John Hansen

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Dark Times’ Issues 1-10 (2006-08) (Comic book reviews)

Because Obi-Wan equates the “dark times” with the Empire (“That was before the dark times, before the Empire”), one would assume the “Dark Times” comic book series explores people living under the oppression of the New Order. But interestingly, this series – which takes place immediately in the wake of Order 66 and Palpatine’s declaration of the […]

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Knights of the Old Republic’ Issues 13-24 (2007) (Comic book reviews)

I prefer reading “Star Wars” comics in trade-paperback volumes rather than on a monthly basis because I find the story flows better. The 2007 batch of “Knights of the Old Republic,” comprising Issues 13-24, goes against the grain, though.

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell’ (1983) (Audio drama review)

“Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell” (1983) is one of those odd pieces of “Star Wars” history where many of us owned it as a kid, yet information on the product is scant. I got to thinking more about this half-hour audio drama (originally released on vinyl and now easily found on YouTube) when listening to “The Empire […]

Ewoks Season 2

‘Stars Wars: Ewoks’ dumbs down Season 2 (1986)

‘Star Wars’ flashback (TV review): The second and final season of the adventures of Wicket and friends is a huge step down from Season 1.

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Knights of the Old Republic’ Issues 0-12 (2006-07) (Comic book reviews)

“Firefly” — a TV series loosely inspired by “Star Wars” — started and ended in 2002, but it left an impression on the whole sci-fi industry. Dark Horse launched four new “Star Wars” titles a few years later, and three of them – “Knights of the Old Republic,” “Dark Times” and “Legacy” — featured ships […]

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Tatooine Ghost’ (2003) (Book review)

With “Episode VII: The Force Awakens” appearing to return to the GFFA’s home planet later this year, it’s a good time to look back at “Tatooine Ghost” (2003), which is set entirely on the sand planet. It took me awhile to commit to it, though. I’d reach for it on the shelf, then hesitate. While Troy Denning […]

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ radio drama (1983) (Review)

“The Empire Strikes Back” radio drama (1983) is a notable step down from the “Star Wars” radio drama from two years prior. If you read between the lines, writer Brian Daley’s introduction to the 1995 publication of the script gives the reason why: “We decided on 10 episodes rather than 13, due to both time and […]

‘Veronica Mars’ team smoothly transforms skills for ‘iZombie’

First episode impressions (TV review): Thomas’ and Ruggiero’s style clicks with the horror-comedy form, too.

First episode impressions: ‘The Returned’ (TV review)

“The Returned” (9 p.m. Central Mondays on A&E) takes “mystery” to a whole new level. Traditionally, a mystery show is something like “Gracepoint,” where we try to figure out whodunit over the course of a season. Clues peppered into each episode lead toward the revelation of the killer(s).

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Purge’ (2005-13) (Comic book reviews)

As a kid, I imagined the Jedi Purge consisted of Darth Vader going from planet to planet slaughtering Jedi Knights. That’s what naturally springs to mind when we hear Obi-Wan’s line: “A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy […]