With 10 books a year, you’re bound to have a clunker or two. But you know what? None of the EU is unreadable. And I would know, because I’ve read it all. And the television show… it’s actually not a bad show at all. But it’s hard to see it for what it is, when it’s a half hour that is constantly interrupted by commercials that are aimed squarely at very young children. And frankly, we’re lucky to have it. Here’s George Lucas, working hard to give fans more Star Wars, and we thank him by being generally ungrateful.
Poor George Lucas. There are days when I just really don’t envy him at all. The man came up with the basic story for Star Wars, and he’s the mastermind behind it. It’s gotta be frustrating to Lucas. Here’s a guy who is the brainchild of one of the most beloved movies of all time, and all he wants to do is add to that story. But when he tinkered with his original work, legions of fans denounced him as evil – as if the special editions really changed the overall viewing experience. When he created the prequels, and our own preconceived notions of the prequels were swept aside in favor of something that was much more enormous and magnificent, some fans lashed out and cried that the prequels were an abomination to the Star Wars saga. And now we have The Clone Wars, a television show that takes place between Episodes II and III, and gains the ire of most EU buffs because we would rather limit Lucas in his ability to tell a great story by the constraints that the EU has placed on the era, rather than just let the man throw in what he wants and worry about the speed bumps later on down the line. And the sad thing is, I’d be doing the exact same thing if I were George Lucas. I’d be looking at ways to add really cool things to my masterpiece. But it’s gotten to the point now where fans are ready to accept him as some sort of bumbling oaf, blaming him for everything from the ruination of Indiana Jones (as if Stephen Spielberg, one of the most powerful directors in Hollywood, couldn’t stand up to Lucas if he disagreed) to the destruction of our childhoods.
Star Wars EU fans are throwing a decade-long temper tantrum. We need to understand that we don’t control the story, we’re just along for the ride. Stop trying to reach for the wheel to this car, because you’ll never reach it. Experience it, and love it for what it is (a continuation of a rich story) or don’t. I’m not saying don’t complain. But I am saying to stop being so ungrateful for what we’re given. Goodness, be thankful you aren’t a Star Trek fan. What a nightmare that expanded universe is.
Nice to Hate You!
One of the weirdest moments as a Star Wars fan, for me, was when I visited the official Gears of War forums a few months back. It was post after post, page after page, of fans praising the excellent work that Karen Traviss had done bringing the Gears of War franchise to life in the novels. It was like I stepped into some sort of twisted opposite world. To be frank, I was glad to see it and I think she’s completely deserving of all the praise. But it was such a difference of opinion, when one thinks of the Star Wars forums being littered with post after post, page after page, of fans bashing her and undercutting her every contribution to the EU. And Traviss isn’t the only author. EU fans make it a hobby to find an author that strikes us as incompetent, and then trash them until they just give up and go somewhere else. My goodness, fans actually sent death threats to R. A. Salvatore! How did we get this crazy?
In general, licensed products have never had a great track record when it comes to quality. Most movie novelizations are by the numbers, and most books based on video games tend to be pretty terrible. All that is changing now, though. Companies are finally beginning to understand the marketability of their product – which is why you don’t see video game novelizations anymore. Anyone who wants to buy a Halo book has already played the games. They don’t want to read about the adventure they’ve already experienced. And as these companies recognize this product potential and hire better writers, the genre of licensed fiction becomes more competitive. And you know what else? Most readers of licensed fiction adore the writers. Karen Traviss is probably more happy now than ever, because she’s still getting a paycheck – but now she’s got a legion of fans that love her instead of hate her. If we keep acting in such a rude and disrespectful manner, we’re going to lose out on more great authors who simply decide that we’re too fickle and conceited to write for – that the end result isn’t worth their time or trouble when more receptive fanbases are waiting just around the corner. We may dislike the product, but when we go personal, we go too far. We stop becoming critical fans, are start becoming real jerks.
Acceptance
I doubt there’s any Star Wars fans reading this who simply refuses to acknowledge the Expanded Universe as part of the franchise’s canon, but if any out there are reading: grow up. You may not like or agree with the direction that the EU goes in, but the fact remains that the stories are sanctioned by LucasFilm and sometimes receive input from Lucas himself. You can’t plug your eyes and yell “LA LA LA!” and think that the EU will just suddenly disappear. If you’re a fan of something, you do whatever it takes to experience as much as you can. If you’re a fan of a video game series, that might mean picking up a comic book or novel. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, that better mean the same thing. A fan doesn’t watch the movies and think, “Hey, they were great! Oh, and there’s a whole expanded universe out there that catalogs even more stories? Wow, well that’s stupid and I don’t believe any of it.” And what is up with Star Wars fans in their 20s who think they’re too cool for The Clone Wars? Again, it’s Star Wars. This whole, “Oh, well TCW is for babies and Ahsoka is dumb and it screws with canon so I’m just going to ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist” mentality is every bit as stupid as that of the EU-deniers. Sure, there are some groans and generally uninteresting scenes… just like every single Star Wars movie has. It’s also got some fantastic music, action and a poignant moment or two… again, just like the movies.
Honestly, I think we are some of the worst fans in existence. Just last week, a rumor bounced around that Lucas was thinking of doing a new Star Wars trilogy after the 3D conversion of all six movies… and the fan reaction was overwhelmingly negative. What the heck is wrong with us? I think we all need to take a look in the mirror. Because if Star Wars isn’t fun for us anymore, then it’s time to move on to something else to enjoy. But let’s not suck every bit of fun and excitement out of this franchise for everyone else, all right?
- Chris
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Chris Carey contributes to EUCantina as a writer and editor. He pens our popular column, EU Action/Reaction, and also contributes to our novel and comic reviews. Chris joined EUCantina in 2010 to help edit articles, but it quickly became obvious that his writing skills needed a more visible platform. He currently resides in Maryland, and has a degree in journalism. 
Great column. I totally agree with the part about the Traviss-bashing; while her having to bring Mandos into LOTF certainly irked me, the fact remains that most of her Star Wars books were awesome. Good work.
good article i totally agree, until a year and a half ago i had only seen the movies and whatever clone wars cartoons were out, but i never denied the eu, i thought it was awesome, just never read much when i was younger. when i graduated college i had time on my hands 2 read for leisure so i picked up fotj outcast and loved it and needed more so while i waited for omen i got some more and eventually started njo. i have also recently started reading some comics and they are awesome as well. as a star wars fan i do not hate any of the eu but i think if a particular era doesnt interest us then it is ok to pick and choose. originally i was only gonna read post rotj eu but knight errant has me so captivated that i am gonna do some old republic stuff. i also think a sequel trilogy would be great as long as it doesnt totally ignore existing post rotj eu, and that it could spark whole new eras and story arcs for the eu and keep it going. keep up the good work
Some deep thinking going on here Chris…. KUDOS!
Well done Chris. Well worded without being as condescending as some other “non-basher” articles I’ve read. My only issue being where you said, “Poor George Lucas.” (8o He’s worth $4Billion … with a B.. dollars from Star Wars and the EU (among other things of course). I’m sure “Poor George” sleeps fine at night on a bed stuffed with money in his Scrooge McDuck jammies. I really don;t think he frets what the mooing masses think. He counts his success in dollars and cents, not warm fuzzies.
Having said that, loved the piece. Keep it up brother.
I’m all for letting the guy tell his story in the Clone Wars but he made a big mistake when he says the EU must be one and follows through on not following it. This was his baby but he let others come in and play with it, probably not overseeing many of those stories and now wants to rewrite it and keep fans happy. If someone wanted to play in my universe, I’d make sure they didn’t tell stories that I couldn’t see myself telling or fit within my bigger picture. Instead, he and his company put out all these Clone Wars novels and comics between the movie releases of Episode II and Episode III saying the wars would be left to the books, comics, and games. But he’s doubled back and wanted to redo it to tell his story when he should have done it then (yes, he was busy working on Episode III but if he cares that much for his story, he could have overseen it; I think the only story before Clone Wars he oversaw was NJO because “two” heroic Anakins would confuse fans). The same could be said for certain authors because they came in, rewrote continuity, but still told fans it all fits; when Mandalorians go from extinct to all over the galaxy over night, there’s no way to say it all fits.
As a former die hard fan of Star Wars, I accepted the errors made and said I could invest my time into other franchises, that have even been around longer than Star Wars. Fans of LotF, FotJ, and TCW can continue to praise SW all they want, but this fan will not forgive the contradictions made and told they don’t exist. I felt like I was being treated like a fool and I believe I know who is more foolish.
I continue to wish SW the best of luck, and maybe when this is all straightened out, evil isn’t given such “good” light (people argued how genocide was justified during LotF), and a story seems worth reading, I may be back…heck, I’m still following a few SW comic titles and loving each one.
MTFBWY!
I agree with much of what Lawrence had to say on this. George has contradicted himself as much as he has contradicted other Star Wars stories.
Chris, I completely agree with your article. In person, Star Wars fans are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. But for whatever reason, many of them love to whine and complain online. Sure, we all do it occasionally, but let’s be more supportive of the franchise we love and the man behind it.
As always, Chris, your column is excellent.
AMEN! I don’t know about you all, but I am a first generation Star Wars fan and I am ecstatic for anything Star Wars. It can be comics, books, figures, movies, TV shows, etc. So many fans have no idea what it was like to live as a die hard fan in a Star Wars drought from 1983-1995. There was nothing. No books, no toys, no comics, no Internet, so no Star Wars websites to carry the torch. I was so elated to have Star Wars come roaring back on the scene and am grateful for everything we get. I am even happy when a well done Star Wars Fan Film comes along. Anything we fans receive is another opportunity to visit that galaxy far, far away that from the very beginning was so magical and if we get over the griping and cynicism, the magic is still there today.
DAMN RIGHT! We are lucky as hell to get such support for our fandom, between the SW Fans and the Comicbook fans bashing every Comicbook film made…it’s a wonder that we ever get EU of any kind. Semper Fi!
~CAndyman
I think your essay is spot-on in places, and maybe a bit off in others.
Completely agree with you that bashing a franchise, a segment of a franchise, or its creator, serves no purpose. If you don’t like what’s going on, you vote with your time and money. Move elsewhere. Buy different books. Frequent different forums.
The part of your essay that says, “If you’re a fan of something, you do whatever it takes to experience as much as you can…”
I don’t see that as a requirement. You may be a rabid fan of a particular band. Doesn’t mean you love every song they play. You enjoy those pieces that appeal to you, and let the rest of it go.
Ditto that for Star Wars. Love Clone Wars? Wonderful. Watch the show, listen to the music, buy the books. Or maybe you just like the six films. Or just the original three. Or maybe you’re a fan of graphic novels, but don’t care for the books.
No worries.
It’s a buffet. Take what’s to your taste and leave the rest. Room for all, thank you very much. And just because I like beef and you’re fish, well, we can still sit at the table and make nice with each other, appreciating the company, and the meal overall.
And as long as we’re at the table, a word of caution on overeating. I remember a time when Star War books were few and Star Trek dominated media tie-in. They couldn’t print Trek books fast enough to meet the demand, they thought.
But they tried.
Quality suffered. The market was flooded. Demand died. And whoosh, a lot of fans went elsewhere. Trek has since gained ground, but it’s not what it was.
I think one Star Wars book per month is sustainable. But be slow to want more. You may find too steady a diet doesn’t suit your appetite.
Nice essay. Thanks for the work you put into this, and for sharing your thoughts.
Great article! I lived the karen traviss novels, and am confused as to why people hate them so much. Comments like mandowere exticnt and suddenly they are everywhere are ridiculous. Thats the same way it went with the jedi! No one is bashing jedi academy, or the fact that thousands of jedi popped up in 25 years. Not every fan in a jedi fan. I want to relate to others as well. And the story of honor and warrior culture seen in the mando storyline are timeless. The think abbout the universe is that its “THE UNIVERSE”. Its vast and unexplored. You cant dictate what would be true and not true based on 20 main planets. The only thing that bothers me is when people get lazy…..using the same planet for multiple races like gand…..or people having the same name. But its all approved by lucas arts so what can you do? There are a few books that wernt my favorite like crystal star and the blackfleet crisis but for the most part I am just happy to have star wars material to read. I get tired of,the,luke leia han triangle and am excited when new people show up. best series ever??………..X-wing books FTW!!!
Sorry spelling sucked in above post. Droid spell check has a mind of its own……but it does speak bochi.
Nice article Chris. I put myself as one of the old-timers. Watching ANH when it was released back in ’77 as a youth, following the next 2 movies to come out, buying the original toys, still got some. Not to mention a good chunk of the 500+ characters, star ships and Legos to come out since then. When the EU books came out, it was like WOW! The story continues. I too am caught up on all the reads, waiting for Vortex with much anticipation. Its great to read about the Skywalker family. To see all the characters evolve and grow up. Sure, I was disappointed with Chewies fate, with the Solo childrens fate, but hey, its so much more believable when main characters suffer. Sure I have had my favorite writers and not so favorites. Thats what story writing is all about. Someone tells their perspective on how the story goes and we either like it or we don’t. Its great to see multiple writers for each storyline. It makes for very interesting reads. Knowing that the Lucas Group monitors and approves all stories is fine with me. I know its all gonna fit in the end. And of course I have my “I wouldn’t have written it that way” moments. But its not my universe to lead, only one I get to enjoy. Thats the bottom line. In the end, its another avenue of enjoyment, relaxation, and place to fall deep into. If those who complain more than they praise can’t deal with that, maybe its time for them to move on. I heard Avatar is coming out with a sequel…HA! MTFBWY!
I’m not completely new to the EU, I started reading the books about 3 years ago and am about 100 books in, but I am a life long Star Wars fan. I remember seeing A New Hope when it first came out and every movie since, I’ve gotten into collecting the figures that I played with as a kid and now I find myself getting deeper and deeper into all things Star Wars. I guess I’ve never realized that so many fans complain about the discrepencies or the books that they don’t like. I personally LOVE the Karen Traviss books and I’m pissed that she isn’t writing more, especially with the Imperial Commando series incomplete. I like the Clone Wars cartoons even though the histories don’t match up with the books but, they’re Star Wars, so thier cool with me. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if this is how the fans are, then yes, we are a bunch of ungrateful whiners. I spend a large portion of my free time dedicated to reading Star Wars, watching Star Wars and trying to find out what else is available. There are books I really like, there are books that are ok but at the end of the day, I like it all. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, don’t buy, don’t do it. Nothing is being forced on anyone. Me, I’m just greatful to be able to visit a galaxy far, far away and get away from the one I live in for just a little while.
It’s Fiction people…Science Fiction! I was 7-8 years old when the first Star Wars movie came out and I am huge fan of the entire franchise…including the EU. I also come from reading comics and maybe I’m more amenable to changes in continuity or creative direction. They do it all the time in comics. Captain America was dead, really big news, and now he’s back. Heck, I’m still waiting for someone to bring back Chewie. (Cover your eyes true believers) I mean he’s only been dead for about 10 years now. Lucas has the right to say or un-say whatever he wants about his baby. He owns Star Wars. Yes, he’s let others play with it and yes it hasn’t always been done they everyone would want or even done that well. But it’s fiction people and we can take it or leave it anytime we want. I love it all and can live with the difference or mistakes in continuity, but for the most part it all fits in, in some way. Great article.
You’re totally right. My hat is off to you. I will try to imitate your reasonable attitude and be less arrogant with my EU judgements.
I think that in general, even when you love something, you find faults with it. That’s natural.
Saying that SW fans are irrational and you want to “karate punch” them only proves your point and adds you yourself as an “irrational fan.”
If we don’t like something, we should be allowed to say so if we do so in an orderly manner. By and large I don’t think fans are ingrates or ungrateful; we are allowed to express opinions after all. Most people have the ability to do so without sending death threats to authors or pretending the EU does not exist.
This action/reaction reminds me of this:
http://www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/loose-bits-off-topic/217646-why-do-star-wars-fans-hate-star-wars.html
I don’t think it possible for all fans to like every single thing about Star Wars. You just… can’t. There will be a story, character, species, or something about it you don’t like. And I don’t see anything wrong with that. I am sure there is an author or character or plot event or something you don’t like.
I agree with the poster that used the buffet anaology. I think that is spot on.