Mixed Messages – Time Travel, Dramatis Personae, and Mercenaries

In assessing the messages of a product or brand, I find myself observing the nuances through the lens of a professional roadway and signalization engineer. The crux of my job boils down to making sure that clear signals are given to drivers and pedestrians to avoid confusion. As someone who manages the message of my professional business, as well, last month I noticed a curious series of events related to the Star Wars Expanded Universe that highlighted how, at times, the messages being sent to the fans are at cross-purposes.

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SEEKING SFH – Mara Jade Skywalker in the Star Wars EU

Seeking SFH is a series highlighting stories with Strong Female Heroines. These are great reads with a heroic female character who is relatable to women. There is a lot of nuance to my opinion, which would take volumes to summarize, but a second good example from the Star Wars Expanded Universe is a character who epitomizes this notion: Mara Jade.

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Heir to the Empire Anniversary Edition

The Twentieth Anniversary Edition of Heir to the Empire went on sale yesterday. When the cover art was first revealed, I commented briefly about why Timothy Zahn’s novel – and for that matter the entire Thrawn Trilogy – is rightfully considered a classic of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Now that the special edition is out, I thought I’d share a few additional thoughts.

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