Tarkin's Top Shelf

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca talk about what's coming to Star Wars . Your hosts take a look at "Jedi Temple Challenge," featuring Ahmed Best as Master Kelleran Beq and then set their focus on Star Wars: From A Certain POV Strikes Back . Mark and Becca go into an in-depth, but fun, conversation on the many story possibilities that could come from "The Empire Strikes Back." ...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review Star Wars: Queen's Peril, the prequel to Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston and Disney Publishing . Your hosts discuss the timeline of the book, the broadening of characters and characterizations, world-building, and the synchronization between Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Queen's Peril. Help us spread the word about the show Click her...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts' review Star Wars: Shadow Fall (an Alphabet Squadron Novel) by Alexander Freed and Del Rey Publishing . Mark and Becca discuss the complexity of character growth and the evolution of world-building introduced by Mr. Freed in the second installment of his Star Wars literary trilogy. So, without further ado, go ahead and click play because Tarkin's T...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes back author Michael Kogge to the show to discuss his latest work Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker A Junior Novel . In this episode, Mark and Becca chat with Michael about Star Wars , his Star Wars Hat-Trick, and his contributions to our beloved space-opera. Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to subscribe via RSS Click he...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Junior Novelization by Michael Kogge and Disney Lucasfilm Press . Your hosts go over Michael's perspective of the film and compare his creative take to Rae Carson's point of view from her  "Expanded Edition." They also go over their initial thoughts as a whole and whether or not both books work as essenti...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca celebrate Star Wars Day with a special guest, the heart and voice of Hera Syndulla , Vanessa Marshall ! Your hosts welcome, Vanessa Marshall to join them for May the 4th and to talk all things Star Wars. Specifically, Star Wars Rebels and season 7 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars . In addition to Vanessa's contribution to animation, Mark and Becca...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Phil Szostak and Abrams Books. Your hosts go over their initial thoughts of the book and then go into what stood out to them the most, overall. They also take a closer look at the layout and outline of the book, in comparison to its predecessors, The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and T...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review "I Am A Padawan" by Ashley Eckstein , and discuss how integral Ahsoka Tano is to the continuation of Star Wars stories. Your hosts cover Ahsoka's introduction in The Clone Wars , her standalone novel, Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston , and her continuation in the animated series, Rebels . Ahsoka's message is clear: you can change who you are, but...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca discuss the controversial topic of Rey Skywalker . Your hosts go over everything and anything, from books to on-screen , and everything in-between, about the scavenger from Jakku. After all, no one is from nowhere, and no one is a nobody, everybody is somebody. And Rey from nowhere is now, Rey Skywalker.  Help us spread the word about the show...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker "Expanded Edition" by Rae Carson and Del Rey Publishing . Your hosts' go over the new editions, the extended scenes, and inner dialogue from the novel adaptation and give their overall opinions on all of it. Mark and Becca touch on the discourse, the difficult, and the uncomfortable sequences as well. So,...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca discuss Padme's loyal decoy, her protection, her trusted bodyguard, Sabe' . Your hosts go over the latest Vader comics where he encounters Padme' after her death and Star Wars: Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston . Who is this Padme' lookalike? Is it Sabe' seeking vengeance for her best friend, Padme' and if so, will she survive the faceoff with Da...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts go over the most anticipated publishing reveal of the year, Project Luminous! That's right! The secretive cast of creators (known as Project Luminous since Star Wars Celebration Chicago) just unveiled the next step into a larger world known as The High Republic. Later this year, debuting at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in August 2020 , Lucasfilm w...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca celebrate Valentine's Day by talking about the most charismatic character in the galaxy far, far away. The one, the only, mastermind behind the entire Skywalker Saga , yes, the one responsible for being every voice Ben and Anakin heard inside their head. Sheev Palpatine . Mark and Becca take a look at good old Palpatine by exploring the latest...

It's an animated discussion on the latest episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf. Mark and Becca take the "animated" bookends off the shelf and gear-up for the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars . Your hosts cover the Season finale of Star Wars Resistance and then shift gears to the Official Trailer of Star Wars: The Clone Wars . They discuss key moments and how those moments may or may not lineup w...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca pose the question: does "Resistance Reborn," setup Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ? Does it hold up to character characterizations and plot points from book to film? Well, before your hosts answer those questions and more, Mark and Becca tackle the latest in Star Wars News on Kenobi rumors, the Maker meeting the Child , and Ewan and Hayden at...

Tarkin's Top Shelf shares a spot of tea or coffee if you will, with the host of Coffee with Kenobi , Mr. Dan Z! That's right, Mark and Becca welcome Dan to the show to talk 42 years, almost 43, of Star Wars . They discuss a variety of Star Wars topics beginning with the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, " The Rise of Skywalker ," and filtering through the addition of Disney Plus and finishing with...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca explore Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker through " The Visual Dictionary " and " Secrets of the Jed i" books.  They discuss how these books work as companion pieces to the film and add some enhancement to what plays out on screen. Thanks to DK Publishing and Insight Editions for providing Tarkin's Top Shelf with copies of these books for review...

Tarkin's Top Shelf and Idiot's Array Podcast form a Force Bond via Skype for a Roundtable Breakdown of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker! In this episode, Mark, Becca, Alan, and Ryder lightspeed skip through keypoints, mythos, character arcs, and more as they discuss all things Star Wars and The Rise of Skywalker. So, get out your Jedi Compass , and don't get lost in the Rammahgon or you may have t...

In Review: "I Am C-3PO" by Anthony Daniels and DK Publishing . In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Becca Benjamin welcomes Dennis Keithly from Podcast Stardust to the show to help fill-in while Mark Sutter is under the weather. Becca and Dennis take a close look at Anthony Daniel's memoir as it spans over 42 years of Star Wars and generations of Skywalkers and passionate fans. They also use thi...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes the mastermind and Pop-Up creative behind Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy , Matthew Reinhart! In this episode, Mark and Becca sit down with Matt and pick his brain on inspirations, dream projects, and the process behind all things Pop-Up in a galaxy far, far away.    Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to subscribe...

In this episode, "Tarkin's Top Shelf" welcomes Emmy Award-Winning author, Kevin Shinick to the show to discuss his latest endeavor, Star Wars: Force Collector ! Mark and Becca invite Kevin to talk Star Wars , the concept, plot, settings, and of course, the Force that encompasses the story of Star Wars: Force Collector. So please, pull up a chair and grab hold of your favorite Star Wars possession...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca welcome Matthew Bortolin , author of "The Zen of R2-D2" to the show! Matthew is also the author of "The Dharma of Star Wars," and has talked about the links between Star Wars and Zen with CNN, Newsweek, USA Today, Good Morning America, and several online magazines and fan websites. Please join your hosts as they welcome Matthew to the show to...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca review "Star Wars: Resistance Reborn" by Rebecca Roanhorse and Del Rey Publishing. "Star Wars: Resistance Reborn" is the prequel story to the upcoming film, "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," the final chapter to the Skywalker Saga. But first, your hosts introduce a new segment to their show format: The Mando Files—a quick roundup of thoughts...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca continue their discussion on The Aftermath Trilogy IN Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker . Your hosts dive deep and tackle some intriguing concepts that may or may not be coincidences. In essence, nothing is off the table as they take a closer look at dreams, Genie scenarios, and old relics. Yes, everything, from books to on-screen, and everyth...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf , Mark and Becca go back into the Star Wars Archives and revisit the Star Wars: Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig . Your hosts take a deep dive into what appears to be the foundations of the sequel trilogy and the catalyst for the closing act of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker . But first, Mark and Becca go over the latest happenings in St...