A few weeks back we heard that the new Insider would have a rather surprising cover, and now we know what it is. The new Star Wars Insider will reveal the new look for the clonetroopers in Star Wars: Episode III showing the continuing evolution from Republic to Empire. The magazine centers on Star Wars fiction such as The New Jedi Order, and also features the regular Episode 3 update with Rick McCallum with new images from Episode III, as well as the regular Holonet news and Star Sightings columns.

If you're not subscribed to the Star Wars Insider do so by applying here. EDIT: Just so you know, Randy Stradley, Vice President of Publishing at Dark Horse Comics has talked about the new trooper here and apparantly not all of the troopers have the visor. My guess is that they're specialized troopers (like the AT-AT drivers, Clone pilots, and biker scouts). The new clones will also be making the first appearance in the comics in Republic #68.

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

Dark Horse has posted another four-page color preview this time of Star Wars: Republic #61. The comic features Bail Organa and the preview shows a cameo from Mon Mothma herself! Also note that former Supreme Chancellor Vallorum (spoiler - hightlight to read) will likely be killed in this issue given clues from various sources.(end spoiler) Click HERE to head over there right now! ~~~ In other news, starwars.com announced that Topps will be releasing collector's cards based on the Clone Wars animated micro-series. Click HERE for more info!

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

Dark Horse has posted a very telling four-page color preview of the upcoming comic, Star Wars: Republic #60: Hate and Fear. It was supposed to arrive this week, which it didn't. However, seeing this color preview makes me believe it will come next week instead. Click HERE to head over there right now! ~~~ In other news, Steven Barnes, the author for The Cestus Deception, informs us that he and his wife will be adopting a child soon. His name is Jason Kai Due-Barnes. We at TUCWS would like congratulate the Barnes Family on the new addition!

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

COMIC BOOK NEWSThe guys at GalacitHunter.com have the scoop on Star Wars comics from Dark Horse set to come out in May 2004. Among the items posted are Republic #64 and Clone Wars Vol. 4: Light and Dark. Head on over there to check out the summaries and covers. And expect an announcement from starwars.com on these issues soon. UPDATE: Starwars.com indeed posted the covers and summaries of Republic #64 and Clone Wars Vol. 4. Read that update HERE. ~~~ VIDEO GAME NEWS Computer and Video Games posted this article on the upcoming Republic Commando video game. Commando, set in the backdrop of the Clone Wars, is sort of like Unreal, Star Wars style. Head over to their site to read the brief article and view two very cool screen shots! In other gaming news, starwars.com recently posted this article about a new video game called Star Wars: Battlefront. The game will feature levels on 10 different planets, including Geonosis. Gamers will be able to play as Rebels, Imperials, Droids, or Clones. It's due to hit stores for the PS2 and Xbox console systems as well as PC sometime this year. LucasArts also posted this press release and launched the official website. Head to the above sites for screen shots and more info.

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

Florian chimed in with an interesting interview now available at The Senatorial Gazette with the author of The Cestus Deception, Steven Barnes. Here's a clip: What was the most difficult aspect of writing The Cestus Deception? Was there a specific scene that was very difficult to write? Maintaining textural continuity with the rest of the Star Wars universe. I can't just do my own thing. I didn't want to write much with Anakin because, after all, we don't know EXACTLY why he goes to the dark side, and therefore internal monologue is kinda difficult. Click HERE to read the complete interview!

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.

The following info on the next three issues of Star Wars: Repulic was taken from the lastest Star Wars Insider (#73): Republic #60: We'll learn more about Asajj Ventress: how she was trained and where, why she hates the Jedi, and details about her childhood. Obi-Wan will make a jail break along with ARC trooper Alpha.. It sounds like there will be some action. The issue is entitled, Hate and Fear. Republic #61: Taking a break from the front lines, Bail Organa is a central figure in this story. We may see something of his discomfort for the Empire and Mon Mothma and Finis Valorum will also be there. I think that the former Supreme Chancellor will die based one what we saw from the HNN report in the same issue. There will be a pirate attack the pushes Palpatine to order new security measures. The ending is said to shock readers. Republic #62: Bounty hunters come after Jedi, especially on the outer rim. In a HNN article in the magazine, Asajj Ventress is the one to put the bounty out on the Jedi as well as on other Republic figures. Anakin is in it, and is now the apprentice of Ki-Adi Mundi. He's also having visions of Obi-Wan alive but in pain, kinda like his dreams of his mother.

 

Got news or questions? E-mail us at Clonewars@starwarz.com. Discuss these stories at The Galactic Senate.