Dark Forces: Jedi Knight

Dark Forces: Jedi Knight was the third and final volume in the Dark Forces trilogy of novellas written by William C. Dietz. It was originally released on October 14, 1998 by Dark Horse Comics and Boulevard. Both the hardcover and trade paperback include twenty-five full-color illustrations by Dave Dorman.

Editions

 * ISBN 1569711577; October 14, 1998, Dark Horse Comics, 126-page hardcover
 * ISBN 0399144528; October 14, 1998, Boulevard, 126-page hardcover
 * ISBN 1565112768; October 14, 1998, HighBridge Audio, 2 audiocassettes (2 hrs.)
 * ISBN 1569714339; October 20, 1999, Dark Horse Comics, 128-page trade paperback
 * ISBN 0425170519; October 20, 1999, Boulevard, 128-page trade paperback

Back cover
''Kyle Katarn, Rebel agent and novice Jedi, has just returned from his covert operation to find the location of the Valley of the Jedi. But he knows that the evil Jerec, a dark Jedi with designs on the Empire's throne, knows where the Valley is too. Upon returning to the Alliance, and with the support of Luke Skywalker himself, Kyle offers to find the Valley and stop the oncoming Imperial invasion—and, at last, fulfill his destiny as a Jedi.''

Based on the popular Star Wars: DARK FORCES and Star Wars: JEDI KNIGHT interactive games, Jedi Knight is part three of a trilogy written by acclaimed author William C. Dietz (Steelheart) and illustrated by award-winning Star Wars cover artist Dave Dorman.

Inside flap
''The dark Jedi Jerec continues his search for the legendary Valley of the Jedi and sends his Imperial minions to invade the remote planet on which it is hidden. But the Valley's location is also known to Kyle Katarn, who has returned with Jan Ors and Luke Skywalker from their secret mission. Kyle proposes that he and Jan sneak onto the planet and stop the Empire themselves, which leads to his most dangerous—and important—mission yet.''

This brand-new adventure trilogy provides background to, and incorporates elements of, the LucasArts DARK FORCES and JEDI KNIGHT'' interactive games. Jedi Knight completes the trilogy begun in Soldier for the Empire and continued in Rebel Agent.''

Trade paperback
Now available in trade paperback, this graphic-story album—a prose novella with twenty-five full-page painted illustrations—concludes the sweeping trilogy based on characters and events introduced in the popular Dark Forces interactive games. Jedi Knight chronicles the adventures of Rebel agent Kyle Katarn as he seeks to prevent the legendary Valley of the Jedi from falling into the hands of the Empire's Jerec, a dark Jedi who plans to harness the unbelievable power of the Valley for his own ends.

''Kyle Katarn, Rebel Agent and novice Jedi, has discovered the location of the legendary Valley of the Jedi. But Jerec, a dark Jedi seeking to dethrone the Emperor, orders an Imperial invasion against the world where the Valley is hidden.''

With the support of Luke Skywalker, Kyle volunteers to sneak onto the planet and stop the Empire before they can find the Valley in his most dangerous—and important—mission yet.

A mission that presents the opportunity, at long last, for Kyle to fulfill his destiny as a Jedi.

Behind the scenes
The account of the Seventh Battle of Ruusan in this book differs somewhat from the more detailed account told in the 2006 novel Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, though Dark Forces: Jedi Knight was published several years earlier. It is difficult to tell which account is canon; the account in this book takes place through a dream vision given to Kyle Katarn as he is knocked unconscious. He sees the events from the perspective of the human Jedi Tal, who was close to General Hoth. Tal is not mentioned in Path of Destruction, which details the events of the battle in its present day. Notably, in this book the thought bomb is prepared by Kaan's Brotherhood in advance of the Army of Light's arrival, and the scene takes place in a valley. In the other, it takes place deep in a cave and the bomb was simultaneously created and detonated. The Jedi happen to enter the cave just as the bomb is about to be detonated.

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Dark Forces: Jedi Knight.