A Guide To Better Understanding The New Star Wars Canon

With the new canon replacing the old expanded universe, and all the new comics, novels, television series, and of course the movies themselves....it can get a bit tricky on figuring out into what order everything falls.

Fear not friends! The good folks over at Overmental have figured it out so you won't have to, plus they periodically update the listing as more material is introduced. I must admit, I'm a bit surprised that Plaguieus is not included in this list...but that might be due to Disney saying that the movies and Clone Wars were the core of the new canon, so they may not have included Plaguieus for this reason.

Anywho.....Ladies & gentlemen, I give you:

With this guide you'll have a better understanding as to where everything falls into place, which in turn will alleviate a lot of confusion between certain events in the Star Wars universe and how they impacted future events, as well as helping you understand references made to people, places, or events earlier in the timeline.

Alright everyone, Buckle up. Here we go!

1. Star Wars Ep. I - The Phantom Menace

Set 32 years before A New Hope, this is the earliest point of the new canon. (SWTOR is not canon, therefor it does not apply)

2. Star Wars Ep. II - Attack of the Clones

Set 10 years after the events of The Phantom Menace, this gives us the first glimpse of what will soon evolve into the Galactic Empire.

3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Movie & Series)

These events take place between Attack of the Clones & Ep. III - Revenge of the Sith and help fill in plot holes and elaborate on characterizations from the prequels....Plus we get Rex & Ahsoka!

WARNING: The Clone Wars has it's own chronological order, as the movie and episodes from seasons 1 through 3 were shown out of sequence. Click HERE for the correct order in which to watch.

4. Star Wars: Darth Maul - Son of Dathomir

With the source material being unused Clone Wars scripts, this comic book series follows the infamous Sith lord and his dealings that take place after the end of TCW.

5. Star War: Dark Disciple 

This novel was released on July 7, 2014 and is also based on unused scripts from TCW. The book centers on the partnership between Asajj Ventress and Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos in their efforts to take down Count Dooku.

6. Star Wars Ep. III - Revenge of the Sith

Here we witness the betrayal to-and fall of the Jedi Order, the end of the Clone Wars, the fall of Anakin Skywalker, and the Rise of Darth Vader.

(Side Note: The James Luceno novel titled Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader is not considered as part of the new canon and therefor not included in this list)

7. Star Wars: Kanan - The Last Padawan

This Comic book series centers around a young Kanan Jarrus, beginning with the story of his survival of Order 66.

8. Star Wars: Lords of the Sith

This novel is a singular story of when the Emperor and Darth Vader were stranded on Ryloth.

9. Star Wars: Tarkin

Written as a Character study of Tarkin, it also tells of how he was bestowed with the title of Grand Moff.

10. Star Wars: A New Dawn

In this novel, we catch up with a post-Order 66 adult Kanan Jarrus meeting Hera for the first time.

11. (OPTIONAL) Star Wars: Story Before The Force Awakens

This one is optional, simply because it's a web comic series written entirely in Korean, which centers around a young Luke's time on Tatooine. Check it out HERE.

12. Servants of the Empire: Edge of the Galaxy

This book is about Zare Leionis and how he came to enroll in the Imperial Academy. Zare was a recurring character in Season 1 of Star Wars Rebels. It is unknown if, however very likely that he will appear in future seasons.

13. Star Wars Rebels

An animated series set 14 years after Ep.III. This series introduces us to the now established crew of the Ghost, led by Kanan Jarrus. What starts off as a life of smuggling evolves into something greater. Season 1 finished strong with a highly anticipated season 2 on the way.

14. Rogue One

Currently in production. Rogue One is a movie set to release in 2016 detailing the events that lead to the theft of the Death Star plans.

15. Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope

The one that started it all. With the help of Obi Wan, Luke, Leia, Han & Chewie begin an epic adventure to fulfill a mission to deliver the newly acquired Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance. Along the way, Luke learns of his destiny.

16. Heir to the Jedi

Taking place between Ep. IV and V, this book follows Luke as he discovers more about his abilities while on a mission to rescue a captured cryptographer.

17. The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure

Set to release September 4, 2015. This book tells the story of Luke's very first lightsaber duel.

18. The comic book series Star Wars, Star Wars: Princess Leia, and Star Wars: Darth Vader

All three titles pick up after the destruction of the Death Star in Ep. IV.

Star Wars 

Tales of adventures and the developing friendships of Luke, Leia, Han & Chewie while battling the Empire.

SW: Princess Leia 

We find the Princess coming to terms with the destruction of Alderaan and her mission to seek out any scattered survivors that were off-world when the planet was destroyed.

SW: Darth Vader

This series begins with Darth Vader dealing with the fallout from the destruction of the Death Star. This series runs concurrent to Star Wars, with events and stories sometimes overlapping.

19. Star Wars Ep.V - The Empire Strikes Back

Here we see the Rebels on the run with the Empire in hot pursuit. Luke begins his Jedi training, and learns more about his destiny.

20. Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure

A novel about the Princess leading a team of Rebels on a mission against the Empire, set to release on September 4, 2015

21. Star Wars Ep. VI - Return of the Jedi

The final showdown between Luke, Darth Vader and the Emperor, marking the end of the original trilogy.

The next group of titles are part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens series, which bridge the gap between Episodes VI and the upcoming VII.

22. Lost Stars 

Taking place after ROTJ, it tells a story of two childhood friends on opposing sides of the conflict, and how it affects their duties and friendship. The book comes out September 4, 2015.

23. Star Wars: Aftermath 

Also taking place after ROTJ, this book centers around the still ensuing battles between Rebels and a fractured Empire. As the Rebels uncover evidence of an upcoming secret Imperial meeting, some worlds celebrate their new found freedom as others remain under Imperial control. The book is set to release on September 4, 2015.

24. Star Wars: Shattered Empire 

A 4-part comic book mini series that tells the continuing story of our heroes after the Battle of Endor and the Destruction of the 2nd Death Star.

25. Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens - C3P0

Not much is known about this comic series as of yet other than the release date being prior to, or on December 18, 2015.

....and finally

26. Star Wars Ep. VII - The Force Awakens

Set 30 years after ROTJ, we find a battle still raging between the Rebel Alliance (Now called The Resistance) and The First Order (formerly the Galactic Empire). Heroes new and old join forces as a new threat looms over the horizon.

What do you think of the new Chonological order? Comment about it on our Facebook group.


Source: Overmental.com