New information about Timothy Zahn’s upcoming Star Wars novels was released today, and Entertainment Weekly has the info, including a shot of the cover artwork.
The title of the book, Scoundrels, appears underneath the familiar Star Wars logo in what resembles the stenciled airbrushing I did in my high school art class. Underneath stand three very familiar faces: Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Lando Calrissian. They appear to be in a police lineup complete with height markings behind them. I think their heights are accurate, though, so kudos for attention to detail.
Lando’s lounging against the wall as if any moment he’s going to say, “Hellooo, what have we here?” and tell us we belong with him among the clouds. And he’s sporting something that looks like a peacoat with a seatbelt around his waist. Interesting fashion choice.
Evidently the publishers are playing up the “tough guy” part of the whole scoundrels plot, making the trio look like public enemy number one. Or, one through three. And it’s nice to see actual artwork for a Star Wars cover rather than photoshopped images of the actors. I don’t think anything will ever compare to the brilliant covers by Drew Struzan, though. Each one was a masterpiece. But, I digress.
The plot of Scoundrels is as follows:
The Death Star has been destroyed. The Rebellion has had its first big victory. And Han Solo, newly conscripted to the Rebel cause, is on the run from the Empire and the bounty hunters eager to turn him in for the huge reward being offered by Jabba the Hutt. Now a mysterious stranger offers Han the resources to execute a daring robbery from a major crime lord. The mission is impossible, but the prize will make Han a free man. With no choice but to accept, Han Solo and his Wookiee partner, Chewbacca, set out to assemble a cast of rogues, knaves, and cons with the right combination of wits, skills, and derring-do to pull off an operation of this complexity and scale — the best scoundrels the galaxy has to offer. And then the game is on: a rip-roaring, intergalactic, Ocean’s Eleven-style heist adventure starring Han Solo, Chewie, and Lando Calrissian, written by #1 New York Times bestselling Star Wars author Timothy Zahn!
Hmm. So is Han going to rob a bank? And who would like to bet that either Talon Karrde and/or Mara Jade appear in this novel? Zahn has historically shown a penchant for including his own characters in his stories, either as focus characters (specifically, Mara Jade) or in supporting roles.
Either way, Zahn has a loyal and devoted fanbase that will undoubtedly buy this book and devour it while sipping their hot chocolate.