Tarkin's Top Shelf

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes Chuck Wendig to the show, the author of the first Star Wars book trilogy of the Disney Star Wars era, Star Wars: Aftermath. In this episode, your hosts sit down with Chuck to discuss the creative process behind the trilogy post Return of the Jedi, including character templates, influences, and motivations and setting the foundation for the next generation of Star Wars s...

This episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf was recorded during a Livestream Pod-A-Thon event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and hosted by Around The Galaxy and Bombad Podcasts. In this episode, your hosts welcome New York Times Bestselling author and a High Republic Architect, Claudia Gray, to the show! Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to subscrib...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts review The Secrets of the Sith by Marc Sumerak and Insight Editions. They go over the illustrations, discuss the narrative from Palpatine's point of view, dive deep into the lore of the dark side, the rule of two, and so much more. After all, if one is to understand the great mystery of the Force, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmat...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts discuss the latest Star Wars news report from The Hollywood Reporter. Mark and Becca go over the Hayden-Hype via The Hollywood Reporter regarding the upcoming Ahsoka series on Disney Plus, multiple storylines/possibilities for Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost or flashback sequences, then, they finish big by revisiting a live "Q & A" from December 20t...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts span a conversation across the stars as they discuss the upcoming content for Star Wars: The High Republic , the Prequels, and post Return of the Jedi . But first, Mark and Becca go over Star Wars: Ronin , Trail of Shadows comic, and Daniel José Older's creepy High Republic Lullaby. Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes the author of Star Wars: Ronin (A Visions Novel) , Emma Mieko Candon, to the show! In this episode, your hosts sit down with Emma to talk about the creative process behind Star Wars: Ronin , the cultural elements and influences within the storytelling, the narrative, and the personal Star Wars journey that led Emma to write amongst the stars. Help us spread the word abo...

Tarkin's Top Shelf continues Star Wars Reads month by welcoming Podcast Stardust to the show. In this episode, your hosts sit down with Dennis Keithly and Jay Krebs from Podcast Stardust for a Sithly Star Wars book chat. They discuss the Darth Bane Trilogy by  Drew Karpyshyn  and Star Wars : Dark Disciple by Christie Golden.  Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTune...

Tarkin's Top Shelf is kicking off Star Wars Reads Month with Catrina Dennis! In this episode, Mark and Becca welcome TTRPG nerd and voice actor Catrina to the show to talk about some of her favorite Star Wars books. But first, your hosts ask Catrina some Star Warsy questions, and then they revisit Star Wars: Last Shot by Daniel Jose Older and DOOKU: Jedi Lost by Cavan Scott. Help us spread the wor...

Tarkin's Top Shelf reviews Star Wars: Visions , an anime anthology set in a galaxy far, far away. But first, your hosts sit down to reflect on "Reflection Day," a short story from Star Wars: Life Day Treasury , and Rey's "facing the mirror" moment in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It's a "REY-flection" discussion you won't want to miss! Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via...

Tarkin's Top Shelf reviews Star Wars: Life Day Treasury (Holiday Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away) by George Mann and Cavan Scott and discuss the latest exclusive reveals from Star Wars: The High Republic Show . Your hosts thoroughly discuss each of the eight origin Life Day stories, the artwork by Grant Griffin, and all of the upcoming book covers and comic covers for the next wave of The High...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes the founder of Fanthatracks , Mark Newbold , to the show for a Star Warsy book chat. Mr. Newbold is a regular contributor to the official Star Wars website and Star Wars Insider Magazine . In this episode, your hosts ask Mark about his all-time favorite Star Wars books and discuss his Star Wars journey and his fandom experience over the years. Help us spread the word ab...

Tarkin's Top Shelf reviews Star Wars: The High Republic: Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott . Star Wars: The High Republic: Tempest Runner is an original audio drama performed by a "full cast" and brought to you by Penguin Random House Audio . In this episode, your hosts discuss the overall narrative, characters arcs, and the ever-growing story of The High Republic.  Help us spread the word about the s...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes Star Wars book author and Managing Editor for Nerdist Amy Ratcliffe back to the show! In this episode, your hosts and Amy sit down to recap season 1 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch and discuss their overall thoughts on the first season and hopes for season 2. So, before you click play, fix yourself a big bowl of Mantell Mix and enjoy the conversation. Help us spread the wor...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts review Secrets of the Force: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of  STAR WARS.   For the past four decades, no film saga has touched the world in the way that  Star Wars  has, capturing the imaginations of filmgoers and filmmakers alike. Now, for the first time (ever), Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman, the bestselling authors of  Th...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts welcome Chris Ryons and Dan Miller from Broaxium to the show! It's a "beyond the panel" discussion as they go over the latest Star Wars announcements and news: the official trailer for Star Wars: VISIONS , Weyland , and the upcoming comic series, Crimson Reign . Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts welcome Kelly Knox, the author of Marvel Monsters and Star Wars: Vader Immortal Digital Art Book, to the show! Kelly is well-known for her punny Star Wars jokes on Twitter and her knack for crafts from a galaxy far, far away. All that aside, Kelly has a lot more to share about her love and passions for Star Wars, Marvel, Anime, and her number one g...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca welcome Justin Bolger to the show! Justin, formerly known as "Apex Fan" to the Star Wars community on Twitter while he worked as the official Star Wars media specialist , sits down with your hosts for a bookish chat about some of his favorite Star Wars books. The conversation takes some wild and uncomfortable turns as they share their perspecti...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts go over the latest Star Wars news regarding The High Republic and its next wave of stories. They recap the recent "High Republic Show" and the announcement of Star Wars: The High Republic: Tempest Runner , original audiobook by Cavan Scott and Penguin Random House Audio , and the Full Voice Cast ! And lastly, but certainly not least, Mark and Becca...

Tarkin's Top Shelf reviews Star Wars: The High Republic: Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland and Disney Books . Your hosts discuss the characters and their arcs, the plot points, the timeline, and continuity payoffs. It's an in-depth, no-holds-barred review that Mark and Becca strongly recommend reading the book first before listening to the show. Thank you, Disney Books and Lucasfilm Press, for...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts discuss "Deep Reading" with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker . As Matthew W. Stover says, "there are no "deep writers," just "deep readers." And with that, Tarkin's Top Shelf gives you one helluva in-depth discussion that talks you through some Star Wars mazes on a literary journey in a galaxy far, far away . It's...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes Matthew W. Stover , the author of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, to the show! In this episode, Mark and Becca sit down with Mr. Stover and discuss the creative process, character motivations, metaphorical fears, and the narrative of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith . It's a trip down Star Wars memory lane, sixteen years, to be exact! And, there are even some George Lucas...

Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes Star Wars: The High Republic story architect Daniel José Older back to the show! In this episode, your hosts chew the fat or, if you're a Drengir, chew the meat with Daniel José Older about his recent book for the 2nd wave of The High Republic, "Race to Crashpoint Tower." They talk about the creative process behind The High Republic , character arcs, dinosaurs, Drengir,...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts review Star Wars: The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel Jose Older, Disney Books, and Lucasfilm Press.   Race to Crashpoint Tower is the second middle-grade novel within The High Republic publishing campaign, the first being A Test of Courage. Race to Crashpoint Tower follows two young Padawans who have to learn "what being a Jedi i...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, your hosts review Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott and Del Rey Publishing. Mark and Becca discuss the Republic Fair, Valo, The Nihil, character arcs, plot points, Dinosaurs, and the narrative throughout the novel. It's a No-Holds-Barred kind of show, so please, be sure to read "The Rising Storm" first if you do not wish to be spoi...

In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, Mark and Becca discuss the recent interview with Leslye Headland regarding Star Wars : The Acolyte and her writing room via cinemablend.com. Your hosts also touch on the current articles regarding Emilia Clarke reprising her role as Qi'ra in a future Star Wars project. Help us spread the word about the show Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to sub...