Tarkin's Top Shelf

"Bright Suns to you!"   Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , where Books meet World. Or, Galaxy? In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca discuss the current bridging of literature with the tangible in the galaxy far, far away . Only, that galaxy isn't so far away after all. That said, you could say, Star Wars , itself, is "On Planet." For those that don't know, "On Planet" is the Batuu phras...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca take the time to reminisce about Star Wars : Episode I: The Phantom Menace. They talk about their initial thoughts from 20 years ago, how the story has evolved or changed over the past two decades, and the comparison of Terry Brook's novel adaptation to the actual film. But first, Mark and Becca discuss the latest in Star Wars News, the Vani...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review "Dooku: Jedi Lost" an audio drama by Cavan Scott. Unlike their past reviews, this one is the first of its kind. Instead of covering cover to cover or page by page, Mark and Becca are evaluating an all-new format which includes a whole cast of voice actors telling the story through narration and character interaction. But, before they...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca recap the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel from Star Wars Celebration Chicago. They go over the impending Star Wars books from Del Rey, Disney Press, DK Publishing, Insight Editions, Abrams Books, and more! In addition to that, Mark and Becca take a closer look behind the authors and the mysterious works known as "Project Luminous." But first, they d...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca are thrilled to finally discuss, Star Wars: Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray. Your Hosts are just getting back from Star Wars Celebration Chicago, but they're ready to get back down to business. Jedi business that is. This review covers the core characters and focuses primarily on character backstory and plot. Also, in addition to the book...

Tarkin's Top Shelf is LIVE from Star Wars Celebration Podcast Stage! Join your hosts Mark and Becca as they take to the Star Wars Celebration Podcast Stage and take you on a literary journey across the stars in a galaxy far, far away. This discussion covers every parsec of story possibilities from the books, on-screen, and everything in-between. Joining them on this bookish adventure are their hon...

Welcome to the Tarkin's Top Shelf Roundtable at Star Wars Celebration Chicago! In this episode, Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes The Cantina Podcast and Kanata's Castle to the show. All three podcasts sit down and discuss the upcoming Episode IX Panel and what they expect the fans will see. From fan theories to canonical theoretical thinking-it's one helluva discussion! So, don't miss out! Sit back and...

Please join Tarkin's Top Shelf in welcoming, a very talented wordsmith, a gifted published writer, a New York Times Best-Selling author, and a Star Wars fanatic from behind the pages, the lovely E.K. Johnston ! In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca get behind the guise of Star Wars: Queen's Shadow as they sit down with E.K. Johnston and discuss everything and anything about Padme'...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark and Becca continue the Flight of the Falcon series with Lou Anders ' Star Wars: Pirate's Price ! But, before they discuss Hondo Ohnaka, the greatest pirate in the galaxy and hero of the Rebellion, they lightspeed into Star Wars Celebration News, Season Finale of Star Wars Resistance , and Leia's Top Spy, Vi Moradi in Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire ! Help u...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca review the long-awaited novel, Star Wars: Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston. Finally! More Padme' Amidala content and greedily, we want more. That said, Mark, and Becca dive-in and revisit one of Star Wars most beloved and remarkable characters of the entire saga, Padme' Amidala. This novelization takes place after Queen Amidala's two terms as...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca discuss the evolution of manipulation in Star Wars. Star Wars has always touched on relatable dynamics, and the manipulation between master and apprentice is no exception. But, the times have changed, and so have the characters in the galaxy far, far away. And yes, each generation has a story, but with each generation, the pattern not only c...

Timelines collide as Dark Disciple meets The Clone Wars. In this episode, Mark, and Becca take a closer look at Christie Golden's Star Wars: Dark Disciple and how certain plot points may align with the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars . But first, Mark and Becca go over the latest Star Wars news. Starting with the recently released official key for Star Wars Celebration Chicago by Paul Sh...

Han Solo, the Iconic Smuggler, Rogue, and Hero of the Rebellion. In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca go-over Gina McIntyre's Star Wars Icons: Han Solo . Insight Editions and Gina McIntyre collectively capture the scruffy-looking nerf herder through an evolutional journey from concept art, first drafts, to casting, Harrison's performance, a rebirth in Solo: A Star Wars Story wi...

Another year means a time for reflection, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, one year later. In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca discuss the most controversial Star Wars movie of all-time and where their views stand now, one year later. But first, they go over the latest Star Wars news beginning with the announcement of Black Panther's composer, Ludwig Göransson joining the galaxy far, f...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca recap the Heroes, Scoundrels, and Villains of Star Wars from 2018! Yes, it's time to pull the Star Wars Bookends off the shelf, the Top Shelf, and highlight the literature aspects that had an impact or enriched/enhanced the Star Wars Universe in some way, making said books essential to the Star Wars storyline. But, before your hosts' dust of...

The hosts of "Tarkin's Top Shelf" sit-down to talk about worldbuilding in Star Wars . Mark and Becca discuss the growing galaxy of Star Wars between the books and on screen. In other words, the future of Star Wars is bright! In fact, so bright that the galaxy far, far away is extending well beyond the unknown regions. Well, from a certain point of view, of course. Star Wars is worldbuilding with a...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" welcomes the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy , Amy Ratcliffe to the show! In this episode, Mark, and Becca sit-down with Amy Ratcliffe and talk Star Wars . They discuss the early concept of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy , the beginning stages of "setting the stage," matching the illustration artistry with literary depiction, and the tone behind the womanly facts of t...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" discusses the symbolism of fire and its relevance in Star Wars Lore. Mark and Becca welcome Michael Moreci, a Star Wars comics writer, and novelist to the show to join them on their journey through fire walking and innocent until proven guilty in Star Wars. During their discussion, they not only dissect specific scenes across the saga films but other mediums as well. Namely, K...

"Tarkin's Top Shelf" celebrates their 50th Episode Anniversary with Lando's Luck by Justina Ireland and Disney Press . In this episode, Mark, and Becca review the latest literary continuation to Solo: A Star Wars Story , Lando's Luck ! This young reader is about 150 pages long and follows Lando and L3-37 on an all-new adventure. A story about one of our saga's greatest smugglers who chooses to do...

Tarkin's Top Shelf" revisits Star Wars with The Complete Visual Dictionary (New Edition) by DK Publishing . In this episode, Mark, and Becca review the newly updated Visual Dictionary by highlighting their personal favorites. But, before they dive-in, they go over some of the latest Star Wars news. Including, leaked sets for the Live Action TV series for Star Wars , Solo: A Star Wars Story Blu-Ray...

In this episode of "Tarkin's Top Shelf," Mark, and Becca break-in the binding of those so-called, Sacred Jedi Texts . Well, figuratively speaking, of course. Star Wars is full of many mythical themes and story tropes, and also religion and spirituality too. A lot of these aspects are repetitive, sprinkled throughout the generations of the Star Wars saga. And mostly showcased in the Skywalker line...

On this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark, and Becca discuss and analyze the latest literary Star Wars film adaptation, SOLO, the Expanded Edition by Mur Lafferty and Del Rey Books. They go over the characters, the flow of the film as compared to the jive in the book format, and the expanded scenes not seen on screen. And then, when all is said and done, your hosts determine whether or not they...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes Michael Kogge the author of Star Wars: The Last Jedi 'A Junior Novel ,' to the show. Michael Kogge is also known for Empire of the Wolf , and junior novel adaptations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Batman vs. Superman: Crossfire . In this episode, Michael Kogge joins Mark and Becca to discuss his literary adaptation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi 'A Junior Novel.' Th...

Is it possible that we'll see a literary character(s) crossover in Star Wars Resistance ? In this episode, Mark and Becca discuss the possibility of characters from the Star Wars literary universe crossing over into the upcoming animated series, Star Wars Resistance . After all, if one is to understand the great mystery that is Star Wars , one must study all its aspects, not just the films. And so...

Welcome to a Clone Wars Chat with JAT ! Today we are humbled and honored to welcome, James Arnold Taylor (JAT), the voice of Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Koon from Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Ratchet, Tidus, Johnny Test, Fred Flintstone, Flash, Spidey, Fox Sunday and the author of JAT 365: 365 inspirations for the pursuit of your dreams to our show! In this episode, Mark and Becca sitdown with th...