The 46th year of Star Wars is almost done and as ever it’s been a packed year with Celebration Europe, New York Comic Con, Galactic Starcruiser, three TV series, numerous announcements and lots and lots and lots of stuff to buy. It’s always busy here at Fantha Tracks, so let’s dive right in and take a look at what happened in the wider galaxy and closer to home in 2023.
JANUARY
2023 started hot, with the second season of The Bad Batch landing on Disney Plus on 4th January with a double-header of Spoils of War and Ruins of War, kicking off an exciting season that ran through to 29th March with The Summit and Plan 99.
The month also brought us plenty to read in books and comics with The High Republic: The Battle of Jedha, The Book of Boba Fett Junior Novel, Tales from the Rancor Pit, Star Wars (2020) #30, Darth Vader (2020) #30, The High Republic (2022) #4, The High Republic Adventures (2022) #2, The Mandalorian #7, Bounty Hunters #30, Han Solo & Chewbacca #9, Doctor Aphra (2020) #28, The High Republic — The Blade #2 and Yoda #3. As ever, you can check out our comic reviews right here on the site.
Fantha Tracks radio posted the first of 100 episodes during 2023 with the 236th episode of Making Tracks: The Bad Batch S2 Virtual Roundtable with Dee Bradley Baker, Michelle Ang, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett, the first of 54 Making Tracks episodes this year. January also brought new episodes of Collecting Tracks (the first of 8), Desert Planet Discs (the first of 8 and that first episode being our most listened to episode of the year on Spotify) and The Fantha From Down Under (the first of 5), as well as three episodes of Good Morning Tatooine (the first of 30 this year).
FEBRUARY
The second month of the year saw the team get into the swing – and push on with pre-Celebration planning – with 10 episodes on Fantha Tracks radio including the first Canon Fodder of the year (the first of 6), Planet Leia (the first of 8) and Start Your Engines (the first of 7). We also helped celebrate Star Wars Podcast Day 2023 with special episodes of Desert Planet, Planet Leia, Making Tracks and Start Your Engines.
On the road we headed to Redditch once again for Echo Base XII on 4th February and to the south coast to be a part of the fantastic Beachhead 2023 tabletop RPG event over the weekend of 11th – 12th February.
In the wider Star Wars world we saw the arrival of Sana Starros #1, Star Wars Insider #216, Darth Vader (2020) #31, Hidden Empire #3, The High Republic (2022) #5, The High Republic: The Battle of Jedha script, Bounty Hunters #31, Star Wars (2020) #31, Doctor Aphra (2020) #29, The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #1 and Yoda #4.
MARCH
1st March saw the return of The Mandalorian for its long-awaited third season with The Apostate, the first of 8 episodes that culminated on 19th April with The Return.
In literature we had Han Solo & Chewbacca #10, Hidden Empire #4, Hyperspace Stories #4, Star Wars (2020) #32, The High Republic — The Blade #3, The Mandalorian #8, Hunters: Battle for the Arena, Jedi: Battle Scars, Bounty Hunters #32, Sana Starros #2, The High Republic (2022) #6, Star Wars Insider #217, The High Republic Adventures (2022) #3, Yoda #5, Darth Vader (2020) #32, Return of the Jedi – Jabba’s Palace #1, The High Republic — The Blade #4 and The High Republic (2022) #7.
March also saw the passing of author Michael Reeves and stuntman Paul Grant.
APRIL
After months of planning, the 15th Celebration arrived at the ExCeL in London on 7th – 10th April. Celebration Europe IV saw Fantha Tracks more involved than ever, with Good Morning Tatooine, Making Tracks, Planet Leia and Start Your Engines on the HoloNet News Stage and Desert Planet Discs hosting a live panel on the showfloor as well as Fantha Tracks hosting the #CANTINA 2 afterparty at the O2 and being part of One Galaxy, One Goal, raising funds for Make-A-Wish.
At the show new films were revealed, final seasons announced for The Bad Batch and we’ll be doing it again on 18th – 20th April 2025 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba for Celebration Japan.
In literature we had The High Republic: Cataclysm, The High Republic: Quest for Planet X, Star Wars 100 Objects, Hidden Empire 5, Star Wars (2020) 33, Star Wars The Dark Side Pocket Expert, Bounty Hunters 33, Doctor Aphra (2020) 30, Return of the Jedi – Ewoks 1, The High Republic (2022) 8, Sana Starros 3, The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror 2, Yoda 6, Return of the Jedi: A Collector’s Classic Board Book, Star Wars: Timelines, Darth Vader – Black, White & Red 1 and The High Republic Adventures: Quest of the Jedi. And don’t forget Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which arrived 28th April on its way to breaking all kinds of records for Star Wars game sales.
In April we lost Oscar-winning Art and Production designer Norman Reynolds, who’s incredible craft helped create the worlds of the original trilogy and Indiana Jones, winning his Oscar alongside Leslie Dilley for Raiders of the Lost Ark. We also lost Angie Mayhew, wife of the late Peter Mayhew.
MAY
As always, 4th May was a big day in the GFFA as Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 premiered on Disney Plus and Episodes 1 – 7 of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures premiered on Disney Plus and Disney Junior, along with 25th May marking the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi (and while we’re at it May marked the 46th of A New Hope, the 43rd of The Empire Strikes Back, the 24th of The Phantom Menace, the 21st of Attack of the Clones, the 18th of Revenge of the Sith and the 5th of Solo: A Star Wars Story).
As ever, Star Wars Fan Fun Day brought thousands of fans to Blackburn and Ewood Park, where a superb array of guests congregated for a fantastic weekend which traditionally kicks off the night before with Dinner With The Stars (which saw Fantha Tracks given a special SWFFD award), and on Fantha Tracks radio we piled into our SWFFD episodes and post-Celebration coverage.
In literature, it was packed as we welcomed to the shelves The High Republic: Path of Vengeance, Star Wars Insider #218, Darth Vader (2020) #33, Doctor Aphra (2020) #31, Return of the Jedi – Lando #1, Star Wars (2020) #34, The High Republic Adventures (2022) #4, The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #3, Yoda #7, The High Republic Adventures Free Comic Book Day 2023, Darth Vader (2020) #34, The High Republic (2022) #9, Bounty Hunters #34, The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #4, The High Republic: The Edge of Balance: Precedent, Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void, Republic Commando: Hard Contact and Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (reprinted as part of The Essential Legends Collection), Darth Vader – Black, White & Red #2, Hyperspace Stories #5, The High Republic (2022) #10, Doctor Aphra (2020) #32, Sana Starros #4 and The High Republic Adventures (2022) #5. On television, Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian: The Making of Season 3 aired on Disney Plus.
Two of the brightest stars in the galaxy left us in May. Kenner and Hasbro legend Marc Boudereaux passed after a long illness, joined just days later by Ahsoka star Ray Stevenson, months before he would ever see the stellar fan reaction to his magnificent turn as Baylan Skoll.
JUNE
The month of June belonged to the man in the hat as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny arrived at the tail end of the month, and Fantha Tracks were at the multimedia screening and the London premiere to soak up the excitement and enjoy the first Lucasfilm premiere since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
In literature we were treated to Return of the Jedi – The Empire 1, Star Wars (2020) #35, Yoda #8, Star Wars Insider #219, Darth Vader (2020) #35, Sana Starros #5, Bounty Hunters 35, The Mandalorian Season 2 1, Darth Vader – Black, White & Red 3, Doctor Aphra (2020) #33 and The High Republic Adventures (2022) #6, #7 & #8.
June also saw the passing of Treat Williams, close friend of the late Carrie Fisher who was on set for the Hoth scenes of The Empire Strikes Back.
JULY
London Film and Comic Con has long been a fruitful event for Fantha Tracks, and 2023 was no exception as the team headed to Olympia for 3 days of panels, collectibles and more as part of the Star Wars Zone, helping to raise £2000 for Make-A-Wish alongside our fellow sites, podcasts and costuming groups. Later in the month we headed south to Fordingbridge for Farthest From 24,
On the printed page we had Star Wars (2020) #36, Yoda #9, Bounty Hunters #36, Darth Vader (2020) #36, Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade, Young Jedi Adventures: Get Well, Nubs!, Doctor Aphra (2020) #34, Return of the Jedi – The Rebellion #1, Darth Vader – Black, White & Red #4, Hyperspace Stories #6 and The Mandalorian Season 2 #2.
July also saw the sad passing of the voice of the original Captain Rex, Star Tours voice actor Paul Reubens.
AUGUST
Ahsoka was the huge news of the month as the long-awaited show from Dave Filoni premiered with “Master and Apprentice” and “Toil and Trouble” on Disney Plus.
In books and comics we got Dark Droids #1, Hyperspace Stories #7, Yoda #10, Return of the Jedi – Max Rebo #1, Star Wars (2020) #37, Star Wars Insider #220, The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance, Outbound Flight, Republic Commando: Triple Zero and Survivor’s Quest (reprinted as part of The Essential Legends Collection), Darth Vader (2020) #37, Doctor Aphra (2020) #35, From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi, Bounty Hunters #37, Hyperspace Stories #8 and The Mandalorian Season 2 #3.
Stew Levy, a much-loved member of the community and a vital part of Rancho Obi-Wan passed away 21st August after a brief illness, and unbelievably just 9 days later 501st Legion member Marcus Dohring also left us. Just a few days before, Marcus messaged me with a brief review and a handful of images from the Ahsoka premiere, which took place at the Presidio in San Francisco. So close to his passing it seemed poor taste to post, but as we leave 2023 behind, here’s what he wrote about a day that said everything about his fandom.
“On August 17th 300 fans from near and far gathered at LFL’s headquarters at the Presidio in San Francisco for the Ahsoka premiere.
Interviews before and after, photo ops, and a giant group picture plus two epic Ahsoka episodes made up this spectacular evening.
It was great seeing old friends again and plenty of new friendships were made.”
August also saw the passing of the first assistant director on The Last Jedi, Jamie Christopher and Darth Vader and the Lost Command inker Dan Green, who inked countless X-Men issues in the 80’s and 90’s.
SEPTEMBER
September not only saw the continuation of the debut season of Ahsoka, but also on Disney Plus, Master & Apprentice: A Special Look at Ahsoka aired and the continuation of the first season of Young Jedi Adventures. September also saw Fantha Tracks head to Orlando and a visit to the soon-to-close Halcyon, aka Galactic Starcruiser, an incredible two days immersed in the galaxy far, far away.
In books and comics The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life, The Clone Wars: Ahsoka vs. Maul, Young Jedi Adventures: The Young Jedi, Young Jedi Adventures: Yoda’s Mission, Dark Droids #2, Star Wars (2020) #38, LEGO Star Wars Galaxy Mission, Darth Vader (2020) #38, Obi-Wan Kenobi #1, Bounty Hunters #38, Dark Droids: D-Squad #1, Star Wars Insider #221, Doctor Aphra (2020) #36, Hyperspace Stories #9 and The Mandalorian Season 2 #4.
OCTOBER
October is traditionally a busy month for Fantha Tracks, with New York Comic Con the centerpiece of a busy convention month. This year, Brian, Mark and Matt headed to Galaxy’s Edge for a brief visit before heading north to New York for comic con.
Echo Live XIV saw collectors from the UK and beyond return to Redditch for another monster haul of vintage, 90’s and modern toys, covered ably by Jonathan Hipkiss.
Star Wars: Galaxy of Stickers: The Dark Side, Bounty Hunters #39, Darth Vader (2020) #39, The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #1, Crimson Climb, Star Wars: The Ultimate Cookbook, The High Republic: Jedi Brave in Every Way, Dark Droids #3, The Mandalorian Season 2 #5, Tales from the Death Star, Obi-Wan Kenobi #2, Star Wars (2020) #39, The Courtship of Princess Leia, I, Jedi, The Old Republic: Annihilation and Republic Commando: True Colors (reprinted as part of The Essential Legends Collection), Dark Droids: D-Squad #2, Doctor Aphra (2020) #37 and Star Wars Insider #222 were the literature releases for the month.
The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian and Ahsoka costume designer Shawna Trpcic passed away early in October.
NOVEMBER
Wales Comic Con: Telford Takeover travelled to the TIC for the final time before its 2024 relocation, while Minecraft Star Wars: Path of the Jedi arrived during a relatively quiet month for Star Wars….quiet unless you’re a reader of The High Republic, which kicked into high gear this month with Phase 3 and new releases from Marvel and Random House Worlds,
In print we had Star Wars (2020) #40, Hyperspace Stories #10, Star Wars: Dawn of Rebellion: The Visual Guide, Darth Vader (2020) #40, The High Republic (2023) #1, The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #2, Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia, The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness, Dark Droids #4, Doctor Aphra (2020) #38, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – The 40th Anniversary Covers by Chris Sprouse #1, The Mandalorian Season 2 #6, Visions – Peach Momoko #1, Bounty Hunters #40, Dark Droids: D-Squad #3, Hyperspace Stories #11, Star Wars: The Secrets of the Wookiees and Obi-Wan Kenobi #3.
The final Tusken Raider Alan Fernandes passed in November, as did The Empire Strikes Back poster artist Roger Kastel.
DECEMBER
In years past December has been one of the busiest – if not the busiest – month of the year bar May, but with all shows on Disney Plus completed and no theatrical release hitting screens, you should have headed to Fordingbridge for Farthest From 25 which not only celebrated a decade of shows but welcomed – in his first UK appearance since Celebration Europe 2016 and his only UK signing of the year – Pablo Hidalgo, who was inducted into the Elstree Base of the Rebel Legion.
In literature Dark Droids: D-Squad #4, Star Wars (2020) #41, The High Republic Adventures (2023) #1, Star Wars Insider #223, Bounty Hunters #41, Hyperspace Stories #12, The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #3, Outbound Flight and Survivor’s Quest (unabridged audiobooks released as part of The Essential Legends Collection), Darth Vader (2020) #41, Doctor Aphra (2020) #39, Revelations (2023) #1, The High Republic (2023) #2, Dark Droids #5 and The Mandalorian Season 2 #7.
December also said farewell to a quartet of Star Wars luminaries, with ‘You Rebel scum‘ actor Barrie Holland, Rogue One actor Richard Thorpe, Boba Fett artist and 2000AD legend Ian Gibson and ILM modelmaker Marc Thorpe all passing on.
We’re already looking ahead to 2024, with a trip to Finse in February to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the filming of The Empire Strikes Back, as well as Star Wars Fan Fun Day in May, London Film and Comic Con in July and New York Comic Con in October already being planned (check our already heaving Events Guide to see what’s ahead in 2024), to say nothing of the various Echo Live, Farthest From, MCM, Wales Comic Con and many more events we’ll be visiting. Maybe we’ll even get lucky and have the chance to travel to the west coast and visit Rancho Obi-Wan again for the first time since Fantha Tracks launched 6 years ago on 31st October 2017.
We’ll leave you with this final video of the year, wish you all a very happy, safe, successful and prosperous new year and we’ll see you back here tomorrow (you should know by now that flying Fantha Tracks never sleep) as we get started on 2024.
@fanthatracks Fantha Tracks will be posting daily Star Wars news, podcasts, videos, going to conventions and filming locations again in 2024. From all the Fantha Trackers around the globe, we wish you good health a happy new year! What @Star Wars are you most looking forward to in 2024? #starwars #adios2023 #happynewyear
