With this post I hope to finish up the marketing madness that was Episode I: The Phantom Menace. As I mentioned before, this was a BIG DEAL in Star Wars fandom. But, in hindsight, the marketing machine may have gone a little overboard. Each of the books listed below were released with Episode I branding, technically making them part of the storylines. Only some of them were retellings of the movie. A lot of them had other bits of story that are technically not canon. Anything that was partially based on the movie, with the exception of the Scholastic junior novelization, I did not include in the final list.
The last few weeks I’ve spent some time reading through a lot of the Episode I material that was released over 10 years ago. I also changed my mind and reread a few of the books I wasn’t going to read, as mentioned previously. Below is the list of books I’ve recently read and what kind of story it is. At the end, I will give the updated list of what I propose could be considered canon.
Movie Storybook – This is directly from the movie/script.
Scholastic junior novelization – This is mostly from the movie/script.
Journal: Anakin Skywalker – This is mostly from the movie/script.
Journal: Darth Maul – This is partially from the movie/script, but it is mostly new storylines.
Journal: Queen Amidala – This is mostly from the movie/script.
Anakin’s Pit Droid – A new storyline, not part of the movie/script.
Anakin’s Race for Freedom – Right from the movie/script, podrace scene.
Dangers of the Core – Right from the movie/script, trip through the core in the bongo
General Jar Jar – Naboo plains battle about Jar Jar
Gungan Trouble! – This is partially based on the movie/script
Jedi Escape – From the movie/script where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon escape the Trade Federation control ship to Otoh Gunga
Obi-Wan’s Bongo Adventure – Right from the movie/script, trip through the core in the bongo
Podrace! – From the movie/script podrace
A Queen’s Diary – This is mostly based on the movie/script.
Ready, Set, Podrace! – From the movie/script podrace
Save Naboo! – From the movie/script battle of Theed
Watch Out, Jar Jar! – This is mostly based on the movie, but not all of it.
Dark Horse Comics adaptation – Directly from the movie
Queen in Disguise – A new story
Anakin’s Fate – A new story, but includes parts from the novel that aren’t technically included in the canon
The Queen’s Amulet – A new story
Anakin to the Rescue – A new story
I Am a Jedi – More of a reference book, I wouldn’t consider it part of the canon
I Am a Droid – More of a reference book, I wouldn’t consider it part of the canon
I Am a Pilot – More of a reference book, I wouldn’t consider it part of the canon
I Am a Queen – More of a reference book, I wouldn’t consider it part of the canon
LEGO Anakin: Space Pilot – I wouldn’t consider this a part of the canon, it touches on the major space battles in which Anakin has flown in a spoof kind of way
Who’s Who – This is definitely a reference book
Incredible Cross-Sections – This is definitely a reference book
Movie Scrapbook – This is definitely a reference book
Books I do not currently have access to:
Mighty Chronicles version of the movie
Book-and-Record version of the movie
Anakin Skywalker
Droid to the Rescue
Droids Everywhere!
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar’s Mistake
Meet the Jedi High Council
Sith Attack
The Fight for Naboo
As I have read these, what I keep asking myself is, “If I do not have access to the movie, will these books tell me the same story?” That is how I am determining what should/could be considered canon.
In conclusion, here is what we have so far:
O = Official canon entry, U = Unofficial canon entry
1. O The Phantom Menace (movie)
2. U The Phantom Menace (novel)
3. U The Phantom Menace (Scholastic Junior novelization)
4. U The Phantom Menace (Dark Horse comics)
5. U The Phantom Menace Movie Storybook
6. U Star Wars Junior: Jedi Escape (young reader)
7. U Star Wars Junior: Obi-Wan’s Bongo Adventure (young reader)
8. U Episode I: Dangers of the Core (young reader)
9. U Anakin’s Race for Freedom (young reader)
10. U Podrace! (young reader)
11. U Ready, Set, Podrace! (young reader)
12. U Save Naboo! (young reader)
Next up, Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
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