What a 2024 it was!
From the Scarlet Skull to #VALANCENATION. From Doctor Aphra to the #YordeHorde! From the Eye of Darkness to the Glass Abyss! We had some solid adventures from The High Republic all the way through The New Republic eras! Star Wars never disappoints and this year was no exception!
First, a few honorary mentions:
Before my best picks of the year, I give you in stream-of-consciousness order: my favorite moments from 2024!
#VALANCENATION and Doctor Aphra!
Both of these comic series have CONSISTENTLY been amazing since they began in 2020. We knew all of the major Star Wars Marvel comic series (Star Wars and Darth Vader included) would be winding down. Ethan Sacks and Alyssa Wong have both taken their characters, new and well-loved, on plenty of adventures. Laughs, lies, violence, and some heartfelt scenes all along the journey. I’m so sad to see their stories end (for the moment) and I’ll keep my binocs open for their return someday! I sincerely hope this is not the last we see of these characters…
Raise your hand if you’re up for the return of another Emily Woo Zeller Doctor Aphra portrayal!
Hey, what’s that on the horizon in those issues of The Battle of Jakku????
The Bad Batch
The end of this animated series was a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotionally damaging season of Star Wars TV. Everything from Crosshair’s character arc to Omega coming into her own was magnificently done. Seeing how gorgeous the animation style has grown since the early days of The Clone Wars is nothing short of stunning.
But my favorite thing of all was the finale. The final rescue at Tantiss and the epilogue that followed hit with all the emotional impact of a Wrecker haymaker. Maybe it’s just me but watching Omega strike out on her own journey from the eyes of Hunter hit me dead in the soul with that Crosshair accuracy.
Scarlet Skull!
There is no way I’d forget to include any The High Republic moments! Special shout out to Ram Jomaram! While The High Republic is chock full of amazing characters Ram has grown so much since we met him! Far from the introverted mechanic with dreams of never leaving his garage, he’s grown into a protector and in many ways, a big brother/mentor so some of the newer, younger characters! Some might see Ram as an unlikely hero but no one can deny he is the very ideal of what it means to be a Jedi. Someone who selflessly stands up for those who need him and teaches and inspires others to do the same.
Snocones with Conehead
We all had fun laughing with Yarael Poof at the antics of a certain Master Ki-Adi Mundi but seriously, The Living Force was so much fun. John Jackson Miller does some serious heavy lifting including all 12 members of the pre-Phantom Menace Jedi council which gives us so much personality and interactions from characters we love and characters we hardly know! The story has so many great moments that stay with me that it’s something that definitely deserves a shout-out! I hope 2025’s Jedi Knights series hits us with more of these moments and characters!
4K
I know it seems like a small thing but VOID I have missed special features! The latest 4K releases of The Mandalorian Season 3 and Ahsoka Season 1 have a nice bundle of featurettes included! It’s substantial and I appreciate all the behind-the-scenes I can get! Please don’t forget about The Bad Batch and The Book of Boba Fett! I want 4k for all my Star Wars series!!
Ani’s dreams
The Phantom Menace one-shot by Greg Pak is just what I needed! A fresh look at a familiar story with so many extra scenes! The opening dream of Anakin is powerful and the added context throughout is just what I want to see more of!
Can’t wait until 2039 when we get more in From a Certain Point of View: The Phantom Menace! Right?
Phase III
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Phase III is moving along and with the end in sight, things have been wildly chaotic and enjoyable! Temptation of the Force, Escape from Valo, Tears of the Nameless, Defy the Storm, and Beware the Nameless have all been amazing stories! Pair that with the comics series both ongoing and minis and we have got no shortage of amazing stories still hitting hard in my favorite Star Wars era!
Outlaws
Open. World. Star. Wars. Game. I’ve put plenty of time into this adventure but I still have much to do for my 100% goals. The exploration of this game is unmatched. The story is magnificent. And the characters are all solid additions to the Star Wars mythos. I no longer want to live in a world without Nix. I’m glad I don’t have to.
Meet us on Eriadu
In a galaxy of wars and neverending conflict, it doesn’t take too much to be different. But a Wedding Spectacular certainly fits the bill. Toss in all the characters we’ve known and love and plan the event of the century! Okay sure, toss in a bit of conflict too. Fulfilling story combined with art by different artists that make every page a surprise! Characters we love who have grown into their own fill the pages!
Oh, and there is a wedding!
Thanks Jedi
Skeleton Crew won’t be done until 2025 but the very last 2024 Star Wars release included this beautiful gift from the Bryce Dallas Howard directed episode “Zero Friends Again” with KB and Wim. After all they’ve been through Wim does what he can to help and care for his new friend. It’s a touching scene where KB’s vulnerability and Wim’s earnestness shine. It’s my favorite in the show so far but that finale is coming quick!
For Light and Life!
CCXP ACOLYTE
While we were all eagerly anticipating our first live-action foray into The High Republic, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. Along with a few other Saber Guild members, we performed lightsaber choreography at The Acolyte Panel at CCXP in Mexico! Any time I get to work with Lucasfilm is an honor and a privilege and this is no different. We were proud to put something together to represent The Acolyte!
HUGE shout out to the team of Disney, Lucasfilm, and CCXP who put this event together and I am proud and thankful to be included!
And with that, drum roll please:
2024 BESTS!
Best live-action series: The Acolyte!
The Acolyte was a groundbreaking, daring, and innovative show that pulled apart the themes of destiny, choice, and duality in fascinating ways.
Best animated series: The Bad Batch!
Hands down one of the best story, characters, and visually stunning series ever.
Best book: The High Republic: Tears of the Nameless!
A solid character story full of hope, fear, and desperation.
Best comic: Bounty Hunters: Dark Droids
The Dark Droids crossover was nice but it’s really the final issue of Bounty Hunters here that cinches it. A perfect end to a brilliant series.
Best music: Star Wars Outlaws Soundtrack!
Hands down the best music this year. Such a fresh take on music with an electric underworld vibe that fits the tone of the game perfectly. Not to mention the entire separate soundtrack featuring the in-universe music in the game as well!
Best game: Star Wars Hunters!
While not the triple-A release that Star Wars Outlaws is, I’m giving this game my award for the fact I’ve been having a blast with Axel. Teaming up in these fun matches has given us lots of joy since its release and with the new seasons, maps, and characters there’s always something to do here!
Best new character: Jecki Lon!
From her introduction this character was mesmerizing. A Jedi from a more civilized age Jecki was resolute, determined, and clever. Combine that with her chemistry with other characters and you have a very special character that I can’t wait to see more of in The Crystal Crown!
Best triumphant return: Asajj Ventress!
The return of Ventress in The Bad Batch was a stand-up cheer moment! Her look, her voice, and her yellow-bladed skills made an impact on those of us in love with the character. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her and I hope it involves another favorite character of mine…
Best sidekick: Nix!
Look, this was a tough one for this year. We had Pip, Batcher, SM-33, and even ND-5! But all in all, Nix takes the title with his cuteness, usefulness, support, and his unconditional love and devotion to Kay!
2025 is already beginning we have lots of new Star Wars to look forward to! The finale of The High Republic! Andor Season 2! Star Wars Celebration Japan! The Mask of Fear trilogy begins! A New Legacy and the ongoing Jedi Knights comic series! The Bad Batch Ghost Agents! The Rise of Skywalker comic adaptation! Star Wars Visions Vol. 3! The Legacy of Vader! And who knows what else!
Just… PLEASE give me a new animated series Star Wars!! I NEED it!
The Rogue Rebels 