LUCASFILM/WARNER BROS. PHOTOS

Hit the jump for a comprehensive review. Or, check out the shorter version that ran in Get Out magazine.

Spoilers ahead — you’ve been warned (more…)

Lucasfilm photo

How’s that for irony? I swore I’d never go to see this movie. But as this post goes live I’ll be buying drinks and popcorn at a sneak-preview screening of The Clone Wars with my 13-year-old son.

A lifelong Star Wars fan, I haven’t exactly been kind in the run-up to this newest addition to the Saga. So I hope to bring you not only my review but also maybe the young Padawan’s verdict as well. He is, after all, closer to the target demographic. We’ll see. I have to actually talk to him about it first! (more…)

IMAGES COURTESY OF NAMCO BANDAI.

Soulcalibur has come a long way since its glory days on the Sega Dreamcast in 1998. Back then, the weapons-based fighting game by Namco was a huge hit for the short-lived console and set itself apart from similar games by offering superior controls and gorgeous graphics.

Ten years later, Soulcalibur IV raises the bar again with improved visuals, elaborate character-customization options and the long-awaited ability to play against others online. Throw in some Star Wars characters and you’ve just made a fighter’s dream come true.

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I THINK I’M IN LOVE. NO, I’M DEFINITELY IN LOVE.

While I recover from the convention, please enjoy these wonderful photos.

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BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL!!!

Friday at the San Diego Comic-Con seemed busier than previous days. The long lines and cramped isles made it tough to get around, but I still managed to see some great panels, successfully hunt down a rare graphic novel and get an autograph from my all-time favorite artist. Sweet! Oh yeah, and a bunch of people wore their costumes, making it the freakiest day of the convention and the most fun. I’ve got pictures!

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A FULL-SIZE JABBA THE HUTT REPLICA, BUT NO PRINCESS LEIA. THAT’S TOMORROW!

It was my second day at the San Diego Comic-Con and I think I’m hitting my stride — meaning I spent the whole day going to comic, sci-fi and anime panels, walking the convention floor while buying lots of comics, geeking out with Con-goers about comics, movies and what famous people we’ve seen at the convention; the whole time getting lots of cool, free swag and loving every minute.

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Some Star Wars-themed episodes of popular animated shows have been nominated for the 60th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards:

• Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour) - Robot Chicken: Star Wars

• Outstanding Animated Program (for programming one hour or more) - Family Guy: Blue Harvest

Source: TheForce.Net

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Briton Karen Traviss, author of such Star Wars tie-ins as the Republic Commando series and parts of the Legacy of the Force series, will come to Tempe’s Changing Hands Bookstore Monday evening, July 28 — fresh from Comic-Con International in San Diego that weekend.

Traviss is bringing with her a garrison of stormtroopers to mark the release of her newest book Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which drops July 26 and is loosely based on the CGI movie of the same name debuting Aug. 15 in theaters. It takes place between Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

According to Changing Hands, the story “takes readers to a time when the young Anakin Skywalker is mentoring his first Padawan, a girl called Ahsoka, as he learns to be a warrior and rises to the status of hero of the Clone Wars. Clone trooper action, battles, and adventure abound in this series for Star Wars fans of all ages.”

The signing and discussion is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Seating with book purchase begins at 6 p.m., with general public seating at 6:45 p.m. Changing Hands Bookstore is located at 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe. [MAP]

Source: TheForce.Net

• Books: From ‘Star Wars’ to noir wars
• A brief history of the Expanded Universe (Star Wars geekery)
• Sweet BETRAYAL: Free ‘Star Wars’ book download!

LUCASARTS IMAGE

Who needs The Clone Wars? Sure, the new CGI Star Wars movie is coming to theaters Aug. 15, but why dwell on the past of the prequel era (again) when you can learn the ways of the dark side at the bionic feet of Darth Vader himself? That’s what happens in The Force Unleashed, a multimedia extravaganza centered on a video game arriving Sept. 16 from LucasArts.

This launch trailer represents the Xbox 360 version of the game, as far as I can tell. But there will be versions for Nintendo Wii and DS, PS3, PS2 and PSP — as well as a novelization, comic book adaptation, tabletop RPG supplement and miniatures, action figures and LEGO sets.

Did I forget anything?

Follow the jump for the game’s trailer (and certain spoilers): (more…)

Here’s a peek at a promotional poster for McDonald’s Happy Meal toys that tie in with the upcoming film Star Wars: The Clone Wars:

PHOTO VIA REBELSCUM.COM

I guess they’re taking the “super-deformed” concept from anime and running with it. All the way.

So judging from the poster, it looks like we’ll be seeing Luke, Leia,  Han and Chewie — and Ewoks — in this prequel?

I was hoping the first-ever Star Wars Happy Meal toys would be a little cooler. Now I’ll have make up a story for my kids to explain why Darth Vader flies around with his swollen head sticking up out of his TIE fighter.

At least there’s no Jar-Jar to be seen …

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