Star Wars Tales

Star Wars Tales is a series of comics that began on September 29, 1999 and ended on July 13, 2005 published by Dark Horse Comics. Each issue is an anthology of stories from various eras of the Star Wars timeline. Although the stories themselves are unrelated, many issues were themed around a single character, group or era. Each story varies in length, with six or so stories in each issue, adding up to a total of 64 pages. Two covers were produced for each issue, one illustrated, another a photo-cover.

Issue #1 to Issue #20 were edited by Peet Janes (Issues 1 and 2) and Dave Land (Issues 3-20) and were labeled Infinities, placing them outside the canon (though this is not to say that the events depicted are permanently outside of the official continuity, just that they should not be considered canon unless or until they are endorsed by a canon source).

However, in-universe, the premise is that the stories of the Tales series are holo rentals from Peeja Mobet's Holo Emporium. Peeja Mobet introduced the first two issues (before editor Peet Janes left the series and Dave Land took over), talking about the stories presented. Even he admits not everything that is found in his shop is "historically accurate." In his words (taken from Issue 1):

"Some folks take liberties with their characters, others ignore potentially significant events, and still others speculate about what might have happened if something didn't occur when and where it should have. Or vice-versa for that matter. And then of course there's them hoo-ha stories, which make none of the pretense about tying in so long as you're doubled over and crackin' up!"

From Issue 2: "Now, the stories that I carry in this shop have been told from as many points of view as there are thinking beings on this planet. That makes for some interesting perspectives, even on the same stories that we've heard over and over again. Everybody's got his or her own personal spin on events, and ideas of the outcomes too, that may rankle some folks: 'Hey, I was there! He didn't do that!' they shout over their half-drained lomin ales. Then somebody else pipes in with 'What do you know? You weren't even hatched when that happened!' and then the place devolves into a classic brawl.

''I have a little more respect for the differing viewpoints. For one, every different viewpoint is another story I can rent! For another, despite the fact that our perceptions are based on the same incoming information, everybody has his or her own interpretations of things, no matter what lobe they're using or how glitterstimmed their ganglia may be. That's what makes this the most colorful galaxy in the universe, eh?''

''The most important thing is: is it a good story? Does it have all the parts, in a semblance of order, and make sense as a whole? Did you laugh at the end, or did your hearts jump and make you wonder about the final outcome, the fate of some endearing (or reviled!) character? I hope so; otherwise I'm not doing my job and you'd better tell me!"''

Jeremy Barlow became the next editor, and edited Issue #21 to Issue #24. All the tales from these issues are considered to be canon, unless labeled otherwise.

Tales also produced a 16-page Free Comic Book Day Edition, released in May 2002.

Many Tales stories and events from the first twenty issues have been referenced in other Star Wars publications. This elevates the referenced aspects of the story into the canon, but does not necessarily mean that the entire story should be considered within the official continuity. For a list of all Tales stories that have had elements incorporated into continuity, see the corresponding section below.

The 24 issues of Tales have been collected in six volumes of trade paperbacks, collecting four full issues each.

Issues considered infinities
(Note: Some stories in these issues, such as "Lady Luck" in issue #3 by Rich Handley and Darko Macan, have been referenced in other resources, rendering them canonical.)

Star Wars Tales Volume 1

 * Star Wars Tales 1
 * Extinction, Part 1
 * Skippy the Jedi Droid
 * Extinction, Part 1
 * Skippy the Jedi Droid


 * Star Wars Tales 2
 * Routine
 * Extinction Part 2
 * Stop That Jawa!
 * Incident at Horn Station


 * Star Wars Tales 3
 * The Death of Captain Tarpals
 * Deal with a Demon
 * Lady Luck
 * Three Against the Galaxy


 * Star Wars Tales 4
 * Moment of Doubt
 * A Death Star Is Born
 * Spare Parts
 * Sand Blasted

Star Wars Tales Volume 2

 * Star Wars Tales 5
 * Yaddle's Tale: The One Below
 * What They Called Me
 * A Summer's Dream
 * Hoth
 * Lando's Commandos: On Eagles' Wings


 * Star Wars Tales 6
 * ''The Hovel on Terk Street
 * A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite!
 * Fortune, Fate, and the Natural History of the Sarlacc
 * Junkheap Hero
 * The Hidden
 * Thank the Maker


 * Star Wars Tales 7
 * Single Cell
 * Nerf Herder
 * Jedi Chef
 * Outbid But Never Outgunned
 * Force Fiction


 * Star Wars Tales 8
 * Captain Threepio
 * The One That Got Away
 * The Secret Tales of Luke's Hand
 * Death Star Pirates
 * Bad Business

Star Wars Tales Volume 3

 * Star Wars Tales 9
 * Resurrection
 * Hate Leads to Lollipops
 * The Rebel Four


 * Star Wars Tales 10
 * Trooper
 * Skreej
 * Nameless
 * A Wookiee Scorned!
 * Free Memory


 * Star Wars Tales 11
 * Prey
 * In the Beginning
 * The Princess Leia Diaries
 * Tall Tales
 * Ghost


 * Star Wars Tales 12
 * A Day in the Life
 * A Jedi's Weapon
 * The Revenge of Tag & Bink
 * Once Bitten
 * The Duty


 * Star Wars Tales: Free Comic Book Day Edition

Star Wars Tales Volume 4

 * Star Wars Tales 13
 * Puzzle Peace
 * The Secret of Tet-Ami
 * Survivors
 * Stones
 * The Sith in the Shadow
 * Children of the Force


 * Star Wars Tales 14
 * Apocalypse Endor
 * The Emperor's Court
 * Urchins
 * Tides of Terror
 * The Lesson
 * Smuggler's Blues
 * Mythology


 * Star Wars Tales 15
 * Sandstorm
 * First Impressions
 * Falling Star
 * Do or Do Not
 * Slippery Slope
 * Lucky Stars


 * Star Wars Tales 16
 * The Other
 * Best Birthday Ever
 * The Long, Bad Day
 * Kessel Run
 * Lunch Break
 * Heart of Darkness

Star Wars Tales Volume 5

 * Star Wars Tales 17
 * Planet of the Dead
 * All for You
 * Phantom Menaces
 * Ghosts of Hoth
 * The Apprentice
 * Dark Journey


 * Star Wars Tales 18
 * Number Two in the Galaxy
 * Payback
 * Being Boba Fett
 * The Way of the Warrior
 * Revenants


 * Star Wars Tales 19
 * Collapsing New Empires
 * The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to Be Underestimated
 * Rather Darkness Visible
 * The Rebel Club
 * The Lost Lightsaber
 * Into the Great Unknown
 * Storyteller


 * Star Wars Tales 20
 * George R. Binks
 * Who's Your Daddy
 * Fred Jawa
 * Luke Skywalker: Detective
 * Hunger Pains
 * Failing Up With Jar Jar Binks
 * Nobody's Perfect
 * Problem Solvers
 * Melvin Fett
 * Young Lando Calrissian

Star Wars Tales Volume 6

 * Star Wars Tales 21
 * Nomad, Chapter One
 * Walking the Path That's Given
 * Equals and Opposites


 * Star Wars Tales 22
 * Honor Bound
 * Nomad, Chapter Two
 * Marooned


 * Star Wars Tales 23
 * Shadows and Light
 * Nomad, Chapter Three


 * Star Wars Tales 24
 * Marked
 * Fett Club (non-canon)
 * Unseen, Unheard
 * Nomad, Chapter Four

Tales stories with elements of continuity
This is a list of all stories in Star Wars Tales with elements that occur in continuity. By default, all Tales stories are Infinities, and are popularly described as being "non-canon with elements of continuity", referring to the fact that if an outside source C-canon or higher references an element in a Tales story, that element is canonized. It is important to note that this does not make the entire story canon, and in some cases the non-canon parts of the story contain details that are irreconcilable with the rest of Star Wars canon. These are noted below. All stories are sorted by trade paperback volume number, then alphabetically. The source in which the canon reference occurs is listed below the entry, with the appropriate section of the source following it.

Stories entirely within canon
The following are Tales stories that have either been reprinted without the Infinities logo, rendering them entirely canon, or stories printed after Tales 20, which no longer carry the Infinities logo unless an individual story calls for it. No source is listed for the stories of Volume VI, as they are already in canon.

Volume I
Routine
 * ''Star Wars Collectible Bonus Magazine
 * Also referenced in:
 * "Hide in Plain Sight"
 * Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous

Volume II
Death Star Pirates
 * ''Star Wars Kids 16-20
 * Also referenced in Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds

Volume III
Resurrection
 * Confirmed as canon on Leland Chee's blog
 * Also referenced in The Dark Forces Saga, Part 5

Volume VI

 * Equals and Opposites
 * Honor Bound
 * Marked
 * Marooned
 * Nomad
 * Shadows and Light
 * Unseen, Unheard
 * Walking the Path That's Given
 * Walking the Path That's Given

Stories with elements of continuity
The following are Tales stories that have had a reference to them published in a canon source. The scope of the reference varies; some, such as Extinction, have almost their entire story referenced, while others may have no more than a planet or person's name reprinted.

Volume I
Extinction Deal with a Demon The Death of Captain Tarpals Lady Luck Life, Death, and the Living Force Mara Jade: A Night on the Town Sand Blasted Skippy the Jedi Droid Stop That Jawa! ''Incident at Horn Station Three Against the Galaxy ''Moment of Doubt
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: The Dark Woman
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 65
 * Star Wars: Republic: The Devaronian Version
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: Vilmarh Grahrk
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: Jar Jar Binks
 * Databank: Captain Tarpals
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 35
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: Lobot
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Databank: Bespin
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 68 (picture)
 * Lando Calrissian: Idiot's Array
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: Mara Jade
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters: Crix Madine
 * The Dark Forces Saga, Part 1
 * The New Essential Guide to Droids
 * Star Wars Insider 81 Online Supplement: Droids, Technology and the Force: A Clash of Phenomena
 * Who's Who in the Max Rebo Band
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia

Volume II
A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite! A Summer's Dream Fortune, Fate, and the Natural History of the Sarlacc Hoth The Hovel on Terk Street Lando's Commandos: On Eagles' Wings Outbid But Never Outgunned Single Cell ''Nerf Herder Thank the Maker Bad Business Yaddle's Tale: The One Below ''Captain Threepio ''The One That Got Away ''The Secret Tales of Luke's Hand
 * Who's Who in the Max Rebo Band
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * Darth Plagueis
 * The Official Star Wars Fact File
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters
 * Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Darth Vader's Search for the Rebels (Cloud City Attack)
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The History of the Mandalorians
 * The New Essential Chronology
 * Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines
 * Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
 * Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
 * Star Wars: Starfighter
 * The New Essential Guide to Characters
 * The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 95
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia: "Gamma Squad (2)" entry
 * Star Wars: Republic: Honor and Duty
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Feral Queen
 * Cloak of Deception
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia

Volume III
A Jedi's Weapon ''Hate Leads to Lollipops Nameless Once Bitten A Day in the Life The Duty
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 41
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Dark Forces Saga, Part 4
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 32 (picture)
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 28
 * Vader: The Ultimate Guide
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia

Volume IV
Apocalypse Endor Children of the Force First Impressions Kessel Run ''Puzzle Peace Sandstorm ''The Secret of Tet-Ami Slippery Slope Stones ''Survivors (comic) The Sith in the Shadow Tides of Terror Urchins Heart of Darkness
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 67 (picture)
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 18 (picture)
 * One of a Kind
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 74
 * Underworld Appendix: Swoops, Spice, and Wretched Rogues
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The New Essential Chronology: Profiles in History (The Skywalkers)
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
 * The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology: Lightsaber
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 21
 * Jedi: Aayla Secura
 * The New Essential Chronology: The Fall of the Republic (The Battle of Kamino)
 * Hasbro.com
 * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: p. 39
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia

Volume V
Dark Journey Being Boba Fett Revenants The Apprentice ''Phantom Menaces ''Number Two in the Galaxy ''Payback ''The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to Be Underestimated ''Into the Great Unknown ''Rather Darkness Visible ''Young Lando Calrissian
 * The History of the Mandalorians
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * ''The Official Star Wars Fact File 117
 * The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology: Datapad
 * Boba Fett: A Practical Man
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * ''The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
 * The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia