The tale of Star Wars is getting one epic upgrade with a new book that’s set to come out later this year. If you’re all about the true classics like The Odyssey and The Iliad, then you’ll want to be the first in line to get The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem.
Yes, Star Wars has always been one of the greatest stories ever told. But now you’ll be able to read all about it in the style of those ancient epic poems, courtesy of author Jack Mitchell. This new edition to the Star Wars literature canon was announced today on This Week! In Star Wars, and over on StarWars.com, they previewed what you can expect from this classic twist on the story of Star Wars.
According to StarWars.com, this book/poem will be about the events of the original trilogy. It’ll start with the events from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, just around when Jyn Erso and the gang are in motion to steal the plans for the Death Star. Then, the conclusion of the poem will bring us all the way to Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, where we’ll be happy to read about the destruction of the second Death Star and (hopefully) the subsequent party on Endor that followed it in such an epic way.
Star Wars also released the cover for this upcoming book, which looks totally awesome. On it, a dueling Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker battle it out with their lightsabers — but they’re drawn on the cover in that classic style reminiscent of old Grecian art. (Someone put this art on a vase, quick!)
The other awesome thing about this is that author Jack Mitchell is certainly more than qualified to write this epic poem. As a poet with a background from Stanford, he told StarWars.com:
"I was reading Homer and Vergil in the daytime, then Star Wars books to my kids at night… And I realized this was our modern mythology, which I was already passing on."
Additionally, he added:
"I think the movies turn us all into poets. We weave the stories together as we watch, we hear echoes and allusions: that’s why they’re always fresh. This long poem is just me putting into words the way I watch them."
With there already being a Shakespearean version of the Skywalker saga out there, this only adds to the unique breadth of literature you’ll find from the world of Star Wars. But if you’re interested in getting The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem, the book is available for pre-order right now and will be out on Sept. 28, 2021.
For more Star Wars books news, keep up with Dork Side of the Force!